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

[Yagnasri]

Communism now morphed into Han ultra - nationalism and the princelings in power today are getting carried away with their own propaganda.

[kit]

Putin is getting ready to go to Beijing with a whole bunch of aerospace people ..a big sell off of Russian aerospace technology to the Chinese is going to happen... watch the news as it unfolds

[SSridhar]

Indonesian president sails to South China Sea islands in stern message to Beijing - Japan Times

Now, that is something for an Indonesia which has so far been soft-pedalling the Chinese aggression.

In c. 2014, PLAN conducted naval exercises close to Indonesia in eastern Indian Ocean quietly. On March 19, 2016, when Indonesia apprehended a Chinese fishing trawler in its EEZ waters, a Chinese PLAN patrol boat suddenly materialized to challenge the Indonesian Coast Guard. It forcibly took away the Chinese trawler. China later maintained that the fishing boat was "in traditional Chinese fishing grounds", while in fact, being in Indonesian waters.

[Prem]

Japan Could Go Nuclear 'Virtually Overnight' Joe Biden Tells Chinese President

http://www.forbes.com/sites/timdaiss/20 ... e9c6087c94

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, never one for a loss of words, told Chinese President Xi Jinping that Japan has the capacity to acquire nuclear weapons “virtually overnight.”/b]
Biden made his disclosure while giving a speech at a Public Broadcasting Service program aired on Monday. Biden said he had urged Xi to exert influence on North Korea so it will abandon its missile and nuclear weapons developments.Referring to North Korea’s recent nuclear test and missile launches in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, Biden said that if China and the U.S. fail to take effective action against North Korea, “What happens if Japan, who could go nuclear tomorrow? They have the capacity to do it virtually overnight.” Biden did not say when his conversation with Xi took place.“And I say, so we’re going to move up our defense system,” the vice president added, referring to the U.S. plan to deploy THADD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), an advanced missile interception system, in South Korea.Biden quoted Xi as saying, “Wait a minute, my military thinks you’re going to try to circle us.” Earlier this month China said that deploying THADD infringes on China’s strategic interests.

[DavidD]

That's not really news, everyone knows that Japan can get nukes within a year for decades now.

[Prem]

Putin Praises 'All-Embracing' Partnership of Russia, China
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wir ... yptr=yahoo

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday emphasized economic ties with China and praised what he called Russia's "all-embracing and strategic partnership" with its neighbor, during a visit to Beijing that takes place against the background of a drop in trade and lingering mistrust.Putin told Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that ties were based firmly on common economic interests, a reference to Russian hopes for Chinese investment and purchases of its oil, gas and military exports."Our relations really have the character of an all-embracing and strategic partnership," Putin told Li at the start of their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing.While Russia and China are linked by cooperation on the international stage, as well as in culture, education and other spheres, "in one way or another, everything has an economic base," Putin said.Leaders from both countries have extolled the blossoming strategic partnership between the former communist rivals, despite a major decline in two-way trade and the failure to materialize of a slew of ambitious projects.
Observers attribute the slow progress to Beijing's hard-nosed bargaining position and the Kremlin's deep-seated suspicions about the growing might of China.Putin later met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, to whom he said the people of both countries had a strong desire to "strengthen, develop our relations.""I'm sure our countries can reach a bigger success in all areas in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, and of course in high tech, which is a priority for us," Putin told Xi.Xi told Putin that the two countries should "promote widely the idea of being friends forever."The close personal relationship between Putin and Xi and their shared desire to counter perceived U.S. global domination appear to be the main driving forces behind Russia-China cooperation.
Moscow has also been unsettled by Beijing's ambitious Silk Road Economic Belt project, intended to encourage infrastructure development in formerly Soviet Central Asia, which Russia sees as its home turf. China has promised to coordinate the project with the Russia-dominated Eurasian Economic Union, but clearly has put an emphasis on bilateral deals with Kazakhstan and other members of the bloc.While ambitious hopes for closer economic cooperation haven't materialized, Russia and China have bolstered their military ties, which have included joint war games and contacts on missile defense. Russian weapons exports to China, which peaked in the 1990s and fell dramatically in the following decade, have received a new boost recently.

[SSridhar]

Putin Praises 'All-Embracing' Partnership of Russia, China

. . . Xi told Putin that the two countries should "promote widely the idea of being friends forever."

Simply

[Prem]

[quote="SSridharote="Jhujar"]Putin Praises 'All-Embracing' Partnership of Russia, China

. . . Xi told Putin that the two countries should "promote widely the idea of being friends forever."Simply

[/quote]

Most probably,this will alarm Putin. It's the language of thief, pic pocketer and rapist boss.

[SSridhar]

NSG likely to meet again to discuss entry of non-NPT countries - PTI

Even as it emerged that NSG is likely to meet in the next few months, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, “We will keep impressing upon China that mutual accommodation of interests, concerns and priorities is necessary to move forward bilateral ties.”

His comments assume significance in the backdrop of Chinese Foreign Ministry’s assertion that Beijing’s opposition at NSG, which is a multi-lateral platform, will not impact the India-China ties adversely.

[malushahi]

Japan Could Go Nuclear 'Virtually Overnight' Joe Biden Tells Chinese President

interesting, coming from that high up not too long after PRiC's behavior at seoul.

does japan still remain a member of nsg (npt) when it goes nuclear? or do they form the brf-proposed Nuclear Commerce Group (NCG)?

[NRao]

Well ......... Karma.

That sinking feeling: Beijing dropping by up to 4 inches a year, study shows

Guess they have a good reason to reclaim in the SCS.

[malushahi]

Well ......... Karma.

That sinking feeling: Beijing dropping by up to 4 inches a year, study shows

Guess they have a good reason to reclaim in the SCS.

the middle kingdom, somewhere between bhu-lok and paataal-lok
(new tag-line for cnto.org)

[member_29328]

"SSridharote="Jhujar"]Putin Praises 'All-Embracing' Partnership of Russia, China
. . . Xi told Putin that the two countries should "promote widely the idea of being friends forever."Simply

Reminds me of Eric Honecker kissing Soviet leaders back in the good old days. Is Putin the kissing (brotherly only) type?
Gautam

[NRao]

"SSridharote="Jhujar"]Putin Praises 'All-Embracing' Partnership of Russia, China
. . . Xi told Putin that the two countries should "promote widely the idea of being friends forever."Simply

Reminds me of Eric Honecker kissing Soviet leaders back in the good old days. Is Putin the kissing (brotherly only) type?
Gautam

It is worse.

