China sees an escalating arms race in Asia
China is warning that it will be forced to stoke up a dangerously escalating arms race in Asia in response to Japanese plans to build a missile-defence system designed to protect the country from North Korean attacks.
By Diplomatic Editor 4:37PM GMT 19 Dec 2010
Japan said last week that it planned to purchase Patriot PAC3 interceptors, which are meant to shoot down incoming short and medium-range ballistic missiles, and to step up work on Aegis – a US-led sea-based system to protect ships and troops from ballistic missile attack.
Beijing fears that these acquisitions, though targeted at North Korea's rogue nuclear programme, will threaten the balance of power. "Japan's new military investments are going to transform the military balance in the region," a Chinese diplomat said. "China will have no choice but to respond by enhancing its own capabilities." Jiang Yu, China's foreign ministry spokesperson, described Japan's plans as "irresponsible".
Experts fear that other countries will respond as well as China.
India, for example, would enlarge its missile arsenal in response to a Chinese move. India is already in a massive arms buildup, pouring billions into advanced aircraft, submarines and missile defence systems.
"China depends heavily on both conventional and nuclear-armed ballistic missiles to offset the technological weaknesses of its armed forces," said Ashley Tellis, a US strategic expert, "so a more robust Japanese missile defence system is a real threat to its clout."
Japan is the second Chinese adversary to invest in US missile defence systems. In January, the US administration said anti-ballistic missile defence equipment would form part of an $6.4 billion (£4.1 billion) arms sale to Taiwan.
China is warning that it will be forced to stoke up a dangerously escalating arms race in Asia in response to Japanese plans to build a missile-defence system designed to protect the country from North Korean attacks.
By Diplomatic Editor 4:37PM GMT 19 Dec 2010
Japan said last week that it planned to purchase Patriot PAC3 interceptors, which are meant to shoot down incoming short and medium-range ballistic missiles, and to step up work on Aegis – a US-led sea-based system to protect ships and troops from ballistic missile attack.
Beijing fears that these acquisitions, though targeted at North Korea's rogue nuclear programme, will threaten the balance of power. "Japan's new military investments are going to transform the military balance in the region," a Chinese diplomat said. "China will have no choice but to respond by enhancing its own capabilities." Jiang Yu, China's foreign ministry spokesperson, described Japan's plans as "irresponsible".
Experts fear that other countries will respond as well as China.
India, for example, would enlarge its missile arsenal in response to a Chinese move. India is already in a massive arms buildup, pouring billions into advanced aircraft, submarines and missile defence systems.
"China depends heavily on both conventional and nuclear-armed ballistic missiles to offset the technological weaknesses of its armed forces," said Ashley Tellis, a US strategic expert, "so a more robust Japanese missile defence system is a real threat to its clout."
Japan is the second Chinese adversary to invest in US missile defence systems. In January, the US administration said anti-ballistic missile defence equipment would form part of an $6.4 billion (£4.1 billion) arms sale to Taiwan.
