Pentagon recommends closer US military ties with China

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2014-06-06

China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, on its way back to its home port of
 Qingdao on Jan. 1 this year after a month of sea trials in the South China
Sea. (Photo/CNS)

Addressing the potential threat of the People's Liberation Army's modernization program, the annual report covering the military development of the People's Republic of China delivered by the Pentagon to the Congress on June 5 also suggested Washington should build a healthy military-to-military relationship with Beijing.

In 2013, China announced a 5.7% increase in its annual military budget to US$119.5 billion, continuing more than two decades of sustained annual defense spending increases, the report said. It said the budget was spent in order for the PLA to sustain its strategic modernization as well as key anti-access/area-denial capabilities. Beijing views a modern military as a vital deterrent to prevent adversaries from threatening its national interests or to allow China to defend itself should deterrence fail, it said.

New advanced intermediate- and medium-range conventional ballistic missiles, long-range land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles, counter-space weapons, and offensive cyber capabilities are being developed in China, according to the report.

However, the report also suggested Washington should develop a positive, cooperative and comprehensive military-to-military relationship with Beijing as a way to maintain regional stability in the Asia-Pacific.

"President Obama stressed that the United States' future depends on a peaceful and prosperous Asia," the report said. "Pursuit of a positive and constructive relationship with China is an important part of the US rebalance, which is designed to preserve and enhance stability in the international system and the Asia-Pacific region." The report said this policy may help to promote China's development in a manner consistent with international norms which serve as a source of security and shared prosperity in Asia.

The report said the Pentagon will continue to devote more attention to Chinese military strategy and encourage Beijing to be more transparent regarding its military modernization program. In addition, the United States must work closely with its regional allies and partners to maintain peace and security.

The Chinese government said however that the annual reports are not conducive to developing military-to-military ties between two nations, according to the official China News Service.