China sub secretly stalked U.S. fleet.

[Martin]

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20...1539-3317r.htm

China sub secretly stalked U.S. fleet

By Bill Gertz
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 13, 2006

A Chinese submarine stalked a U.S. aircraft carrier battle group in the Pacific last month and surfaced within firing range of its torpedoes and missiles before being detected, The Washington Times has learned.

The surprise encounter highlights China's continuing efforts to prepare for a future conflict with the U.S., despite Pentagon efforts to try to boost relations with Beijing's communist-ruled military.

The submarine encounter with the USS Kitty Hawk and its accompanying warships also is an embarrassment to the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Adm. William J. Fallon, who is engaged in an ambitious military exchange program with China aimed at improving relations between the two nations' militaries.

Disclosure of the incident comes as Adm. Gary Roughead, commander of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet, is making his first visit to China. The four-star admiral was scheduled to meet senior Chinese military leaders during the weeklong visit, which began over the weekend.

According to the defense officials, the Chinese Song-class diesel-powered attack submarine shadowed the Kitty Hawk undetected and surfaced within five miles of the carrier Oct. 26.
The surfaced submarine was spotted by a routine surveillance flight by one of the carrier group's planes. The Kitty Hawk battle group includes an attack submarine and anti-submarine helicopters that are charged with protecting the warships from submarine attack.

According to the officials, the submarine is equipped with Russian-made wake-homing torpedoes and anti-ship cruise missiles.
The Kitty Hawk and several other warships were deployed in ocean waters near Okinawa at the time, as part of a routine fall deployment program. The officials said Chinese submarines rarely have operated in deep water far from Chinese shores or shadowed U.S. vessels.

A Pacific Command spokesman declined to comment on the incident, saying details were classified.
Pentagon spokesmen also declined to comment.
The incident is a setback for the aggressive U.S.-China military exchange program being promoted by Adm. Fallon, who has made several visits to China in recent months in an attempt to develop closer ties.

However, critics of the program in the Pentagon say China has not reciprocated and continues to deny U.S. military visitors access to key facilities, including a Beijing command center. In contrast, Chinese military visitors have been invited to military exercises and sensitive U.S. facilities.

Additionally, military intelligence officials said Adm. Fallon has restricted U.S. intelligence-gathering activities against China, fearing that disclosure of the activities would upset relations with Beijing.
The restrictions are hindering efforts to know more about China's military buildup, the officials said.

"This is a harbinger of a stronger Chinese reaction to America's military presence in East Asia," said Richard Fisher, a Chinese military specialist with the International Assessment and Strategy Center, who called the submarine incident alarming.

"Given the long range of new Chinese sub-launched anti-ship missiles and those purchased from Russia, this incident is very serious," he said. "It will likely happen again, only because Chinese submarine captains of 40 to 50 new modern submarines entering their navy will want to test their mettle against the 7th Fleet."

Pentagon intelligence officials say China's military buildup in recent years has produced large numbers of submarines and surface ships, seeking to control larger portions of international waters in Asia, a move U.S. officials fear could restrict the flow of oil from the Middle East to Asia in the future.
Between 2002 and last year, China built 14 new submarines, including new Song-class vessels and several other types, both diesel- and nuclear-powered.

Since 1996, when the United States dispatched two aircraft carrier battle groups to waters near Taiwan in a show of force, Beijing also has bought and built weapons designed specifically to attack U.S. aircraft carriers and other warships.

"The Chinese have made it clear that they understand the importance of the submarine in any kind of offensive or defensive strategy to deal with a military conflict," an intelligence official said recently.

In late 2004, China dispatched a Han-class submarine to waters near Guam, Taiwan and Japan. Japan's military went on emergency alert after the submarine surfaced in Japanese waters. Beijing apologized for the incursion.
The Pentagon's latest annual report on Chinese military power stated that China is investing heavily in weapons designed "to interdict, at long ranges, aircraft carrier and expeditionary strike groups that might deploy to the western Pacific."

It could not be learned whether the U.S. government lodged a protest with China's government over the incident or otherwise raised the matter in official channels

[RadioactiveMan]

I wonder how many US submarines were stalking Chinese ships as that occurred.

It also said that it was in "the Pacific," but they couldn't have picked a more general location.

[dajyde]

Bold move from the Chinese....Bold move. One cannot help but to wonder where they're going with such acts. It is known that China is one of if not THE strongest power to be reckonned with in the East.

I don't think that the U.S should view such an act as a smoking gun but I DO think that we need to keep in mind that as the World's greatest superpower, lesser powers are going to try very hard to get close to if not match our level. Being the number 1 kid on the block in: affluence, might, technology, e.t.c is a tough job. You always have to stay ontop of your game.

