QINGDAO, China: The powerful PLA is stepping out to add diplomacy to its repertoire. Just this month, the PLA Navy's North Sea Fleet, based in Qingdao, Shandong province sent destroyers and frigates to sail around the Japanese archipelago in a show of strength. Almost at the same time, the same Navy was conducting the biggest ever joint exercises with Russia in the Sea of Japan as a response to US-Japan navy drills.
Last week, speaking to Indian journalists, the brass of the North Sea Fleet offered to cooperate with Indian navy to work on joint escort missions in the Gulf of Aden. "We have a good understanding of how the Indian navy works," said Rear Admiral Wang Ling. Wang stated the Chinese military presence in the South China Sea was "normal" but that the territorial disputes should be resolved through bilateral diplomacy. On Japan, there was no-holds-barred hostility, "the Diaoyu islands (Japan calls them Senkaku) belong to China and Japan is responsible for the tensions there," he said.
As the fastest growing military of a country billed as the world's next superpower, the PLA and its institutions, think tanks, propaganda machinery etc, are stepping out of the shadows to show that this arm of the Chinese state reporting directly to the all-important Central Military Commission (CMC) is in the forefront of crafting China's foreign and defense policies. The CMC is headed by Xi Jinping, his most important responsibility.
In the past couple of years, the Chinese military, on a massive expansion and modernization spree, has also been the source of growing regional apprehension about China's intentions in the region. As China's power has grown, China has stepped out more forcefully to claim territory in its periphery based on Chinese historical claims eschewing international forums, preferring to deal bilaterally with smaller countries like Philippines and Vietnam, where China could use a variety of tools to get its way. Both South and East China Seas are buzzing with disquiet.
In the Himalayas where China and India share and undefined boundary, recent incursions, aggressive patrolling (by both sides) and improved infrastructure has added to the general sense that China's power is more aggressive than comfortable. Meanwhile, making India more nervous, China and Pakistan have decided to build a railroad connecting Xinjiang's Kashgar and Gwadar Port located on the Arabian Sea, presenting what India believes to be a direct threat to its security interests.
China has also stepped out in the international arena for more peace-keeping missions, as well as escort missions for ships in the northern Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. "Since December 2008, we have organized over 5000 escort missions," said Cai Weidong at the Chinese ministry of defense. "If we don't contribute, we are questioned, but when we did send our ships to the Gulf of Aden, countries like Japan and India protested." Indian officials flatly denied ever protesting Chinese missions in that area.
But for a new Chinese government, whose mantra, splashed across the country is the "Chinese Dream", the growing impression of China as a predatory hegemon has been an image setback. Therefore PLA brass are keen to portray China's defense policies and "defensive". Colonel Yang Yujun at the defense ministry laid out what he said are the fundamentals of Chinese policy "We will not attack unless attacked, but we will counter attack if attacked."
That gives the Chinese military ample room to transgress red lines with neighbours in a seemingly non-threatening way. Therefore Chinese warships circling the Japanese archipelago or Chinese troops setting up tents in Ladakh are part of the same strategy, push Chinese claims without getting into an armed standoff. Japan this week complained that Chinese oil companies were exploring for energy in the East China Sea. China retorted that it did not recognize the Japanese claim line. In Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Chinese teams are building roads, repairing lakes etc, even as they refuse a visa to an Indian general from Jammu & Kashmir.
It only reinforces the China-as-bully impression. Cai complained, "China's first aircraft carrier has elicited global reactions. But nobody has complained about the fact that India is on its third aircraft carrier." But where India scores on a blue water experience, China's massive acquisitions have put it in a different league. India may have had two carriers under its belt, but China is intent on populating the oceans with a growing fleet of nuclear submarines, armed and ready. It has prompted the US to respond in kind. India is putting together the contours of its own maritime security policies keeping the Chinese challenge in mind.
China is working hard to change its image to one of a gentle giant. The trouble is, no one is buying.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/Chinas-PLA-to-add-diplomacy-to-its-repertoire/articleshow/21474677.cms
Last week, speaking to Indian journalists, the brass of the North Sea Fleet offered to cooperate with Indian navy to work on joint escort missions in the Gulf of Aden. "We have a good understanding of how the Indian navy works," said Rear Admiral Wang Ling. Wang stated the Chinese military presence in the South China Sea was "normal" but that the territorial disputes should be resolved through bilateral diplomacy. On Japan, there was no-holds-barred hostility, "the Diaoyu islands (Japan calls them Senkaku) belong to China and Japan is responsible for the tensions there," he said.
As the fastest growing military of a country billed as the world's next superpower, the PLA and its institutions, think tanks, propaganda machinery etc, are stepping out of the shadows to show that this arm of the Chinese state reporting directly to the all-important Central Military Commission (CMC) is in the forefront of crafting China's foreign and defense policies. The CMC is headed by Xi Jinping, his most important responsibility.
In the past couple of years, the Chinese military, on a massive expansion and modernization spree, has also been the source of growing regional apprehension about China's intentions in the region. As China's power has grown, China has stepped out more forcefully to claim territory in its periphery based on Chinese historical claims eschewing international forums, preferring to deal bilaterally with smaller countries like Philippines and Vietnam, where China could use a variety of tools to get its way. Both South and East China Seas are buzzing with disquiet.
In the Himalayas where China and India share and undefined boundary, recent incursions, aggressive patrolling (by both sides) and improved infrastructure has added to the general sense that China's power is more aggressive than comfortable. Meanwhile, making India more nervous, China and Pakistan have decided to build a railroad connecting Xinjiang's Kashgar and Gwadar Port located on the Arabian Sea, presenting what India believes to be a direct threat to its security interests.
China has also stepped out in the international arena for more peace-keeping missions, as well as escort missions for ships in the northern Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. "Since December 2008, we have organized over 5000 escort missions," said Cai Weidong at the Chinese ministry of defense. "If we don't contribute, we are questioned, but when we did send our ships to the Gulf of Aden, countries like Japan and India protested." Indian officials flatly denied ever protesting Chinese missions in that area.
But for a new Chinese government, whose mantra, splashed across the country is the "Chinese Dream", the growing impression of China as a predatory hegemon has been an image setback. Therefore PLA brass are keen to portray China's defense policies and "defensive". Colonel Yang Yujun at the defense ministry laid out what he said are the fundamentals of Chinese policy "We will not attack unless attacked, but we will counter attack if attacked."
That gives the Chinese military ample room to transgress red lines with neighbours in a seemingly non-threatening way. Therefore Chinese warships circling the Japanese archipelago or Chinese troops setting up tents in Ladakh are part of the same strategy, push Chinese claims without getting into an armed standoff. Japan this week complained that Chinese oil companies were exploring for energy in the East China Sea. China retorted that it did not recognize the Japanese claim line. In Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Chinese teams are building roads, repairing lakes etc, even as they refuse a visa to an Indian general from Jammu & Kashmir.
It only reinforces the China-as-bully impression. Cai complained, "China's first aircraft carrier has elicited global reactions. But nobody has complained about the fact that India is on its third aircraft carrier." But where India scores on a blue water experience, China's massive acquisitions have put it in a different league. India may have had two carriers under its belt, but China is intent on populating the oceans with a growing fleet of nuclear submarines, armed and ready. It has prompted the US to respond in kind. India is putting together the contours of its own maritime security policies keeping the Chinese challenge in mind.
China is working hard to change its image to one of a gentle giant. The trouble is, no one is buying.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/Chinas-PLA-to-add-diplomacy-to-its-repertoire/articleshow/21474677.cms
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