China Says Military Buildup Does Not Threaten U.S

[Purveyor]

BEIJING (Reuters) - China defended its growing military prowess on Monday, saying it did not threaten the United States, and again urged Washington not to sell weapons to Taiwan.

"The distance between the Chinese and U.S. militaries is big. If you fear China's military buildup you don't have much courage," said Chen Bingde, chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army.

"We don't have the ability to make you afraid of us," he told reporters in Beijing, before meeting Timothy Keating, head of the U.S. Pacific Command.

Some U.S. politicians have rung alarm bells about China's increased military spending and technological revamping of its armed forces.

Sino-U.S. relations were strained last year when China blocked a visit to Hong Kong by a U.S. aircraft carrier and accompanying ships.

---EOE---

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080114/ts_nm/china_usa_military_dc;_ylt=Aj5hs38DcBI3LbQEbRoZUJpZ.3QA

[fenriswolf]

1. right cause china has been so straight with us already

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. Oh, dear, Oh, dear! Quick! Increase the defense budget!! The Bogyman is coming!!

When China starts spending 1/2 as much on their military as we spend on ours, I might be impressed. But still not frightened.

[Romulox]

3. I propose we begin borrowing trillions of dollars from China in the name of our grandkids

to fund this army!

Oh wait... :eyes: