China's Military

Based on the Pentagon's annual report on the status of China's military, China not only continues to concentrate forces in an effort to intimidate Taiwan, but also to develop long-range missiles, jets and warships intended as a challenge to U.S. hegemony. According to the report, in the "next several years" China will deploy the DF-31 mobile, solid-fuel ICBM and the JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile, as well as continue to streamline and mobilize the People's Liberation Army, now numbered at 2.5 million. Additionally, Beijing can activate ten-million men under organized militias, plus another 900,000 in paramilitary, police and reserve forces. Mobile short-range missiles numbering between 650 and 730 are now stationed in range of Taiwan, together with 700 aircraft. China continues to modernize its air and naval forces through purchases from Russia, together with domestic development and production.

Advanced precision offensive and defensive weapons appear to be taking on a new priority. Two new Russian-made Sovremennyy class guided-missile destroyers, equipped with advanced anti-ship cruise missiles and air-defense systems, are deployed with the East Sea Fleet, and two more have been ordered. Diesel submarines are in serial production, and the Chinese navy's first nuclear attack sub, the Type 093, is expected to enter service this year.