Monday, May 31, 2010

Two recent Sino-Japan relations related news.

Beijing agrees to start gas talks with Japan

By Mure Dickie in Tokyo and Kathrin Hille in Beijing

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c1577258-6cce-11df-91c8-00144feab49a.html


Published: May 31 2010 17:42 | Last updated: May 31 2010 17:50

China has agreed to start formal talks with Japan on a treaty that would allow joint development of gas resources in contested waters between the often-fractious east Asian powers.

The offer of formal talks made by Wen Jiabao, Chinese premier, during a visit to Tokyo on Monday, suggests Beijing is ready to move forward on long-stalled plans for co-operation in the East China Sea, that are intended to remove one of the biggest sources of friction between Tokyo and Beijing.


The offer was accompanied by bilateral agreements on issues ranging from maritime security to food safety that will fuel hopes of further improvement in a Sino-Japanese relationship that is one of the region’s deepest and potentially most dangerous diplomatic faultlines.

Japan and China agreed to work together to exploit gas resources in the area in 2008, but Beijing has shown little interest in pursuing the plan, despite repeated calls from Japan for detailed negotiations to turn the agreement into something concrete.

In early May, China finally agreed to informal discussions between senior bureaucrats on gas exploitation, according to people familiar with the issue, but the contacts yielded little hint of any substantive change of attitude.

Japanese officials said it was unclear why Mr Wen was now calling for “an early start to negotiations for an international treaty”, but that the surprise move was welcome. “It's a major breakthrough,” said one Japanese official. “The question we have to consider is why Premier Wen has given us this present at this time.”

China did not offer any explanation on Monday.

Li Guoqiang, an expert on the geography and history of China’s borderlands at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, cautioned that negotiations were likely to take a long time. “This is about making an abstract agreement concrete,” he said.

Mr Li said one reason for the slow pace in moving forward on the joint exploration plans had been the need for China to form positions internally on a myriad of detail issues such as how revenues of companies involved in future joint exploration should be taxed.

China and Japan have long disagreed sharply on the extent of their exclusive economic zones in the East China Sea, raising potentially dangerous disputes over ownership of potentially rich gas reserves in the area.

Tokyo says its zone extends to a median line between the two countries' territories, while Beijing says its zone stretches much closer to Japan.

A high profile dispute centres on Chinese exploitation of the Chunxiao field, which Japan has said could draw gas from its side of the median line. Under the 2008 deal, Beijing said Chinese state-owned energy companies operating in Chunxiao would “welcome the participation” of Japanese investors in the field.

The deal also sets aside a large block of contested territory for joint exploration, intended to lead to joint development under the “principle of mutual benefit”.

In a move that could help to ease frictions between Chinese and Japanese naval forces, Mr Hatoyama and Mr Wen also agreed to create a maritime crisis management mechanism between their defence authorities direct a communications channel.

The agreement follows a series of incidents involving vessels of the Chinese People's Liberation Army navy and Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force that have prompted public diplomatic complaints from both sides in recent weeks.

In a further signal of goodwill, Mr Wen called for “active use” of a hotline between leaders of the two nations, Tokyo and Beijing agreed in 2008 to set up a leaders’ hotline for “frequent and timely” communications, but Japanese officials say it never seems to have been seriously used.


Premiers answer calls for direct hotline

* Source: Global Times
* [03:09 June 01 2010]
* Comments
http://china.globaltimes.cn/diplomacy/2010-06/537209.html

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in Tokyo, May 31, 2010. (Xinhua Photo)

By Kang Juan

China and Japan agreed Monday to reestablish a hotline between the premiers of the two countries and resume formal talks on seabed gas exploration in the East China Sea, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The pledge was made in Tokyo during talks between visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

The Kyodo News Agency reported that Japan and China discussed more than 10 years ago the launch of a hotline between their leaders, but their efforts never came to fruition.

That looks to change, though, as a Japanese government official was Monday quoted by Reuters as saying that the two leaders agreed to activate a hotline to discuss what Wen called "important issues" between the two nations and to avert emergencies. The hotline would be between only political leaders, not defense chiefs.