To put it simply, the Chinese have shown that they are capable of a sneak attack upon the U.S in ocean warfare. The U.S in-turn has to flex it's muscles a bit and come up with a war ship that's a bit more aware of its surroundings. Send the boys back home from Iraq to cut the spending there. Take the money saved and pour into investment in better ships!

[DansDarkSide]

We can't just leave Iraq after what we did. We have to finish the job.

Before we start "flexing" our muscles we MUST get our economy back. I can see it right now. If we start flexing our muscles to China and they call our bluff we are screwed. I dont think we can pay for such a big war while we are still in Iraq.

I say we put the UN in charge of Iraq, Bring most of our boys back get the economy up and running again build up our military and then start bullying China around.

[RadioactiveMan]

So wait, why would you think of bullying China? What reason does America have to do such a thing?

[DansDarkSide]

Because if we don't they will keep on messing with our navy untill a war breaks out. Right now I think China is the only country that could put up a good fight with us. I also think if we have a war with China eventually WW3 will start because of it.

[RadioactiveMan]

You want to prevent war by bullying another nation? How can that possibly work?

[DansDarkSide]

Because if they keep on doing what there doing it make's us look weak infront of the whole world and since we do act like we are the "Worlds Police" we ought to do it to every country instead of just 3rd world nations. I dont know maybe my theory is flawed but thats just what I think will happen.

China startin' to worry ever'body...

China military build-up fears
Thursday, 15 February 2007, China's recent missile test has raised fears about the country's growing military capabilities.

The US and other nations all voiced their concerns about an arms race in space. There were also complaints from neighbours like Japan and Taiwan who worry about China's military power.

So why the fuss?

After all, the technology that China used to blast the ageing weather satellite out of the sky was not new: the US and the former Soviet Union had it 20 years ago. And Beijing says that it only has peaceful intentions in space.

'Wake-up call'

But the test clearly demonstrates that China can compete in space - even though it is still a long way behind the US. And that is enough to get Washington worried.

More http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6365167.stm

See also:

Cheney Criticizes China's Arms Buildup
Feb. 23, 2007 - Vice President **** Cheney said Friday that China's recent anti-satellite weapons test and a rapid military buildup were "not consistent" with its stated aim of a peaceful rise as a global power.

Speaking in Sydney, Cheney also expressed wariness about North Korea's commitment to a landmark deal announced last week on ending the country's nuclear programs. As anti-war demonstrators clashed with police outside the hotel where Cheney was speaking, the vice president also expressed gratitude to Australia for sending troops to the Iraq war, which he said must be won or terrorists would be emboldened worldwide.

Cheney praised China for playing an "especially important" role in the six-nation negotiations that resulted in the North Korea deal, under which the North is to seal its main nuclear reactor and allow international inspections in exchange for fuel oil. "Other actions by the Chinese government send a different message," Cheney told the Australian-American Leadership Dialogue, a private organization that promotes ties between the two countries.

"Last month's anti-satellite test, China's continued fast-paced military buildup are less constructive and are not consistent with China's stated goal of a peaceful rise," he said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment on Cheney's remarks. Many government offices were closed Friday for the weeklong Lunar New Year holiday.

MORE

Granny thinks they buildin' up to Armageddon...

China encourages private companies to enter military industry
March 02, 2007 - China has issued a new policy to encourage private companies to invest in the national defense industry, Xinhua learnt from the Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense on Thursday.

The country will support and guide private companies producing and researching military equipment and restructuring military firms, according to guidelines recently issued by the commission. Private companies are also encouraged to develop and industrialize high technologies for both military and civil use, said the guidelines.

The new policy will help the country's national defense industry make better use of funds and technologies owned by private companies, boost its innovative capabilities and improve weaponry research and production, said an official with the commission. Last year, the commission issued licenses for private companies to branch into China's weaponry industry, breaching the long-standing state monopoly on the sector for the first time.

"As the defense sector concerns national safety, private companies must enter the industry gradually in a safe and regulated way," said the official, who did not give his name. Private enterprises must enhance the awareness of secrecy, accept government supervision and fulfill military research and production tasks, the commission said in the guidelines.

Source

See also:

Don't sell missiles to Taiwan, China tells US
3/3/2007 - Beijing China demanded yesterday the United States scrap a planned sale of hundreds of missiles to Taiwan, warning the deal would harm regional stability and bilateral ties.

"We solemnly demand the leader of the United States... immediately cancel this weapons sale (and) avoid harming the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits and Sino-US relations," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said. "The Chinese side expresses its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this. We have raised solemn representations with the US side."

The US Department of Defence this week notified Congress that it planned to sell Taiwan US$421m worth of missiles, which would help boost the island's defences against rival China. "The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region," the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said.

Acquisition of 218 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air missiles and 235 Maverick missiles would help Taiwan "modernise its armed forces and enhance its defence ability to counter air and ground threats," it said. Qin said the sale violated US commitments to a "one China policy," which maintains that there is only one China with Beijing as its capital.

Source