Neutering & Defanging Chinese Threat (09-08-2014)

[SSridhar]

China can’t have double standards on terrorism, says V.K.Singh - PTI

After China blocked India’s bid at the United Nations to ban Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, Beijing was told that it cannot have double standards on terrorism, Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh said on Saturday.

“We have conveyed to China in very clear terms that you cannot have two standards on terrorism. You cannot say that you don’t accept or you are against terrorism and at the same time you support a leader of a terrorist outfit,” he said.

India’s view has been conveyed to China at many fora, including the External Affairs Ministry, the former Army Chief said here [Kolkatta] on the sidelines of a seminar by Centre for Eastern and North Eastern Regional Studies Kolkata .

The UN had banned JeM but India’s efforts seeking a ban on Azhar after the 2008 Mumbai attack, too, did not fructify as China did not allow the ban.

When asked about India’s objections to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the Minister said: “There are problems. It is through a territory which belongs to India and India has raised its concerns and has told China about it.”

[Prem]

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/05/08 ... ahar-port/
Japan eyes development of Iranian port: Report

A new report says Japan seeks to play a part in the development of the southeastern Iranian port of Chabahar.Tokyo hopes to team up with India in the development of the regional logistics hub in southeastern Iran, according to the Nikkei Asian Review citing its sources on Sunday.
The report said Tokyo wants to be part of a project on the construction of a site, which is set to include a port and an industrial complex in Chabahar.It said Tokyo is keen to build stronger ties with Tehran and that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hopes to reach a deal on the port during a planned visit to the Iranian capital later this year.In April, the Indian government announced plans to invest some $20 billion to build fertilizer and petrochemical plants at Chabahar.The Japanese government hopes to start drawing up specific plans for Chabahar development by the end of this year through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Tokyo will decide on details such as the necessary infrastructure and a list of companies it will invite to tender for the project. The investment will use official development assistance, the report added.
It said Japan hopes to develop the area into a trading center for resource-rich Central Asian countries such as Turkmenistan, the world's fourth largest producer of natural gas. It also hopes that Chabahar will serve as a logistics pivot for Iran and Afghanistan.Late in April, local Iranian media reports said China also wanted to have a stake in Chabahar, with the official IRNA news agency saying a technical team of Chinese experts visited Chabahar in Iran’s province of Sistan-Baluchestan for the launch of a Chinese industrial town project there.Chabahar is located in the Gulf of Oman on the border with Pakistan. It is the closest and best access point of Iran to the Indian Ocean and Iran has devised serious plans to turn it into a transit hub for immediate access to markets in the northern part of the Indian Ocean and Central Asia.In May 2014, India and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop the port once the international sanctions against Iran were lifted. Both sides agreed as per the MoU to allow India to lease two docks at the port for a period of 10 years, a move that was meant to cut India's crude oil and urea transportation costs by around 30 percent.

[SSridhar]

China pips India in aid to Nepal; Delhi out of top five donors' list - Sachin Parashar, ToI

If it is Nepal's growing proximity with China that is making PM K P Sharma Oli act in a cavalier fashion, some of the resultant damage for India could be self-inflicted. While India denies that it was responsible for the blockade which threatened to cripple Nepal's economy, the fact is that the recent strain in India-Nepal relations has coincided with China surpassing India in the list of top aid donors to Nepal.

The latest report by the Nepal government on official development assistance (ODA) shows that in FY 2014-2015, India's ODA disbursement to Nepal plummeted by over 50% in the first year of the NDA government, allowing Beijing to overtake India in the list of top assistance providers.

While China's disbursement of ODA stood at $37.95 million, India accounted for a little over $22 million. This is the first time in the past five years that India is not in the list of top 5 ODA providers (in terms of disbursement) among Nepal's bilateral development partners. China is now in fourth position, after the UK, the US and Japan, and followed by Switzerland.

Nepal's latest Development Cooperation Report acknowledges that India and China have also provided technical assistance to Nepal through scholarships, training and study tours conducted in their countries and which is not fully reflected in the total volume of assistance.

"Though, both of these countries are very important aid providers to Nepal, the assistance received from them has not been well reported as in the previous years,'' it says. India has also committed $1,400 million for Nepal's earthquake reconstruction work as against China's $766 million.

[SSridhar]

China, Caribbean cosy up to sound of music - AFP

Gyrating in the night, Trinidadian soca singer Lil Bitts’s derriere, hugged by a pair of hot pants, is centre stage in efforts to bring together China and the Caribbean as Beijing seeks a more prominent presence in Washington’s backyard.

“I want to teach people how to jump and wave and wind and enjoy yourself like a Caribbean person,” she said at Beijing’s biggest Latin American and Caribbean Music Festival to date.

The four-day event, which saw bands from 15 Caribbean countries looking to twerk open pocketbooks and hearts in the world’s second-largest economy, is part of the exchanges agreed when Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a 2014 summit in Brasilia.

Growing interests

China’s growing economic and political interests on the U.S. doorstep are part of its “efforts to deepen trade, investment and financial ties to developing countries and regions and at the same time to further broaden ‘South-South’ cooperation”, said Matt Ferchen, professor of international relations at Tsinghua University. {Aha . . .Prof. Matt Ferchen has to say that because he gets his salary from Beijing's Tsinghua University. But, the truth is that China is gobbling up or trying to gobble up all financially vulnerable small states}

But efforts to reinforce those links at a “people-to-people” level have to contend with a clash of cultures from opposite sides of the globe — sometimes bordering on racism.

Outside the venue, Deng Yuanhe, a migrant construction worker, crept over to a metal fence to catch a glimpse of the first black people he had ever seen.

He liked the music, he said, but admitted: “If they came over to talk to me or approached me in the night, I’d definitely be afraid. So black, with such big eyes.”

