I read about how China has increased their overall spending as far as their military is concerned and it got me thinking about why they would need to up their military. Now of course people will think it has to be to offset or confront the US, but I don't think that is the case short term. They are still spending far less then the US, but I think they have eyes closer to home. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-...l-increase-11-2-to-106-4-billion-in-2012.html It also says in the article that a military buildup across the strait from Taiwan is taking place as well. But I think China has its eyes on 2 targets. One is Vietnam, and the other is India. As stated above they have a strong interest in the oil and gas rich waters off Vietnam and historically they have been enemies of Vietnam for quite some time. Also I don't think the US would be quick to come to the aid of Vietnam in the event of any Chinese aggression.
Now the issue with India is more interesting, as there are water issues at play there, not to mention China and Pakistan have cordial (?) relations and all 3 are nuclear powers. http://euronewsweek.net/index.php/b...-military-build-up-may-be-too-little-too-late
China like the USA has learned a lesson on fighting Vietnam. I believe they have tried 2 times in their history and just like us they went home not knowing what the fuck just happened. Also India spends lots of money on military, they do not like us (the USA) very much in military terms, but we should try to get closer to them. The future in in Asia, we should be friends with China but friendlier with India (maybe after we pull out of Afghanistan and can stop kissing some Pakistani ass).
Much of the spending is more towards modernization and the need to develop more indigenous armaments industries.
Not sure if this strictly belongs here, but this is a fantastic podcast which opened my eyes about China's foreign policy. It's mainly about the China/India border dispute, but has broader significance. I do now think the Chinese are largely peaceful in their intents regarding their neighbours. http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/podcasts/India_China_Border.mp3
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-n...ina-of-sending-more-boats-to-disputed-island/ Google Spratly Islands, just a warning it goes against your narrative and I know you hate shit like that.
There are always outliers and exceptions to any general narrative, but the point made by that British or Canadian dude in the podcast still stands, does it not? And it's not my narrative - I don't have a bias towards (or against) the Chinese by any stretch. I just found that podcast to be very interesting, since I like history and realpolitik. How did that stick get up your ass btw? You should get it removed.
Interesting information , I do think it has it's eyes on Vietnam , The thing about China it's that it's surrounded by very strong militaries . From Indonesia to India . To make things short yes China will confront The Association of Southeast Asian nations not exactly Taiwan but disputes with the Philippines aswell.
The situation with China and the South China Sea could be a flashpoint, and EL_tri321mex I agree with you about the PI as well. http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201205290045 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13748349
I don't think China is crazy enough to build up to confront India , I know recently China's presence in Kashmir has been building up to open up a trade route of shipments from the middle east directly through Pakistan into Kashmir to China rather than to go through the Bay of Bengal and south China sea . China would have to make Pakistan a big ally .
I think China certainly sees an opp. to make pakistan a closer ally given the decrease in relations between the US and pakistan. Don't forget pakistan made our downed stealth chopper available to the Chinese after it crashed while on the mission to kill obl. This is a pretty good article concerning water and possible future conflict: http://www.futuredirections.org.au/...resulting-from-food-and-water-insecurity.html http://www.economist.com/node/21538687
There is more about the water issues, the last article I quoted also discuss' the issues that India and Pakistan have concerning water. http://www.jeywin.com/blog/brahmaputra-river-–-dispute-between-india-and-china/
Pakistan and China have long been friendly. They built the Karakorum Highway connecting their countries in the 50's. China is helping to build a port at Gwadar, and the two countries train some special forces together.
unless I'm mistaken, which is entirely unlikely, the chopper that crashed in the obl raid was a Black Hawk - nothing stealthy about it.
It was a Blackhawk, however it had materials and other "enhancements" that reduced the overall signature of the aircraft as well as sound suppression of the blades and such that make it more "stealthy" as opposed to a standard Blackhawk.
probably nothing that China isn't already familiar with. radar-absorbent skin, etc. isn't all that new.
Yes but the point is more of Pakistan opening it's legs and being that easy to give up info to China.
They already are, China sees Pakistan as a second front against China, China sells lots of military gear to Pakistan (re-engineered Russian stuff), they even have joint projects I think one is called the PAK-F10 or something like that.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/02/philippines-spy-planes_n_1642555.html?ref=topbar I would keep a very close eye on this region in the coming months. That coupled with iran's threats concerning the straits of hormuz, you could have the beginnings of a very unstable situation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19709355 China's ambitions look pretty clear. South China Sea is their current focus.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19709355 China's ambitions look pretty clear. South China Sea is their current focus.