US report eyes China's challenge to its interests

[dArKeR]

The US Department of Defense's annual report on the military power of China, following a number of delays, has finally been published. The report points out that China's military buildup appears to be geared toward preventing Taiwan's independence. More importantly, however, the report sees the rise of China as a serious challenge to the US' status as the world's superpower.
In a recent meeting in Singapore, US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld articulated US concerns about China's military might and the regional military imbalance that could result from China's massive military spending. Rumsfeld pointed out that the buildup was happening even though China faces no direct threat from any nation.

From the US point of view, China's improving military capability constitutes a direct threat to its security interests. The Pentagon specifically pointed out that China now has the capacity to strike anywhere in the world with its intercontinental ballistic missiles. It stated that China's armed forces have been strengthened to the extent that they now have the capacity to conduct military operations beyond Taiwan. More importantly, given China's long-term modernization drive, the US believes that China represents a possible threat to both the US and nations in the Asia-Pacific region, pointing out that "some of China's military planners are surveying the strategic landscape beyond Taiwan."

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2005/07/26/2003265135