Chinese military buildup reaches beyond Taiwan

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China is rapidly building up its military forces and weapons systems to project power beyond Taiwan, according to a Pentagon report made public yesterday.

Chinese military leaders "have expressed the view that control of Taiwan would enable the [People's Liberation Army's] Navy to move its maritime defensive perimeter further seaward and improve Beijing's ability to influence regional sea lines of communication," said the annual report, required by Congress.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told reporters that China's economy and defense spending are growing "and they have been purchasing substantial numbers of modern weapons from a variety of countries, including Russia."

"They have been deploying additional capabilities," he said.

China's efforts, the report said, are shifting the balance of power across the Taiwan Strait in Beijing's favor.

"The cross-Strait military balance appears to be shifting toward Beijing as a result of China's sustained economic growth, growing diplomatic leverage and improvements in the PLA's military capabilities," the report said.

For the first time since the report was produced in 2000, the Pentagon presented several assessments showing China may not evolve as a peaceful international power.

China's growing nationalism, an expanding military that proliferates arms to rogue states and a government that is still adapting to stronger roles give it the potential to be a threatening power.

"In the future, as China's military power grows, China's leaders may be tempted to resort to force or coercion more quickly to press diplomatic advantage, advance security interests, or resolve disputes," the report said.

The report stated that the U.S. intelligence community estimates it will take China until 2010 to be ready to confront a medium-sized power.