‘The next 100 years’

One of the biggest projects with Chinese involvement in the Caribbean is the ill-fated $3.5 billion Baha Mar resort complex in the Bahamas, described as the biggest commercial real estate development in the western hemisphere.

It has yet to be completed, while its owner has filed for bankruptcy and has sued the Chinese contractor, blaming it for multiple delays. Ratings agency Standard and Poor’s has downgraded the Bahamas’ credit rating in response. But Paul Gomez, the Bahamas’ ambassador to Beijing, insisted that “the Chinese are not viewed negatively” as a result.

Chinese companies are involved in an estimated $250 million development of Pointe Nassau, building condominiums and performing arts centres in the heart of the capital, and have snatched up the historic British Colonial Hilton Hotel.

The former British colony, although just a short flight from the United States, was turning to Chinese capital as other countries had “their own situations and austerity programmes”, Mr. Gomez said.

The Carribeans would go the same way as Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Seychelles, Djibouti et al. Huge Chinese loans at high interest rates for infrastructure development, galloping debt burden, concession of strategic space eventually to Chinese entities.

[Prem]

China's 'Boomers': Should America Fear Beijing's Underwater Nukes?
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-bu ... ukes-16130

the gradual, but steady development of China’s ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) program has been closely monitored by international observers. China is the last of the Permanent Five members of the United Nations Security Council to establish an operational SSBN force. A recent report by the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) says that China’s Jin­­-class SSBN represents the country’s “first credible at-sea second-strike nuclear capability.” That goal remains a long way off, however. Although the Jin­-class is a potential step forward for China’s nuclear deterrent, its nascent SSBN program continues to face considerable challenges.A secure second-strike capability requires that some portion of a country’s nuclear forces survive an enemy’s first strike. By virtue of being able to hide in the vastness of the ocean, SSBNs have the potential to be an essential component of China’s nuclear second-strike capability. A reliable long-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), capable of striking a target at intercontinental range with a nuclear payload, is critical to this strategy. The JL-2 SLBM carried by the Jin­-class can deliver between one to three nuclear warheads to an estimated range of 7,400 km. The relatively short range of the JL-2 requires China’s SSBNs to travel undetected through several crucial chokepoints into the Pacific Ocean in order to strike the continental United States.This shortcoming requires China to rely on the stealth of the Jin­-class to sail the submarine into firing position. However, available information suggests that theJin-class is detectable by foreign Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) assets. According to a 2013 report in The National Interest, the Jin­-class may have fundamental flaws that create a detectable sonar signature. Evidence of this vulnerability can be found in a 2009 ONI report, which compared the low-frequency noise of China’s SSBN force to Russian/Soviet submarines, and revealed that the Jin­-class was the noisier than Russian Delta III-class SSBNs that were first commissioned in the mid-1970s.
China also faces the technological and bureaucratic hurdles of establishing effective command and control (C2) with its SSBNs. Reliable C2 communication with decision makers on the mainland and firing protocols for when an SSBN loses contact with its national command authority are critical to ensuring that an SSBNonly fires when it is absolutely necessary. Contacting an SSBN when it is submerged requires advanced communications technology. Salt water only permits radio waves to penetrate a short distance into the ocean, requiring communication stations to use Very Low Frequency (VLF) or Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) radio waves to signal a submarine. An alternative option for relaying information to submarines comes from aircraft like the U.S.-E-6B TACAMO that trails a several-miles-long antenna to signal submarines at shallow depths. Little is publicly known about China’s communications infrastructure; however the Chinese navy maintains VLF facilities at Changde and Datong.
China may seek to improve its infrastructure on reclaimed land features in the SCS to help secure safe passage for its SSBNs to the Pacific Ocean. Establishing control of the waters within the nine-dashed-line could potentially lessen the drawbacks of the current submarine base on Hainan Island, as submarines operating out of the base are exposed to ASW forces of the United States and other countries. Theplacement of HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles on Woody Island with a range of 125 miles, which could be deployed on other land features, may empower China to counter foreign ASW aircraft during a crisis. China’s own ASW forces may also play a key role. Establishing airbases for its emerging aviation-ASW program might eventually enable China to counter enemy attack submarines charged with tracking China’s SSBN fleet.These efforts could potentially enhance China’s second strike capability while a new, quieter SSBN and longer range SLBM are under development. There is limited available information on the development of new submarine and missile technology, making it unclear when China will be capable of fully addressing the aforementioned problems. In any case, securing safe passage into the SCS is only a partial solution. China’s SSBNs must still traverse the long journey from their home base on Hainan Island, through strategic chokepoints, to locations far away from the safety of China’s protected coastal waters – a task that might prove extremely difficult for China’s current fleet of Jin­­-class SSBNs.

[SSridhar]

China scrambles fighter jets as US sails warship near disputed island - Reuters

China scrambled fighter jets on Tuesday as a US navy ship sailed close to a disputed reef in the South China Sea, a patrol China denounced as an illegal threat to peace which only went to show its defence installations in the area were necessary.

Guided missile destroyer the USS William P Lawrence travelled within 12 nautical miles of Chinese-occupied Fiery Cross Reef, US defence department spokesman, Bill Urban said.

The so-called freedom of navigation operation was undertaken to "challenge excessive maritime claims" by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam which were seeking to restrict navigation rights in the South China Sea, Urban said.

"These excessive maritime claims are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention in that they purport to restrict the navigation rights that the United States and all states are entitled to exercise," Urban said in an emailed statement.

China and the United States have traded accusations of militarising the South China Sea as China undertakes large-scale land reclamations and construction on disputed features while the United States has increased its patrols and exercises.

Facilities on Fiery Cross Reef include a 3,000-metre (10,000-foot) runway which the United States worries China will use it to press its extensive territorial claims at the expense of weaker rivals.

China's defence ministry said two fighter jets were scrambled and three warships shadowed the US ship, telling it to leave.

