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U.S. report warns of threats from China's military modernization

Central News Agency

2012/06/06 20:06:31

Washington, June 5 (CNA) Taiwan should do more to resist China's military threat, the Washington-based think tank American Enterprise Institute (AEI) suggested in a newly released research report.

The report, titled "Asia in the balance: Transforming U.S. military strategy in Asia," said China's military modernization, if it continues apace, may allow the country to decouple America's allies from the United States' extended nuclear deterrent and to destroy U.S. and allied fixed bases in the region.

"This, in turn, could allow China to coerce U.S. allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region, hold U.S. forces at arm's length, and control the seas along the Asian periphery," the AEI report said.

Moreover, it pointed out that China is also becoming increasingly capable of threatening America's ability to project military force in East Asia as the People's Liberation Army has developed the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile, which could give China the ability to strike ships up to 1,500 kilometers from its shores.

In addition, the report added, it is possible that China will develop even longer-range missile systems in the future.

The report also warned that in the event of war, it is increasingly likely that China's missiles would be able to shut down operations on Taiwan's airfields, preventing Taiwan from controlling the Taiwan Strait.

"These missiles could also shut down U.S. airfields in Japan, preventing the United States from supporting Taiwan," the report said.

It said that such capabilities would do much to influence Washington and allies' decision making in a crisis short of conflict.

For its part, Taiwan should seek to beef up key military infrastructure, including its airbases and command and control nodes, against China's missile and air attacks, the report suggested.

"Taipei should invest in systems such as anti-ship cruise missiles, land-attack cruise missiles, diesel submarines, and mine-laying capabilities that will allow it to inflict costs on China, deter an amphibious attack, and protract a conflict," the report stated.

(By Jay Chou and Sofia Wu)