Australia in $70 billion boost to military, for China?

SYDNEY — Australia will spend more than 70 billion US dollars boosting its defences over the next 20 years in response to a regional military build-up and global shifts in power, the government said Saturday.

A long-term strategic blueprint for the future of Australia's armed forces warned that war could be possible in the Asia-Pacific region in the next two decades, as emerging powers such as China flexed their military might.

The United States would continue its military dominance and be an "indispensable" ally for Australia, the defence white paper said.

But as emerging or resurgent powers such as China, India and Russia tested US primacy, the paper said there was "a small but still concerning possibility of growing confrontation between some of these powers."

"China will be the strongest Asian military power, by a considerable margin," the paper said. "A major power of China's stature can be expected to develop a globally significant military capability befitting its size.

"But the pace, scope and structure of China's military modernisation have the potential to give its neighbours cause for concern if not carefully explained, and if China does not reach out to others to build confidence regarding its military plans," it said.

If it did not take these steps, the paper said, there would be "a question in the minds of regional states about the long-term strategic purpose of its force development plans, particularly as the modernisation appears potentially to be beyond the scope of what would be required for a conflict over Taiwan.

"China will have even more interest in convincing regional countries that its rise will not diminish their sovereignty," the paper said.

Greater engagement with Beijing was essential for encouraging transparency about Chinese military capabilities and intentions, and securing greater cooperation in areas of shared interest, the paper said.

China's Premier Wen Jiabao in March vowed to modernise his nation's military across the board, asking legislators for a 15.3 percent increase in defence spending for 2009 to 472.9 billion yuan (69 billion dollars) -- double 2006 funding levels. The global financial crisis was likely to accelerate a shift of power to the Asia-Pacific, and regional security would pivot on how strategic dynamics were managed between the US, China and Japan, the blueprint said.

A major conflict on the Korean peninsula remained a possibility, and the paper said the collapse of North Korea could not be ruled out, while Myanmar remained a "serious challenge."

An escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan was also of "significant concern," and the paper said Islamist extremism would pose a direct threat to Australia and its interests.

The paper reiterated Canberra's commitment to the conflict in Afghanistan, which it said could endure another decade or longer.

Canberra will acquire long-range cruise missiles, double its submarine fleet to 12 and buy 100 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets and eight new warships under the plan, titled "Force 2030."

"Force 2030 will mean the best fighter jets, the most versatile armoured vehicles and the most sophisticated submarines available to defend Australia?s national security," said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the report's Sydney launch.

The Sino-focused strategy, which was widely leaked to the press, was met with unease in Beijing, where it was reportedly perceived by some as Australia aligning itself with the United States against China.

"China definitely will not accept Australia adopting the so-called 'China threat' thesis," Beijing professor Shi Yinhong told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on Friday.

"(China) will have to publicly criticise (the paper)," added Yinhong, international relations specialist from the People's University.

(AFP)

China puts naval might on display

China is staging a military parade to celebrate its navy's 60th anniversary - and show the world its latest warships.

A least one of the country's nuclear-powered submarines is on display at the naval parade, being held in the port city of Qingdao.

Twenty-one foreign naval vessels from 14 countries are also taking part, including the US, France and Russia.

Military analysts say the event will allow the rest of the world to see how China has developed its naval forces.

Chinese sailors laid out a red carpet in front of the Chinese destroyer Shijiazhuang that took the country's president, Hu Jintao, out to sea for the parade.

"Both now and in the future, no matter to what extent we develop, China will never seek hegemony," state media quoted him as saying.

A total of 25 ships and 31 aircraft from the People's Liberation Army Navy were involved in the event.

Joining President Hu on the destroyer were military officials from nearly 30 countries - many of whom had the chance to tour a Chinese submarine, a destroyer and a hospital ship.

Flag Lieutenant Ollie Hucker, of Britain's Royal Navy, said he was impressed with what he had seen.

"In some ways we are jealous of their capabilities," he said, adding that it was clear that China wanted to become a major naval power.

"The global high seas are somewhere they need to make sure they can protect. The sea is where most of the trade routes are," he said.

Military-to-military relations

Ordinary people also attended the parade, despite the biting wind in Qingdao.

Carrying binoculars, they lined the city's waterfront from early in the morning to get a glimpse of the parade, most of which took place at sea out of view.

Some said they were proud to see that China now had advanced warships to match the country's growing global importance.

Shi Huijuan came from Shanghai to see the parade. "This is the first time the country has put on such a big parade so I really wanted to come and see it," she said.

China appears to have become more assertive in the waters off its coastline over recent years.

Earlier this year, five Chinese vessels were involved in a stand-off with a survey ship from the US navy off China's Hainan Island.

But the diplomatic row that followed did not stop the US from sending two ships to take part in the Qingdao parade.

"Our goal has always been to maintain and develop military-to-military relations," said a US Embassy spokesman in Beijing.

