Tuesday, October 30, 2018

FIGHTING TALK China’s military ordered to ‘concentrate preparations for fighting a war’ as tensions with West grow

FIGHTING TALK 

China’s military ordered to ‘concentrate preparations for fighting a war’ as tensions with West grow

President Xi Jinping told generals to 'strengthen the mission … and concentrate preparations for fighting a war'
CHINA's President Xi Jinping has told his military commanders to “concentrate preparations for fighting a war” as Beijing ramps up fighting talk with the West.
The communist ruler's instructions come amid rising tensions over the future of the South China Sea and Taiwan and weeks after a Chinese warship tried to ram a US Navy destroyer.
 President Xi Jinping has told generals to 'prepare for war' in the South China Sea
ALAMY
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President Xi Jinping has told generals to 'prepare for war' in the South China Sea
China Central Television presented a speech from President Xi - who has claimed the position in perpetuity - when he met troops and generals on a tour of Guangzhou province.
He told officers of the Southern Theatre Command: “It’s necessary to strengthen the mission … and concentrate preparations for fighting a war.
“We need to take all complex situations into consideration and make emergency plans accordingly.”
He also reportedly said the regional command was having to bear a “heavy military responsibility” as it was responsible for operations in the disputed South China Sea.
 Chinese warships and aircraft take part in exercises in the South China Sea in April
REUTERS
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Chinese warships and aircraft take part in exercises in the South China Sea in April
US Navy accuses Beijing of trying to militarise the South China Sea
China has claimed sovereignty over the strategic waterway, a major shipping route, and built artificial islands bristling with military hardware including missile silos and fighter jet bases.
President Xi also “underlined the importance of preparing for war and combat”, state-run press agency Xinhua reported.
It said he had “stressed the need to focus on combat research and commanding ... to comprehensively boost the military’s battle-winning ability.”
The president also obliquely instructed his military to ramp up opposition to "freedom of navigation" exercises being undertaken by the US, Australia, France, the UK, Japan and others through the South China Sea.
His comments represent a significant ramping-up of the rhetoric being exchanged between Beijing and Washington.
 President Xi meeting officers of the Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army last week
ALAMY
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President Xi meeting officers of the Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army last week
 China has built up military bases on artificial islands such as Woody Island in the disputed Paracel Archipelago
REUTERS
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China has built up military bases on artificial islands such as Woody Island in the disputed Paracel Archipelago
China has been angered by US sanctions on its military for buying weapons from Russia, and by what Beijing sees as renewed Washington support for democratic Taiwan.
Earlier this month, US Vice-President Mike Pence stoked tensions further, saying: “Using that stolen technology, the Chinese Communist Party is turning ploughshares into swords on a massive scale.”
And last week defence minister Wei Feng said Beijing would never give up “one single piece” of its territory, reports the South China Morning Post.
He also warned that “repeated challenges” to China’s sovereignty over Taiwan - which has seen mass protests calling for full independence - would lead to military action “at any cost”.
 Xi Jinping reviewing a naval parade in the South China Sea, which the country claims as its own in the face of international condemnation
MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
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Xi Jinping reviewing a naval parade in the South China Sea, which the country claims as its own in the face of international condemnation
 A Chinese H-6K bomber patrols the islands and reefs in the South China Sea in May
AP:ASSOCIATED PRESS
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A Chinese H-6K bomber patrols the islands and reefs in the South China Sea in May
Military analyst Collin Koh, a research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said the president's comments were “likely intended as a signal to the US in particular and any parties that Beijing perceives to be causing provocation.”
He also predicted further clashes to come in the South China Sea.
Earlier this month a Chinese destroyer almost rammed the USS Decatur, forcing its crew to take evasive action, in an effort to force it to leave the disputed waters.
Shortly after the near-miss, the Chinese defence ministry criticised the US for “gravely threatening China’s sovereignty and security, severely damaging relations between the two militaries and significantly undermining regional peace and stability”.
 US Navy destroyer USS Decatur had to take evasive action when a Chinese warship tried to ram it in October
AP:ASSOCIATED PRESS
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US Navy destroyer USS Decatur had to take evasive action when a Chinese warship tried to ram it in October
The UN considers much of the South China Sea to be international waters, and refused to recognise that Beijing’s artificial island fortresses give it any legitimate claim to the region.
Beijing, however, continues to stick by its claim — despite it being rejected by an international court — that it has historical dominance over the sea between Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
US Secretary of Defence James Mattis cancelled his trip to Beijing in response to rising tensions.
Last month, the Chinese government revoked permission for a US warship to visit Hong Kong and recalled its leading naval official from Washington.
China’s military power has dramatically increased in recent years. It now has more warships and submarines than the United States.
China has brought into service new stealth fighters and long-range missile-carrying bombers. Its warships are also now equipped with advanced radar and control systems.
Most significantly, however, has been Beijing’s leapfrog ahead of the West in the arena of hypersonic weapons.
It has demonstrated the capabilities of its ballistic guide vehicles and electromagnetic-rail guns, both of which have the capacity to overwhelm existing defensive systems.

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