China planned it that a way and therefore knows it too. And China will not stop until she gets a good chunk of Siberia.

[SSridhar]

The Chinese have a deep built-in hatred for the Russians.

Xi Jinping’s Russia trip was preceded by protests by the Chinese against Russians for occupying large Chinese territory. In days leading up to Mr. Xi’s departure to Russia, hundreds of comments online “demanding the return of territories” inundated the Russian Embassy in Beijing’s official microblog on Sina Weibo. China’s settlement of its boundary with Russia is seen by many in China as a deal that favoured Russian claims.They think that Russia occupies the largest territory of China followed by India & Kazakhstan.

[Prem]

Long Fingers of Uncle

Taiwan-US to Test Missile Defense System as Threat of War with China Grows

n its push for full independence, Taipei looks to the Obama administration for support, a move that could result in a catastrophic war.On Monday, Taiwan announced plans to test-fire the newly acquired US-made Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile defense shield next month amid heightened tensions with China.The United States will host the anti-missile system test at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The test will be conducted in the US rather than Taiwan to limit Beijing’s ability to gather information on the system’s capability.As part of his "Asian Pivot," US President Barack Obama has made it a mission in recent years to limit China’s influence in the Pacific region by propping up the defense capabilities of Beijing’s neighbors.Recent acts of overt US provocation against Beijing include leaking stories of splintering in Xi Jinping’s administration, installing a missile shield in South Korea that stretches the entirety of the Chinese mainland, meddling in territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas, massive naval exercises with Japan and India along the mainland’s eastern flank, establishing a defense agreement with Vietnam after a five decades embargo, and penning an unprecedented military defense partnership with Tokyo, among other measures.
Although just the latest in a long-line of aggressive overtures by the increasingly hawkish Obama administration, this latest offense may prove to be more damning in light of Taiwan’s volatile ties with China after Taipei established a regional government separate from the government in Beijing.Those relations have taken a turn for the worse of late, after President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May on a message of economic and political nationalism that led to an end of the eight-year rapprochement between Taipei and Beijing. President Tsai, Taiwan’s first female president, spurred the ire of Xi Jinping’s government after refusing to disavow her calls for full Taiwanese independence.On Saturday, China suspended all diplomatic contact with Taiwan, turning the region into a tinderbox that could explode into a full-scale war at any moment. China maintains that Taiwan remains part of its territory.With cross-strait ties deteriorating, the United States has inserted itself into a potential conflict by providing Taipei with a missile shield to counter the Chinese military.

[Viv S]

Seoul Searching on NSG: Move Aside US, China is the New Sheriff in Town

BY SEEMA SIROHI ON 25/06/2016

China successfully stared down the US in Seoul while trying to control the nuclear order – once an American playing field where Washington set the rules.

Washington: The events in Seoul are not just a setback for India because its high-octane bid to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) failed, but they are also a reality check for the US.

There is a new sheriff in town, swaggering and seizing new terrain.

China successfully stared down the US in Seoul, staking territory while trying to control the nuclear order. It used to be an American playing field where Washington set the rules, decided who was in and who was out.

China’s power play will reverberate across Asia, leaving behind tough questions about the emerging reality. It will impact calculations of countries as they assess the weather over South China Sea and the Pacific, and think about the American pivot. They might favour rebalancing themselves in a new way.

It must be sobering for US President Barack Obama to realise how far he has gone from his ‘rock star’ status in 2008, when the western world seemed in awe and leaders lined up to shake his hand to imbibe some of the magic. Today, his name invokes neither fear nor love as he prepares to end his tenure.

Obama couldn’t keep his promise to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the NSG, at least not this time around. It remains to be seen if an “extraordinary” NSG plenary is called before the year is out to make another push for India’s membership. In the meantime, India has hinted it may not ratify the Paris climate agreement, something that Obama and Europeans really want.

US and Indian officials say that Obama was personally engaged in the NSG diplomacy, that secretary of state John Kerry made calls, as did Tony Blinken, his deputy. Blinken was in daily contact with foreign secretary S. Jaishankar to plot strategy and exchange notes. The White House reportedly called the leaders of Austria, Ireland and New Zealand. A US official described it as a “very, very intense engagement”.

An Indian official corroborated the statement: “It was a 100% effort by the Americans. Without them, things wouldn’t have reached as far as they did. They put their reputation on line”.

Yet an impression lingers that Obama isn’t as invested or enthusiastic as George Bush about India and the whole nuclear issue. After all, just two months ago he equated India and Pakistan’s nuclear programmes at the Nuclear Security Summit and implied they were moving in the “wrong direction”. New Delhi found that offensive.

Obama’s White House has also flirted with the idea of giving Pakistan a nuclear deal, thanks to some officials who are said to be close to Pakistani generals and others who don’t like India enough. Senior officials in the Bush team had a clearer vision and plan for India’s inclusion in the global nuclear architecture. They stayed on message.

In Seoul, the Obama administration couldn’t prevail over or convince countries such as New Zealand, Ireland, Switzerland and Austria to come fully on board to isolate China. The presence of these “conscientious” objectors – who admittedly don’t oppose India’s entry on principle but want some criteria in place – allowed China to play procedural games with aplomb. In turn, China was the wall they stood behind.

These countries raised “questions on process, not substance” about what criteria ought to be used to admit countries that haven’t signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This must have pleased China, “which created procedural blocks at every single turn, from the time the session opened to the last minute,” according to a US official. “The Chinese were extremely obstinate”.

But everyone knew China would be, because it had made its stand and intentions clear. It was Xi Jinping’s China. Yet, the India-US combined strategy was the same as in 2008 when Hu Jintao was in power. Essentially, it was to “winnow the field,” and isolate China as the lone man standing.

But Xi is the happiest lone man standing, unafraid to use his considerable elbows. Perhaps a very different line of attack and defence was required. It seems the White House left it to India to make “the final play” and reach some sort of understanding when Modi met Xi just before the Seoul plenary. The Americans didn’t really plan a countermove themselves.

