Defence ministry says 'some countries' are expanding military presence in region and often make situations tenser
China's defence ministry has made a thinly veiled attack on the United States for increasing tensions in the Asia Pacific by ramping up its military presence and alliances in the region, days after the top US diplomat visited Beijing.
China is uneasy with what the United States has called the "rebalancing" of forces as Washington winds down the war in Afghanistan and renews its attention further east.
China faces "multiple and complicated security threats" despite its growing influence, the ministry of defence said in its annual white paper, adding that the US strategy meant "profound changes" for Asia.
"There are some countries which are strengthening their Asia-Pacific military alliances, expanding their military presence in the region and frequently make the situation there tenser," the ministry said in the 40-page document, in a clear reference to the United States.
For the first time, the paper, titled The Diversified Employment of China's Armed Forces, gave details of China's military setup, revealing that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is composed of mobile operational units, border and coastal defence units, guard and garrison units, and is primarily responsible for military operations on land. The PLA army has a total strength of 850,000 troops.
The PLA navy is made up of 235,000 officers and men, and commands three fleets: the Beihai, the Donghai and the Nanhai. The PLA air force has 398,000 officers and men.
The PLA second artillery force, the country's core force for strategic deterrence, is composed of nuclear and conventional missile forces and operational support units, according to the paper.
It is equipped with a series of "Dong Feng" ballistic missiles and "Chang Jian" cruise missiles. Reported by guardian.co.uk 6 minutes ago.
China's defence ministry has made a thinly veiled attack on the United States for increasing tensions in the Asia Pacific by ramping up its military presence and alliances in the region, days after the top US diplomat visited Beijing.
China is uneasy with what the United States has called the "rebalancing" of forces as Washington winds down the war in Afghanistan and renews its attention further east.
China faces "multiple and complicated security threats" despite its growing influence, the ministry of defence said in its annual white paper, adding that the US strategy meant "profound changes" for Asia.
"There are some countries which are strengthening their Asia-Pacific military alliances, expanding their military presence in the region and frequently make the situation there tenser," the ministry said in the 40-page document, in a clear reference to the United States.
For the first time, the paper, titled The Diversified Employment of China's Armed Forces, gave details of China's military setup, revealing that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is composed of mobile operational units, border and coastal defence units, guard and garrison units, and is primarily responsible for military operations on land. The PLA army has a total strength of 850,000 troops.
The PLA navy is made up of 235,000 officers and men, and commands three fleets: the Beihai, the Donghai and the Nanhai. The PLA air force has 398,000 officers and men.
The PLA second artillery force, the country's core force for strategic deterrence, is composed of nuclear and conventional missile forces and operational support units, according to the paper.
It is equipped with a series of "Dong Feng" ballistic missiles and "Chang Jian" cruise missiles. Reported by guardian.co.uk 6 minutes ago.