Op-Ed Contributors

West all at sea over China's navy

By Yang Danzhi (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-02 07:50

In an essay published by the National War College of the US, China's navy modernization drive gained momentum in the 1990s, especially after the 1996 Taiwan Straits crisis. But despite that the Chinese navy still has its limitations and weaknesses. For example, fewer than 20 of its warships are suited for a 21st-century war - most of them have very limited air-defense capabilities.

In contrast, the US navy has more than 50 missile destroyers, equipped with Zeus Shield systems. The PLA Navy's strength is limited to a small number of support vessels, which are not really suitable for at-sea supply missions, while the US Navy has more than 30 supply ships.

And the West still thinks China has a strong navy!

It's true that China's navy modernization drive has gained momentum in recent years. It's true that it has acquired more high-performance warships and is building a modern submarine force. But it's also true that it is still far behind the traditional naval powers.

China's navy modernization drive is not aimed at challenging any country, or disturbing regional peace and stability. Instead, it is aimed at effectively safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity and sea frontiers under the framework of international conventions. Even if China succeeds in building a powerful navy, it will continue to play a major role in upholding regional peace and maintaining harmony in the waters.

Some Western politicians and observers, suffering from Cold War mentality, wrongly think that China is seeking regional hegemony and is deliberately underplaying its real military budget. Indeed, China should be more transparent and let its neighboring countries know its real strategic intentions and sincerity in safeguarding world peace.

China faces no urgent threat and doesn't need to strengthen its military on a large scale. But China does need a reliable navy.

America's decision to sell arms to Taiwan have dealt another blow to Sino-American ties, freezing bilateral military relations. Though the two sides conducted comprehensive exchanges at the second China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue recently, the lack of strategic mutual trust could give rise to more structural contradictions.

The US and other Western powers should acknowledge China's core interests when it comes to bilateral ties and modernization of its navy. China is paying more attention to its navy simply because it is related to its secure future.

The author is a research fellow with the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

(China Daily 07/02/2010 page9)