America's Future Update on China

Update on National Security

China’s major English-language news media, meant primarily for foreign consumption, threatened Taiwan with military action if Taiwan’s president continues with what Beijing calls "radical pro-independence moves." New York Times, 8-8-02

Communist Chinese military officials have continued to arm Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda commandos with sophisticated surface-to-air missiles even after 9/11, according to U.S. intelligence reports. Other intelligence reports indicated the Chinese shipped missiles to the Taliban after Sept. 11. NewsMax.com, August 2002

China test-fired a medium-range missile (CSS-5) in July that contained numerous dummy war heads designed to defeat missile defenses, according to U.S. intelligence officials. The multiple dummy warheads are a sign that Beijing’s military is preparing to counter regional missile defenses worked on by the U.S. and Japan. Washington Times, 7-23-02


The Chinese Army’s ballistic missile force, the Second Artillery Brigade, has achieved "break-throughs" in recent combat training exercises. The missile brigade used long-distance, inter-theater mobility, focused, high-intensity training, live launches, and scientific evaluation. China Reform Monitor No. 460, 8-1-02>

Update on Military Strategy

It is dangerous for Americans to assume that Communist Chinese leaders would not dare to use force while the military balance is against them. The strategic writings of Mao Zedong, which are still influential in the Chinese strategic community, include these themes: (1) Political motivation is more important than technology and material actors in determining who ultimately wins the war. (2) The enemy’s camp is often not monolithic. Individuals and groups within the enemy camp are often poorly motivated, and can be weaned away. (3) Given patience and time, an adversary with an advantage in numbers and material resources can eventually be defeated.

Words to remind us that nuclear missiles are useful for blackmail and intimidation as well as for war and destruction: In February 1996, during a confrontation between mainland China and Taiwan, Lt. Gen. Xiong Guang Kai, a senior Chinese official, made an implicit nuclear threat against the U.S., warning our government not to interfere because Americans "care more about Los Angeles than they do Taipei."

Update on Human Rights

Internet portals in China, including Yahoo!’s Chinese-language site, have signed a voluntary pledge to purge the Web of content that China’s Communist government deems subversive. The "Public Pledge on Self-Discipline for China Internet Industry" has attracted more than 300 signatories since Mar. 16. The regulations, which took effect Aug. 1, are "to promote the healthy development of Internet publications, according to the Beijing Morning Post, but those who sign the pledge must refrain from "producing, posting or disseminating pernicious information that may jeopardize state security and disrupt social stability." Members must remove material the government deems offensive. Signers also pledge to monitor content of foreign-based Web sites and block those containing unspecified information the government calls harmful. A special police force monitors Web sites and e-mail messages. Associated Press, 7-15-02

Six Chinese brides of Taiwanese men who went back to China to visit their families were ordered by the Chinese government to have abortions or to have their fallopian tubes tied, according to the Taipei Times. They were also fined and threatened with punishment under China’s one-child policy if they had more children. China Reform Monitor 458, 7-23-02