Interestingly, America’s own band of NGO non-proliferation hardliners also played for the Chinese side, not the American. Some of them reportedly signed a letter sent to the NSG chair before the Seoul plenary, slamming India’s non-proliferation credentials in the worst way possible. The issues raised make India’s record seem almost as bad as that of Pakistan.

But then, non-pro hardliners have been targeting India for years. It is they who first came up with most of the ideas that China and Pakistan float as bare necessities of a new nuclear order. One of them wrote in favour of a “criteria-based process” that would “preserve Pakistan’s prospects for future admission” just before the plenary.

At the same time, he wondered if allowing India and Pakistan into the NSG was really worth the trouble because the “club” could get “ensnarled” in “animosity”. Trouble is western analysts can’t be bothered to differentiate between two very separate histories and trajectories. They resort to “pox-on-both-their-houses” as an easy way out.

As India deals with disappointment and the US with the new normal, what neither should do is give more reason to China to celebrate.

[SSridhar]

Of course, the biggest news while BRf was down was the verdict given by the Permanent Court of Arbitration under UNCLOS on the issues taken to it by the Philippines. For the sake of recording what happened, I am providing a summary of what happened along with reactions from various countries etc.

After the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague completely rejected the Chinese claims on South China Sea in its July 12, 2016 award, the Indian External Affairs Ministry issued a very nuanced and measured statement saying: “"Sea lanes of communication passing through the South China Sea are critical for peace, stability, prosperity and development. As a State Party to the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans. India supports freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS. India believes that States should resolve disputes through peaceful means without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability". The visiting Japanese Defence Minister, Gen. Nakatana and the Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar issued a joint statement on 14th July 2016 after the Annual Defence Ministers’ meeting in which they “urged all parties to show utmost respect” to the ruling by the PCA.

“We do not claim an inch of land that does not belong to us, but we won’t give up any patch that is ours,” said a front-page editorial in The People’s Daily, which ridiculed the tribunal as a “lackey of some outside forces” that would be remembered as a “laughingstock in human history.” The next day, the Chinese Defence Minister General Chang Wanquan said, “China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea will not be affected by the ruling under any circumstances.” Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said,” We do not recognize or implement the award. We hope it is only a white paper and it will not be enforced. Just dump it into garbage or put it in a shelf or put it in archives and let us come back to the track of negotiations. We have set up one [ADIZ] over the East China Sea (close to Japan) and whether we will set up another in South China Sea will depend on the degree of threat we are facing. If threatened enough, we will do so but it will depend on a host of factors” Liu also said that Japanese jurist Shunji Yanai, the President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), who had appointed four of the five judges of the tribunal had ‘politically manipulated’ the composition of the arbitration panel and the jurists of the panel offered a “paid service, They are paid, probably, by Philippines.” Liu also asked not to turn South China Sea “into a cradle of war” and asserted that “China’s aim is to turn the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.” Premier Li Keqiang remarked very curiously that “by not accepting nor recognizing the award, China is in fact safeguarding the international law”, though he did not explain how. The Chinese ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, was even blunter over the ramifications of the verdict. “It will certainly intensify conflicts and even confrontation,” he said. The Global Times said that the verdict was more “shameless than many people had ever expected. All Chinese people are outraged by this illegal verdict and the world’s peace-loving public is astonished by the biased decision that may escalate regional tensions”. Meanwhile, China’s Charge d’Affaires to India, Liu Jinsong, said that India’s position was “quite similar” to its own, saying India had signed a “common position” statement on the issue this April, 2016 when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended the Russia-India-China (RIC) conference in Moscow. “There is a paragraph in the RIC statement that stated the common stand of all three countries. This was in support of China’s position,” Mr. Liu said. China was desperately trying to clutch at straws in the wind! When asked to clarify if India supported the stand of China or the Philippines on the verdict, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup, said, “For us, this is not an issue of being in favour or against any particular country. It is about the use of the global commons. We believe all parties should show utmost respect to the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans.” An editorial in Global Times called US & Japan as ‘paper tigers’ and ‘eunuchs’. Contrasting the US reaction with the ‘mild and restrained reaction from Philippines’, it said, “An old Chinese saying goes ‘the emperor doesn’t worry but his eunuch does,’ meaning the outsider is more anxious than the player. In this case, Washington and Tokyo are the worrying eunuchs”. On July 15, 2016, the State Councillor, a rank higher than the Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jaiechi (who also holds the position of Special Representative for border talks with India’s NSA) said, “The sovereignty issue is China's bottom line. Though China is large, we cannot lose one centimetre of inheritance left by the ancestors”. A few days earlier, the foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang had warned saying that "if anyone wants to take any provocative action against China's security interest based on the award, China will take a decisive response". On July 15, 2016, the newly-elected Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, expressed willingness to begin talks with Beijing. Responding, “The door to settling the issue through dialogue and negotiation has never been closed,” said the Chinese spokesperson Lu Kang. China then decided to build 20 ‘floating nuclear power plants’ on these SCS artificial islands, ostensibly “to ensure freshwater” supplies to troops stationed on them. Global Times said, "In the past, the freshwater provision to troops stationed in the South China Sea could not be guaranteed, and could only be provided by boats delivering barrels of water. In the future, as the South China Sea electricity and power system is strengthened, China will speed up the commercial development of the South China Sea region". On July 19, 2016, China issued a warning to US Navy against any idea of intervention when the commander of PLAN, Wu Shengli met his US counterpart Admiral John Richardson and said, “Any attempt to force China to give in through flexing military muscle will only have the opposite effect. We will never sacrifice our sovereignty and interests in the South China Sea," Wu said, stressing that it is China's ‘core interest’. State Councillor and Defence Minister Chang Wanquan said “The PLA would unswervingly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests including territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests”. Xinhua reported that Chang also "called for recognition of the seriousness of the national security situation, especially the threat from the sea. The military, police and people should prepare to mobilise+ to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity". On July 22, 2016, Chinese state television unveiled a range of new weapons, including long-range missiles. The South China Morning Post of Hong Kong interpreted this as the determination of the newly formed Southern Theatre Command that it was well- prepared for any potential military confrontation with the US. General Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), China's highest military official after President Xi Jinping, called on troops to be ready for combat.

