China denies suggestions it stole designs for new U.S. fighter - CNN

The article also states that Chinese aircraft, that resembles the F-35, is not capable.

My thoughts, sure on both statements...

Per Edward Snowden, Chinese hackers stole 50 Terabytes of Data on the F-35. The US government has also admitted the F-35 data has been hacked. Per another article, this may have saved the Chinese 25 years of research and development.

For Industrial espionage using the Internet, China has probably the best ability out there. The US does have a hacking ability, but it's not used for industrial espionage. In China, the relations between companies and the government is much closer, than in the US.

On the 2nd accusation, that the Chinese aircraft the resembles the F-35 is not as capable. I am not a huge fan of the F-35, and I marvel at what has been done politically by the manufacturers and the air force to keep it going. The last time a plane was designed for all services to do all things, was the F-111. The idea was one aircraft for all services would save money.  The result was the services, after the failure of the F-111, went with cheaper less functional aircraft such as the F-15, F-16, F-18, Harrier Jump Jet, and A-10. And now, all those aircraft, including the vertical take off aircraft are to be replaced by the F-35.

The requirement for the vertical takeoff, in my opinion, makes the F-35 probably less functional in many ways than the Chinese version.

In the Trenches with the F-35 - The American Interest

Labels: china's future, military

Interesting read. Basically, the fear is China's military may feel it's stronger than it actually is, which may cause some miscalculation. The article states the F-35 will help keep US superiority.

Chinese Military Weaknesses Revealed | Washington Free Beacon

And for another view...

In the Trenches with the F-35 - The American Interest

Labels: military, US Chinese Image

It's easy to look at the news with mention of China individually, but when you start looking at a bigger picture I see China as thinking big, and trying lots of things that have risk, but also a high potential of paying off.

Some examples:

Free Trade Agreement with Australia
Panama Canal Competitor in Nicaragua
2nd $400 Billion Russia China Gas Deal
South China Sea
Mapping of US Electric Grid by two countries
Attacks on Corruption
Improving of China's Military

All of the above campaigns are thinking big, and all will have a potentially significant impact on China. It's hard to say which one would have more impact. The Gas Deals with China, at $800 Billion helps China's energy security tremendously. The efforts in the South China sea for securing resources is also big. Helping create a competitor to the Panama Canal in a Chinese politically friendly country would be historic. And the attacks on corruption may have significant impact on the current Chinese society.

I would argue, the one with the most potential is the campaign against corruption, and it's impact on China's military readiness. Historically, there has been a huge corruption issue in the Chinese military that has reduced it's combat ability. If the Chinese government can reform the Chinese military, and my opinion they will, this will be significant. There are two ways to look at a military force, one is by numbers and the other is by effectiveness. The US through training and technology achieved a military force in the Gulf Wars that shocked the Chinese military with their effectiveness. This forced many changes in the Chinese military to improve their effectiveness. China has been moving away from the idea of a peasant army, that would win through a battle of attrition, to one that can project forces outside of China. Chinese ships participating in the anti pirate campaign near Somalia are an example of that.

Labels: china's future, chinese corruption, Chinese Economics, free trade, military

Excellent article that compares the US and China Military. The above picture is one of the Chinese aircraft carriers.

$600 Billion Ain’t What It Used to Be - The American Interest

Key Points:

1. US has more Military focuses / areas of interest than China. Major areas include Europe, Middle East, and Asia.

2. The US has higher costs, so the US spending usually gets less for the same dollar spent than China. An example of this is payroll and health benefits.

Labels: military, US Chinese Image

China Military is growing, and I am not sure the US has adjusted. The Nuclear Treaties SALT etc. do not have as a party China. China's military is becoming more effective with a growing Chinese economy funding a growing Military budget, a focus on increasing the effectiveness of the Military Leader, and understanding that improvements will take decades. This is going to increase the assertiveness of China with dealing with other countries. An example of assertiveness is in the South China Sea. China has been more assertive since 1974 in the South China Sea. And this is combined with a huge change since the end of the Cold War, with more and more countries becoming nuclear armed and growing economies, makes for a much more challenging world that is not split into two factions, but many. The US is in for interesting times.

Some recent related articles:

Chinese Military Creates High-Level Cyber Intelligence Center - Washington Beacon

China's Missile Forces Are Growing: Is It Time to Modify the INF Treaty? - The National Interest

China’s Leadership Arrests General, Bans Ramadan Fasting - The American Interest

China Displays World’s Largest Conventional Submarine - The Diplomat

Labels: china's future, military

This is a huge deal, and I don't understand how this helps China. I see it as making Japan so it continues to increase it's militarization, which is not in China's interest. After this incident, I would not be surprised if Japan's constitution changes. And if Japan decides it is not safe, and being bullied by China, Japan can go Nuclear very quickly.

China’s Air Defense Zone Significantly Escalates Dispute With Japan, US - Via Media

Labels: china's future, Japan, military