BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Sunday called for faster military development and announced no change in policies that have strained relations with Washington and tightened the ruling Communist Party's control over society and the economy.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-party-meets-grant-xi-021608117.html

Damnit 😒

As if China's military hasn't developed fast enough.  They already have the world's largest navy (in terms of numbers of ships - by a large margin) and are second to field a combat ready stealth fighter.   

Plus Xi brought this up in the context of China's commitment to regain control of Taiwan; by force if necessary.  I expect a shooting war in the South China Sea within a decade.

I'm not surprised. Japan rebuilding their military will be a huge power shift if they maintain their budget and schedule. Sounds like India is ramping up as well and losing patience with China. 

Europe rebuilding their militaries could also be a concern. Even if Europe didn't directly intervene in the Pacific, they could offer more indirect support.

While I don't truly understand his obsession with Taiwan, I recognize it's real and a serious threat.

My greater concern is the reports I've been hearing on how few Americans qualify to serve in the military. Fancy high tech gear won't win a war if you don't have quality people to use it.

Quote from: majorhavoc on October 16, 2022, 04:25:25 PMAs if China's military hasn't developed fast enough.  They already have the world's largest navy (in terms of numbers of ships - by a large margin) and are second to field a combat ready stealth fighter. 

Plus Xi brought this up in the context of China's commitment to regain control of Taiwan; by force if necessary.  I expect a shooting war in the South China Sea within a decade.

But, but...  we keep being told repeatedly Russia is our number one threat.    
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Given how Russia's supposed military might is turning out to be a bunch of BS, one wonders just how much truth there is to China's boasting.

Russia claimed to have a modern military with all this high tech weaponry and equipment. The Ukraine/Russia conflict has shown this to be a bunch of wishful boasting on Russia's part.

Could all this boasting of a Chinese military with cutting edge weapons and equipment be truthful or just a bunch of hot air from the Chinese government?

Quote from: 12_Gauge_Chimp on October 17, 2022, 05:54:37 PMCould all this boasting of a Chinese military with cutting edge weapons and equipment be truthful or just a bunch of hot air from the Chinese government?

I think Xi's calls for military growth come from a realization that a lot of the military doctrine and gear they have been building around is not as good as they thought it was.

On top of that, he likely sees Russia's role as an international power coming to an end, and wants to be ready to step into that role, himself.

Quote from: NapalmMan67 on October 17, 2022, 04:16:35 PM

Quote from: majorhavoc on October 16, 2022, 04:25:25 PMAs if China's military hasn't developed fast enough.  They already have the world's largest navy (in terms of numbers of ships - by a large margin) and are second to field a combat ready stealth fighter. 

Plus Xi brought this up in the context of China's commitment to regain control of Taiwan; by force if necessary.  I expect a shooting war in the South China Sea within a decade.

But, but...  we keep being told repeatedly Russia is our number one threat.   
.

To be fair, they are the only ones currently flattening cities and trash talking about invading another four countries.

On the plus side, Russia may have given a wake up call to a lot of countries that needed it.

Quote from: RoneKiln on October 19, 2022, 11:48:21 PM

Quote from: NapalmMan67 on October 17, 2022, 04:16:35 PM

Quote from: majorhavoc on October 16, 2022, 04:25:25 PMAs if China's military hasn't developed fast enough.  They already have the world's largest navy (in terms of numbers of ships - by a large margin) and are second to field a combat ready stealth fighter. 

Plus Xi brought this up in the context of China's commitment to regain control of Taiwan; by force if necessary.  I expect a shooting war in the South China Sea within a decade.

But, but...  we keep being told repeatedly Russia is our number one threat.   
.

To be fair, they are the only ones currently flattening cities and trash talking about invading another four countries.

On the plus side, Russia may have given a wake up call to a lot of countries that needed it.

True.  I still don't see them as our number one threat militarily (even with the nukes they hold) or economically though.
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