(BBC)

Russia, China stage war games in Central Asia

FAKHRABAD, Tajikistan - China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan took part in war games on Saturday in the first such exercise since Kyrgyzstan said in February it would shut the last U.S. air base in Central Asia.

The Manas base plays an important role in supplying U.S.-led troops fighting in Afghanistan and its closure poses a challenge to plans by President Barack Obama to send additional troops there to fight the growing Taliban insurgency.

Russia sees Central Asia as part of its traditional zone of influence and is concerned by the West's growing presence there.

About 1,000 soldiers took part in the exercises, 50 kms (30 miles) south of the Tajik capital Dushanbe under the auspices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Only Uzbekistan declined to take part, saying its special services were occupied by other, pre-planned events.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has suggested that the SCO countries should have a stronger say in international efforts to restore peace in Afghanistan. Analysts have said the closure of the Manas base could be interpreted as Moscow's offer to Washington to review the regional rules of the game.

The plot of the war games featured "al Qaeda" members who had crossed over the border from Afghanistan and captured a chemical factory, taking its workers hostage. The soldiers freed the hostages with the help of planes and parachutes.

During the exercises, Tajik soldiers demonstrated their ability to tear apart a live rabbit with their teeth and hands. Another soldier bit off the head of a small snake and ate it.

(Reuters)

Obama Calls for Military Dialogue With China

WASHINGTON — President Obama told China’s foreign minister on Thursday that their two countries need to raise “the level and frequency” of military dialogue “in order to avoid future incidents” like the high seas confrontation between naval vessels this week, the White House said.

The two met in the Oval Office in the highest level contact since a tense encounter Sunday involving a United States Navy survey vessel and five Chinese ships that escalated into what the chief American intelligence officer called the “most serious” military incident with China since 2001.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi spent two hours at the White House, meeting first with the national security adviser, Gen. James L. Jones, and then with Mr. Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. The White House played down the meeting, keeping it closed to reporters and news photographers. But it did release its own handout photo afterward.

Mr. Yang made no statements to reporters as he left the White House and did not mention the naval confrontation in a speech elsewhere in Washington earlier in the day.

The incident occurred Sunday about 75 miles off Hainan island, south of the Chinese mainland. Five Chinese ships surrounded and harassed the USNS Impeccable as it conducted surveillance in an area Beijing claims jurisdiction over but other countries consider international waters, according to the American account. The Chinese tried to block the ship and snag its cables with hooks. The Americans used a fire hose to spray water at the Chinese.

In meeting with Mr. Yang, General Jones “raised the recent incident in the South China Sea with the USNS Impeccable,” the White House said in a statement. The description of the conversation during the later meeting with Mr. Obama was more general, focusing on how to avoid future incidents. White House spokesmen would not say whether Mr. Obama talked about the Impeccable episode in any detail.

The president pledged to work closely with China on stabilizing the global economy and pressing North Korea to give up nuclear weapons.

And while Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton recently said disputes over human rights “can’t interfere” with work on other issues with China, Mr. Obama said “the promotion of human rights is an essential aspect of U.S. global foreign policy” and urged Beijing to make progress in a dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama.

(NYT)

Army phone links China and Russia

A new military hotline between Beijing and Moscow has been used for the first time, according to reports in the Chinese state media.

A senior Chinese officer discussed a range of topics with his Russian counterpart, Xinhua news agency said.

The phone link is designed for "timely communication on significant issues".

Efforts to set up a similar hotline, mainly for use during crises, between Beijing and Washington appear to have stalled, correspondents say.

In a world where emails and mobile devices mean you can always be in touch with the office, it seems strange that two of the world's most important military powers have only now started using a direct telephone link designed to make it easier for their senior officers to contact each other.

Crisis concerns

No doubt security concerns and diplomatic issues had to be resolved first.

But in huge bureaucracies it is not always easy to get to the man in charge in a hurry.

The hotline will now make that easier.

Put simply, the Chinese can now pick up the phone when there is a crisis and ask the Russians what is going on and what they are doing about it.

This first historic call was not so urgent, apparently.

The two soldiers exchanged views on the international and regional situation, bilateral relations and other issues of common concern.

There is still no hotline between China's armed forces and the Pentagon in Washington.

The two countries' presidents first agreed to set one up nearly three years ago.

A further deal was signed between the two defence departments in February but since then progress on establishing it appears to have stalled.

(BBC)

China sailor recalls Somali pirate fight

The captain of a Chinese ship has told the BBC how he and his crew fought off a gang of armed Somali pirates with petrol bombs and water cannon.

Nine pirates boarded the Zhenhua 4 on Wednesday but were forced off the ship by Capt Peng Weiyuan and his crew after they mounted an unexpected fightback.

Helicopters from a multi-national force also took part in the four hour battle, which saw the pirates back down.