Huang Dahui, a professor of Japanese politics at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times that the establishment of the hotline is a show of deepening bilateral relations, as well as increasing disputes between China and Japan.

China's rapid economic growth has led to the co-existence of two major powers in Asia, creating more competition and cooperation, and necessitating the need for the high-level hotline, Huang said.

Huang argued that historical issues haven't been the focus of Sino-Japanese ties since 2006, when Junichiro Koizumi stepped down as Japanese prime minister, but mu-tual mistrust is still the biggest problem between the two counties, especially in their maritime strategies.

"Japan, a traditional marine power, is always wary of China's naval buildup and growing presence," Huang said. "A new hotline will help strengthen communication and mutual trust."

Wen and Hatoyama also reportedly reached a deal to establish a maritime crisis management mechanism between defense departments, following a series of disputes at sea.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense complained last month that Chinese military helicop-ters twice buzzed Japanese naval vessels that were monitoring Chinese military activities in the East China Sea and in international waters. Chinese defense officials responded by saying Japan shouldn't take "drastic action" to disrupt Chinese vessels undergoing training exercises.

Hatoyama relayed his concerns to Wen over such recent encounters and urged Beijing not to let similar incidents occur again, Kyodo reported.

In a speech given later to the Japanese Business Federation, Wen pledged that "China will keep taking the path of peaceful development in the long term."

Sun Zhe, director of the Research Center for Sino-US Relations at Tsinghua University, noted that the East China Sea issue between China and Japan is very complicated and serious. It's a territorial dispute involving resource exploitation and maritime security.

China claims indisputable sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and adjacent islets in the East China Sea. Japan also regards the Diaoyu Islands as its own territory.

The two countries also disagree on overlapping claims of their extended continental shelf where both countries have oil-drilling platforms.

"It is an issue that could easily cause skirmishes and trigger escalated clashes," Sun said. "Both governments have realized its importance and begun to set up a prevention mechanism."

Wen and Hatoyama agreed Monday to resume negotiations on implementing a principled consensus on the East China Sea issue reached two years ago - a move seen by ana-lysts as a step forward.

According to the agreement from 2008, the Japanese side can participate in the cooperative development of the Chunxiao oil and gas field in accordance with relevant laws of China, but "cooperative development" is different than "joint development."

The leaders also signed agreements on food safety, energy conservation, environmental protection and e-commerce.

"Despite all the disputes over the East China Sea and food safety, the major tendency of Sino-Japanese ties is positive, with their economic fates increasingly intertwined," Huang said.

For China, Japan's technology and direct investment, which totaled $4.1 billion in 2009, are vital for future development.

On the other hand, demand from China and other emerging Asian markets has helped Japan recover from its worst recession in decades, while an easing of travel restrictions has triggered a surge in Chinese tourism to Japan.

China is Japan's top trade partner, with two-way business reaching about $230 billion last year, exceeding Japan-US trade for the third year in a row.

Japanese business leaders see more opportunities in Chinese demand.

But some see a blow to Japanese pride from the rise of China, which is expected to overtake Japan as the world's second-largest economy as early as this year.

"China sees Japan as a strategic partner, not a competitor or a rival. The two neighbors should view each other as partners so as to have peaceful coexistence and long-lasting friendship," Premier Wen said Monday in Japan.

Agencies contributed to this story

Sunday, May 30, 2010

FC-1 equipped with WS-13 completed first successful runway taxi test.

According to 2010/03/18 edition of the HKB Report. (thanks goes to maverickfr)

China delivers 120th local-manufactured training aircraft to Egypt


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-05/27/c_13317812.htm

English.news.cn 2010-05-27 07:38:37

CAIRO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China delivered on Wednesday a local- manufactured K-8E advanced training aircraft to Egyptian Air Force (EAF) in a ceremony celebrating the Sino-Egyptian co-production program.

It is the 120th and the last aircraft that the Egyptian side receives from the Chinese Aviation Technology Import-Export Cooperation (CATIC) within the co-production program.

