Chinese General: Don’t Worry, America, Our Military Doesn’t Compare To Yours
- Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:07am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Seeking to counter U.S. worries about his country’s rapid military growth, a top Chinese general said Wednesday the communist nation’s defense clout lags decades behind the U.S., and that China wants warmer relations.
Gen. Chen Bingde, whose position in Beijing is roughly the equivalent of chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, used a 45-minute speech at the National Defense University to play down fears of Chinese intentions.
“Although China’s defense and military development has come a long way in recent years, a gaping gap between you and us remains,” Chen said through a Chinese interpreter. He added, “China never intends to challenge the U.S.”
Chen made a similar point later at a Pentagon news conference with his American counterpart, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen.
“I can tell you that China does not have the capability to challenge the United States,” he said, adding that China’s wealth and military strength pales in comparison with that of the United States. He said China’s navy is 20 years behind the U.S. Navy.
Chen‘s remarks were in line with China’s strategy of countering U.S. fear of China as a military threat by emphasizing the limited scope of its military reach and advancing efforts to cooperate in areas like counterterrorism and anti-piracy. Chen said he invited Mullen to make his first visit to China as Joint Chiefs chairman.
Chen and Mullen announced several agreements, including a plan for the U.S. and Chinese militaries to jointly conduct a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise in 2012. They also agreed to use a special telephone link to maintain communication between their offices.
The general told reporters that China’s recent boost of investment in military power is “compensatory in nature,” making up for decades during which modernizing the Chinese economy was given the first priority. Washington often complains that China is too secretive about the purpose and exact scale of its military buildup.
To illustrate his point that China is not a threat – even to Taiwan – Chen noted that some Americans have called on China to remove or withdraw ballistic missiles positioned on its southeast coast, across from Taiwan.
“I can tell you here responsibly that we only have garrison deployment across (from) Taiwan, and we do not have operational deployment, much less missiles stationed there,” Chen said.
In his speech at the National Defense University, Chen said he was optimistic about the future of U.S.-China military relations, which have suffered repeated setbacks. Early last year China angrily cut off most military-to-military contacts after the U.S. announced a $6.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the self-governing island that China considers a renegade province.
Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which partly defines U.S. relations with Taiwan and China, the Pentagon is obliged to provide Taiwan with sufficient defensive arms to ensure its security. In his remarks at the Pentagon, Chen said some U.S. lawmakers, whom he did not cite by name, had told him it is time for the Congress to review that law.
Chen said the U.S. needs to respect China’s “core interests,” which he said include issues of national unity like Taiwan. The Taiwanese, he said, are considered by all Chinese as “our compatriots and blood brothers and sisters.”
The general equated China‘s position on Taiwan to President Abraham Lincoln’s commitment to preserving the Union. Chen quoted Lincoln as saying, “The Union is unbroken.”
Asked about Taiwan’s long-standing request to purchase U.S. F-16 combat aircraft, Chen said such a sale would hurt U.S.-China military relations, but he was not specific. He asked rhetorically why Taiwan would need to buy American weapons if the U.S. sincerely believes its stated policy that Taiwan is part of China.
Chen appeared to question the validity of the U.S. position favoring Taiwan’s eventual peaceful reunification with China. He recounted a conversation earlier Wednesday with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in which she repeated the U.S. position that “there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China.”
He said he told Clinton: “I’ve heard that comment, that statement, since I was a schoolboy, and I‘m hearing the same thing now I’m approaching my retirement age. I wonder when can I really see the reunification of my motherland.”
Chen, chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army, is leading a delegation of eight Chinese generals on a weeklong visit to the United States. Also on the delegation‘s itinerary this week are the Army’s Fort Stewart, Ga., the Navy’s base at Norfolk, Va., and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
—
Robert Burns can be reached at http://twitter/robertburnsAP .
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Comments (195)
sister1_rm
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:59amMilitary secrecy is obviously necessary in any country. Of course I don’t believe for a minute any leading general from any country, including our own, who says their own military is not a threat to us. Secrets are no bother to me, however outright lies are a serious problem. You lie to an enemy or anyone you have reason to mislead. To a friend, you simply make no comment when you have secrets to keep. America and China are constantly spying on each other, always watching the other hand to make sure the right hand of fellowship is not followed by a stab in the gut. China is not our friend.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:58amAnd we should take China’s word for this because? I do doubt they are close to being as strong as we are, but they have been stepping up their arms programs for many years. We are not stupid enough to believe that they are way behind us.
Report Post »Arc
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:55amTrust But Verify!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »raderby
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:49amWhat are you going to do with all the males in your socially-engineered mistake and genderocide environment? Expect them to become passive and gay?
