http://n.yam.com/cna/international/200903/20090326352077.html
五角大廈：中國軍事發展改變軍力平衡 
中央社╱中央社 2009-03-26 00:18
    
（中央社華盛頓25日美聯電）美國國防部一份新的報告說，中國在以更快的速度提升軍力，並且在發展新的「干擾技術」，使中國所在地區甚至於其他區域的軍事平衡出現變化。

這份預定今天稍後發布的報告說，儘管台海兩岸緊張已經顯著降低，北京在持續發展威脅台灣的武器。

報告指出，中國對台灣部署短程飛彈，並說「在近程，中國軍方在快速發展脅迫能力，目的在嚇阻台灣追求獨立」。

國防部向國會提出的年度中國軍力評估報告也說，中國軍力有可能用來迫使台灣依北京的條件接受兩岸問題的解決方式，「同時試圖在發生衝突時，嚇阻、延遲美國對台灣的支援，或使美國無法馳援」。

報告說，美國「歡迎中國崛起成為穩定、和平與繁榮的國家，並鼓勵中國以負責任的態度參與」國際事務。

美聯社所取得的報告摘要說：「但是，中國未來的道路有許多不確定性，特別是中國逐漸擴張的軍力可能如何運用的問題。」

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_china;_ylt=Assbv6x5jq4fraPb5lSV6dRp24cA
Pentagon questions growing Chinese military power

By PAULINE JELINEK, Associated Press Writer –

WASHINGTON – China is increasing its military power more rapidly and developing new "disruptive technologies" that are shifting the military balance in its region and possibly beyond, a new Pentagon report said.

And Beijing continues to develop weapons that threaten Taiwan, even though tensions between the two have been reduced significantly, according to the report scheduled for release later Wednesday.

The latest in a series of annual assessments for Congress of China's military power, the report says the U.S. "welcomes the rise of a stable, peaceful and prosperous China and encourages China to participate responsibly" in world affairs.

"However, much uncertainty surrounds China's future course, particularly regarding how its expanding military power might be used," said a summary of the report obtained by The Associated Press.

The report comes in the wake of heightened tensions between the U.S. and China this month, after Chinese vessels harassed a U.S. Navy surveillance ship in international waters in the South China Sea.

During a meetings with China officials after the incident, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said both sides have agreed on the need to reduce tensions and avoid a repeat of the confrontation.

The new report notes that the People's Liberation Army is undergoing a comprehensive transformation from a mass army designed for long wars of attrition on its territory to one that can fight and win short, high-intensity conflicts along its periphery against high-tech adversaries.

"The pace and scope of China's military transformation have increased in recent years, fueled by acquisition of advanced foreign weapons, continued high rates of investment" in technologies and far-reaching doctrinal reforms in the armed forces, the report said.

"China's ability to sustain military power at a distance remains limited, but its armed forces continue to develop and field disruptive military technologies ... that are changing regional military balances and that have implications beyond the Asia-Pacific region," it said. It said that included technologies for nuclear, space and cyber warfare.

The report noted China's buildup of short-range missiles opposite Taiwan. Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949 and Beijing says it is intent on eventual unification, by persuasion if possible but by force if considered necessary.

"In the near-term, China's armed forces are rapidly developing coercive capabilities for the purpose of deterring Taiwan's pursuit of ... independence," the report said, adding China's military might could be used to pressure Taiwan toward a settlement on Beijing's terms "while simultaneously attempting to deter, delay or deny any possible U.S. support for the island in case of conflict."

Since taking office 10 months ago, Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has moved aggressively to reverse his predecessor's pro-independence polices, sanctioning a rapid expansion in trade relations with the mainland, and raising the prospect of a formal peace treaty between the sides.

China's Premier Wen Jiabao said early this month that Beijing is ready to hold talks with Taiwan on political and military issues in the pursuit of ending hostility between the longtime rivals. But Taiwan's defense minister later noted publicly that China has made repeated threats to attack Taiwan if it moves to make its de facto independence permanent and that Taiwan remains concerned about the estimated 1,300 missiles Beijing has readied against the island.

Wednesday's report also noted that China has used its military muscle for good, such as peacekeeping and disaster relief.