The US patrol "again proves that China's construction of defensive facilities on the relevant reefs in the Nansha Islands is completely reasonable and totally necessary", it said, using China's name for the Spratly Islands where much of its reclamation work is taking place.

Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the US ship illegally entered Chinese waters.

"This action by the US side threatened China's sovereignty and security interests, endangered the staff and facilities on the reef, and damaged regional peace and stability," he told a daily news briefing.

Sensitive area

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims.

The Pentagon last month called on China to reaffirm it has no plans to deploy military aircraft in the Spratly Islands after China used a military plane to evacuate sick workers from Fiery Cross.

"Fiery Cross is sensitive because it is presumed to be the future hub of Chinese military operations in the South China Sea, given its already extensive infrastructure, including its large and deep port and 3000-metre runway," said Ian Storey, a South China Sea expert at Singapore's ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute.

"The timing is interesting, too. It is a show of US determination ahead of President Obama's trip to Vietnam later this month."

Speaking in Vietnam, Daniel Russel, assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific, said freedom of navigation operations were important for smaller nations.

"If the world's most powerful navy cannot sail where international law permits, then what happens to the ships of navy of smaller countries?," Russel told reporters before news of the operation was made public.

China has reacted with anger to previous US freedom of navigation operations, including the overflight of fighter planes near the disputed Scarborough Shoal last month, and when long-range US bombers flew near Chinese facilities under construction on Cuarteron Reef in the Spratlys last November.

US naval officials believe China has plans to start reclamation and construction activities on Scarborough Shoal, which sits further north of the Spratlys within the Philippines claimed 200 nautical mile (370 km) exclusive economic zone.

A Chinese diplomat warned last week that criticism of China over the South China Sea would rebound like a coiled spring.

[Austin]

Queen says Chinese officials were 'very rude' during Xi Jinping's UK trip

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/11/europ ... index.html

[kmkraoind]

China opens its first combined transport service to Nepal - En.people.cn

One word to describe the present Nepalese Govt = Manchurian Candidate.

On the afternoon of May 11, an international freight train departed from Lanzhou, the capital city of northwestern China's Gansu province. The final destination is Kathmandu, Nepal, but rail transport will change over to road transport in Xigaze, Tibet.

The whole journey will take 10 days and includes three sections: 2,431 kilometers of rail transport from Lanzhou to Xigaze, 564 kilometers of road transport from Xigaze to Geelong Port in Nepal, and 160 kilometers of road transport from Geelong Port to Kathmandu. Altogether, the combined transport takes 35 days fewer than traditional ocean transport would.

The train has 43 cars and 86 cargo containers carrying daily necessities and home appliances, according to the deputy general of China Railway Container Corporation.

The launch of the combination service will further promote the rapid growth of related industries in China's Gansu province, Qinghai province, Tibetan Autonomous Region and South Asian regions.

[Prem]

http://tacticalinvestor.com/report-by-c ... worthless/
Report by CSIS on China Belt & Road worthless

[SSridhar]

China elevates military command along Indian border: Report - PTI

In a surprise move, China has elevated the rank of Tibet's Military Command which looks after the security along its border with India by putting it under the jurisdiction of PLA ground forces, suggesting it may "undertake some kind of military combat mission in future."

"China raises Tibet Military Command's (TMC) power rank," state-run Global Times said in a frontpage report.

"The TMC's political rank will be elevated to one level higher than its counterpart provincial-level military commands and will come under the leadership of the People's Liberation Army (PLA)," it reported citing another official newspaper the 'China Youth Daily.'

"The promotion marks a new journey for the TMC command's construction," it said.

The sudden "elevation" surprised many observers as the PLA in this year's reform brought most of the provincial military commands under the control of Central Military Commission's (CMC) new National Defence Mobilisation Department.

CMC, the overall high command of the PLA, is directly headed by President Xi Jinping, who is also the head of the ruling Communist Party.

"The TMC on the other hand, is under the leadership of the Chinese ground forces, which suggests that the command may undertake some kind of military combat mission in the future," the report quoted a "source close to the matter" as saying.

There was no elaboration of what the "military combat mission" will be.

Seasoned military observers termed the report confusing.

President Pranab Mukherjee is due to visit China on a state visit from May 24 to improve bilateral ties. However, differences have risen between the two over China's attempts to block India's bid to ban Pakistan-based militant leaders.

China is also stepping its investment in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), through which it is building USD 46 billion economic corridor.

By raising TMC's authority level and putting it under the jurisdiction of PLA ground forces, China continues to boost its military presence in Tibet and aims to allow the military command to shoulder more combat assignments, analysts said.

"The elevation of the authority level is not only an improvement for the troops' designation, but also an expansion of their function and mission," Zhao Zhong, deputy director of the Political Work Department of the TMC, was quoted as saying by China Youth Daily.

Military commands in Tibet and Xinjiang have always enjoyed special political status and the promotion in rank this time reflects a continuation of China's policy.

"The promotion shows China is paying great attention to the TMC, which will significantly improve the command's ability to manage and control the region's military resources, as well as provide better preparation for combat," Song Zhongping, a Beijing-based military expert said.

Currently, the TMC is under the leadership of Western Theatre Command, headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Parrikar visited it during his visit last month.

"After the military reform, the TMC's priority is the management of military resources, as well as the region's national defence mobilisation," Song said.

The TMC bears great responsibility to prepare for possible China-India conflicts, and currently it is difficult to secure all the military resources they need, Song said.

"Border disputes between China and India have not been completely resolved. Military action in the TMC requires specialist mountain skills and long-range capabilities, which need the deployment of special military resources," Song said.

"The promotion of the command's authority level shows the amount of attention China places on the defence of its southwestern borders," he said.

The report quoted a Beijing-based military expert saying that "as a key part of the Western Theatre Command, the elevation in rank of TMC will also boost combat abilities."

