Chinese Missile Test Shrouded in Secrecy

[CardSharp]

to western whites, russians aren't "really" white, they're "eurasians" closer to mongols, turks and kazakhs. they're not "real" westerners. has the cold war passed so soon? remember what the US used to say about the russians even 10 years ago? how westerners exploited russia after the fall of the USSR?

To be fair, what happened in the 90's was Russians exploiting the Russians albeit under the guises of a western freemarket system.

 

[saurabh]

I think the article already explained it, China's worries right now are exactly the opposite. Nobody's gonna attack China, the problem is that other countries are viewing China too much as a threat and not a partner.

Now, regarding this specific missile test, I did hear from usually good sources that it was indeed a failed missile interceptor test.

If it was test of a ballastic/cruise missile than secrecy is understandable, but if it indeed was an interceptor (but not ASat) than whats the need??

There is rumor that this was another mid-stage missile intercept test. If this were true it is really strange that the Americans aren't making a huge deal out of it. Perhaps the Chinese used satellite blinders against their recon sats again?

If it is not an ASat, why would US make a hue and cry on an interceptor test?

 

[CardSharp]

If it was test of a ballastic/cruise missile than secrecy is understandable, but if it indeed was an interceptor (but not ASat) than whats the need??



If it is not an ASat, why would US make a hue and cry on an interceptor test?

Why would the US pressure Russia to deny Iran the sale of the S-300 air battery.

 

[saurabh]

Why would the US pressure Russia to deny Iran the sale of the S-300 air battery.

Iran and NK can be considered exceptions, China cannot be put in their league. Besides, that was a case of some other country selling a system. Here, China is developing a system for its own protection. What's wrong with that?

I am not trying to defend US, or argue against the point that US would make a outcry. I just want to know, how would US justify opposing the test, if it would.

 

[siegecrossbow]

If it was test of a ballastic/cruise missile than secrecy is understandable, but if it indeed was an interceptor (but not ASat) than whats the need??



If it is not an ASat, why would US make a hue and cry on an interceptor test?

I am just surprised by the fact that there has been 0 news on it from western news papers. I know there wasn't an outcry when China tested her first interceptor (contrast that with the 2007 ASAT test) but what surprises me is the fact that there has been 0 noise.

 

[CardSharp]

Iran and NK can be considered exceptions, China cannot be put in their league. Besides, that was a case of some other country selling a system. Here, China is developing a system for its own protection. What's wrong with that?

I am not trying to defend US, or argue against the point that US would make a outcry. I just want to know, how would US justify opposing the test, if it would.

Not saying that China is irresponsible but merely it is all a political game and weapons even purely defensive can have ramifications. You mistakenly think that peace is the goal of international politics and whatever is good for peace must be acceptable no matter what. I wish it were true but it isn't.

Also you assume that the general public in the various nations will go beyond the "China test missile!!" headline.

 

[saurabh]

Not saying that China is irresponsible but merely it is all a political game and weapons even purely defensive can have ramifications. You mistakenly think that peace is the goal of international politics and whatever is good for peace must be acceptable no matter what. I wish it were true but it isn't.

Also you assume that the general public in the various nations will go beyond the "China test missile!!" headline.

I understand that, I also know what westerns and even here in India people would say about that. But a govt has to be more logical. If a govt condemns the test, it has to say something in the lines of 'it threatens the world peace'! I just couldn't figure what could be said for a abm system!! How possibly US govt would say, 'look, the big bad commies tested a missile for their self-defence'!!

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

to western whites, russians aren't "really" white, they're "eurasians" closer to mongols, turks and kazakhs. they're not "real" westerners. has the cold war passed so soon? remember what the US used to say about the russians even 10 years ago? how westerners exploited russia after the fall of the USSR?

If you look at the US census category, it does classify the russians as white europeans, whereas mongols and kazakhs are central asians, and turks are middle easterners.

 

[no_name]

I am just surprised by the fact that there has been 0 news on it from western news papers. I know there wasn't an outcry when China tested her first interceptor (contrast that with the 2007 ASAT test) but what surprises me is the fact that there has been 0 noise.

So in other words you are suggesting that there is someone telling those medias what to write and whether to make a noise or not?

An independent media would have reported the news at least once.

 

[siegecrossbow]

So in other words you are suggesting that there is someone telling those medias what to write and whether to make a noise or not?

An independent media would have reported the news at least once.

Not exactly. My point, originally, was that the media would've made a huge raucous had U.S. satellites detected the missile launch. However it is entirely possible that the Pentagon didn't leak the news.

 

[no_name]

But the pentagon don't have to be the only source when chinese news themselves are reporting all over it.

And usually countries tell each other beforehand to avoid misunderstandings.

Or they just want a good atmosphere for the C-130 deal discussion.

 

[siegecrossbow]

But the pentagon don't have to be the only source when chinese news themselves are reporting all over it.

And usually countries tell each other beforehand to avoid misunderstandings.

Or they just want a good atmosphere for the C-130 deal discussion.

I don't think China reported the ASAT test until the U.S. got very ticked off about it. On the otherhand you brought up a very valid point with the C-130 deal. As I said before we shouldn't overlook the political aspect of the deal. It is the latest attempt by the United States to mend relations with China in light of recent military and economical conflicts between the two nations.

 

[CardSharp]

If you guys got some time to burn, here is a very good account of how the ASAT controversy unwound and the errors of communication that occurred between China and the US defense establishment.

 

[Hafizzz]

to western whites, russians aren't "really" white, they're "eurasians" closer to mongols, turks and kazakhs. they're not "real" westerners. has the cold war passed so soon? remember what the US used to say about the russians even 10 years ago? how westerners exploited russia after the fall of the USSR?

That's nothing compared to Western Media bashing of Asian especially bashing of China and the Chinese people. Muslims are also pictured as "terrorists".

If you look at the US census category, it does classify the russians as white europeans, whereas mongols and kazakhs are central asians, and turks are middle easterners.

USA also classifies Egyptians and Armenians as white.

I understand that, I also know what westerns and even here in India people would say about that. But a govt has to be more logical. If a govt condemns the test, it has to say something in the lines of 'it threatens the world peace'! I just couldn't figure what could be said for a abm system!! How possibly US govt would say, 'look, the big bad commies tested a missile for their self-defence'!!

Self-Defence for a non-Western country or a non ally of the West is wrong. If you can defend yourself then how can a Western country bully you ???

 

[Hafizzz]

I really like the way the Chinese preserve their state secrets. We have a lot to learn from them.

One example where India was really successful in keeping things secret was the 1998 nuke tests.

We need to display such efficiency with our other defence projects also.

Indians do keep things very secret :

India’s Nuclear Force and Deterrent Capabilities
Nuclear Proliferation in Asia:

Exact information of the size, complexity, and readiness of India’s nuclear arsenal is unknown, but the Center for Defense Information suggests that India currently has 60 nuclear warheads with enough plutonium to manufacture 30-50 more.