The European Union (EU) on July 15, 2016 issued a statement on the tribunal’s ruling, but did not make any direct reference to China, signalling divisions within its ranks. Reuters reported that Britain, France and Germany did insist that Beijing must uphold international law. However, countries dependent on Chinese investment, such as Hungary and Greece, were unwilling to take a more categorical position. Similarly, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) that concluded on July 16, 2016 failed to make any reference to the South China Sea in its closing statement.

Meeting for the first time after the PCA ruling on July 23, 2016 in Vientaine, Laos, the ASEAN wanted to issue a joint statement on the SCS issue which dominated the deliberations but China’s strong ally, Cambodia, simply blocked those efforts with Laos, another staunch ally, hiding behind Cambodia under the excuse of being the Chairman of the session. Ultimately, the ASEAN joint statement blandly asked all parties to show restraint and not to militarize the region. “We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in and over - flight above the South China Sea. We further reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation, and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)”, it said. The statement failed to mention the historical ruling of July 12, 2016.

In the meanwhile, China announced the successful production of world’s largest seaplane, the AG600, which would offer China immense capabilities in its various South China Sea operations. On August 2, 2016, China announced penalties for "illegal" fishing in its waters when the Supreme Court defined penalties, including imprisonment up to a year, for boats operating in "sovereign" areas including the South China Sea, thus effectively rejecting administratively the ruling of the PCA. In the first week of August 2016, Chinese PLAAF started flying air combat patrols over China-claimed areas. The air force sent several H-6 bombers and Su-30 fighter jets to inspect the airspace around the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force said. "The Air Force is organizing normalized South China Sea combat patrols, practising tactics ... increasing response capabilities to all kinds of security threats and safeguarding national sovereignty, security and maritime interests," Shen said.

In response, by early August 2016, Reuters reported that Vietnam had discreetly fortified several of its islands in the South China Sea with new mobile rocket launchers capable of striking China's runways and military installations across the vital trade route. It said that Hanoi has shipped the launchers from the Vietnamese mainland into position on five bases in the Spratly islands in recent months. The move is designed to counter China's build-up on its seven reclaimed islands in the Spratlys archipelago. The launchers form part of Vietnam's state-of-art EXTRA rocket artillery system recently acquired from Israel. EXTRA rounds are highly accurate up to a range of 150 km (93 miles), with different 150 kg (330 lb) warheads that can carry high explosives or bomblets to attack multiple targets simultaneously. Operated with targeting drones, they could strike both ships and land targets. That puts China's 3,000-metre runways and installations on Subi, Fiery Cross and Mischief Reef within range of many of Vietnam's tightly clustered holdings on 21 islands and reefs. Commenting about this the next day, Global Times said, “If Vietnam's latest deployment is targeting China, that would be a terrible mistake. We hope Vietnam will remember and draw some lessons from history (referring to their last war when China decided to teach Vietnam ‘a lesson’). China also launched a radar imaging satellite, Gaofen-3, to monitor the South China Sea in early August, 2016.

[ShauryaT]

Narrowing the seas: Security ramifications of the SCS verdict By Bharat Karnad

This article briefly examines the security ramifications of this development and proposes certain countermeasures that India, in particular, and other like-minded states, such as Japan, need to take. The most potent solution, it will be argued, is to respond by counter-narrowing the same sea for China. India can do this, it will be contended, by arming ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) members, starting with Vietnam, with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which will tilt the ‘exchange ratio’ hugely against Chinese warships, and to militarily exploit factors, such as the distance of the disputed islands, rocky outcroppings, and the ‘artificial’ islands from the Chinese mainland against China, and skewing the advantage towards defender states.

[svinayak]

Seoul Searching on NSG: Move Aside US, China is the New Sheriff in Town

BY SEEMA SIROHI ON 25/06/2016

China successfully stared down the US in Seoul while trying to control the nuclear order – once an American playing field where Washington set the rules.

This is mostly false.
This is a tango with China and the game goes on

[g.sarkar]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/wor ... 06629.html
Pacific War Games: Why China is Taking Part in US Military Exercises
By Bernhard Zand
The United States invited countries from around the Pacific to the world's biggest international maritime exercise, including its greatest rival, China. Its participation says a lot about the country's ambitions -- and its limits.....
The battle for the fictitious Griffon is the scenario of the world's largest international maritime exercise, known as the "Rim of the Pacific," or RIMPAC for short, which came to a close in early August after four weeks of drills. This year's event was planned to the last detail, including the wording of the fake UN resolutions. Since the Cold War, the US Navy has regularly invited its allies and countries along the Pacific Rim to practice forming a broad military coalition in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. Training ranges from the formation of a multinational chain of command to the coordination of complex weapons systems, landing operations and the joint sinking of warships.
This year's exercise took place 75 years after the Japanese attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, which provoked the Americans to enter the fray of World War II. Japan's subsequent defeat and the Allied victory established the US as the dominant military power in the Pacific region.
....
China's participation had been long negotiated, yet it was still not without controversy. Why, politicians and military experts in the US wondered, should the Navy invite a country pursuing such an aggressive foreign policy in South Asia? Why should America's sailors cooperate with a country that is pumping billions into its maritime forces, thereby making itself the US' new Pacific rival? Why should Chinese officers be provided insights into the tactics, technology and standard operating procedures of the US military and its allies when one day these very strategies might have to be used against China?.......
This question goes beyond the current crisis in the South China Sea. Can a global power like the US share its hegemony with a new rival? Can a rising power like China, which itself feels entitled to world power status, create a new order without injuring the old one?....
Gautam

[arun]

I hope that this PR Chinese foot dragging on the issue of India’s membership of the NSG does not stay our hand if PR China’s flouting of the South China Sea arbitral award comes up at the early September G20 summit at Hangzhou, :

Question: Foreign Minister of China was here. NSG issue was raised during the meeting. Does India feel that it has made any progress in bringing China around to its view on this issue?

Official Spokesperson, Shri Vikas Swarup: As I had already mentioned after the meeting that H.E. Mr. Wang Yi had with the External Affairs Minister, the NSG issue was discussed in considerable detail by the two sides.