TMC may perhaps get a four-star General instead of a Lt General, while Lanzhou where the combat forces are stationed is already led by a General.

"Loosely put it, the report is very confusing. we need to more information to get a proper prospective," a senior military official told PTI.

India-China borders largely enjoy peace and tranquillity, notwithstanding the dispute over the 3,488-km long border. They have set up mechanism at the ground and at the level of the government to address issues relating to the recurring transgressions by PLA troops in the areas claimed by India.

The issue was broadly discussed during last month's visit of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to China during which the two sides agreed to set up 'Hot Lines' between the militaries.

[SSridhar]

X-post from the Tracking thread

China claims support of several NSG members to block India's bid - PTI

Defending its move to block India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, China has claimed that several members of the 48-nation bloc shared its view that signing of the NPT was an "important" standard for the NSG's expansion.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that not only China but also a lot of other NSG members are of the view that Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the cornerstone for safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Asked about reports that China is pushing Pakistan's entry into NSG linking it to India's admission into the bloc, Lu said the NSG is an important part of NPT, which has been the consensus of the international community for long.

Although India is not part of the NSG, Indian side recognises this consensus, he claimed.

"All the multilateral non-proliferation export control regime including the NSG has regarded NPT as an important standard for the expansion of the NSG," he said.

Avoiding any references to Pakistan, Lu said "Apart from India, lot of other countries expressed their willingness to join. Then it raised the question to the international community - shall the non-NPT members also become part of the NSG?" he said.

"The international community believes that there should be a side discussion in the NSG on this issue and decision should be made in accordance with relevant rules. China's position is not directed against any specific country but applies to all the non-NPT members," he said.

India, Pakistan, Israel and South Sudan were among four UN member states which have not signed the NPT, the international pact aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

Last month Pakistan Prime Minister's advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that China has helped Pakistan to stall India's bid to get NSG membership.

India deserves this spanking for Nehru ignoring Sardar Patel's very prescient assessment of China's intentions way back in 1949 and Nehru's adamant policy of giving China a seat and above all a more pre-eminent position in the UN over and above itself. The country which has been the biggest proliferator and which continues to do so even now is giving a sermon about Non-Proliferation Treaty. If there is any country that deserves to be expelled from the NSG for being a complete misfit and an anachronist in the grouping, it is China, China & China.

[Arjun]

Isn't it time to merge the Pakistan and China threads into one ? With the two nations being such kindred souls, treating them separately seems unnecessarily divisive...

[UlanBatori]

Chinese IRBM makes US shiver in Guam Knickers

Hi Experts: Is an IRBM conventional warhead any more scary than a Ford 150 VBIED made of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil?

[Vivek K]

Is China trying to limit Indian n-subs by the NSG gig? Of course brainless, rentier state of Pakistani idiots, follow China like Chris Christy follows Trump these days. India needs to demand a permanent seat in the UN or otherwise ask for its disbanding. The UN is irrelevant anyway. India needs to grow some balls and openly violate the MTCR instead of puxxfooting around with ranges of 299 km and such garbage. There is no point in crying over Nehru 50 years+ later.

China has played its cards. That should tell India what is in their minds. No amount of cajoling, shared business will change the Chinese. They sense that they are near to encircling India by making inroads into Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and of course their ******** child Pakistan!!

It is time for unconventional responses by India or else to start teaching Mandarin in schools. India needs to buy 500 LCAs and to get the biggest industries assist HAL with mass production. Another 500-100 Arjuns would be a great help. India should also announce its new policy - any nation selling weapons to Pakistan (from now on) will be blacklisted and India will not buy even a screw driver from such a country. 100s of Dhanush artillery pieces, Pinaka MBRLs need to be positioned near the Chinese border. Threshold for response by Indian armed forces should be lowered.

A major way to respond to the Chinese should also be economic denial. Tariffs on Chinese products must be raised to give a level playing field to Indian companies. If NaMo administration wants to put pressure on the Chinese they should confiscate and destroy seized Chinese products imported into the country illegally. If truth be told, India has damaged herself with absurd levels of corruption that Industries have to deal with during operations. There is an inspector at Indian factories almost every day asking for hafta on one pretext or the other. This must be ended and the government work with Industries (re-capitalize banks if necessary) to increase output and reduce raw material and other costs. India needs to steal a leaf from the Chinese play book. GOI needs to get behind corporate India and make a competitive thrust overseas and deny access to the Indian market.

[SSridhar]

Is China trying to limit Indian n-subs by the NSG gig?

Vivek K, what makes you think so?

[Vivek K]

Wanting to limit both fissile material and nuclear fuel supply.

[SSridhar]

Vivek K, the NSG waiver of 2008 already ensures nuclear technology and fuel supplies (with life time assurances) to India. Joining NSG would bestow four things on India: ability to export Indian nuclear technology, products and services; possibly get enrichment technology (which is still banned for us); a prestige; and an ability to influence the worldwide nuclear doctrine/order.

Of course, we can also stop Pakistan from ever joining the group as decisions are taken by consensus.

[SSridhar]

India's nuclear force driving China to modernise nukes: Pentagon - PTI

The defence capabilities possessed by the US, Russia and India are among the main factors driving China to modernise its nuclear force and bolster its strategic strike capabilities, the Pentagon has said.

In a report to Congress detailing China's nuclear power, Pentagon on Friday said the country was deploying new command, control and communications capabilities to its nuclear forces to improve control of multiple units in the field.

China, it said, insists that the new generation of mobile missiles, with warheads consisting of multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) and penetration aids, are intended to ensure the viability of its strategic deterrent in the face of continued advances in the US and, to a lesser extent, Russian strategic ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), precision strike, and missile defence capabilities.

"Similarly, India's nuclear force is additional driver behind China's nuclear force modernisation," the Pentagon said in its report.

