US keeps an eye on China’s military

The Pentagon report sounds dramatic but analysts say the military build up is part of a long term trend and focused on Taiwan. This analyst says the Chinese have been building up to deter, delay or defeat and American intervention on behalf of Taiwan. He says the current balance suggests the US would win but China is tipping the scale. China had tough words for Taiwan today about any moves towards independence. Despite sharp rhetoric, this professor says US-China tensions have actually eased in recent years. The Bush administration’s stance towards China has softened over the past years, and the professor says China’s stance has softened as well and Chinese foreign policy has become more sophisticated and subtle. That doesn’t mean the professor is not concerned over the Chinese build up. He’s surprised at how little interest China has come up in the US primaries. One analyst says the take away from the Pentagon report is that China is growing on all fronts, including militarily.