We once again underlined the importance that we attach to India’s membership in light of our clean energy requirements which were reinforced through the INDC’s in COP21. The Chinese side explained their perspective, but at the end both sides agreed that we must continue discussions so that we can narrow down the areas of divergence. And in this context, the head of Disarmament Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was their lead negotiator in Seoul at the time of the NSG Plenary, would be visiting India to meet our Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs) Mr. Amandeep Gill. And we look forward to those discussions and to reaching better understanding with China on this very important issue.

From here:

Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by Official Spokesperson (August 18, 2016)

[SSridhar]

Japan protests as China ships sail near disputed islands - AFP
[quote]Tokyo protested to Beijing on Sunday after Chinese coast guard ships sailed into territorial waters surrounding disputed islands in the East China Sea, Japan said.

Four Chinese vessels entered the waters surrounding islets, called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, around 10am local time, according to Japan Coast Guard.

They left the territorial waters within an hour, the coast guard said.

The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over the uninhabited islets.

Tokyo has lodged at least 32 protests through diplomatic channels since August 5 over what it says have been about 30 intrusions by Chinese vessels in the territorial waters.

The director general of the Japanese foreign ministry's Asian and Oceanian affairs bureau, Kenji Kanasugi, issued a protest on Sunday to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, saying that the ships' "incursion" violated Japan's sovereignty, the ministry said in a statement.

"Despite Japan's repeated strong protests, the Chinese side has continued to take unilateral actions that raise tensions on the ground, and that is absolutely unacceptable," the statement added.

China is also involved in maritime disputes in the South China Sea with countries including the Philippines, but a UN-backed tribunal has ruled that Beijing's claims were invalid. [/quote]

[SSridhar]

I hope that this PR Chinese foot dragging on the issue of India’s membership of the NSG does not stay our hand if PR China’s flouting of the South China Sea arbitral award comes up at the early September G20 summit at Hangzhou, :

. . . but at the end both sides agreed that we must continue discussions so that we can narrow down the areas of divergence. And in this context, the head of Disarmament Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was their lead negotiator in Seoul at the time of the NSG Plenary, would be visiting India to meet our Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs) Mr. Amandeep Gill. And we look forward to those discussions and to reaching better understanding with China on this very important issue.

The Chinese are very temporarily hedging until the G-20 summit is over in Hangzhou. After the Seoul plenary of the NSG, the above Head of the Disarmament Affairs was pulled up by the Chinese Foreign Minister for having allowed a vast majority of the NSG members to vote for India.

China is an implacable enemy. This *MUST* be internalized

[Karthik S]

Saurav Jha
‏@SJha1618
If the Chinese PLA is worried about Brahmos Block III+ deployment in the NE, they ain't seen nothing yet. There are more goodies on the way.

What goodies is he referring to ?

[Yagnasri]

One forward Air Base already started as per reports with Su30Mki landing there a few days back. How are the road network and connectivity to border areas? Hope it is better now.

[SSridhar]

One forward Air Base already started as per reports with Su30Mki landing there a few days back. How are the road network and connectivity to border areas? Hope it is better now.

The road & rail works are progressing very slowly. In October 2013, GoI sanctioned a 157-Km Maio-Vijaynagar road project. When completed, it will directly link the Advanced Landing Ground of Vijaynagar, considered to be one of the toughest ALGs in the country at an altitude of 4,200 feet, and also an Assam Rifles post that was opened in 1962 in this remote and strategic frontier. These do not seem to be executed by BRO and seem to be way beyond their targets. By end of c. 2017, the 255 Km Dabruk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi (DSDBO) road would be complete. Only by c. 2022, it would be an all-weather road. In addition several other roads along the route are being upgraded and strengthened which will facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles. In mid-February 2015, the defence minister Manohar Parikkar announced that only 19 of the 73 "strategic" roads (adding up to 3,808-km) identified for construction along the LAC for better troop mobility almost a decade ago, have been fully completed till now. 16 roads were to be completed by c. 2015 (their completion not known yet), another 13 by 2016, nine by 2017 and four by 2018 and beyond, as per revised timelines. The delays in execution of road projects mainly occur due to delays in forest/wildlife and land acquisition clearances, hard rock stretches, limited working seasons and natural disasters, he said.. On Jan 22, 2015, GoI cleared 53 projects including power, railways, roads and irrigation canals. Simultaneously, ITBP-initiated projects (unlike the Army, the ITBP comes under the Home Ministry) were also placed on the same category as army-initiated border projects by the Ministry of Environment for purposes of clearance.


Arunachal Road Projects

[g.sarkar]

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/not-t ... 160823.htm
Not their concern, says India on Chinese bother over BrahMos missiles in northeast
Last updated on: August 23, 2016 21:19 IST
India has hit back at China over its assertion that deployment of the BrahMos cruise missile in the Northeast would have 'negative influence' on stability along the border, saying that assets deployed by it within its territory are of no concern to Beijing.
Triggering a war of words, PLA Daily, the official publication of People's Liberation Army, had on Monday warned that India's move could lead to “counter-measures” from China.
On Tuesday, top Indian Army sources told television news channel NDTV: "Our threat perceptions and security concerns are our own, and how we address these by deploying assets on our territory should be no one else's concern."
On August 3, the government had sanctioned induction of additional BrahMos supersonic missiles to be deployed in the Eastern sector to ramp up its capabilities along the border with China....
Gautam

[Bheeshma]

I think a few Shauryas will also be deployed along with BMD assets. Of course A-IV and V will not need to be deployed that close.

[SSridhar]

China expresses concern over India's plan to deploy BrahMos on border - Reuters

China's defence ministry said on Thursday that it hoped India could put more efforts into regional peace and stability rather than the opposite, in response to Indian plans to put advanced cruise missiles along the China border.

Indian military officials say the plan is to equip regiments deployed at the China border with the BrahMos missile, made under an India-Russian joint venture, as part of ongoing efforts to build up military and civilian infrastructure capabilities there.

Asked about the missile plans at a monthly news briefing, Chinese defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said maintaining peace and stability in the border region was an "important consensus" reached by both countries.

"We hope that the Indian side can do more to benefit peace and stability along the border and in the region, rather than the opposite," Wu said, without elaborating.

