Report: China 'Challenging US Military Preeminence in Asia'
A U.S. congressional panel said that China's rapidly modernizing military is "altering the security balance in the Asia Pacific and challenging decades of U.S. military preeminence in the region."
The warning was given on Wednesday as part of a wide-ranging annual report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which advises U.S. lawmakers on Beijing-related policy.
The report also accused the Chinese government of "directing and executing a large-scale cyber espionage campaign against the United States." It said sanctions may be necessary to help deter the spying.
China has not responded to the allegations. Last year, Beijing's foreign ministry condemned the panel's report for having what it called a "Cold War" attitude.
China has steadily increased its military spending in recent decades, though its spending is still far outpaced by U.S. defense expenditures. Beijing insists its rise is peaceful, and accuses the U.S. of trying to contain it.
However, the panel's report pointed out that China's military modernization is allowing it to be more aggressive in projecting power abroad, specifically in its territorial disputes with its neighbors.
The report said Beijing is relying on a "coercive and persistent maritime law enforcement and naval presence to gain control of disputed territory in the East and South China Seas."
It also noted that China is "rapidly expanding and diversifying its ability to strike U.S. bases, ships and aircraft" in the region.
The report comes as President Barack Obama pledges to put a greater economic and military emphasis on the region, a plan referred to by many as the "pivot to Asia."
The commission welcomed the "pivot," but noted that many U.S. allies are concerned about Washington's ability to follow through on the plan.
To address these concerns and to "offset China's growing military capabilities," the report recommended Congress continue to fund efforts to move 60 percent of U.S. ships to the Pacific by 2020. Currently, 50 percent are stationed there.
The panel also spoke of an "urgent need" for Washington to convince Beijing to change its approach to cyber spying, which analysts think has cost U.S. companies billions of dollars.
To help "change the cost-benefit calculus" for China, the report said, sanctions may be necessary. It listed import bans, travel bans, and other economic restrictions as possible actions to be taken against those found stealing U.S. secrets.
Source: Voice of America
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