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Updated Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:45 am TWN, By Frank Ching

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China's military objectives reach far beyond Taiwan

The U.S. nuclear posture review published last month by the Obama administration asserted that “the lack of transparency surrounding [China's] nuclear programs-their pace and scope, as well as the strategy and doctrine that guides them-raises questions about China's future strategic intentions.”

In response, the Chinese government insisted that its nuclear weapons policy was clear.

In view of these developments, it is not surprising if some countries view with a degree of skepticism lofty statements from Beijing insisting on its “principled positions.”

Now that China is openly saying that its navy will be operating in regions in which it had not been active before, past assumptions of Chinese policy will no doubt be re-examined.

These include beliefs that China is opposed to military alliances and overseas bases.

Having overseas bases — or at least places where vessels can dock to refuel and obtain supplies — is a necessity for most blue-water navies. Now that the Chinese navy is moving from its coastal waters, it is likely that China will need access to such facilities in other countries in the region or even further afield.

Changing Chinese military capabilities are clearly worrying the country's neighbors.

Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew earlier this year noted China's military modernization and asked the United States to remain in the region since, he said, Japan and India combined are insufficient to balance China.

Recently, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, a scholar of China, also expressed misgivings, saying in a major speech that “it remains unclear how a re-emergent China will set its course as a major global power, and how its role will shape the future international order.”

Now that China itself has cast doubt on its previous pronouncements, which were largely based on political considerations at a time when it was militarily weak, Beijing should make clear what the new rules of the game are, given its enhanced military capabilities.

Often, Beijing has given the impression that it needs to beef up its military to prevent Taiwan from proclaiming formal independence. Clearly, however, China's military objectives go far beyond Taiwan.

Frank Ching can be reached at Frank.ching@gmail.com

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