Through the use of improved communication links, ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) units now have better access to battlefield information and uninterrupted communications connecting all command echelons, the report said.

According to the Pentagon, China is working on a range of technologies to attempt to counter the US and other countries' ballistic missile defence systems, including manoeuvrable re-entry vehicles (MaRVs), MIRVs, decoys, chaff, jamming, and thermal shielding.

China has acknowledged that it tested a hypersonic glide vehicle in 2014. The country's official media also cited numerous PLASAF (Peoples Liberation Army Second Artillery Force) training exercises featuring manoeuvre, camouflage, and launch operations under simulated combat conditions, which are intended to increase survivability, it said.

Together with the increased mobility and survivability of the new generation of missiles, these technologies and training enhancements strengthen China's nuclear force and bolster its strategic strike capabilities.

China's nuclear arsenal currently consists of approximately 75-100 ICBMs, including the silo-based CSS-4 Mod 2 (DF-5A) and Mod 3(DF-5B), the solid-fueled, road-mobile CSS-10 Mod 1 and Mod 2 (DF-31 and DF-31A), and the more-limited-range CSS-3 (DF-4).

This force is complemented by road-mobile, solid-fueled CSS-5 Mod 6 (DF-21) MRBM for regional deterrence missions.

Pentagon said China's nuclear weapons policy prioritises maintaining a nuclear force able to survive an attack and to respond with sufficient strength to inflict unacceptable damage on an enemy.

"Further increases in the number of mobile ICBMs and the beginning of SSBN deterrence patrols will force the PLA to implement more sophisticated C2 systems and processes that safeguard the integrity of nuclear release authority for a larger, more dispersed force," it said.

The Pentagon said China continues to produce the JIN-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), with four commissioned and another under construction.

The JIN will eventually carry the CSS-NX-14 (JL-2) SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile) with an estimated range of 7,200 km. Together these will give the PLAN its first credible long-range sea-based nuclear capability. JIN SSBNs based at Hainan Island in the South China Sea would then be able to conduct nuclear deterrence patrols, it said.

[SSridhar]

Pentagon warns of China troops build-up on India border - PTI

China has increased defence capabilities and deployed more troops along the Indian border, the Pentagon has said, as it warned of increasing Chinese military presence including bases in various parts of the world, particularly Pakistan.

"We have noticed an increase in capability and force posture by the Chinese military in areas close to the border with India," Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for East Asia Abraham M Denmark told reporters during a news conference here [Washington] after Pentagon submitted its annual 2016 report to the US Congress on 'Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China'.

However, Denmark said it is difficult to conclude on the real intention behind this.

"It is difficult to say how much of this is driven by internal considerations to maintain internal stability, and how much of it is an external consideration," he said in response to a question on China upgrading its military command in Tibet.

Referring to US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter's recent trip to India, Denmark said he had a very positive and productive visit.

"We're going to continue to enhance our bilateral engagement with India, not in the China context, but because India is an increasingly important player by themselves. And we are going to engage India because of its value," he said.

The Defence Department also warned of China's increasing military presence including bases in various parts of the world, in particular Pakistan - with which it has a "longstanding friendly relationship and similar strategic interests".

China's expanding international economic interests are increasing demands for the PLA Navy (PLAN) to operate in more distant seas to protect Chinese citizens, investments, and critical sea lines of communication, it said.

"China most likely will seek to establish additional naval logistics hubs in countries with which it has a longstanding friendly relationship and similar strategic interests, such as Pakistan, and a precedent for hosting foreign militaries," the report said.

The Pentagon in its report expressed its concerns about Chinese military buildup near the Indian border.

"Tensions remain along disputed portions of the Sino- Indian border, where both sides patrol with armed forces.

"After a five-day military standoff in September 2015 at Burtse in Northern Ladakh, China and India held a senior-level flag-officer meeting, agreed to maintain peace, and retreated to positions mutually acceptable to both sides," it said.

The Pentagon said tensions remain with India along their shared 4,057-km border over Arunachal Pradesh (which China asserts is part of Tibet and, therefore, of China), and over the Askai Chin region at the western end of the Tibetan Plateau, despite increases in China-India political and economic relations.

[deejay]

^^^ On the sudden flurry of US concern over Chinese build up on Indian borders and US support to India's entry into NSG in face of Chinese opposition, I am a bit concerned.

a) There is hardly an Indian reaction (in the media) though the US reaction to both the stories have been fairly clear and direct.
b) Both Chinese position hurt India. Yet, either we are not aware or our Press has not covered it or GOI's reactions to these have yet to come.
or c) Did I miss the news of Indian reaction? If the GOI has reacted it is not like it did on the Visa issue-denial thing or on the blocking of names on the terror list by China.

[SSridhar]

^^^ On the sudden flurry of US concern over Chinese build up on Indian borders and US support to India's entry into NSG in face of Chinese opposition, I am a bit concerned.

a) There is hardly an Indian reaction (in the media) though the US reaction to both the stories have been fairly clear and direct.
b) Both Chinese position hurt India. Yet, either we are not aware or our Press has not covered it or GOI's reactions to these have yet to come.
or c) Did I miss the news of Indian reaction? If the GOI has reacted it is not like it did on the Visa issue-denial thing or on the blocking of names on the terror list by China.

deejay, I can't believe that GoI is unaware of these developments.

While I can't say anything about the border case, on the NSG issue it seems to have been a private stand of GoI with the US that getting admission into the four agreements (NSG, MTCR, Wassenaar & Australia Group) is the responsibility of the US and it was on that understanding that the 123 Deal was signed. Of course, India would do everything to help the US, but, without violation of certain 'redlines' like not committing itself through any agreement to 'permanent test ban', 'signing NPT in its present form' etc.

