No need to panic over Chinese warship off coast of Libya

[IScreamSundays]

Source: Chronicle Herald

One of the most ironic developments in the Libyan crisis is the reaction of American military pundits to China dispatching a warship to the Mediterranean Sea.

The warship Xuzhou, which media outlets described as a "4,000-ton frigate, fully armed with air defence missiles," or simply as a "Chinese missile ship," would appear to a layperson to be both massive and powerful. The rationale that American analysts give for the Chinese deploying the Xuzhou is "projecting China’s power off the coast of Libya."

In addition to the surface-to-air missiles for self-defence, it was noted that the Xuzhou also has a utility helicopter. Now before we all rush off to the bomb shelters to save ourselves from the Yellow Peril and the Third World War, let’s take a closer look at the military muscle that China is allegedly flexing.

First of all, a 4,000-ton frigate is about the smallest class of blue ocean warship in the service of any navy. In fact, Canada’s response to the Libyan crisis was to deploy a 4,000-ton frigate — HMCS Charlottetown — complete with a crew of about 240 and armed with air defence missiles and a maritime helicopter. No one has accused Canada of trying to project our military power off the coast of Libya.

Read more: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1234127.html

[dipsydoodle]

1. I don't grasp the significance.

If the west have got warships there whats the issue with China doing the same ? Or Iran or Russia....doing the same.

[madrchsod]

3. Carter-Reagan doctrine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_Doctrine

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964873,00.html

this justifies all the military adventures in the middle east.


we have a habit of issuing doctrines to do what ever we want to in the world.

[bluedigger]

2. They're just observing.

And studying our weapons, tactics, and strategy.

[Enthusiast]

4. Anything to

justify RIDICULOUS levels of military spending.