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China 'training for strikes' on US targets | China 'training for strikes' on US targets |
(about 2 hours later) | |
China's military "is likely training for strikes" against US and allied targets in the Pacific, a Pentagon report warns. | China's military "is likely training for strikes" against US and allied targets in the Pacific, a Pentagon report warns. |
The annual report to Congress says China is increasing its ability to send bomber planes further afield. | The annual report to Congress says China is increasing its ability to send bomber planes further afield. |
The report highlights its increasing military capability, including defence spending estimated at $190bn (£150bn) - a third that of the US. | The report highlights its increasing military capability, including defence spending estimated at $190bn (£150bn) - a third that of the US. |
China has not yet commented on the report. | China has not yet commented on the report. |
What else does the report say? | What else does the report say? |
The warning about air strikes is one part of a comprehensive assessment of China's military and economic ambitions. | The warning about air strikes is one part of a comprehensive assessment of China's military and economic ambitions. |
"Over the last three years, the PLA [People's Liberation Army] has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against US and allied targets," the report says. | "Over the last three years, the PLA [People's Liberation Army] has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against US and allied targets," the report says. |
It goes on to say it is not clear what China is trying to prove by such flights. | It goes on to say it is not clear what China is trying to prove by such flights. |
The PLA may demonstrate the "capability to strike US and allied forces and military bases in the western Pacific Ocean, including Guam," the report adds. | The PLA may demonstrate the "capability to strike US and allied forces and military bases in the western Pacific Ocean, including Guam," the report adds. |
China, it says, is restructuring its ground forces to "fight and win". | China, it says, is restructuring its ground forces to "fight and win". |
"The purpose of these reforms is to create a more mobile, modular, lethal ground force capable of being the core of joint operations," the report says. | "The purpose of these reforms is to create a more mobile, modular, lethal ground force capable of being the core of joint operations," the report says. |
China's military budget is expected to expand to $240bn over the next 10 years, according to the assessment. | China's military budget is expected to expand to $240bn over the next 10 years, according to the assessment. |
It also highlights China's growing space programme "despite its public stance against the militarization of space". | It also highlights China's growing space programme "despite its public stance against the militarization of space". |
In June, President Donald Trump announced his intentions to set up a sixth branch of the US armed forces - a "space force". | In June, President Donald Trump announced his intentions to set up a sixth branch of the US armed forces - a "space force". |
Where are the areas of tension? | Where are the areas of tension? |
The US is concerned about China's growing influence in the Pacific, where Washington still plays a major role. | The US is concerned about China's growing influence in the Pacific, where Washington still plays a major role. |
One of the most high-profile areas is the South China Sea, much of it claimed by China and other countries. | One of the most high-profile areas is the South China Sea, much of it claimed by China and other countries. |
The US military regularly seeks to demonstrate freedom of navigation by flying over the South China Sea. | The US military regularly seeks to demonstrate freedom of navigation by flying over the South China Sea. |
China has been expanding what appear to be military facilities on islands and reefs in the area, and it has landed bombers on the outposts during training exercises. | China has been expanding what appear to be military facilities on islands and reefs in the area, and it has landed bombers on the outposts during training exercises. |
Another flashpoint is Taiwan, which is seen by China as a breakaway province. | Another flashpoint is Taiwan, which is seen by China as a breakaway province. |
The document warns that China "is likely preparing for a contingency to unify Taiwan with China by force". | The document warns that China "is likely preparing for a contingency to unify Taiwan with China by force". |
"Should the United States intervene, China would try to delay effective intervention and seek victory in a high-intensity, limited war of short duration," the report says. | "Should the United States intervene, China would try to delay effective intervention and seek victory in a high-intensity, limited war of short duration," the report says. |
In a nod to China, the US cut formal ties with Taiwan in 1979 but continues to maintain close political and security ties, which irks Beijing. | In a nod to China, the US cut formal ties with Taiwan in 1979 but continues to maintain close political and security ties, which irks Beijing. |
The US also continues to maintain a substantial military presence in Japan, which has its own territorial disputes with China and the Philippines. | The US also continues to maintain a substantial military presence in Japan, which has its own territorial disputes with China and the Philippines. |
Tensions also continue in the non-military sphere. The US and China have announced tariffs on a range of each other's goods. | Tensions also continue in the non-military sphere. The US and China have announced tariffs on a range of each other's goods. |
The rise of the maritime militia | |
By Jonathan Marcus, Defence and Diplomatic Correspondent | By Jonathan Marcus, Defence and Diplomatic Correspondent |
While the bulk of the Pentagon's annual China report focuses on Beijing's rapidly developing military capabilities, the study also looks in some depth at China's little known Maritime Militia. | While the bulk of the Pentagon's annual China report focuses on Beijing's rapidly developing military capabilities, the study also looks in some depth at China's little known Maritime Militia. |
This is an armed civilian reserve force, organised and recruited locally, but according to the Pentagon, the Militia plays a vital role in the South China Sea, spreading Beijing's political goals through operations short of outright war. | This is an armed civilian reserve force, organised and recruited locally, but according to the Pentagon, the Militia plays a vital role in the South China Sea, spreading Beijing's political goals through operations short of outright war. |
A large number of Militia vessels support the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard in safeguarding maritime claims, protecting fisheries and so on. | A large number of Militia vessels support the Chinese Navy and Coast Guard in safeguarding maritime claims, protecting fisheries and so on. |
The Pentagon study says that the Militia has played a significant role in a number of high-profile incidents, where Chinese vessels have sought to coerce ships from countries with competing maritime claims. | The Pentagon study says that the Militia has played a significant role in a number of high-profile incidents, where Chinese vessels have sought to coerce ships from countries with competing maritime claims. |
This is all part of China's effort to promote so-called "grey operations", designed to frustrate the response of other parties involved and secure its interests across a wide swathe of reefs and island chains. | This is all part of China's effort to promote so-called "grey operations", designed to frustrate the response of other parties involved and secure its interests across a wide swathe of reefs and island chains. |
What is being done to defuse tensions? | What is being done to defuse tensions? |
The Pentagon report is at pains to stress that the US "seeks a constructive and results-oriented relationship with China". | The Pentagon report is at pains to stress that the US "seeks a constructive and results-oriented relationship with China". |
There is regular contact between US and Chinese military officials. | There is regular contact between US and Chinese military officials. |
And in June, James Mattis became the first US defence secretary to visit China since 2014. | And in June, James Mattis became the first US defence secretary to visit China since 2014. |