The CATIC and Egyptian Defense Ministry reached agreement on the program in 1999, in which the two sides agreed on to produce 80 aircraft of K-8E as first stage and another 40 as second.

It was decided that K-8E aircraft would be manufactured at the Aircraft Factory of Egypt to reach a local manufacturing rate over 94 percent, and an aviation research center would be established within the scope of the K-8E aircraft program, so as to establish the Egyptian aviation industry.

"The success of the K-8E aircraft local manufacturing program that we are celebrating today comes as a result of the close cooperation, creative efforts, persistence and faithful work of the three participants of this program namely, EAF, CATIC and the Aircraft Factory," he added.

Waheba pledged Egypt's cooperation with the Chinese aviation industry to meet the requirements of the Egyptian Air Force as well as those of the air forces of Arab and African countries.

"The local manufacturing of the K-8E aircraft is an extremely model of success of Sino-Egyptian cooperation in the aviation industry," Waheba said.

For his part, President of Aviation Industries of China (AVIC) Lin Zuoming praised the cooperation between China and Egypt in the field of aviation industries.

"K-8E is not only an important embodiment of Sino-Egyptian strategic cooperation, but also a successful example of Sino- African cooperation," Lin said.

He stressed that the K-8E program has been attached a great care and attention by leaders of the two countries since the beginning of the cooperation.

"Both President Hu Jintao and President Mubarak praised this program as a model of Sino-Egyptian cooperation," Lin said.

China and Egypt established a strategic cooperation partnership in 1999, and bilateral trade reached around 6 billion U.S. dollars last year.
"This program began with the Egyptian Air Force's choosing of the K-8E aircraft to be their main training aircraft in replacement of the Czech L-29 Trainer," said Marshal Hamdy Waheba, head of Arab Organization for Industries during the celebration of the delivery.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Chinese Military Equipment in Angola.

Not news per se......
Angola mulls Chinese military deals
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gmU9VQ_xDYErwwsGwR1snJPe4Lug
(AFP)

LUANDA — Angola is considering asking the Chinese army and Chinese weapons companies for help in modernising its military, the chief of staff of the Angolan Armed Forces said Friday.

"Studies are under way into the re-equipping and the modernisation of our forces, with a view toward cooperation with the armed forces... and the defence industry in China," Francisco Furtado said on national radio after meeting with his Chinese counterpart Chen Bingde.

Chen was on his first visit to Angola to give about one million dollars (805,000 euros) worth of computer equipment to Luanda, and to discuss consolidating bilateral cooperation deals signed in 2008.

China is heavily involved in Angola's reconstruction after 27 years of civil war that ended in 2002.

The southern African country has already received at least five billion dollars in credit from Beijing -- repaid in oil -- but the World Bank believes up to eight billion dollars more has not been publicised.



Angola: Chinese Army Staff Chief Jets in

http://allafrica.com/stories/201005270121.html


Luanda — The Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, general Chen Bindge, arrived Wednesday in Luanda, for a four-day talks with the Angolan military authorities aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Chen Bindge, who is leading his country's delegation, was received at Luanda's "4 de Fevereiro" International airport by the chief of the main department for readiness of troops and military education of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), general Adriano Mackenzie, Chinese ambassador to Angola, Zhang Bindge, and respective military attachés.

According to the visiting programme, during his stay in Angola, the Chinese delegation will meet with Chief of General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), Army General Francisco Pereira Furtado and the Defence Minister, Cândido Van-Dunem.

Visits to some military units and official talks between representatives of both armies, are also part of the visiting programme of the Chinese military delegation which is visiting the country for the first time.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

071 LPD to the Gulf of Aden.

For the past six months a persistent rumor has been "floating" around suggesting that the PLAN is planning to send their largest surface combatant, the 071 Yuzhao LPD, to the Gulf of Aden to aid the on-going international anti-piracy operations.

This recent PLA Daily photograph (here) of a PLAN Z-8 helicopter pilot leaving his 1-year old son to "train for a long range" mission adds credence to the rumor. The only PLAN combat vessel capable of deploying two medium-sized helicopters is the Type 071 LPD.