The Chinese concern is nothing new. In July 2012, within a few months of India deciding to have a regiment of Block-III BrahMos stationed in Arunachal Pradesh, the Global Times, expressed the same concerns.

China has located medium-range missiles in Tibet targeting India. In c. 2011, India discovered multiple missile silos at Xiadulla across the Karakoram Pass in China's Xinjiang region. The Pentagon reported in late August 2011 that China was replacing its liquid-fuelled CSS-2 (DongFeng 3) missiles along the LAC with more modern solid-fuelled Medium Range Ballistic Missile CSS-5 (also known as DongFeng 21) with 250 kT nuclear warheads. The Chinese, while not denying the development, simply said that it was “normal for the Army to develop and renew weapons and equipment given the progress of science and technology”, thus admitting to the accuracy of the Pentagon report. China never bothers about the concerns of others apparently!

In July 2012, PLA conducted a high altitude exercise with a new type of surface-to-air missile (tailor-made for rarefied atmosphere in TAR) in TAR. The exercise was carried out at a mountain pass at an altitude of 5000 metres by a mobile PLA unit, and that three missiles were successfully fired at enemy aircraft targets in the “South-east” direction, the only country lying in that direction being India.

It was only in response to the Chinese moves that GoI also a sanctioned a new regiment (fourth with the other three along the western border with Pakistan) Block-III "steep-dive" version of BrahMos to be stationed in Arunachal Pradesh. On Nov. 15, 2011 the Indian Defence Minister A.K.Antony said that India will match China in military infrastructure build-up.

China should get used to robust reciprocal measures and avoid giving jokes as answers to questions in press meets. We have seen China twisting itself into knots and giving joking & unconvincing answers to questions like its investments in POK while being angry with India's deep-sea oil exploration in Vietnamese EEZ or the status of Shaksgam Valley etc.

[SSridhar]

Differences alone cannot define sino-India ties: Chinese media - PTI, Economic Times

The "complex" India-China ties cannot be defined in "black and white" despite growing regional rivalry between the two countries, state-run Chinese media today said and called for aligning 'Make in India' campaign with 'Made in China 2025' to enhance cooperation.

"This year marks an eventful time in China-India relations. At the beginning of the year, Indian media collectively criticised the Chinese government, alleging China adopted double standards against terrorism," an article in the state-run Global Times said, referring to Beijing putting a technical hold on New Delhi's bid to bring about a UN ban on Masood Azhar, leader of Jaish-e-Muhmmad militant group.

"In June, India suffered a setback in its bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) after the group's members, including China, opposed the bid but India has singled out China for barring membership," the article titled 'China- India relations aren't simply black and white'.

"The move was seen by some as revenge against China over the NSG veto. This series of negative events has caused some observers to assess China-India relations as simply black and white."

"It is irrational and impractical to define China-India relations in black and white terms. A multi-dimensional perspective does not contradict the crux of the bilateral relationship," it said highlighting the positive outcomes of 2014 visit to India by Chinese President Xi Jinping followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China last year.

"In reality, ties between big nations have always been complex and require a multi-dimensional perspective. Viewed in this more rounded way, the conclusion on China-India relations becomes quite different," it said.

In terms of economic and trade relations, while trade volume between China and India is less than that between China and Vietnam, China is actually India's largest trading partner.

"On a global level, close collaboration between the two nations drives bilateral relations where the two economies are complementary. But at the regional level, India and China are competitors," it said.

While both the countries are equally motivated to promote a fair, reasonable and new international economic order and collaborated in WTO, Asian Investment Infrastructure Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank (NDB) initiated by BRICS nations, the two are locked in regional rivalry with their strategic projects.

"At the regional level, China and India face competition against each other," it said.

China's One Belt, One Road (Silk Road) initiative is being viewed as a challenge to India's ambition in the South Asia region.

"Yet, the two economies are quite complementary where the scope for further economic cooperation is continuously expanding. The two countries can align China's 'Made in China 2025' and 'Internet Plus' with India's 'Make in India' and 'Digital India'. They can also tap potential for practical cooperation in fields such as railways and industrial capacity," it said.

[Christopher Sidor]

^^^^
It is black and white as Sardar had pointed out to Nehru in his letter of 1950.

it{i.e. PRC} continues to regard us with suspicion and the whole psychology is one, at least outwardly, of scepticism perhaps mixed with a little hostility. I doubt if we can go any further than we have done already to convince China of our good intentions, friendliness and goodwill.
.....
.....
It looks as though it is not a friend speaking in that language but a potential enemy.

The only point of difference that I have with Sardar Vallabhai Patel's opinion is with the word "potential". That word should not have been there.

[panduranghari]

China has surplus production capacity which at the moment have not enough buyers. OBOR is a way for China to keep the factories running and the restive population working. Disrupt OBOR and the industry comes to a halt. The restive workforce out of work could start riots. Already there a many riots in China which go unreported. Apparently as per alternative media reports, there is a increased resurgence of interest in the ideas of Mao in China. Will there be a second cultural revolution?

[SSridhar]

‘China is now a key player in AfPak-Central Asia’ - Atul Aneja, The Hindu

China has quietly decided to exercise leadership in plugging the roots of instability in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan, following Washington’s diminishing role in the region, and compulsions of its One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, says a senior Chinese researcher.

China’s decision to turn proactive along the turbulent AfPak-Central Asia corridor was anchored earlier this month. Top military commanders from China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan met in Urumqi, Xinjiang province, on August 3, to form a “Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism in Counter Terrorism.”

In an interview with The Hindu , Hu Shisheng, Director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said: “We found that those in Xinjiang who seek independence and who even want to go outside to join the battlefield with ISIS and other terrorists, choose this route between China, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and even Pakistan to the training grounds in West Asia. Consequently, in recent years China has dramatically enhanced its military assistance to Tajikistan. Recently, we decided to increase this kind of military cooperation with Afghanistan. We want to plug this flow between Xinjiang and Tajikistan and Tajikistan and Afghanistan.”

Quadrilateral mechanism

Dr. Hu stressed that the urgency of establishing the new military “quadrilateral mechanism” followed the disruption of another quadrilateral dialogue on seeking a political reconciliation in Afghanistan, involving China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the U.S.