[SSridhar]

Villagers along China-India border receive suspicious calls from 'spies' - PTI

An alert has been sounded along the Sino-India border after local residents, including a village head, got several telephone calls from "spies" either from Pakistan or China about army deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The caller, posing himself as either a colonel or a local official, made queries about the army presence in the area and the timings of their movement, official sources said.

Recently the 'sarpanch' (village head) of Durbuk village, located at an altitude of 13,500 feet above sea level between Chang La and Tsangte village, received a call in which the caller asked whether "outstanding" issues with the army had been sorted.

The sarpanch, who was sitting inside an army camp at the time of receiving the call, got suspicious and enquired from the caller about his identity.

Despite the caller identifying himself to be from Deputy Commissioner's office, the sarpanch identified as Stanzin snubbed him and said he should get in touch with the army.

He also inquired from the local DC's office only to find that no one from that number had called. The number was shared with the army which found that the number appearing on the sarpanch's phone had been masked and it was a computer generated call.

Talking to PTI over phone, Stanzin said he received the call only once. "The caller was asking about the movement of troops and whether the roads had been built in the area for their movement.

"He claimed that he was from the army headquarters but with his stupid queries, I did get suspicious and informed the army officer standing next to me," he said.

Later, the army found that several people in villages along the Sino-Indian border had been receiving calls from such unknown numbers and in a few cases basic information had been shared out of "pure ignorance" by the villagers.

The army took the help of the state administration and a mass campaign has been launched to educate people in general and those living along the Sino-Indian border not to share any information with any unidentified caller.

The army has also asked its formations along the LAC to educate all the civilians in their Areas Of Responsibility (AOR) so that such spies do not get any information about the movement of troops.

The army has laid special emphasis on educating the elected members and office bearers of Hill Council as they had some information pertaining to army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which man the borders with Pakistan and China, to remain alert and not to give any kind of information to these suspicious callers.

This was based on an analysis by the army that calls were being received by only those people who were either sarpanch or working in state government and were privy to some information about the troops and ITBP officials.

The army has asked people to get in touch with the nearest army unit with names of the callers and telephone numbers, name and telephone number of the recipient, details sought by the caller and queries raised by him.

[SSridhar]

Now, high-end SUVs for quick movement of Indian troops at China border - PTI

Expensive SUVs, usually found zipping across roads in urban locations, have for the first time been deployed at high-altitude border posts of the ITBP along the China-India border to transport troopers.

Four white-coloured Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), two Toyota Fortuner and as many Ford Endeavour, with a price tag of around Rs 25 lakh each, have been deployed by the border guarding force at some of its forward locations over 13,000 feet above the sea level at Burtse and Dungti in the Ladakh sector and Menchuka, over 6,000 feet, in Arunachal Pradesh.

No other border guarding force or Army formations in forward areas have ever used high-end SUVs for troops.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) headquarters here has issued a directive that the troopers and officers will use these vehicles only for operational tasks to prevent their misuse.

ITBP director general Krishna Chaudhary said while the force has several types of four-wheelers, including those with 4x4 drive facility for high-altitude driving at its border locations, SUV platforms, which are powered by diesel-run heavy-duty engines were required for quick movement in these mountainous areas.

"We were looking for some good high-power vehicles at those heights where regular vehicles are not as adept as an SUV. The ministry of home affairs sometime back approved our proposal and we purchased four such four-wheelers in the first batch.

"I can tell you that none of the senior officers in the force including me have such smart and powerful vehicles for their movement as compared to what our men have now," he said.

In order to make sure they are utilised for the task they have been sent for, strict instructions have been issued that these vehicles will carry troops while on duty and during patrol, , the ITBP boss said. "Officers can utilize them only when leading such tasks, in order to prevent their misuse," he added.

[SSridhar]

Too Soon to Lift the Arms Ban on Vietnam - Edit, NYT

The United States and Vietnam moved more quickly than most adversaries to rebuild a relationship after a devastating war. It took only two decades for the two countries to re-establish diplomatic ties after the Americans withdrew from Vietnam in 1973. President Obama plans to visit the country later this month.

Mr. Obama should not feel obliged to give Vietnam’s authoritarian government what it wants — a complete lifting of the embargo on arms shipments imposed during the war, unless it takes credible steps toward addressing serious human rights abuses. Still, there are many points of agreement.

Vietnam is central to Mr. Obama’s strategy of focusing more attention on Asia and uniting the region economically, militarily and politically to counter an increasingly assertive China. Economic ties are growing stronger — the United States is now the largest importer of Vietnamese goods. Along with 11 other countries, Vietnam has joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which seeks to further expand regional trade while also improving labor and environmental standards.

Later this year, Fulbright University Vietnam will open in Ho Chi Minh City, offering an American model of education that stresses academic independence and innovation. The two sides are cooperating on biodiversity research, and Washington is helping Vietnam cope with the environmental and health damage caused by Agent Orange over much of the southern part of the country.

On the military front, the two countries agreed last year to conduct joint operations between their navies and cooperate in global peacekeeping. America has provided boats, training and equipment to Vietnam’s Coast Guard to fight transnational crime and counter China’s efforts to control most of the South China Sea.

Vietnam is pushing for a total repeal of the wartime arms embargo, which Mr. Obama eased in 2014, on grounds that it is an unnecessary relic and that lifting it would improve trust and allow the country to better defend itself. Advocates for lifting the ban say the move would send a strong signal to China. Given Hanoi’s authoritarian ways, though, this is not the time to lift the ban completely. The Communist Party controls all institutions in Vietnam, permits no free elections, holds over 100 political prisoners and has yet to meet its obligations under the new trade agreement to allow labor unions.

On a visit to Hanoi last month, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the government to release all political prisoners and made clear that Vietnam needs to expand rights and freedoms if it hopes to build a culture of entrepreneurship and enhance economic growth. Mr. Obama should reinforce those themes.

