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Chinaâs Army Show New Sophistication
EFLThe men were an elite force of the Chinese Peopleâs Liberation Army -- soldiers deployed on a mission to undermine archrival Taiwan. They did not come armed with missiles or tanks; their weapon was water. The 20 troops from a PLA water-supply regiment were being dispatched to Liberia. In return, the West African nation was cutting diplomatic ties with Taiwan -- an illustration of how Chinaâs PLA is becoming an increasingly sophisticated tool of foreign policy. Military congressional delegates, a powerful lobby, expect adherence to dogma on Taiwan as well as a vigorous defense of Chinaâs international economic and military security. At the top of their list: the well-being of the 2.5-million-strong PLA, a sprawling organization of low-paid and poorly trained men, decrepit equipment and outdated philosophy. Defense spending rose by 9.6 percent last year to $22.4 billion, a slight slowing after 13 years of double-digit growth -- increases that have raised alarm abroad. Actual spending is believed higher -- as much as $55 billion, foreign experts say -- because the total excludes weapons purchases. But military spending is "still at a fairly low level -- barely enough to keep things going," the militaryâs chief finance official, Maj. Gen. Ding Jiye, said at last yearâs congress. The generals may be in a position to make more demands following a year of spectacular triumphs and quiet developments. In October, the military-backed space program successfully sent Chinaâs first astronaut into space -- a publicity triumph praised as a sign of the PLAâs growing sophistication. The military also edged toward greater international cooperation. Land forces joined in combined exercises with five Central Asian nations and the navy held first-ever joint exercises separately off Shanghai with ships from India and Pakistan. Also, a visit by the U.S. Pacific fleet flagship to Shanghai last month was reciprocated with rare tours of one of Chinaâs most sophisticated missile frigates. China has tried to jump-start relations with the U.S. military that were largely frozen after the April 2001 collision between an American spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet. Recent visits included a trip to Beijing by Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Meanwhile, the military continues efforts to shed fat and add muscle with plans to cut hundreds of thousands of troops over coming years. China also is hoping to persuade the European Union to lift a 15-year-old ban on weapons sales -- over the objection of the United States. But while access to more sophisticated gear would have an impact, it still is a small part of the overall strategy of influence: As the Liberia approach shows, clean drinking water may be as important as bombs. Posted by: Super Hose 2004-03-05 |
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