China's Military Technology

     Americans generally assume that their technological superiority makes up for the larger military fielded by China, which has become increasingly threatening.  That comforting thought no longer applies. Aided by a robust economy (thanks to all those products we buy!) an increasingly sophisticated scientific and engineering capability and an espionage effort worthy of James Bond, Beijing’s commitment to establish a military second to none is succeeding. 

     China explained its military world view in its National Defense white paper: “International military competition remains fierce.  [China is] “accelerating the modernization of national defense and the armed forces…the PLA [China’s armed forces] has expanded and made profound preparations for military struggle, [through the] development of high-tech weaponry and equipment.”

     Beijing’s success has produced an armed force rivaling in sophistication our own, even in areas in which Washington has long held unquestioned superiority, such as stealth and space capability. Meanwhile, The White House plans to cut roughly a trillion dollars from the armed forces over the next ten years.

     Beijing accelerates its technology in more ways than just standard R&D investment.  It makes significant use of illegally acquired dual-use civilian technology, as well as data stolen by spies.      Despite all this, the Administration’s maintains an optimistic outlook. Its2010 Quadrennial Defense Review states “Today’s export control system is a relic of the Cold War and must be adapted…the current system impedes cooperation, technology sharing… [and] is largely outdated…”

     While the U.S. slashes its nuclear deterrent in accordance with the “New Start” Treaty, Beijing’s power grows rapidly. James Woolsey’s U.S. Nuclear Deterrence in the 21^stCentury white paper notes that “China…is modernizing and expanding its nuclear forces.  Nuclear threats have also been periodically made by senior Chinese generals.” 

     Beijing has been clear on the priority it places on making its armed forces as sophisticated as possible.  Dean Cheng reports that Beijing leader Hu Jintao has discussed the need to “accelerate its transformation and modernization … and make extended preparations for military combat.”

     Washington has been naïve about the PLA. A  report released in April, Indigenous Weapons Development in China’s Military Modernization, notes that: “China’s selective transparency—or strategic deceptions that asserted opposition to the development of space weapons—may have misled foreign observers outside of military and intelligence channels.”

     Instead of responding effectively to the threat, Washington has adopted a concept called the “Air Sea Battle Concept,” shifting resources from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The operational plan is to integrate Naval, Air Force and Marine assets to deter China.  However, those assets are dwindling.  As we previously reported, The U.S. has only 284 combat ships, down from a high of 600 in the Reagan era, and the Air Force has been reduced from 37 combat wings to 20.  Funds for vitally needed modern fighter planes have been slashed.  There are plans to cut funding for the Marines.

     The U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission believes that “The apparent disparity over the past decade between U.S. predictions and the actual pace of development…raises questions as to whether flawed underlying assumptions may have affected analysis in this area, inside or outside the U.S. government.” America has been warned.