July, 19, 2005
Terra Daily
Photo: China's Ming submarine fleet
Washington (AFP) — China is building up its military at a pace and scope that is tipping the military balance against Taiwan and could pose a credible threat to modern militaries operating in the region, a Pentagon report on Chinese military power said Tuesday.
The annual report to Congress said China's actual defense spending is estimated to be two to three times more than acknowledged by Beijing, or up to 90 billion dollars this year, the largest in Asia and the third largest in the world after the United States and Russia.
The report detailed China's efforts to improve and add to its ballistic missile forces and modernize its conventional forces with acquisitions of advanced fighter aircraft, surface warships, submarines, precision weapons and computerized information systems.
"China does not now face a direct threat from another nation," the report said. "Yet, it continues to invest heavily in its military, particularly in programs designed to improve power projection."
"The pace and scope of China's military build-up are, already, such as to put regional military balances at risk," said the 45-page report, entitled "The Military Power of the People's Republic of China."
It said China has deployed 650 to 730 mobile short range ballistic missiles in garrisons opposite Taiwan, and is adding to them at a rate of about 100 missiles a year, it said. Newer versions of the missiles have improved range and accuracy.
"The cross-Strait military balance appears to be shifting toward Beijing as a result of China's sustained economic growth, growing diplomatic leverage, and improvements in the PLA's military capabilities," the report said.
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