Having a 20,000t Command and Control mother ship will not only enhance on-station time for the Chinese task force, its two Z-8's also have a significant range advantage over the lighter Z-9 and Ka-27 currently serving onboard the Chinese task force. The Z-9 is designed to drop a 4-member SpOps team to a distressed ship. On the other hand, the Z-8 is capable of delivering 20+ fully armed troops.


The recently spotted rocket/gun pods armed Z-8




Photos from the PLA Daily


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Civil "Golf" War.


Taiwan retired military officers launch golf tour in China: Liberty Times
Taiwan News, Staff Writer
2010-05-25 05:12 PM

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1266886&lang=eng_news&cate_img=logo_taiwan&cate_rss=TAIWAN_eng


The opposition DPP Legislator Chen Ting-fei noted yesterday that Taiwan’s national security will be exposed to immediate threats as more and more retired high-ranking military officers launch tours on China soil, which used to be the forbidden area for confidential concerns, according to Liberty Times report.

Reports said that a horde of retired military officers, led by former Admiral Huang Hsing-chiang, arrived in Nanjing, an ancient capital city in China history, to launch a tour combining friendly golf match with former officers of People's Liberation Army and a trip to Chung Shang Mausoleum, a memorial hall for Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China. Chen noted that the meetings between cross-strait military officers become normal because of vague attitudes of the ruling KMT. The government must do something to prevent secrets of national defense from leaking.

Responding to the grievances toward the trip, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) noted yesterday that the government hopes these retirees can restrain themselves for security concerns despite their civilian status.


Makes you wonder what they talk about during golf.............


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1057012/1/.html

Taiwan's ex-security chief confirms secret China channels

by Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) May 16, 2010

Taiwan's former security chief has confirmed for the first time that Taipei and Beijing used secret communications channels from 2008 as they worked to thaw glacial ties, it was reported Sunday.
Su Chi, who was chief of the National Security Council until earlier this year, said in an interview with the Taipei-based United Daily News that the sensitive channels helped build trust between the longtime foes.

He said the National Security Council did not talk directly to authorities on the mainland, but declined to provide details of the secret channels.

"In my office, there were no hotlines. I did not contact them directly. It would have been too risky."

Taiwan's ties with its giant neighbour have improved markedly since President Ma Ying-jeou came to power in 2008, pledging to boost trade links and allowing in more Chinese tourists.

Taiwan has governed itself since 1949 at the end of a civil war. However, Beijing still considers Taiwan part of its territory and maintains its right to use force should the island move to declare formal independence.

Monday, May 24, 2010

China to give Pakistan trainer aircraft, 60 mn yuan

2010-05-24 18:40:00

http://sify.com/news/china-to-give-pakistan-trainer-aircraft-60-mn-yuan-news-international-kfysEljiceh.html


China has agreed to provide four trainer aircraft to the Pakistan Air Force and 60 million yuan ($9 million) for training the country's armed forces.

An agreement to this effect was signed Monday by Pakistani Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar and his Chinese counterpart Gen. Liang Guangile, Online news agency reported.

Earlier, a 17-member defence delegation led by Liang called on Mukhtar and exchanged views on bilateral defence cooperation, the strategic situation in the region and Pakistan's anti-terror efforts.

Both sides agreed to further increase military cooperation and strategic communication at all levels to overcome the challenges being confronted by the two countries.

It was also decided to hold joint exercises to promote and increase interaction and ensure closer collaboration between the armed forces of the two countries, by the three forces of the two countries.

Liang assured his counterpart that China would continue to provide military and economic assistance to Pakistan so as to make it a stronger and prosperous country. He assured that his country would continue to support Pakistan's stance on different issues at every international forum.

Appreciating the unflinching support provided by China to Pakistan, Mukhtar said Pakistan was highly indebted to China for supporting Pakistan in difficult times and specially its role in developing and strengthening the defence sector.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Reflections on the recent Thai crackdown.

