Defense/Military - 78. page

Chinese military power would be trapped in a shallow basin if its development could not adjust to the quantum leap of new weapons and equipment as in other countries, says state media Huanqiu Magazine. For example, increasing pressure comes from neighbors such as Russia (about 1,500 billion rubles in arms purchases in 2009) and India (150 billion US dollars to modernize military forces over the next 5 years). “The U.S.’ frequent moves in the Western Pacific region have posed a serious threat to China’s military security. This threat comes from its force in the air as well as from the sea, and even from its power from sea to land.”

Source: Xinhua, November 4, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/globe/2009-11/04/content_12385845.htm

State media Huanqiu issued a report quoting a U.S. source that China has currently replaced South Korea as the leader in the world shipbuilding industry. 

Study Times, a weekly newspaper published by the Party School of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), published an article on how to develop diversified mechanized infantries:

Develop new battle theories based on different battlefields: 1. Battle inside City. The army is shifting its focus from traditional mountain/hilly ground to the city as it believes that cities will be the main battle ground in the future wars. 2. Shore Landing. 3. Airborne. 4. Battle in hilly ground.

Diversify mechanized infantries: 1. Heavy mechanized infantry. 2. Light mechanized infantry. 3. Amphibious mechanized infantry. 4. Airborne mechanized infantry.

Advance equipment: 1. Wheel-based equipment (for battles inside cities). 2. Airborne equipment. 3. Digitalized (IT-based) equipment.

Improve Training: 1. Develop training base for mechanized infantry soldiers (the current training bases are designed for tank crews). 2. Develop multi-purpose training centers. 3. Adopt more simulations.

Source: Study Times, October 26, 2009
http://www.studytimes.com.cn/WebPage/ny1.aspx?act=1&id=3008&nid=10921&bid=7&page=1

At the 60th anniversary of the Chinese Air Force, Global Times, a branch of the Chinese state news People’s Daily, published an article suggesting that the Air Force should have capabilities to take on a space war just like a nuclear one. The future new Air Force should be able to block a war four thousand miles away. Since China does not have overseas military bases and aircraft carriers, it is especially important that the Air Force has remote deterrent forces. Many powerful countries nowadays can start a war from space. China needs the capability to defend the land, just like nuclear capabilities.

Source: Global Times, November 12, 2009.
http://mil.huanqiu.com/china/2009-11/630847.html

On September 14 in Taipei, the state media Huanqiu, the Chinese version of Global Times, reported that a retired lieutenant general from China supported a Mainland-Taiwan joint military defense of the South China Sea.

Li Jijun is a former Vice President of the Academy of Military Science, China’s highest government military research agency. He also once worked as the Director of the General Office of the Central Military Commission of the CCP, the country’s highest military command office. He is currently on a trip to Taiwan, together with Zheng Bijian, a former Vice President of the Central Party School of the CCP and a heavyweight government adviser.

Regarding the Mainland’s missile deployment, Li reemphasized that the missiles are targeting “Taiwan Independence” and foreign intervention. On the regional roles played by the U.S. and Japan in Taiwan, Li pointed out, “(We) don’t allow the U.S., Japan, or any third country to intervene in any link in the cross-strait mutual trust mechanism of military and security forces. … If the U.S. insists on getting involved, let’s wait and see!"

Source: Huanqiu, November 15, 2009
http://taiwan.huanqiu.com/liangan/2009-11/632606.html

According to the China Internet Information Center, the central government’s portal site published an interview with Military expert Yue Gang about the severe shooting event at the US military base [Fort Hood] and its impact on US international military activities. Yue believes that the US government is taking this event very seriously because Obama made an announcement on the event very rapidly. He also suggested: (1) A delay in overseas deployment of troops is likely to happen since time is needed to reinforce internal discipline; (2) The U.S. may need to rethink its “military culture” which currently has a low standard caused by a lowered bar of entry due to heavy global military operations. Yue believes the immediate action needed by the US military is to tell the soldiers why they are fighting and who they fight for.

Source: China Internet Information Center, November 6, 2009.
http://www1.china.com.cn/news/txt/2009-11/06/content_18840354.htm

Towards the end of the year, Chinese military forces will implement a new system for over 800,000 non-commissioned officers. This is another major policy reform for non-commissioned officers following the 1999 reform. According to the General Staff Department of the People’s Liberation Army, the reform is based on four considerations: retention of officers for information warfare, institutionalization of lessons learned, solutions for current conflicts and problems brought by various changes, and adjustments necessary to meet the needs for reform of the country and its military forces.
 
Source: China News Service, November 4, 2009
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/news/2009/11-04/1946769.shtml

During an interview with a Xinhua reporter, Xu Qiliang, China’s Air Force Commander, claimed that the arms race and arms development have taken on a new challenge, as it now includes control of space. Xu stated that whoever controls space will control the ground, ocean, and the electromagnetic field, achieving a strategic advantage. The Air Force should keep on track of the overall goal, including building IT capabilities and being ahead in information warfare. The impetus should continue on strategic requirements, covering air and space and focusing both on offense and defense. The thrust must include improvement of reconnaissance capabilities and early detection, warning, air strikes, defense against air strikes, and strategic delivery capabilities. Military capabilities must face continued refinement and the military must realize the transition from mechanization to information as early as possible.

Source: Xinhua, November 1, 2009
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-11/01/content_12364603.htm