“That mechanism has become dysfunctional more or less after the killing in a drone attack of Akhtar Mansour, the Afghan Taliban leader, in Baluchistan while he was returning from Iran. This has totally disrupted the whole process. Besides relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan were going rapidly downhill.”

The scholar highlighted that the new military mechanism of the quartet was “open-ended,” and would develop in tune with the rapidly evolving situation. On the anticipated scope of China’s military involvement in Afghanistan, Dr. Hu said: “We have already started with the training. As for weapons supply, that has also begun. As for sending what the westerners call military advisors, the special envoys that have been appointed can more or less share that kind of role. But regarding sending troops — I am not so sure of that, as it would mark a dramatic shift from our past policies. But of course, if the situation goes totally out of control and the United Nations demands that they need some regional countries to contribute, then China might oblige. But China, in the near future cannot follow the U.S. and NATO model.”

Dr. Hu underscored that China was seeking a political solution to the Afghan crisis to promote the OBOR initiative, and on grounds of enhancing its national security.

“The killing of Osama bin Laden was a benchmark, as it marked the Obama administration’s policy to scale down American presence in Afghanistan. Ever since China has given more and more importance to its bilateral ties with Afghanistan. China has to plug the resulting vacuum because no one else would.”

The Chinese researcher asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s references to Balochistan during his Independence Day speech had caused a “major disturbance at least among Chinese academics,” because of its possible regional fallout.

[SSridhar]

China’s first cargo train to Afghanistan fuels One Belt One Road (OBOR) engine - Atul Aneja, The Hindu

The first cargo train from China is set to reach Afghanistan on September 9, signalling Beijing’s effort to consolidate ties with Kabul, as part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative along the ancient Silk Road.

The train left China’s eastern city of Nantong on August 25, to cover a 15 day journey to Hairatan, on Afghanistan’s border with Uzbekistan.

On the way, it is crossing the Alataw pass on the China-Kazakhstan border before heading into Uzbekistan towards Termez. From Termez, once the springboard of Soviet Union’s intervention in Afghanistan, branch lines also head towards Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan towards the east, and westwards to Uzbekistan’s cultural icons—Samarkand and Bukhara.

The train would enter Afghanistan after the crossing the Friendship Bridge, that was built by the Soviets, on the Amu Darya, marking the boundary between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Subsequently, the railway has been extended by 75 km from Hairatan to Mazar-e-Sharif, the third largest city of Afghanistan, and capital of its Balkh province.

The cross-border route over the Friendship Bridge has also been used as an important military supply channel for the international forces in Afghanistan as part of the Northern Distribution Network.

Analysts say the departure of the train signals China’s intent to consolidate ties with Afghanistan, as it grapples to establish to secure transportation links along the New Silk Road, linking Asia with Europe.

The decision to run a cargo train follows concerted effort by China to play a leading role in imparting political stability to Afghanistan, in tune with the scaling down of NATO forces from the country.

Observers point out that Beijing has decided to do so for three major reasons: securing the OBOR, safeguarding the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and plugging support for separatists operating in the Xinjiang province.

“China is ultimately keen to see a political settlement [in Afghanistan], though we know that this is very hard to achieve because different countries pursue different interests. Besides, the Afghan Taliban still believe that they can win the battle through military means. Anyway, what China can do at this stage is to understand the ground realities,” says Hu Shisheng, Director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

Earlier this month, China and Afghanistan held their first strategic military dialogue led by Gen. Fang Fenghui, member of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), and Gen. Qadam Shah Shahim, chief of general staff of the Afghan National Army.

During talks, Gen. Fang underscored that international terrorist activities had entered “a new active phase,” threatening regional security and stability.

He advocated “high-level exchanges, and deepen pragmatic cooperation in intelligence sharing, personnel training, military capacity building and other areas under the framework of the ‘quadrilateral mechanism’, so as to promote the continuous development of relations between the two militaries,” according to China Military Online—a website affiliated to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The quadrilateral mechanism at the military level on counterterrorism among China, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan was established on August 3. Dr. Hu told The Hindu that China had already started training Afghan forces as well as supplying them with weapons, as part of growing military ties between the two countries.

[SSridhar]

US, China, Pakistan and the Taliban had established the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG), but the increasing closeness between the Taliban and China, especially after the killing of Akhtar Mansour and the deepening chasm between it and the US, has prompted the Chinese to make a quick, deft move and establish a different QCG in which the US does not find a place. The Chinese are cleverly trying to diminish the US role and usurp it.

[zoverian]

China warns India, says it will intervene if New Delhi incites trouble in Balochistan