If he does lift the arms ban, Mr. Obama and Congress should move cautiously. Arms sales licenses should be decided on a case-by-case basis, of course, as they are with all countries. And, as Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont has advised, the government should weigh all factors, including whether Vietnam is willing to act “to protect freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.”

[ShauryaT]

China has to be conquered not by the bullet but by the mind. The mind is what she fears and hence her paranoia.

In a remarkably honest assessment of his own political stance and the evolution of his thinking, Liu has asserted that “My tendency to idealize Western civilization arises from my nationalistic desire to use the West in order to reform China. But this has led me to overlook the flaws of Western culture…. I have been obsequious toward Western civilization, exaggerating its merits, and at the same time exaggerating my own merits. I have viewed the West as if it were not only the salvation of China but also the natural and ultimate destination of all humanity. Moreover I have used this delusional idealism to assign myself the role of savior…. I now realize that Western civilization, while it can be useful in reforming China in its present stage, cannot save humanity in an overall sense. If we stand back from Western civilization for a moment, we can see that it possesses all the flaws of humanity in general….If I, as a person who has lived under China’s autocratic system for more than thirty years, want to reflect on the fate of humanity or how to be an authentic person, I have no choice but to carry out two critiques simultaneously. I must: 1. Use Western civilization as a tool to critique China. 2. Use my own creativity to critique the West.”

Liu is increasingly believed by the dissident community in China and the sympathetic Chinese diaspora all over the world, aided and abetted by CIA, of course, to be the moral centre their Movement has long craved. As a first step, they are seeking his release from incarceration. His potential for trouble is why Beijing will never let him out. One Dalai Lama appears too much for China to handle. Contemplating several of them in addition — Dolkun Isa as an Uyghur clone of the great Lama, and to have Liu directly challenging Communist rule would be sufficient to induce conniptions in the politburo.

Per Wang, there is enormous turmoil, largely invisible because it is roiling the society below the placid surface of Communist China. But flash crowds collect in city centres and in Tiananmein Square in Beijing to protest, commemorate anniversaries of the 1989 unrest, to show their disillusionment with Communist rule. So, if Wang Jiangli is to be believed the Chinese state is being hollowed out from the inside because of its eroding legitimacy among the people. This situation will only worsen, because an imprisoned Liu Xiaobo will be a greater problem for Beijing as he is a “prisoner of conscience”.

For all this to amount to anything meaningful, however, will take a lot of doing and time. But Chinese dissidents are convinced that the point when a new order replaces the old is nearer than it might seem to outsiders. That is a comforting thought, but not one India should base its policies on. Maozedong didn’t flinch when 10 million Chinese died in the great dislocation and famine of the mid-Sixties. Xi is unlikely to be troubled by Liu Xiaobo and his Gang of democracy lovers because the central power in China have always been ruthless in bludgeoning those who have stood in its way. Recall that brave soul who stood in front of the tank on June 4, 1989, in Tiananmein Square, daring the crew within it to run him over, and by sheer force of his will pricked the conscience of the crew, compelling that tank to go around him. That protester was never heard from again. He remains unidentified to this day.

An Imploding China? How soon?

[member_23692]

China has to be conquered not by the bullet but by the mind. The mind is what she fears and hence her paranoia.

Thats what we Indians have been doing. Conquering China with your mind, inside our own minds.

With our 10% growth year after year, losing territory inch by inch for decades, gladly suffering their takeover of Tibet, gladly suffering their taking over of Akai Chin, gladly suffering their continued occupation of Aksai Chin and developing a war infrastructure developed specifically against us there, gladly suffering their taking over of a part of Aksai Chin from Pak, gladly suffering Chinese proliferation to Pak, gladly suffering Chinese takeover of Pak controlled J&K, gladly suffering stapled visas, gladly suffering countless Tibetans killed and/or tortured, gladly suffering a massive arms build up, gladly suffering Chines string of pearls strategy, gladly suffering the Chinese dictates in the South China Sea, gladly suffering the Chinese interference in our backyard states of sri lanka, bangla desh and even Nepal, gladly suffering the Chinese intransigence against our entry as a permanent member of the security council, gladly suffering Chinese last minute shenanigans to hold up an NSG waiver against us, gladly suffering Chinese blocking our entry as a permanent member now of NSG, suffering countless ignominies and continuing to suffer them, suffering a continuing and massive trade deficit against the Chinese, suffering continuing intimidation and threats against us, lest we join the US axis against China and gladly suffering continuing cowering down, to where we cannot even contemplate "opening up" the Tibetan question again or establish relations with Taiwan or arm Vietnam or explore in the South China Sea or take up a strong anti-China stance vis-a-vis Sri lanka, maldives, and Nepal, gladly suffering the "putting in dispute" of Arunachal........and on and on and on.....
Of course, we have defeated China in our mind, as like Caligula, the Roman Emperor, who could not fight the barbarians, decided to taken on Poseidon, the Roman God of the Sea, and defeated him, bringing sacks and sacks of sea shells as booty back to Rome. After all, we are a democracy, and China....well..hahahaha....China...and to top it all, how the Chinese lie about their progress and put out all these false numbers.....we Indians will never ever refrain from claiming victory, even as the Chinese army marches into Arunachal.....as in our mind, it will all be fictitious, just as their control of Aksai Chin...

And while we are at "the mind" business, let us not forget, if we already have not, to write a nice obituary of our neighbor's massive economic implosion.........lest we be too late.........dont we know that they have already imploded with a bang larger than their toy bombs will ever make....well, at least in our mind, they have !

[SSridhar]

US must respect China-India efforts to resolve border dispute: Chinese Foreign Ministry - PTI

Asking the US to respect the efforts by China and India to resolve their boundary dispute peacefully, a top Chinese official today said the two nations are wise enough to deal with it after the Pentagon accused Beijing of deploying more troops along the Sino-India borders.

