CHINA THREAT?

CHINA THREAT: NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T

David Isenberg

Asia Times, August 19, 2010

It's that time of year again; the time when the Pentagon rolls out its annual threat assessment on China. The Pentagon has been issuing these reports since 2000, pursuant to US law. This year the 74-page "2010 Annual Report to Congress on Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China" [1] will undoubtedly be a disappointment to those conservatives who are looking to depict China as a menacing strategic competitor to the United States.

While the executive summary includes the usual warnings about China's pursuit of new military capabilities, it also pointedly notes that "[E]arlier this decade, China began a new phase of military development by articulating roles and missions for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) that go beyond China's immediate territorial interests.

"Some of these missions and associated capabilities have allowed the PLA to contribute to international peacekeeping efforts, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and counter-piracy operations. The United States recognizes and welcomes these contributions," the report notes.

(...) [artículo aquí]