Images of the Norinco Type85 taking charge in the Thai army’s recent crack down on the “Red Shirt” protesters seem to echo the events of Tiananmen 22 years ago. And notice that some of the Thai troops sport imported Chinese combat helmets. However, arm chair political scientists must be careful when drawing parallels to Tiananmen. If there is one parallel, it is that both tragedies are being rewritten by all parties involved from the “experts” in Asia studies, to the students that took part, to the escaped “leaders” that continue to mike the event, to the outside “freedom fighters” and Internet warriors, and to the hardliner politicians from China and abroad. Of course the continuing Chinese government censorship regarding this topic won’t help in offering clarity on the debate.

I still remember the cause that led to June 4, 1989. And after 20 years, countless articles, memos, analyses, and books...my interpretation of the event has surprisingly remained unchanged.

There are those in China who are tempted to use the failure of the international community to condemn Thai's crack down as an example of a double standard. However, the Chinese government continues to fail in facing up to its role in the 1989 clash. They have no legs to stand on. And I hope folks realize that.












Saturday, May 22, 2010

More on Sino- Indonesia military relations.

According to the May 20th 2010 update of Jane's Defense Weekly, Indonesia took delivery of the Chinese QW-3 Missiles and issued them to the 463rd Battalion of the Indonesia Air Force Special Force Corp. The order was signed in August 2009 in augment of other Chinese made missiles procured in the past few years.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/05/22/indonesia-china-set-boost-military-relations.html-0


Indonesia, China set to boost military relations
Dicky Christanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 05/22/2010 1:14 PM | National


Indonesia on Friday offered China non-weapon military supplies and in return would consider buying Chinese-made missiles in a sign of improving ties between the two countries.

"We offered locally produced military uniforms, belts, berets, boots and many other military items and the Chinese have shown interest in the offer," Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro told a press conference on Friday after meeting with Chinese Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Gen. Guo Boxiong.

Apart from promoting supporting military apparel, Purnomo said, Indonesia also introduced its newest assault rifle, the SS-2.

China's 2.5 million-strong military is the largest in the world, Purnomo said. "It means a promising market for our supporting military equipment industry."

In return, he added, the ministry would consider purchasing Chinese-made C-802 guided missiles for the Indonesian Navy.

The C-802 is an upgrade to the C-705, which is still used by the Indonesian Navy.

Jakarta is hoping that China considers its offer to build the missiles in Indonesia and allow joint production to support Indonesia's intention to increase local components in its military industry.

Indonesian Deputy Defense Mi-nister Lt. Gen. Syafrie Syamsuddin, on a separate occasion, said the proposed arrangements should be viewed as a ramification of the consequences of the implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) that has greatly benefited China, which has flooded ASEAN states with cheap consumer goods.

"The talks are for our mutual benefits," he said.

Initiated in 2002, the ACFTA, was implemented this year. Under the ACFTA, commodities from both China and the 10 ASEAN member countries are no longer subject to import duty.

Syafrie added that the meeting between Chinese and Indonesian military leaders showed that China had realized that Indonesia played a pivotal role in safeguarding regional stability.

As for the plan, he said, both countries would hammer out the details in the near future.

"We will meet again by the end of the year."

Syafrie said other items were also discussed Friday, including military personnel exchange and joint exercises to tackle terrorism and piracy.

University of Indonesia international relations expert Makmur Keliat said the visit by the Chinese top brass was an indication that Indonesia-China relations continued to improve.

"The cooperation plans for Indonesia to sell supporting military equipment and to buy Chinese-made weapons should be seen as a good start to improving bilateral relations," he told The Jakarta Post.

Under Soeharto, bilateral relations were strained as the Soeharto regime voiced suspicions that China supported communist movements in Indonesia.


Friday, May 21, 2010

J-15 prototype spotted

A prototype of J-15 with arresting hook retracted beneath the redesigned tail cone has been spotted at Shanyang Aircraft Company (Here). With all the attention paid to the Naval Aviation building up recently, it might not be a coincidence that the PLAN is not building any more destroyers. They just don't have a bottomless funding as others have suggested.







