Hearing of the House Armed Services Committee - China: Recent Security Developments

Statement

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I would like to know that -- whether or not there have been any upticks in Chinese investment in defense capability or military capability that can be linked to the invasion by this country of the sovereign nation of Iraq?

MR. SHINN: Mr. Johnson, I don't know of any evidence that there's been a connection between those two. I do know that the Chinese have studied U.S. military activity in the Gulf over many years and have tried to emulate much of our military doctrine in their own -- in their own training. And I believe we discussed this a little bit in a China military power report.

GEN. BREEDLOVE: Sir, if I could pile on that. I would not tie it -- your question was very specific about Iraq. What I would say is that China has watched every war or skirmish that we have fought in the last 18 years and studied it. And they have developed their own approach to warfare, which they call "fighting under informatization." That would doesn't make good sense to us, but what it means to them is net-centric, highly informed intelligence ISR -- in other words, all the things that we excel in in America, trying to tie all of those together into an ability to fight. And so, while I wouldn't say it's tied directly to Iraq, it's tied to every military endeavor we've had in the last, say, 15 to 18 years.

They are trying to emulate our ability to work this kind of warfare and they are investing heavily in trying to build their own capability to conduct that kind of warfare.

REP. JOHNSON: Is there a suggestion that if we had not been engaged in any conflicts around the world, then they would not respond in the way that they have?

MR. SHINN: I don't think so. I don't think we control that connection, Congressman. We do know that the Chinese are vitally concerned about their energy supply. It's been noted by a few other members in their comments here. And they do keep their eyes on the Gulf.

REP. JOHNSON: Do you believe that the actions of Iraq -- I mean, excuse me -- of China in enhancing its military capabilities, particularly the development of its blue-water navy -- is purely defensive or does it have some -- or are you concerned that perhaps there may be some offensive mindset, about taking over the world or dominating some area of the world through military power? What is your thinking on that?

MR. SHINN: I'd invite General Breedlove to answer this, as well. We have observed a definite trend -- long-term trend of Chinese investment in naval expansion, not just quantity, but sophistication and quality. It remains unclear to us what the long-term intent of the use of that naval force would be. We do not know if they intend -- or they might intend to use it in some way to assure themselves of energy security. That's a possibility, but we just don't know.

GEN. BREEDLOVE: Sir, in the little time we have left, I would say that it would be hard to construe an aircraft carrier as being a purely defensive weapon. I believe that some of the things we see China doing, like pursing an aircraft carrier, pursuing some of the other longer-range capabilities that they have -- conventional capabilities -- clearly indicates that they have aspirations beyond the shores of Taiwan. I wouldn't use the terms that you did about the entire world. I think they're very pragmatic and are looking at their economic zone that they consider.

REP. JOHNSON: Thank you.

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