Pentagon says China military 'likely training for strikes' on U.S. targets

By Idrees Ali

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis gestures during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, U.S., May 19, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China's military has expanded its bomber operations in recent years while "likely training for strikes" against the United States and its allies, a Pentagon report released on Thursday said.

 

The assessment, which comes at a time of heightened U.S.-China tensions over trade, was contained in an annual report that highlighted China's efforts to increase its global influence, with defence spending that the Pentagon estimates exceeded $190 billion in 2017.

 

"Over the last three years, the PLA has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against U.S. and allied targets," the report said, using an acronym for China's People's Liberation Army.

 

The report comes as China and the United States plan to hold trade talks, offering hope they might resolve an escalating tariff conflict that threatens to degenerate into an all-out trade war.

 

The report said that while the PLA had continued to extend operations, it was not clear what message Beijing was seeking to send by carrying out the flights "beyond a demonstration of improved capabilities."

 

The Chinese embassy in Washington could not immediately be reached for comment.

 

This year China’s air force landed bombers on islands and reefs in the South China Sea as part of a training exercise in the disputed region.

 

In January the Pentagon put countering Beijing, along with Russia, at the centre of a new national defence strategy.

 

While Washington and Beijing maintain a military-to-military relationship aimed at containing tensions, this has been tested in recent months, notably in May when the Pentagon withdrew an invitation to China to join a multinational naval exercise.

 

In June, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis became the first Pentagon chief to visit China since 2014.

 

The Pentagon report said that despite a projected slowdown in economic growth, China's official defence budget would be more than $240 billion by 2028.

 

The Pentagon report also said China's space program was progressing rapidly.

 

"The PLA continues to strengthen its military space capabilities despite its public stance against the militarization of space," it said.

 

This month, President Donald Trump’s administration announced an ambitious plan to usher in a new "Space Force" as the sixth branch of the military by 2020.

 

One of the arguments in favour of developing such a force is that American rivals like China appear increasingly ready to strike U.S. space-based capabilities in the event of a conflict.

 

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; additional reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Tom Brown)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-08-17

Yeah, yeah! We all know that the US live with the belief that everybody except them are willing to start WW3.

They also live in the belief that they are the only once that are allowed to train military forces and delvelop their defense strategies.

I guess it´s time that the world stand up and ban this silly country from continuing the comedy show they are running episode after episode at the moment.

Yeah, only US are allowed to train attacks on other countries... the only country that have used nukes and now have a leader that threats to use nukes if other countries don't follow what he says!!! 

 Well, godspeed, Chinese brothers!

 

 The amount of pain, suffering and chaos caused by the US over the last few decades is simply staggering. I am quite happy with the balance shifting towards Asia.

I would be more worried about the bags under my eyes if I was mattis

Did we expect them to train for strikes against Sri Lanka?

They would have to get here first and then they would have no place to land when they get home if they could even do that. The Chinese like the US  and Russian militaires train for all possibilities in war with no or little intentions of carrying them out.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

and likely training for strikes against U.S.

You could not make this up. Thank goodness the clowns that wrote this cannot get near the red button.

War Plan Red - Wikipedia

 

 

 

6 hours ago, Get Real said:

Yeah, yeah! We all know that the US live with the belief that everybody except them are willing to start WW3.

They also live in the belief that they are the only once that are allowed to train military forces and delvelop their defense strategies.

I guess it´s time that the world stand up and ban this silly country from continuing the comedy show they are running episode after episode at the moment.

But the US is "saving the world" isnt it.  And of course in the name of God apparently.  Ive heard them say it millions of times, on the news, in all their movies and TV series etc etc.  I'm just not sure from whom because they seem to be the biggest threat to world peace.  Fortunately we have the Chinese, Iran, and Russia to create some balance and keep them in check.

Many BMs make a case of the USA starting all these conflicts and they may be right. I have the opinion that it is a case of 'use it or lose it'.  I'm ok with the USA going back to 1910 and isolationism.  Protect American soil only.