Su-33 photo at similar angle for comparison:

China to train Indonesian pilots for Su-family fighters

It is difficult to argue that "China's military buildup stokes regional arms race" (here) when the very same region relies increasingly on China for arms.

China to train Indonesian pilots for Su-family fighters
http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100521/159101860.html

Indonesia and China have agreed to continue cooperation in training pilots for Russian-made Su-family fighters in service with the Indonesian air force, the Antara news agency said on Friday.

The agreement was reached during the current visit of the deputy chief of China's Central Military Commission Gen. Guo Boxiong to Jakarta.

According to the Indonesian military, ten Indonesian pilots have already undergone Sukhoi jet fighter simulation training in China and training courses for new pilots will start in the near future.

Under a $300 million contract, signed in 2007, Russia is expected to complete the delivery of three Su-30MK2 and three Su-27SKM fighters to Jakarta by the end of 2010 in addition to two Su-27SK and two Su-30MK fighters purchased in 2003.

China, which has a number of Su-family fighters in service and purchased a license on the production of 200 Su-27SK combat jets, has built several computer-assisted simulators to help train pilots for Su-family fighters.

Indonesia earlier said it needed at least one squadron equipped with 16 Sukhoi fighters to replace part of the outdated fleet of U.S. F-16 fighters.

JAKARTA, May 21 (RIA Novosti)

Thursday, May 20, 2010

J-7 Down.





A J-7 from the Jinan Airforce crashed on May 6th due to engine failure and killed its 28 year old pilot, Feng Siguan. Detailed PLA Daily article in Chinese is (here)













Beidou satellite navigation system to cover whole world in 2020

Beidou satellite navigation system to cover whole world in 2020

(Source: PLA Daily) 2010-05-20

  The reporter learned from the first China Satellite Navigation Annual Academic Conference held on May 19 that China would build the Beidou Satellite Navigation System covering the whole world in 2020.

  The satellite navigation system is an embodiment of a nation’s comprehensive strength, core competitiveness and technological innovation ability. After more than 10 years of efforts of the Chinese space scientific research personnel, the Beidou Satellite Navigation Experiment System entered the stage of steady progress of the launch and networking as well as system building in 2000, making China become the third country possessing an independent satellite navigation system following the U.S. and Russia.

  Qi Faren, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, introduced that China was developing the global satellite navigation system on its own following a “three-step” development strategy. Firstly, a small number of satellites in the geosynchronous orbit were involved to conduct experiments, so as to accumulate experience and expertise, cultivate talents and develop ground infrastructure equipment for the construction of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System. Secondly, the Beidou Satellite Navigation System covering China and the neighboring areas is to be built up by 2012. Thirdly, the global satellite navigation system consisting of 5 geostationary satellites and 30 non-geostationary satellites is to be built up by 2020 to ensure global coverage.

  With the successful application of the Beidou Satellite Navigation Experiment System which was completed in 2000 and put into operation in a multiple of fields of national economic construction and national security, the work for “step 1” has been accomplished. Currently, the development of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System is at the crucial stage of “step 2”.

  On January 17, 2010, the third Beidu navigation satellite was successfully sent to the predetermined orbit by the “Long March-3C” carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, symbolizing another important step forward in the building of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System.

  By Zou Weirong

Editor:Liu Wanyun

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Armored brigade carries out joint training with air force and SAF units

This news is significant because it confirms the tactical fire-support role of the ballistic missile in PLA's overall war doctrine. It grants the PLA ground force a long-range fire support option without having to control the air.


Armored brigade carries out joint training with air force and SAF units

(Source: PLA Daily) 2010-05-19

  Recently, the reporters saw on the comprehensive exercise ground of an armored brigade of the Chengdu Military Area Command (MAC) of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that the tank element requested firepower support from the aviation unit of the Air Force and the armored combat vehicles covered the missile combat vehicles in ambush.

  This is not a joint training organized by a theatre, but a joint training at the tactical level held by an armored brigade of the Chengdu MAC, a troop unit of the Air Force and a troop unit of the Second Artillery Force (SAF).

