BEIJING: A top Chinese military commander has declared publicly for the first time China's plans to put weapons in space and to put more emphasis on the air force's offensive capabilities.
a country with strong economy should have the ability to defend itself. but to allay unfounded suspicions China is not secretive about it's intention nor it's defense capabilities.
Just a few years ago, China was one of those who criticised the US for building its Star Wars program and the National Missile Defence system.
Now, it wants to put weapons in space as well. China definitely has its right to put weapons in space. It's good that China has announced its plan too. The US should see this as a signal that it should accelerate the development of its Star Wars Program and the NMD.
If one reads the report carefully, one will find NOTHING said that justifies the conclusion that weapons are going to be put in space. What was quoted is entirely consistent with CURRENT military use of space by all countries with the capacity to do so (unless part of what was said was left out).
Anyway:
1. Western countries had long militarised space. Arguably,. they have long weaponised space as well. When you use data from satellites to guide forces and weapons to their targets, you have all but "weaponised space". Putting the actual weapon firing platform in space along with the intel and targetting assets already there is just another step.
2. True de-militarisation of space goes right down to not using info from GPS and like systems or even weather reports for military purposes. That's just not going to happen.
3. The U.S. needs no goading of any sort to develop its space weapons, contrary to what some might say. Remember how the U.S. was SO piously preaching against nuclear weapons tests only to conduct its own nuclear tests when it deemed necessary ?
1. That quote from Deng in the article. The earlier (hence more likely accurate) translation/ interpretation had it as: "Keep a low profile and grow your capabilities". Makes perfect sense. The one used in the article, "...hide your intentions", is the spin favoured by the anti-China lobby that the writer unfortunately seems to have picked up.
2. The article also talks about air force development. The great achievement in air force development amongst Asian countries is not being chalked up by China. It's just struggling to catch up. The great achievement has been chalked up by India which has very successfully integrated local and foreign tech to vastly improve the SU-30 MKI and other aircraft in its inventory. This plus pilot skill has enabled IAF pilots to best USAF and other Western air force pilots in exercises or at least give a better than fair account of themselves (depending on which source you read - !!!). Well done, India !
"Remember how the U.S. was SO piously preaching against nuclear weapons tests only to conduct its own nuclear tests when it deemed necessary ?"
When was this conducting of US nuclear tests? Was it after any agreement on de-nuclearisation or before?
The quote from Deng is immaterial. A top Chinese military commander has declared publicly for the first time China's plans to put weapons in space. That's the concrete piece of news.
The US certainly needs no goading of any sort to develop its space weapons. And with so many interest groups criticising the US so as to advance their agenda, the US shouldn't even take any goading seriously. It's national security and interest should be the main factors that determine any decision-making. It's a clear sign that the US should accelerate its space technology development.
Prof Wang Xiangsui (王湘穗) was the co-author of the book Chaoxian Zhan (超限战), translated into English with the title "Unrestricted Warfare", by FBIS, a department of CIA. The translation was fairly faithful to the original text, but the translators knew very little about the quotations and literature mentioned, and made up their own references. This book has been mentioned in at least one of the Pioneer essays from MINDEF.
I would encourage those who are proficient in Chinese to read the original text. Prof Wang is credible and the book gives insights into the Chinese perception of threats in the 21st century.
So what is the national security and interest of the US globally? or at least in Asia?
It include holding people without trial for a couple of years in Cuba, evasdropping on phone conversation, monitoring emails, shock and awe offensive on false information, regime change........
November 04, 2009 Wednesday, 05:18 AM
