United States on Edge as China Expands Militarily

China, one of the United States’ greatest competitors, is making dramatic progress regarding its military—for the past few decades, its military has been considerably lesser than that of the United States, but recent months have shown drastic improvement and expansion.  According to the Pentagon report, China is likely to expand on more foreign military bases, boosting its defense system in coming years.

Ryan Browne of CNN writes, “The Pentagon’s 97-page assessment, published Tuesday, noted that China’s official military budget had grown an average of 8.5% from 2007 to 2016, and that ‘Chinese leaders seem committed to increases in defense spending for the foreseeable future, even as China’s economic growth slows.’”

Having the second largest military budget in the world, China’s spending in the field can go on for years, developing greater and more sophisticated technologies to elevate themselves to a higher standing.  Its development is focused on more “modernization”, aiming efforts to improve its “ability to fight short-duration, high-intensity regional conflicts at greater distances from the Chinese mainland,” according to the Pentagon report.

“Within the next year,” China’s first foreign military base will be completed, sitting in close proximity with a U.S. base.  The report adds, “A more robust overseas logistics and basing infrastructure would also be essential to enable China to project and sustain military power at greater distances from China.”  Having good relations with Pakistan, China seeks to establish additional bases in the Middle East in order to proceed with “similar strategic interests.”

Not having claimed any new land, China did militarize the disputed Spratly Islands with 24 hangars—these hangars can house fighter aircraft, fixed weapons and communication facilities.  The report says, “Once all these facilities are complete, China will have the capacity to house up to three regiments of fighters in the Spratly Islands.”  The islands have “enhanced China’s ability to control disputed areas in the South China Sea and caused regional concern over China’s long-term intentions.”

Pushing for measures to “assert is sovereignty claims over features in the East and South China Seas,” China does not look to be stopping with just military development within the country.  It seems to seek more, such as expansion for more lands.  The Pentagon notes, “China has used coercive tactics, such as the use of law enforcement vessels and its maritime militia, to enforce maritime claims and advance its interests in ways that are calculated to fall below the threshold of provoking conflict.”

Opposing China’s efforts and military expansion, former United States Marine Corps General James Mattis says, “Artificial island construction and indisputable militarization of facilities on features in international waters undermine regional stability.  We cannot and will not accept unilateral coercive changes to the status quo.”

Featured Image via Wikimedia Commons