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The Foreign Policy Essay: Why China Will Become a Global Military Power

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Now, we have 3 times your defense budget, or India and Russia spending combined

It is only necessarily so, tho. China's economy is now over $10 Trillion USD, she has vast maritime claims, she also is a nation of over 1.4 Billion. It is even amazing that China's defense spending is still less than 2% of her GDP. But then again, that is part of the strategy to develop the infrastructure and national development first. China isn't burdened with having to maintain vast overseas military bases -- like the United States -- hence the American defense spending close to 4% of its GDP.
 
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:lol: Do you want me spoon feed you???

Compare with US, West or any nation that are high on per capita or HRD index...



Nether did India ever claimed that it is developed nation.

Kalam was a dreamer, he grew in a very poor Muslim family to become the country's president. He goes around the country to various schools and Universities and encourages students to dream and take up science. He is a very humble person.

military strength got nothing to do with per capita GDP, otherwise Qatar and Singapore will be the most powerful nations.

Indian dude keeps bringing up population and per Capita :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

It is only necessarily so, tho. China's economy is now over $10 Trillion USD, she has vast maritime claims, she also is a nation of over 1.4 Billion. It is even amazing that China's defense spending is still less than 2% of her GDP. But then again, that is part of the strategy to develop the infrastructure and national development first. China isn't burdened with having to maintain vast overseas military bases -- like the United States -- hence the American defense spending close to 4% of its GDP.

half of the bases are paid by host nations anyways, (like Japan) , and US defense budget does not even include war spending, you also have to factor in soldier's pay and native labor costs, again, we are not buying su-30MIKIs, Mig-29Ks, C-17s or Rafeals, soa big part of R&D and manufacturing goes back to our economy.
 
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half of the bases are paid by host nations anyways, (like Japan) , and US defense budget does not even include war spending, you also have to factor in soldier's pay and native labor costs, again, we are not buying su-30MIKIs, Mig-29Ks, C-17s or Rafeals, soa big part of R&D and manufacturing goes back to our economy.

There are estimated to be around 662 US bases in 38 countries around the world. Many of those are sustained by maintenance cost sustained solely by the United States and/ or partially shouldered by key allies. In the case of Japan, the cost are partially shouldered by Japan. In regards to your latter input, let's try not to involve India in this or -- specifically -- try not to demean India in this discussion. There's no need for that.

Thanks.
 
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There are estimated to be around 662 US bases in 38 countries around the world. Many of those are sustained by maintenance cost sustained solely by the United States and/ or partially shouldered by key allies. In the case of Japan, the cost are partially shouldered by Japan. In regards to your latter input, let's try not to involve India in this or -- specifically -- try not to demean India in this discussion. There's no need for that.

Thanks.

India will be brought no matter what, because Chinese know that India has the potential to match China number by number. You cannot stop Chinese from not bringing India into the discussion.
 
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India will be brought no matter what, because Chinese know that India has the potential to match China number by number. You cannot stop Chinese from not bringing India into the discussion.

hahahaha did we ask you to post in this thread? (check post #13)

you only have potential to match our population number by number
 
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Hi @Shotgunner51 , I must say that you present a very well written vantage point of the situation. Tho, admittingly, we all really should try to understand the history in which China operates -- and ni large part that historical precedent does influence present policy. The People's Liberation Army has shown -- through past regional intervention -- that it is capable of sending forces to intervene for the sake of stability. In the Korean War, it was not the PLA, but it was the PVA (People's Volunteer Army), as much as 3,000,000 personnel were mobilized to support North Korea, and was instrumental in the eventuality of the 38th Parallel settlement. In Vietnam, the PLA intervened in 1979. It reminds meo of the Sino-Burmese War where the Qianlong Emperor waged a war against Burma's King Hsinbyushin -- with the strategic goal of aiding China's long time ally, Siam, which was then under military occupation by Burma. The war with Burma bore strategic depth because the war with Qianlong forced the Burmese Army occupying Siam to be reoriented to meet the threat from China. This led to the rise of Siam (Thailand) to break off the Burmese yoke and this was realized when King Taksin won Siamese independence.

Can we expect China to exert its influence -- its military power -- in the region ? Sure, definitely. The $64 question is -- whether or not China will go beyond its traditional boundaries and its regional sphere of influence. That remains to be seen. In my opinion, however, if we can judge China's development of a blue water navy and its recent maturation of its amphibious fighting force -- I believe we will see the deployment of Chinese military forces overseas to secure China's strategic interests in Africa and in the Middle East / Persian Gulf.

Your knowledge in history is impressive, gotta give you that dude. In the past few millenia China did perform numerous events of external political-military intervention to maintain regional order.

Since 1949, PRC also did intervene twice for geopolitical causes that like. You mentioned Korean war, PRC's motive was to counter US-led containment on the communist bloc (some said PRC was passively dragged into it after McArthur pushed to the border, either way the motive was same). And 1979 war with Vietnam, PRC was to relieve Viet pressure on Cambodia as well as to suppress USSR influence in the Indo-China peninsula. And 2 more wars that carry less geopolitical color, China-India border war 1962, China-USSR border war 1964-1969.

However I would say as the cold war color is fading, international trading gaining center stage, the chances of such events happening again is really vague as least for China. Moreover, the new generations of people, including the leadership, are way more pragmatic, they no longer have strong ideological beliefs like that fathers / grandpas.

In contrast to PLA's increasing military capabilities, I would say China's geopolitical willingness is going in an exactly opposite direction i.e. decreasing. Actually it's interesting to hear outside voices like blaming China not to doing enough in Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. Combating Ebola? Sure PLA send the medic and bio teams. Disaster relief? Fine, rescue and engineering. Combating "insurgents"? Oh that depends, PLA very likely may not have the experience and know-how to do the job so might as well say no.

Global reaching or not, PLA's mission is just to guarantee Chinese people's safety and their rightful interests, both at home and far away (保护国家利益边疆).
 
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