  The leader of the brigade introduced that it had been difficult to implement regularized joint training with brother troop units of different services mainly due to the fact that the standard and pattern of the command and communication systems of the participants were different. It was difficult to share the intelligence resources in the joint training and hard to realize joint command.

  To change this situation, after more than two months’ study, argumentation and data debugging, the brigade, the Air Force troop unit and the SAF troop unit developed the information platform for joint training and basically realized the joint command and control at the tactical level.

  The three parties formulated the annual joint training plan and established 8 mechanisms for the organization, examination and support of joint trainings to ensure the regularization of the joint training with a long-term mechanism.

  By Yu Xin and Ling Tao

Editor:Liu Wanyun

Monday, May 17, 2010

Looking for a good byline

The JH-7A shows off its impressive weapon load in the June 2010 edition of Modern Weaponry. However, calling this Anti-Ship Missile carrying platform China's new anti-terror weapon, as the title suggests, is a bit silly. Then again, who doesn't hate a terrorist?

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Season started already??

Last year, the PLA ground force demonstrated its new found military power in a number of large military exercises (here). What's in store for us this season?



ECC holds “Vanguard 2010” comprehensive exercise

(Source: PLA Daily) 2010-05-14

On the early morning of May 11, the “Vanguard 2010” exercise participated in by the graduating cadets of the Engineer Command College (ECC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) kicked off at a comprehensive tactics training base in the hinterland of east Anhui Province in east China. The graduation exercise is not only the grindstone for the quasi-officers before their assignment to their first posts but the touchstone to test the talent cultivation quality of military academies.

By setting joint operation under information-based conditions as the backdrop, the “Vanguard 2010” exercise took the implementation of engineering support task in mountain offensive operation by the engineer element as the theme. During the 15-day-long exercise, the directing group of the exercise set up nearly 20 subjects such as rush-repairing road, bridge-erection, command post establishment, road-opening, battlefield camouflage, sabotage in enemy’s rear, comprehensive minesweeping and field water supply.

During the exercise, the ECC invited electronics element with electronic interference devices of the neighboring troop unit to implement electromagnetic interference. And during the operation, meal time and camping, the cadets encountered harassments from the “enemy”. It is said that such new-type equipment as the multi-purpose wheeled engineering vehicle, tank assault bridge, explosive and mine clearing vehicle to employed to equip the troops in recent years all appeared on the exercise ground.

By Li Xiaofeng and Liu Feng’an

Editor:Dong Zhaohui


















2nd Type 071

It's safe to say the second 071 is under construction.
* Thanks hmmwv for the photo analysis.

Friday, May 14, 2010

ZTZ 99U (U for Ugly)

No matter what its designation is, this Type99 variant sure is ugly.



PLAN’s Xia submarine to Pakistan??

Here is a nice summer reading.... according to Commander Muhammad Azam Khan, Pakistan Navy (Retired)'s latest article published in the summer issue of The US Naval War College Review. "Options for the Pakistan Navy", leasing of a Xia class SSBN to the Pakistan Navy is a "viable choice"

Wow, a tall order by any standard.

http://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/cc6209f2-7f01-4bb7-ac24-8c301c62f015/S-2--Options-for-the-Pakistan-Navy

Quote:

The once slowly expanding military ties between Beijing and Islamabad have now matured into a strategic partnership, as is evident from local production of the JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter, the Al-Khalid tank, and F-22P frigates.This partnership is further evidenced by the PLAN’s regular participation in the large multinational AMAN series of exercises hosted by the Pakistan Navy. Pakistan’s strategic community and Beijing could plan the training and subsequent lease of a nuclear-powered submarine.

The PLAN’s Xia submarine could be an appropriate start. A pool of selected Pakistan Navy officers could be trained to operate an SSBN, with theoretical/academic work ashore followed by operational training at sea and finally a strategic deployment. Though such a plan seems ambitious and the PLA Navy’s SSBNs rarely prowl far, this remains a viable choice that would serve the two countries well strategically.
End quote

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Chinese Naval J-10 Spotted in the open

Just days after the Chinese Naval J-11 was spotted in the open (here)(here) so too was the naval J-10.