Beijing: China will have "to get involved" if any Indian "plot" disrupts the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in restive Balochistan, an influential Chinese think tank has warned India.AFP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reference to Balochistan in his Independence Day speech is the "latest concern" for China and among its scholars, Hu Shisheng, the Director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), told IANS in a freewheeling interview.
The researcher, at one of China's most powerful think tanks, which is affiliated with the Ministry of State Security, also said India's growing military ties with the US and its changed attitude on the disputed South China Sea are ringing alarm bells for China.
"The latest concern for China is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech from the Red Fort in which he referred to the issues like Kashmir (occupied by Pakistan) and Balochistan," Hu said.
"It could be regarded as a watershed moment in India's policy towards Pakistan. Why Chinese scholars are concerned is because this is for the first time India has mentioned it," he added.
Hu said China fears India may use "anti-government" elements in Pakistan's restive Balochistan where Beijing is building the $46 billion CPEC -- a key to the success of its ambitious One Road One Belt project.
"There is concern that India may take the same approach, which is believed by the Indian side Pakistan is taking, asymmetrically using anti-government factors in Pakistan," Hu said on the expansive and leafy campus of CICIR.
"If this kind of plot causes damage to the CPEC, China will have to get involved," he said, referring to the alleged involvement of India in backing separatists in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The ongoing CPEC will connect China's largest province, Xinjiang, with Pakistan's Gwadar port in Balochistan, hit by rebels and separatists. India has strongly opposed the corridor as it will pass through Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir which it claims as its own.
Islamabad has long accused India of fomenting trouble in this region -- a charge denied by New Delhi.
However, Modi's reference to the region, experts say, is a signal to Pakistan that New Delhi could raise tensions in the region as a tit for tat for Pakistan's backing for terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
"This will not help Pakistan to become a normal country. And it will also further disturb India-China relations," Hu pointed out.
Hu noted the growing defence cooperation between India and the US was also a worrying factor of China.
"In the past, China was not so much concerned about India's security cooperation with other countries, especially with the US. But now Chinese scholars can feel the concern," Hu said.
He said the defence cooperation between New Delhi and Washington had increased significantly after Modi took over as prime minister.
He also referred to US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's visit to India in April during which both the countries agreed in principle to sign the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).
"There is renewal of defence and technological cooperation (between India and the US) for another 10 years, enhancing the cooperation under the framework of DTTI (Defence Technology and Trade Initiative)," Hu added.
"This is an alarming signal to China. It is a concern for China," the expert said.
He also said India will have to resist pressure exerted by the US and Japan to join them in countering China. "We also know that the US and Japan, as well as Australia, are very keen on getting India in their camp. They are also exerting pressure".
"They are also luring India by giving high-technology deals and advanced military weapons. It is up to India whether India can resist this kind of temptation," Hu said.
India's involvement in the South China Sea dispute was another irritant in the already strained relationship between India and China, Hu added.
"In the past, India's stand on the South China Sea was impartial. Indian is getting more and more involved. This attitude is another concern for China," noted Hu.
"We know that India has national interest in maintaining freedom of navigation and aviation, but China in the past has done nothing to block the so-called freedom of navigation."
"Our problem is with the US. We can see India is becoming more vocal in issuing joint statements with the US and Japan on the South China Sea," he added.
A UN court in July rejected China's claims over the so-called Nine-Dash line -- which covers almost 90 per cent of the contested South China Sea -- and backed the Philippines which has overlapping claims in the oil and natural gas-rich waters, which are also partly claimed by Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia.
Beijing rejected the verdict as "illegal".
India, 55 per cent of whose trade passes through the Strait of Malacca that opens into the South China Sea, has asked the parties to peacefully resolve the dispute and show utmost respect to the United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea.

http://www.firstpost.com/world/china-wa ... 80404.html

[zoverian]

China is raising the stakes......

[Anurag]

Phat gai salo ki.. Keep on going.

China warns India, says it will intervene if New Delhi incites trouble in Balochistan

Beijing: China will have "to get involved" if any Indian "plot" disrupts the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in restive Balochistan, an influential Chinese think tank has warned India.AFP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reference to Balochistan in his Independence Day speech is the "latest concern" for China and among its scholars, Hu Shisheng, the Director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), told IANS in a freewheeling interview.
The researcher, at one of China's most powerful think tanks, which is affiliated with the Ministry of State Security, also said India's growing military ties with the US and its changed attitude on the disputed South China Sea are ringing alarm bells for China.
"The latest concern for China is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech from the Red Fort in which he referred to the issues like Kashmir (occupied by Pakistan) and Balochistan," Hu said.
"It could be regarded as a watershed moment in India's policy towards Pakistan. Why Chinese scholars are concerned is because this is for the first time India has mentioned it," he added.
Hu said China fears India may use "anti-government" elements in Pakistan's restive Balochistan where Beijing is building the $46 billion CPEC -- a key to the success of its ambitious One Road One Belt project.
"There is concern that India may take the same approach, which is believed by the Indian side Pakistan is taking, asymmetrically using anti-government factors in Pakistan," Hu said on the expansive and leafy campus of CICIR.
"If this kind of plot causes damage to the CPEC, China will have to get involved," he said, referring to the alleged involvement of India in backing separatists in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The ongoing CPEC will connect China's largest province, Xinjiang, with Pakistan's Gwadar port in Balochistan, hit by rebels and separatists. India has strongly opposed the corridor as it will pass through Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir which it claims as its own.
Islamabad has long accused India of fomenting trouble in this region -- a charge denied by New Delhi.
However, Modi's reference to the region, experts say, is a signal to Pakistan that New Delhi could raise tensions in the region as a tit for tat for Pakistan's backing for terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
"This will not help Pakistan to become a normal country. And it will also further disturb India-China relations," Hu pointed out.
Hu noted the growing defence cooperation between India and the US was also a worrying factor of China.
"In the past, China was not so much concerned about India's security cooperation with other countries, especially with the US. But now Chinese scholars can feel the concern," Hu said.
He said the defence cooperation between New Delhi and Washington had increased significantly after Modi took over as prime minister.
He also referred to US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's visit to India in April during which both the countries agreed in principle to sign the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).
"There is renewal of defence and technological cooperation (between India and the US) for another 10 years, enhancing the cooperation under the framework of DTTI (Defence Technology and Trade Initiative)," Hu added.
"This is an alarming signal to China. It is a concern for China," the expert said.
He also said India will have to resist pressure exerted by the US and Japan to join them in countering China. "We also know that the US and Japan, as well as Australia, are very keen on getting India in their camp. They are also exerting pressure".
"They are also luring India by giving high-technology deals and advanced military weapons. It is up to India whether India can resist this kind of temptation," Hu said.
India's involvement in the South China Sea dispute was another irritant in the already strained relationship between India and China, Hu added.
"In the past, India's stand on the South China Sea was impartial. Indian is getting more and more involved. This attitude is another concern for China," noted Hu.
"We know that India has national interest in maintaining freedom of navigation and aviation, but China in the past has done nothing to block the so-called freedom of navigation."
"Our problem is with the US. We can see India is becoming more vocal in issuing joint statements with the US and Japan on the South China Sea," he added.
A UN court in July rejected China's claims over the so-called Nine-Dash line -- which covers almost 90 per cent of the contested South China Sea -- and backed the Philippines which has overlapping claims in the oil and natural gas-rich waters, which are also partly claimed by Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia.
Beijing rejected the verdict as "illegal".
India, 55 per cent of whose trade passes through the Strait of Malacca that opens into the South China Sea, has asked the parties to peacefully resolve the dispute and show utmost respect to the United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea.

http://www.firstpost.com/world/china-wa ... 80404.html

[chanakyaa]

China warns India, says it will intervene if New Delhi incites trouble in Baluchistan
....

China shouldn't do that...Hindi Chini is bhai-bhai after all