Why bother Donald surrendered allready

Oh gawd..what a laugh.

 

Until 1940 Canada was number 1 on their hit list-those miserable Anglo/French/indigenous/commies...

Poison gas on Montreal/Quebec was an option...

Until someone pointed out to the delusional,paranoid muppets that Canada was actually on their side.

 

'The United States of Paranoia' 

 

https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Paranoia-Conspiracy-Theory/dp/0062135554

Edited August 17, 20187 yr by Odysseus123

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Pentagon says China military 'likely training for strikes' on U.S. targets

No doubt.  Just like US military 'likely training for strikes' on Chinese targets.  The Pentagon must think that the entire US populations lives in a bubble (although that may be true for the majority).  "Scare the plebs!  Create more international boogie-men. Boo!!!" Aaaahhhh!
Good job!  Mission accomplished. 

Edited August 17, 20187 yr by connda

China'smilitary has expanded its bomberoperations in recent years while "likely training for strikes" against the United States and its allies, a Pentagon report released on Thursday said.

 

Which allies?

 

Trump pissed on nearly every shoe: G7, EU, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea, Russia and China with its trade war. In addition, NATO and Iran. Plus Climate Protocol, WTO and UN.

 

From which allies he is talking about? Saudi Arabia and Israel?

 

 

 

• All armed forces train to deal with likely occurences. The British army still trains to resist an invasion from France.

If China wants to rule the world they can do it anytime.  And the world will collapse. 

 

An invasion of Europe via Russia have been looked at historically as something that could happen if the Chinese are desperate enough. Do not mess with them . 

 

 

38 minutes ago, tomacht8 said:

China'smilitary has expanded its bomberoperations in recent years while "likely training for strikes" against the United States and its allies, a Pentagon report released on Thursday said.

 

Which allies?

 

Trump pissed on nearly every shoe: G7, EU, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea, Russia and China with its trade war. In addition, NATO and Iran. Plus Climate Protocol, WTO and UN.

 

From which allies he is talking about? Saudi Arabia and Israel?

 

 

 

Don't forget us Aussies..

 

In 1965 Brigadier Edward Serong of the Australian army reported to the Chiefs of Staff..that the Americans -General "Brute" Krulak and his staff of the United States Marine Corps-were absolute morons and that the Vietnam war was lost before it had even properly started.

How right he was..and still is.

 

What numbnut country calls its generals "brute"?

Edited August 17, 20187 yr by Odysseus123

1 hour ago, balo said:

If China wants to rule the world they can do it anytime.  And the world will collapse. 

 

An invasion of Europe via Russia have been looked at historically as something that could happen if the Chinese are desperate enough. Do not mess with them . 

 

 

If China throws its dollar reserves into the market, Trump's voters can go to Mc Donalds and work there, inflation-adjusted for $20 a day.

Edited August 17, 20187 yr by tomacht8

1 hour ago, Odysseus123 said:

Don't forget us Aussies..

 

In 1965 Brigadier Edward Serong of the Australian army reported to the Chiefs of Staff..that the Americans -General "Brute" Krulak and his staff of the United States Marine Corps-were absolute morons and that the Vietnam war was lost before it had even properly started.

How right he was..and still is.

 

What numbnut country calls its generals "brute"?

Thanks for the History Lesson.

 

The US has a double trade surplus with Australia.
The Australian government should speak to Trump, then.
That's unfair trade.

Australia should set extra tariffs for US products.

Let's just, us all, understand. There can never be a major war between nuclear powers, ever.

 

There has not been direct conformation between nuclear countries, since the atomic bomb was developed. The Cuba crisis was the closest thing we got to the end of humanity. The people at the helm of those bombs didn't even knew of the powers they had in their hands. 

 

It was only during Reagan era, when the leaders of the nuclear powers actually understood what a nuclear war would produce. It's not the war itself, but the nuclear winter, which follows.

 

Each country needs to prepare for all kind of military and other problems ahead. Nuclear war is one of those things, nobody needs to prepare for. 

