ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS
Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2010 Office of the Secretary of Defense Executive Summary Over the past 30 years, China has made great progress in its pursuit of economic growth and development, which has allowed China to achieve higher living standards for the Chinese people and has increased China’s international profile. These economic achievements, combined with progress in science and technology, have also enabled China to embark on a comprehensive transformation of its military. The pace and scope of China’s military modernization have increased over the past decade, enabling China’s armed forces to develop capabilities to contribute to the delivery of international public goods, as well as increase China’s options for using military force to gain diplomatic advantage or resolve disputes in its favor. Earlier 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. Other investments have allowed the PLA to pursue anti-access and area-denial strategies. Still others appear designed to improve the PLA’s ability for extended-range power projection, although China’s ability to sustain military power at a distance, today, remains limited. As the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review Report notes, “China is developing and fielding large numbers of advanced medium-range ballistic and cruise missiles, new attack submarines equipped with advanced weapons, increasingly capable long-range air defense systems, electronic warfare and computer network attack capabilities, advanced fighter aircraft, and counter-space systems.” Cross-Strait economic and cultural ties continued to make important progress in 2009. Despite these positive trends, China’s military build-up opposite the island continued unabated. The PLA is developing the capability to deter Taiwan independence or influence Taiwan to settle the dispute on Beijing’s terms while simultaneously attempting to deter, delay, or deny any possible U.S. support for the island in case of conflict. The balance of cross-Strait military forces continues to shift in the mainland’s favor. The PLA has made modest improvements in the transparency of China’s military and security affairs. However, many uncertainties remain regarding how China will use its expanding military capabilities. The limited transparency in China’s military and security affairs enhances uncertainty and increases the potential for misunderstanding and miscalculation. As President Obama has said, “[the U.S.-China] relationship has not been without disagreement and difficulty. But the notion that we must be adversaries is not pre-destined.” Sustained and reliable U.S.-China military-to-military relations support this goal by reducing mistrust, enhancing mutual understanding and broadening cooperation. China’s recurring decision to suspend military exchanges has impeded this effort. The Department of Defense will continue to use its interactions with China to encourage it to play a constructive role in addressing common security challenges in Asia and globally. At the same time, the Department of Defense has a special responsibility to monitor China’s military and to deter conflict. Through force posture, presence, capability developments, and actions to strengthen alliances and partnerships, the Department of Defense demonstrates the United States’ will and ability to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. President Coleman Says She Does Not Have Time to Meet with National Security Officials
National security officials have met with the presidents of many of the top research universities in the United States to brief them on the dangers of technology transfer to foreign students. President Mary Sue Coleman claims she does not have time to meet with them. Read the FBI's report on "Higher Education and National Security" Read Article HERE |
Executive Summary: 2010 Report of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission
(U) US-China Economic and Security Review Commission Releases 2010 Annual Report to Congress (USCC Press Report, 17 NOV 2010) (U) The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission was created by Congress to report on the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. In November, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission released its 2010 Report to Congress. The Commission’s Chairman and Vice Chairman discussed the Commission’s findings and recommendations. (U) In his opening statement, Commission Chairman Dan Slane said “The 2010 Annual Report reflects the Commission’s conclusions that China has failed in some notable areas to fulfill the promises it made nine years ago when it joined the World Trade Organization. Specifically, China is adopting a highly discriminatory policy of favoring domestic producers over foreign manufacturers. Under the guise of fostering “indigenous innovation” in its economy, the government of China appears determined to exclude foreigners from bidding on government contracts at the central, provincial, and local levels. In addition, China has proposed that its many state-owned corporations be exempt from WTO rules on procurement. The Chinese government quite simply intends to wall off a majority of its economy from international competition.” (U) In her opening statement, Vice Chairman Carolyn Bartholomew commented on China’s military modernization, saying “As a result of China’s improved offensive air and missile capabilities, the Chinese military has strengthened its capacity to threaten US forces and bases in the region. Currently, China’s conventional missile capabilities alone may be sufficient to temporarily knock out five of the six United States air bases in East Asia. Saturation missile strikes could destroy US air defenses, runways, parked aircraft, and fuel and maintenance facilities. Complicating this scenario is the future deployment of China’s anti-ship ballistic missile, which could hold US aircraft carriers at bay outside their normal operating range.” (U) Among the topics in the 316-page report: (U) Economics and Trade Issues: • China’s ‘indigenous innovation’ policy to promote favored industries and limit imports. • China’s currency manipulation and its effects on the United States. • China’s purchases of US Treasury securities and the implications for the United States. • China’s measures to restrict rare earth element exports. • China’s past and future role in the World Trade Organization. (U) National Defense Issues: • China’s growing air and missile capabilities, and the increasing capacity to strike US bases and allies in the region. • China’s improving commercial aviation manufacturing capabilities, and the spillover benefits for China’s defense aviation industry. • The increasingly sophisticated nature of malicious computer activity associated with China. (U) Foreign Affairs Issues: • China’s increasing political, economic, energy and security interactions with Southeast Asia, and the implications for US interests in the region. • Recent developments in the China-Taiwan relationship, and implications for the United States. (U) Energy and Environmental Issues: • China’s efforts to promote green energy in order to increase its energy security, prevent environmental degradation, and develop a globally competitive green energy industry. • Ohio’s response to China’s promotion of its alternative energy industries. (U) Censorship Issues: • How China’s revised state secrets laws may conflict with US disclosure requirements and put US investments in Chinese firms at risk. The full report is available HERE or: http://www.uscc.gov/annual_report/2010/annual_report_full_10.pdf |