Wouldn’t a war with all those boys balance out the society, Chinese guy? Give me a break. They are bound to own North America, and war will come by 2050, and likely, sooner.
Report Post »Trestin Meacham
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:39amOh good they said they have no intentions of challenging us. I guess we can just dismiss all their actions as just a crazy coincidence. I can’t tell you how relieved I am.
Report Post »GayDem4Beck
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:34amIt doesn’t have to be bigger or better than our military. We just need to be spread so thin that they can walk in and take control. Face it the liberals and progressives will lay down and submit to a foreign military / government. As Japan noted in WWII, invasion of America is impossible, most of it’s citizens are armed and know how to defend themselves. As the British found out, we don’t give up and we will fight to the last person to defend ourselves and our country.
Report Post »NEAF
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:29amThey haven’t steal enough secrets? Dejavu? It sound like Japan before WWII.
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:27amChina is building up their military while our president is committed to eliminating our nukes and other defenses. I think China knows that we will never be able to pay them back in cash. They are over populated and need land. I wonder how they might decide how we can pay them back? The strongest defense is a stronger offence. American needs to make major changes in 2012 starting with Obama.We need to take our country and our destiny back in our control.
Report Post »Kalva
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:27amWhen someone says ” A gaping gap between you and us remains,” & “I’d never intend to challenge You”. I would run, not walk to store and prepare for the coming storm as its going to get really bad…and the “sh*t is going to hit the fan” sooner than later….
Report Post »nacilbuper
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:26amThey have been in Mexico for over 10 years. They are buying up everything in Africa.
Watch the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x12iULu8nI
Report Post »loadingmyclips
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:52amtoo much ganga eh dude??
Report Post »flsnipe
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:25amHell what they don’t have O Bummer will give them. Besides you don’t need to have better technology than us when your army is that big and you can out produce us . That is how we won WWII. Nuke them now or slip in a Biological agent whatever lets you sleep at night.
Report Post »NEAF
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:24amAm I suppose to believe them?
Report Post »Freedom1984
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:21amYeah right! Like I believe you. You have pretty much re-assured Americans that your military power is growing and that you feel you are superior to us. Too much false niceness….. WE ARE ON TO YOU.
Move along now…. eggroll anyone?
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:20amRight, I absolutely believe this guy, don’t all the rest of you?
Report Post »FLyoverman
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:20amThe only place I ever wanted to see the Chinese military was through my sight reticle.
Report Post »Scrubpuppy
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:20amAs Admiral Ackbar would say….”It’s a trap!”
It’s like a pool shark who says “Yeah bro, I’ve never played a day in my life.”
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:20amNever trust a commie.
Report Post »packrbackr
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:41amThats right, that coverd the Chinese and the current administration
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:52amI think Obama is using some of the tactics in the Chinese “Art of war” book.
Report Post »windycitywoman
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:19amRrrrright!
Report Post »Freedom1984
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:22amAnd if you believe this…….we’ll give you a plate of eggrolls for free!
Report Post »Dale
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:49amEven with the military secrets our former philander-in-chief sold the chi-coms, they are twenty years behind (navy)? Slick would not have been prez had they (chi-coms) not contributed to his election/re-election efforts. To have mrs. clinton assure them that the US sees only one China is disturbing and does not lessen my fears of Chinese involvement in the 2012 election.
Report Post »Mama Jones
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:18amriiiiight… they’d never have any kind of hidden agenda in all of this -
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:18amI still go back to that commercial where the Chinese university Perfesser lectures the students about the O’ Barry spending spree to his Union, Socialist buddies. Paid for by Barry stealing from our Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Why the hell are we giving guided tours to Enemy generals?? And who is Hillary , to be able to give Taiwan back to these Communists??
Report Post »ThaBigPerm
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:18am…from the land of Sun Tzu… ’nuff said.
Report Post »Redistributor
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:17amWow that’s flattering…let’s take that as gospel and wake up tomorrow and they will be light years ahead of us.
Report Post »Redistributor
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:16amI don’t believe that SOB for one second.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:00amDidn’t they just recently reveal their stealth fighter which is comparable to our F-22 Raptor? Didn‘t they want the remains of the stealth helicopter that made a hard landing in Osama’s compound? China is part of the Kings of the East that have an Army of 200 million men as mentioned in the book of Revelation. Chairman Mao used to boast that he could field a 200 million man Army.
Report Post »Tickdog
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:14amyeah. right.. good cover..
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:14amYea, didn’t the cat say the same thing to the mouse? And why would it make any difference when there are a billion of them!