Edited August 17, 20187 yr by Guest

Off-topic posts and replies removed.  

 

This thread just puts to light the seething hatred that this forums users (most of which are self professed liberals) have for the United States and Americans. 

 

So much so that they egg on and cheer the Chinese for training for strikes against US targets. 

A dictatorship, with no freedom, censored media, censored internet... Supporter of communism... 

 

The USA isnt perfect, but hey, if you'd rather see the US fall, and move our guns and troops out and move yourselves under the protective umbrella of the Chinese - up to you. 

Coming soon ......... threats, yes more threats of fire and fury like the world has never seen, from Trump if China even points a missile in the direction of USA. Twitter will light up with lies, exaggerations and hot air bluff from Mr Orange. And China will have a chuckle.

10 hours ago, balo said:

If China wants to rule the world they can do it anytime.  And the world will collapse. 

 

An invasion of Europe via Russia have been looked at historically as something that could happen if the Chinese are desperate enough. Do not mess with them . 

 

 

The Mongol horde reached the gates of Vienna

Edited August 18, 20187 yr by Maybole
Spelling error

Last night I watched the news from Washington, the capital
The Russians escaped while we weren't watching them, like Russians will  ??

 

Come on...Does anyone ever actually believe this crap from Pentagon or worse CIA?

 

3 hours ago, UncleTouchyFingers said:

This thread just puts to light the seething hatred that this forums users (most of which are self professed liberals) have for the United States and Americans. 

 

So much so that they egg on and cheer the Chinese for training for strikes against US targets. 

A dictatorship, with no freedom, censored media, censored internet... Supporter of communism... 

 

The USA isnt perfect, but hey, if you'd rather see the US fall, and move our guns and troops out and move yourselves under the protective umbrella of the Chinese - up to you. 

No one is egging on the Chinese.

 

We just all realize  that militaries around the world train for every scenario no matter how far fetched. You can bet your a@@ that the US has Canadian invasion plans in the works.

 

As a Canadian whose grandfather served in WW1 with the US Navy, a niece currently with the US Navy, and a brother with US citizenship, I can assure you the American people as individuals aren't loathed.

What is loathed is American foreign policy and the arrogant nationalism some of you display.

7 minutes ago, duanebigsby said:

No one is egging on the Chinese.

 

I really wish you guys would stop backpedaling. Stand by what you think and believe and quit walking it back when its brought up. 

 

8 minutes ago, duanebigsby said:

the arrogant nationalism some of you display.

 

I am absolutely proud to be American. Plenty of things I wish were better, but I love the country and the freedom. The nationalism pisses you off because of your inherent distaste for the US. If you were fond, Americans being proud wouldn't make you upset. I meet people like you all the time in Thailand. 

 

Everyone wants to dunk on the USA on this forum, and when its given back in kind nobody can take it. You see it as arrogance, and thats laughable. 

 

PS this is your PM... How embarrassing ?

 

 

9 minutes ago, duanebigsby said:

No one is egging on the Chinese.

 

We just all realize  that militaries around the world train for every scenario no matter how far fetched. You can bet your a@@ that the US has Canadian invasion plans in the works.

 

As a Canadian whose grandfather served in WW1 with the US Navy, a niece currently with the US Navy, and a brother with US citizenship, I can assure you the American people as individuals aren't loathed.

What is loathed is American foreign policy and the arrogant nationalism some of you display.

As a Canadian, I fully understand your statement crystal clear (You can bet your a@@ that the US has Canadian invasion plans in the works.) Most Canadians have their heads buried in the sand too deep to comprehend such a possibility. But I have wondered about this for some time, particularly under the rule of the current president who would have no qualms about invading Canada. They tried it once before but failed. This time, they would not fail.

However, I fully expect Humpty Dumpty (aka President Donald Trump) to be forced out of office sometime in the next year, PLEASE !
 

1 minute ago, neeray said:

particularly under the rule of the current president who would have no qualms about invading Canada

 

Swear to god I have no idea where you guys get this stuff.