http://news.yam.com/afp/international/200801/20080129423727.html
太平洋美軍司令吉亭:中國武器超過自衛需求
法新社╱樊劍萍 2008-01-29 09:20
(法新社華盛頓二十八日電)美國今天表示,中國的若干武器系統能力超過北京的自衛需求使美國感到「困擾」。
太平洋美軍司令吉亭說,他訪問北京時中國領導人告訴他所謂的「區域阻絕武器」是「用來保護那些屬於我們的東西。」
可是吉亭說,「我們發現令人感到困擾的就是若干武器系統超過我們對保護他們所謂『我們的東西』的預期。」
吉亭說,美國擁有的「情報證實我的意見,這就是中國正在發展、部署以及已經部署完成若干武器系統,這些武器系統有能力限制若干地區的海上、空中或是海底的行動。」
吉亭說:「我要重申我們已經表示過數次的觀點,這就是我們瞭解中華人民共和國的意向,不只是他們的透明度,不只是這些武器是否存在的事實。我們知道這些武器是存在的。」
吉亭在美國「亞洲協會」的論壇中致詞時問道:「但問題就在於為何要部署這些武器。」
數份報導說,美國國防部擔憂中國的區域阻絕武器,包括飛彈,能夠用來攻擊美國的航空母艦與船隻。
最近才第二度訪問中國歸來的吉亭表示,美國與中國應該增加對話與更佳的相互聯絡,並發展「信任與瞭解」,以避免可能發生的衝突。
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080128/pl_afp/uschinamilitarynavyport_080128224739
China's weapons exceed self-defense needs: US military
by P. Parameswaran
Mon Jan 28, 5:47 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States said Monday it was "troubling" that China's weapons systems capability exceeded the level Beijing defined as necessary for self-defense.
The head of the US armed forces in the Asia-Pacific, Admiral Timothy Keating, said he was told by Chinese leaders during a visit to Beijing that its so-called "area denial weapons" were "to protect those things that are ours."
But he said, "we find it troubling that the capabilities of some of these weapons systems would tend to exceed our own expectations for protecting those things that are 'ours.'"
Keating said the United States had "intelligence that reinforces my opinion that China is developing, fielding and has in place weapons that could be characterized as having, amongst perhaps other purposes, an ability to restrict movement in and around certain areas on the sea, in the air or under the sea.
"I'll go back to the point we made a couple of times already -- that we understood PRC (China's) intentions, not just their transparency, not just the fact that these weapons exist. We know they exist," he said.
"It's why are they being fielded," Keating asked, speaking at a Washington forum of the US-based Asia Society.
The Pentagon fears China's area-denial arms, including missiles, can be used to attack US aircraft carriers and ships, reports have said.
"The PLA (China's People's Liberation Army) appears engaged in a sustained effort to develop the capability to interdict, at long ranges, aircraft carrier and expeditionary strike groups that might deploy to the western Pacific," according to the annual Pentagon report last year to the US Congress.
"Increasingly, China's area denial/anti-access forces overlap, providing multiple layers of offensive systems, utilizing the sea, air, and space," the report said.
The United States fears a Chinese military buildup could thwart any intervention in a conflict over Taiwan and challenge US naval access to the Asian region.
A year ago, China used a ballistic missile to destroy a Chinese weather satellite in low Earth orbit, causing worries in Washington that Beijing could disrupt US military satellites in a regional conflict.
In addition, a Chinese submarine approached a US aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean and surfaced within firing range of its torpedoes and missiles before being detected.
Keating, who just returned from his second visit to China, said that the United States and China should have increased dialogue and better communication and develop "bonds of trust and understanding" to avoid potential conflicts.
"I think we will proceed on a path that will reduce tensions and reduce the likelihood of misunderstanding leading to crisis, leading to conflict," he said.
Keating also expressed relief that a November row with Beijing over the port visits of US ships appeared to have been resolved.
An American warship USS Blue Ridge was allowed Monday to dock in Hong Kong, in the first visit by a US vessel since the USS Kitty Hawk was denied entry in the Chinese administered territory about two months ago.
Two US minesweepers were also refused permission to shelter in Hong Kong from a brewing tropical storm.
"The sense I got is that they didn't want to be confrontational," Keating told reporters.
"I am not as concerned today as I was before ... We think we are developing a better understanding of them."