Report Post »starman70
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:24amAs glenn says:“WATCH THE OTHER HAND”
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:26amI don’t trust General Hu Flung Poo either.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:38amYeah Americans go back & fall asleep , there’s nothing to worry about China .
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:12amYah right.. Don’t look here kids nothing to see. They‘ve figured out they can say anything and we’ll believe them.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:14amThey learned that from the Islamists.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:17am@NotaMushroom:
No, they learned that from the ability of the American left to self delude themselves and their own followers into beiieving anything the Chinese will say. The fact the left also does the same with most of the rest of the world just confirms this fact to their leadership in a daily, or hourly method.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:22amI bet he can talk out of both sides of his mouth. The other side is laughing and betting that we believe him.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:22amDo they really believe we are that stupid? Oh, wait, we elected Oama, hmmmmmmmm
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:23amThe Chinese aren’t worried cause they will find some wingnut(s) to sell them as many secret military information they need. Our society has turned int a bunch of what‘s in it for me types who can’t see the ramifications of their actions only what’s good for them at the time. And you can see when someone gets caught leaking or selling our secret info, they are never charged for being a traitor and the progressives will do everything they can to get them off whatever charges are given.
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:26amSnow leopard
Agreed but remember, the left and the Islamists use the same playbook in this regard. It is in the Koran. Lie to infidels to achieve your ends. This is the same type of deception but the lefties just do it to themselves. How stupid they are!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:28amGrandmaof5, good morning, hope all is well today for you and the kitties, even the one who acted up lately. The fact is, indeed, the man is talking out of both sides of his mouth; most of the time any and all diplomacy and messages involving the Chinese nation is layered with multiple meanings.
Always, anyone dealing with them must look for the hidden meanings.
While they tell the Americans not to worry, we have to remember that they do have one of the largest armies in the world, and are more than capable of fighting multi wars at one time if they ddecide it is needed.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:45amNone of their militaries are bigger than God’s.
The Army of Yahweh has more than 12 legions of soldiers.
Report Post »ME
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:51amI’ll buy that for a dollar!!!!
Report Post »mill
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:55amChina is not above bio warfare anyway…over the pole..a few germs…follow the currents..
Americans are still very complacent. The Chinese would attack and most of us would tell them to wait until dancing with the stars is over…
Report Post »Dandylyon
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:11amIt does not matter if you live and breath to die for your country and send millions to there death to have it your way or destory it all if you can’t………………………kind of like the people in charge of the U.S. right now.
Report Post »obama-mecca-me-sick
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:18amWho are all those ghost cities for in China?? Americans willing to escape to China during our own revolutionary civil war??
Report Post »gofigureinternational
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:28amReminds me of an American politician…If their lips are moving they are lying. I am sure Bill Clinton’s sale of 600 super computers that the Pentagon vetoed and he overrode has nothing to do with advancement in their military. An EMP renders much of our technological advances worthless; as does the fact we have no domestic oil production to fuel battle groups and no credit to buy it from the few allies we have left in the world. Now add in a population that China can continue to march people in front of bullets until we run out of bullets. No, I think we have no worries when China calls its debt and DEMANDS payment. The knuckle dragging politicians here are clueless about our enemy’s contempt for Western freedom! Worst of it is, we funded all of it through the lust for cheap products.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:37amWhy would they need a bigger military when every communist in America is either in the Obama administration or promoting it?
Report Post »NES
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:45amNo. They learned it from Sun Tzu:
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
Report Post »- Sun Tzu, The Art of War 1:18-26
DIOS BENDIGA AMERICA ... JESUCRISTO ES EL SEÑOR!
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:50amBehind our Navy? Hhmm, how is that Total Electric Chinese Submarine thingy going? You know, the one that our Navy says is impossible to detect because it is virtually a stealth submarine due to no noise underwater.
Report Post »Cerealface
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:53amNow we surround Pakistan. And counter Russia. Yay phone lines. <3 China and made in China
Report Post »Heather Mae 74
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 9:56amThey may be behind us in technology and such but they sure do have lots of people to throw at our bullets. Well at least our service members aren’t forced to serve I wonder if their barracks are as lovely as the cells (apartments) that the workers live in that work for apple.
Report Post »bccrane
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:01amHe says their navy is 20 years behind. Does he mean that China will start mothballing and scrapping their fleet now like we have. Does he mean that now China has cruise missles and the technology we had 20 years ago, which even though it was 20 years ago for us, it is still quite devastating not only to us but to everyone else in the region. The missiles may not be on the shore across from Tiawan, but because of the technology sent to them during Clinton they are now positioned further inland.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:02amSun Tzu didn’t calculate the divine presence of YAHWEH.
