Global Opinion on Chinese Military Power

[imturok]

According to an article published by Chinese News Group Inc. (Vol. 961, 8/Mar/2005) www.chinesenewsgroup.com BBC (British Broadcasting Corp) surveyed 22,953 persons in 22 countries on people's attitudes towards China.

From Asia to America, few worries about China's fast pace of ecconomic growth. 38% said US brings positive impacts to the world, 36% said Russia will generate active results while 48% said China will do the same.

Generally, people in India, Philippines,Indonesia and Australia are positive about the emergence of China's ecconomic success.
In contrast, 25% of people interviewed in Japan was negative about China's ecconomic success compared to 22% who responded positively.

Although China may challenge US ecconomically within the next few decades, people are against China's increase in military power. 59% are negative about the increase of China's military might while only 24% are positive. The most worrisome countries are Australia, Japan, USA and EU countries. The survey also found those under the age of 30 are more positive about China.

Do you think China's military strength is something to worry about?

[Napoleon Chynamite]

I personally think economic power will take ultimate priority in the decision-making processes of most entities in the future, if it's not already evident in the present. However, I don't know enough about the specifics to really make an educated comment.

[AngryABCGirl]

In today's world, economic power trumps over any form of military leverage. In the interconnected global market, it matters too much too everyone wher etheir money is going rather than their glory and power, except for irrational neo con types and ultranationalists (oh crap, wait they control pretty much everything today, shit)

[Napoleon Chynamite]

In today's world, economic power trumps over any form of military leverage. In the interconnected global market, it matters too much too everyone wher etheir money is going rather than their glory and power, except for irrational neo con types and ultranationalists (oh crap, wait they control pretty much everything today, shit)

Well I personally admire those who act in the name of their beliefs instead of in the name of the bottom line, but in the case of some of the neocons, their narrowmindedness, ignorance, and stupidity is a bit hard to look past.

[haplesshobo]

well, not in the immediate future. china still doesn't have a military capable of succesfully invading Taiwan for at least another 8+ years.

[tint]

well, not in the immediate future. china still doesn't have a military capable of succesfully invading Taiwan for at least another 8+ years.
China has the military capability to take control of Taiwan. Peaceful reunification is Beijing first option and they're not at the point of futility. Last month, non-stop charter flights between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan were successfully established. This was first direct flights in 56 years linking mainland with Taiwan. The CPC are taking steps toward the goal of peaceful reunification.

[imturok]

Here is the exact quote from the China Daily website http://english.people.com.cn/200503/09/eng20050309_176215.html

China esteemed by the world: BBC survey


A survey conducted by British Broadcast Corporation (BBC) in 22 countries worldwide shows that China now is enjoying the respect and esteem of the world, and the populace across the world is holding a positive view on China's rapid economic development, peaceful emergence on the international stage as well as its influence on the world.

Globe Scan, a company specializing in national survey, conducts the survey and more than 23,000 people in 22 countries are involved in December last year.

48% interviewees hold positive view

The survey shows that 17 countries hold positive view on "Chinese influence in the world" out of total 22 countries involved, and averagely 48 percent interviewees have positive views on Chinese influence, which is much higher than that on the US and Russia, and only 30 percent of the interviewees voice their negative impression against Chinese influence. People who hold negative opinion against China are mainly from Germany, the US and Poland and the interviewees who hold negative views against China are less than half of the total interviewees from 22 countries. The survey indicates that the young interviewees, especially aging between 18 and 29, are likely to hold positive view on China.

Asian neighbors hold relatively favorable view on China

The survey shows that neighboring countries have relatively favorable view on China, particularly India, with 66 percent interviewees holding positive view on China, followed by Philippines 70 percent, Indonesia 68 percent and Australia 56 percent. However, the favorable opinion and negative view from South Korea interviewees are half-and-half, with 49 percent against 47 percent. 22 percent of Japanese interviewees have positive opinion on China and 25 percent hold negative, and as high as 53 percent of Japanese interviewees hold no opinion on China.