"The Chinese side is committed to safeguarding peace and tranquility of the border areas between China and India and resolving the boundary question through negotiation with India," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in written response to PTI here about a Pentagon report alleging that Beijing has increased defence capabilities and deployed more troops along the borders with India.

The US military report also warned of increasing Chinese military presence in various parts of the world , particularly in Pakistan .

"China and India are wise and capable enough to deal with this issue. It is hoped that other country would respect efforts made by China and India for the peaceful settlement of dispute, rather than the opposite," the Foreign Ministry said, apparently referring to the US.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for East Asia Abraham M Denmark had said that "we have noticed an increase in capability and force posture by the Chinese military in areas close to the border with India."

"It is difficult to conclude on the real intention behind this," Denmark said on Saturday after submitting Pentagon's annual 2016 report to the US Congress on 'Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China'.

"It is difficult to say how much of this is driven by internal considerations to maintain internal stability, and how much of it is an external consideration," he said in response to a question on China upgrading its military command in Tibet.

Yesterday, the Chinese Defence Ministry expressed "strong dissatisfaction" and "firm opposition" to the Pentagon report which also alleged that China is focusing on the militarisation of the artificial islands built by it in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in a bid to assert its control.

Skirting any references to allegations of increasing troops presence along the Sino-India border, the Defence Ministry accused the Pentagon's annual report as misrepresentation of China's military development.

[sanjaykumar]

More evidence of the racial superiority of the Han.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/wor ... e30028854/

[Prem]

[SSridhar]

Tension between Ministries over Dharamshala meet - The Hindu

Though visas are considered the domain of the MEA, the visa applications of those belonging to restricted countries like Pakistan, China, Yemen and a few African countries are always processed by the MHA, with special clearances required from the Intelligence agencies.

Mr. Jaishankar’s letter comes in response to one sent out by Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma, who had explained the sequence of events surrounding the denial of visa to the two activists from Hong Kong and the U.S.

No probe ordered

While no enquiry has been ordered into the controversy that has been raging since early April, officials said a formal meeting was held at the MHA last week to resolve issues surrounding the conference.

After China blocked India’s effort to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist, Dolkun Isa announced that he had been granted visa to attend the Dharamshala conference from April 28-May 1.

China protested the move saying it had issued a red corner notice against him and he was a wanted terrorist.

Following this, Isa’s visa was cancelled. A couple of days later, Kay Wong and Lu Jinghua, said they had been denied visa by India. On May 6, the MEA held a press conference to deny that any conference was held in Dharamshala. On May 9, the Foreign Secretary shot off a letter to the MHA saying the MEA should have been consulted.

Embarrassing.

[ShauryaT]

^Doval simply repeating what previous NSA used to say.

[Falijee]

Subramanian Swamy invited by Chinese think tank to visit Tibet
Swamy will also address a university audience there at the invitation of Institute of Foreign Affairs, a think tank of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has been invited by a Chinese think tank to meet top officials of the Chinese government and visit Tibet, the BJP leader said on Saturday.

Swamy will also address a university audience there at the invitation of Institute of Foreign Affairs, a think tank of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A statement issued by his office said that besides visiting Tibet, he will also be taken to Kailash Mansarovar as a guest of the Chinese government.

“He has been vising China since 1978 and was instrumental in initiating thaw in relations between the two countries,” the statement said.-

[member_22872]

George Friedman on what China really is

[NRao]

^Doval simply repeating what previous NSA used to say.

No matter which party/person comes to power they all seem to behave the same way on certain matters, especially China. Leading me to suspect that there are some events - such as the Panama Papers - that hold these leaders back. ?????

[sivab]

ANIVerified account
‏@ANI_news
Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet sailed out on a 2½ month long operational deployment to South China & North West Pacific

ANI ‏@ANI_news 4h4 hours ago
Indigenously built guided missile stealth frigates,INS Satpura &Sahyadri,Shakti & Kirch participating in deployment

Blue water navy

[UlanBatori]

Wrong Way Wong Wei again

There's something ominous underway here all right - Alobama is very obviously provoking incidents with China. A tragic incident is bound to happen anytime now, it's a game of chicken getting more and more juvenile every day. AFAIK it is not a case of Chinese ships or planes 'testing' US territories or sea-lanes, but the other way round, so no question about who is provoking. Sort of 21st century Aswamedha fun n'games.

Wonder who will blink. I think the US carriers/destroyers are ready to open fire. If they do and a Chinese plane/ship is hit with fatalities, will the Chinese fire at the US carrier/destroyer, or bring down US planes? We know they had no problem with bringing down the EP-3 and returning it in crates.

But WHY??

[Hari Seldon]

War is good for the economy if you manage to win Saar, or so both sides have calculated seems like. For China it's definitely win win onlee. E e if they lose some Marshall plan or something will. One their way I'm sure ...

[UlanBatori]

CNN is into non-stop propaganda to whip up anti-China hysteria. "Voters Angry"
Farid Zakaria being even more nauseating than usual. The canned video of F-18s taking off from carriers off Miami.

[Atulya P]

+1 to UBji. There is something afoot for sure. Not sure about khan firing an accidental first shot though. With Mr Eleven taking up PLA command the things are not right feeling cropped up. With recent squawks coming from dreamland side and things obviously strained on domestic front, it could very well be China that fires the first accidental one. How that would turn out would be important, as Khan is no Putin.

[SSridhar]

ANIVerified account
‏@ANI_news
Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet sailed out on a 2½ month long operational deployment to South China & North West Pacific

ANI ‏@ANI_news 4h4 hours ago
Indigenously built guided missile stealth frigates,INS Satpura &Sahyadri,Shakti & Kirch participating in deployment

Exercise Malabar will be next month off Okinawa.