Yahweh wins battles. All Sun Tzu’s calculation is moot. When Israel’s enemies surround her, Yahweh will destroy them all, and leave their bodies laying in the field for the wild animals to devour.
Halleluia.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:06amNES, I believe you’ve hit the nail on the head.
Report Post »DIOS BENDIGA AMERICA ... JESUCRISTO ES EL SEÑOR!
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:12am@Sinista MACE
Amen.
I discern that you and I have some mutual ground. When the great battle takes place, God will demonstrate to the world that He never sleeps nor slumbers regarding the protection of His natural and spiritual family.
Report Post »Hobo Boondocks
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:16amThey don’t need cutting edge technology to deliver devastating weapons. They have enough soldiers to form a line and pass from one to the other a nuclear bomb anywhere they want to.
Report Post »hrandym
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:35amSo right. “But PLEASE don’t throw me in the briar patch”. Famous words of ‘brer rabbit but appropriate here as well. No worry.
Report Post »davuf
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 11:05amCome on, China has got about a billion problems to deal with and, they aren’t interested in getting any more. I sincerely believe that China is the least of our worries. They are interested in becoming the economic Superpower and staving off a civil war in their own country. If we fall out of military supremacy they may use military force to acquire resources to keep their population happy. They will not favor a war with heavy casualties because that will add to their civil unrest at home. Remember it is an army of single sons. Who happy do you think their families will be to see them die in droves? What will that do to their family names? China and Russia are adversaries comparable to those of the early 19th century. They are interested in power and wealth; not ideology.
On the other hand a new Muslim caliphate, that is something to worry about. Look at the Jihad that erupted from the creation of the first Muslim empire.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 11:08amNo comment. Y’all are doing very well! Thanks!
Report Post »What the Chinese lack in tech they can make up with manpower.
independentvoteril
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 11:15amI am truly amazed.. with the % of the AMERICAN populace that is actually progressive being at 18.. and talking to many people DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICAN’S and INDEPENDENTS that there are any newspapers OR Politicians (and that would include the Chinese ones) that actually beleive the populace at large is BUYING their BS.. No one is.. while they don‘t all go on comment boards or tweet they aren’t buying ANYTHING they are saying.. except on MEDIA MATTERS where SORO’S pays the left to post and all the posters are average of 20.. I just visited Media Matters ( I have been registered for awhile) first thing I only found columns and columns of CLIPS OF FOX NEWS.. they post them within minutes of them being on the air.. it’s amazing.. It’s like a repeat of the FOX NEWS STATION.. clip by clip.. It‘s sad they don’t even have any news THEY got themselves.. but than it could work in our favor for those on the left that are buying what they are saying.. they now get the REAL facts.. I posted asking a few questions but I doubt if they will put them up they are NOT in LINE with SORO’S agenda..
Report Post »Sam Brown
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 11:31amObviouse the Chinese are preparing for war. They are building ghost cities so their survivors will have a place to live when the war is over.
Sam
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 12:33pmSure, we believe you. And I’m a Swedish supermodel.
Report Post »VegasGuy
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 1:01pmThen why do their pilots make threatening maneuvers toward our pilots? Why do their warships continually test our resolve by bumping into our warships? Because of their actions I don’t trust them.
Report Post »Brian3163
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 1:39pmWhy do I keep thinkiong about the South Park Chimpokimon episode… “No no no, You american men have such big penis. Our penis are so small”
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 4:22pmSo i guess this is the next rational for the US to spend more than the rest of the world on its’ military. That is once we realize the terrorist threat doesn’t require more $ billion missiles, fighter jets, ships, subs, etc. Can’t imagine how much better our economy, schools, cultural investments, etc. would be if we had channeled half of the money towards those…. oh and spend just equal to the country which spends the second most.
Report Post »Puppy
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 10:44pmNext, I think he’s going to try and sell us a bridge in London.
Report Post »HogansHero
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:30amTaiwan is next. We shall hand it over to China, just like we are handing Israel over to the Arab nations.
Also, we bring them in to tour our facilities and test our equipment, learn our strengths and weaknesses, etc. They have got to see the USA as the most arrogant morons to have ever lived on the planet. Here we have all our weaponry and technology and yet we bring in our greatest threat and parade him through all our facilities and our country. They will come. He reminds of Sun Tzu and he is following his writings on the Art of War.
Report Post »DavidD
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 2:19pmThey’re using the same tactics Obama uses on us. Deny, obfuscate, reassure, downplay, etc. etc.
Report Post »