China has announced it is to send naval ships to combat piracy in the region.

Speaking by satellite phone from the Indian Ocean, Capt Peng told the Newshour programme on the BBC World Service that the pirates attacked the vessel using two speedboats.

"They opened fire, they wanted us to stop," he said.

'Very threatening'

"We had 27 crew members on the boat and we shouted at them saying 'go away', but they were very fast."

Capt Peng said he tried to manoeuvre his ship out of the way but eventually the pirates climbed aboard after putting ladders up the side of the Zhenhua 4.

"Seven pirates got on our ship and two remained on the speedboat. The seven that got on were very threatening," he said.

But instead of surrendering, the crew retreated to their living quarters, which overlook the deck.

"We had a lot of beer bottles and we made a lot of cocktail [petrol] bombs," said Capt Peng. "We were well prepared. We threw them at them.

"After the first attack they retreated but somehow they got very good weapons - anti-tank weapons - which they fired at us, and succeeded in coming up to our living quarters.

"They came to the first platform which is very close to our living quarters.

"We were locked inside and the door was very thick. They were shouting 'open the door'. So we climbed further up and we used everything to threaten them, bottles, petrol.

"Eventually we used high-pressure water cannon to shoot at them. They were also shooting at us and one bullet passed me about 10in (25cm) away.

"Eventually they retreated, they couldn't fight any more. There was smoke, there was fire."

Asked for shoes

The captain described how the defeated pirates made some unexpected requests as they prepared to leave the Zhenhua 4.

"The head of the pirates said 'stop, stop, we can't go on fighting any more. Let us go'. And I said: 'We will let you go. Leave our ship'."

Mr Peng said that the pirates then asked for shoes because they were barefoot and the deck was covered in broken glass.

Pairs of leather shoes were thrown to them and the pirates retreated - only to return a few minutes later asking for fuel for their speedboats.

Capt Peng added that while the fighting was going on helicopters appeared overhead and started firing at the pirates.

"They helped us succeed," he said.

On Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told journalists that preparations to dispatch naval vessels were under way.

BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says it will be the Chinese navy's first active deployment beyond the Pacific Ocean.

(BBC)

China may send ships to tackle Somali piracy

BEIJING, Dec 17 - China may send naval ships to the seas off Somalia to help the fight against piracy there, state media on Wednesday quoted a Vice Foreign Minister as saying at the United Nations.

"China is seriously considering sending naval ships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Somali coast for escorting operations in the near future," the official Xinhua news agency quoted He Yafei as saying.

He, speaking at a Security Council ministerial meeting, said that China welcomed global cooperation in the fight against Somali piracy, and supported efforts by other countries to send ships to the region, Xinhua reported.

Earlier this month a prominent Chinese military strategist, Major-General Jin Yinan, urged the government to send ships, in comments reflecting debate about combating piracy in a country which has generally confined its navy to waters near home.

Jin told a Chinese radio interviewer that "nobody should be shocked" if his government one day decided to send navy ships to deal with the pirates, whose recent victims have included ships from mainland China and Hong Kong.

Jin is the head of a strategy institute at China's National Defence University.

A surge in attacks at sea this year in the busy Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean off Somalia has pushed up insurance costs, brought the Somali gangs tens of millions of dollars in ransom and prompted foreign warships to the area.

Among the captured vessels are a Saudi supertanker loaded with $100 million of crude oil, the Sirius Star, and a Ukrainian cargo ship carrying some 30 Soviet-era tanks.

The victims have also included a Hong Kong-flagged ship with 25 crew aboard and a Chinese fishing boat reported seized off Kenya.

NATO ships began anti-piracy operations off the Somali coast in late October, but they have failed to stop the hijackings.

(Reuters)

Pentagon says U.S. will remain Asian power

SINGAPORE- Washington will remain committed to Asia no matter who wins this year's U.S. presidential election, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the region's decision makers on Saturday.

His message at a conference of Asian security and defense officials appeared intended both to reassure allies and serve as a statement of intent to China, following Beijing's rise in economic and military power in recent years.

"As someone who has served seven United States presidents, I want to convey to you with confidence that any future U.S. administration's Asia security policy is going to be grounded in the fact that the United States remains a nation with strong and enduring interests in this region," Gates said.

"I can assure you that the United States -- because of our interests and because of our values -- will not only remain engaged, but will become even more so in the decades ahead," the former Central Intelligence Agency chief said.

Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore, Gates tried to strike a balance in comments on China. U.S. officials said he wanted to make Washington's views clear without creating an open confrontation with Beijing.

Gates offered praise, citing Beijing's "valued cooperation" in North Korean nuclear talks, and avoided direct criticism.

But he also alluded to subjects which have been contentious, such as repeated U.S. calls for greater transparency in Chinese military budgets.

Japan's Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba also called on China to be clearer about its spending and intentions.

(Reuters)