International hopes China adopts soft power

Global Scan president said that the reason for China to win worldwide respect lies in its remarkable economic achievements and most people expect further development of China's economy. However, the world does not support military means to solve problems and the populace around the world hopes China adopts soft power such as economic and cultural powers as well as diplomatic speech to convince the world.

By People's Daily Online

[haplesshobo]

tint,

how can you assert that china has the capability to take over taiwan at this point. do you realize how difficult an amphibious assault would be.

first of all, to launch an assualt you'd need to have superior naval and air forces to control the seas and to be able to transport your carriers to the island. there's no point in having all those tanks and soldiers if they end up getting sunk to the bottom of the sea. if you're attacking fortified position, you need a 3 to 1 advantage. And, for amphibious assault, you'd need 4 or 5 to 1. Quite simply, China doesn't have enough carriers to launch such an assault to bring enough people onto the island.

And, Taiwan also has a large and advanced air force, thanks to the united states that would control the airs, and therefore the seas. they've got 400-500 front line US plances (F15/F16), E-3 Sentry AWACS planes, etc... China's air and navy forces are both inferior. Look at this way, America has the most advanced weapons, and it sells them to Taiwan. China doesn't even have the ability to develop thier onw weapons platforms. They need to buy their weapons from Russia, but why would Russia sell its best weapons to its neighbor and potential rival.

Look at the difficulty Germany had in trying to invade England across a 15 mile channel, versus the 80 miles China would have to cross to invade Taiwan.

However, this situation is changing due to China's growing economy which allows it modernize its military versus Taiwan's stalled economy, where they cannot afford to buy all the weapons America has offered to sell to them. That's why in 8+ years, China would then have the capability to pull it off. But, not right now.

[yoMAMA]

tint,

how can you assert that china has the capability to take over taiwan at this point. do you realize how difficult an amphibious assault would be.

first of all, to launch an assualt you'd need to have superior naval and air forces to control the seas and to be able to transport your carriers to the island. there's no point in having all those tanks and soldiers if they end up getting sunk to the bottom of the sea. if you're attacking fortified position, you need a 3 to 1 advantage. And, for amphibious assault, you'd need 4 or 5 to 1. Quite simply, China doesn't have enough carriers to launch such an assault to bring enough people onto the island.

And, Taiwan also has a large and advanced air force, thanks to the united states that would control the airs, and therefore the seas. they've got 400-500 front line US plances (F15/F16), E-3 Sentry AWACS planes, etc... China's air and navy forces are both inferior. Look at this way, America has the most advanced weapons, and it sells them to Taiwan. China doesn't even have the ability to develop thier onw weapons platforms. They need to buy their weapons from Russia, but why would Russia sell its best weapons to its neighbor and potential rival.

Look at the difficulty Germany had in trying to invade England across a 15 mile channel, versus the 80 miles China would have to cross to invade Taiwan.

However, this situation is changing due to China's growing economy which allows it modernize its military versus Taiwan's stalled economy, where they cannot afford to buy all the weapons America has offered to sell to them. That's why in 8+ years, China would then have the capability to pull it off. But, not right now.

While I agree with you that China does not have the capabilities right now to takeover Taiwan militarily, IMHO China's ultimate aim is to reunite with Taiwan peacefully, therefore the sabre rattling and the anti-secession law is mostly show [of force, and to appease the conservative factions of the PLA that wants some action, or the appearance of some action].

So it doesn't matter who have what capability...because it's all a moot point.

Taiwan is already slowly integrating into China...which is why Ah-Bien is getting desperate and wants to stir things up.

However....even the U.S is rebuking him. Powell even said that Taiwan is a part of China, and it doesn't have legal rights to declare independence. And you can't find a more reputable foreign policy person than Collin Powell, who knows both the military and foreign policy aspects of the situation.