States of Matter

Google vs. PRC

2010-01-17T05:39:00.000-08:00

Internet giant Google threatened this week to stop cooperating with Chinese censorship and exit China, according to a NY Times 12 January 2010 article. The move was prompted by cyber attacks, apparently originating in the PRC, on 34 companies.

China Trains Carrier Pilots

2008-09-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

China has begun training the first 50 cadets for its projected carrier fleet, according to a 19 September 2008 The Indian Express article.

The article further states that the Kiev class carrier has been named the Shilang and is being fitted with a Chinese power plant. The article states that Indian sources believe the carrier will never be fully capable of combat operations, and will only be a training platform. US sources are reported to have said the PRC cannot have "an operational, domestically-produced aircraft carrier before 2015".

Other sources such as Naval-Technology.com indicate that the Varyag is considerably larger (Kuznetsov class, 58,500 ton compared to 40,400 ton)than the Kiev class. The larger Kuznetsovs can carry high performance aircraft such as the Sukhoi SU-27 instead of the V/STOL YAK-38 used by the Kievs.

Aussies Contemplate F-35

2008-04-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

A 28 April 2008 story from The Australian reports a confidential report to Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon is expected to suggest the F-35 multi-role aircraft to replace a mix of F-18 Hornets and the aging F-111 attack bombers after 2010.

China is likely to become the predominant air power in Asia in the next 30 years.

U.S. Troops in Taiwan?

2008-04-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

A 23 April 2008 Taipei Times article reports at least the suggestion that U.S. Marines might be stationed at the American Institute in Taiwan headquarters in Neihu, Taipei City.

U.S. military forces have been absent from Taiwan since 1979.

Chinese Electric Cars

2008-04-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Electric and hybrid cars are difficult to sell in China, according to a 21 April 2008 Wall Street Journal story. The problem is the high prices of the environmentally friendly cars. The Toyota Prius, which sells for about $21,000 in the U.S., sells for almost double that amount in China.

Vietnamese Satellite Launched

2008-04-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

A Lockheed-Martin built communications satellite, Vinasat-1, was launched 18 April according to a 19 April 2008 story from Bloomberg. The satellite was launched from French Guiana on a rocket built by the French company Arianespace. It is intended to remove dependence on ground stations for television and wireless communications for rural communities.

U.S. Shipped Nuclear Fuses to Taiwan

2008-03-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

The Pentagon announced today that it had accidentally shipped four electrical fuses for MK-12 nuclear warheads to Taiwan, according to a 26 March 2008 NY Times story.
The U.S. claimed that the shipment should have contained helicopter batteries, and that the fuses have been returned unopened.

Singapore Opposes Taiwan Independence

2007-12-30T10:53:00.000-08:00

A 25 December 2007 article from the Straits Times reports that Singapore officially opposes Taiwan's attempt to gain UN recognition as an independent country. Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has used the United States' stance as proof that the international community does not support recognizing Taiwan as an independent country.

US, China Energy Dispute

2007-12-05T10:40:00.000-08:00

The United States and China are each seeking concessions from the other for reduction of greenhouse-causing emissions, according to a 4 December 2007 story from Bloomberg. Delegates from 187 countries have met in Bali for a two-week conference to create a timeline for replacing the 1997 Kyoto Accord.

China claims that its developing industrial status should preclude acceptance of any mandated limit, while the U.S. says emissions limits will handicap its competitiveness.

The United States uses more energy than any other country, followed by China. The Kyoto Accord set no goals for China, and was not ratified by the U.S.

Japan Considers Stealth Fighter Program

2007-11-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

Improvements on Japan's F-15 fleet are being led by Mitsubishi, according to a 26 November 2007 story by Flight International. Tokyo plans on ordering new fighter aircraft, and has requested information about the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Boeing F-15 and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Japan is most interested in the F-22, which incorporates stealth technology, but the U.S. is refusing to release information. This has resulted in a Japanese study of stealth technology. This might ultimately develop plans for the first indigenous fighter in almost 30 years. Some suggest the study might actually be designed to force the U.S. to release the desired F-22 information.

Pictures of the ATD-X were leaked to the press in August. It bears a strong resemblance to the F-22.

Pictures from the Moon

2007-11-27T11:15:00.000-08:00

On 26 November 2007, China released pictures from its lunar probe Chang'e I, according to The Washington Post. There are claims that the PRC plans a manned space station and manned lunar landing by 2020.

PRC Solicits High-Tech Industry

2007-11-20T13:11:00.000-08:00

The Washington Post reported on 16 November that China is attempting to make Dalian a mecca for high technology industry. The article says over 230 foreign companies have set up businesses in the city over the last decade, lured by tax breaks, attractive worker wages, and other incentives. In 2007 ground was broken for a $2.5 billion Intel Corp. factory and a $6.5 billion nuclear power plant.

Taiwan Pushes for UN Membership

2007-11-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

The United States is reacting with displeasure to continued efforts by Taiwan to gain membership into the United Nations. The Republic of China lost its UN seat to the People's Republic of China in 1971. Efforts to regain a seat in the body since that time under the name Taiwan have been blocked by the PRC.

18 U.S. Republican congressmen and 1 Democrat introduced a bill to the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 8 November 2007 that supported Taiwan's UN ambitions.

Probe Enters Lunar Orbit

2007-11-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

According to the Associated Press, China said its lunar satellite Chang'e 1 entered an orbit 125 miles from the moon 7 November 2007. Chang'e 1 is scheduled to remain in lunar orbit for a year.

In related news, China will be opening its space program to private funding.

Chinese Toys Recalled

2007-11-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

Aqua Dots, craft beads that fuse together when sprayed with water, were recalled 7 November 2007 by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Two US children have been hospitalized and are in comas after ingesting the beads, which apparently release gamma hydroxy butyrate.

Gates in China

2007-11-05T09:33:00.000-08:00

Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in China 4 November 2007. According to the NY Times, he is expected to discuss Chinese ties to Iran, a US to China telephone hotline, and the recent PRC ASAT test.

PRC Gets Hacked Back

2007-11-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

Fox News reported on 4 September 2007 that Chinese hackers had penetrated a noncritical US DoD site in June. No direct link to the PRC could be proven, but the claim was that the technology was sophisticated enough to implicate a state sponsor.

The Financial Times claimed in a 3 September 2007 story that Defense Secretary Robert Gates' office was targeted. FT also reported another Pentagon source claimed the exact source of the attack was known.

The Taipei Times reported on 1 November 2007 that the Chinese Global Times complained that Lee Fang-Jung, purportedly an agent of the Taiwanese, had carried out recent hacking attacks against the PRC.

Fuel Prices Rise

2007-11-01T14:52:00.001-07:00

Bloomberg reported that Chinese fuel prices rose by up to ten percent on 1 November 2007. Chinese fuel prices have been regulated, which has led to a third-quarter loss by Sinopec (China Petroleum).

Chinese fuel retailers can sell from eight percent above to eight percent below state-mandated levels. China is the world's second-largest energy market.

Sell Arms to Taiwan

2007-10-28T20:24:00.000-07:00

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission has almost finished a report urging the Bush Administration to approve arms sales to Taiwan, according to a Taipei Times article. Taiwan is currently attempting to purchase 66 F-16 C/D fighter airplanes.

The report will also suggest joint US/Taiwanese military exercises.

China at the Top

2007-10-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

President Hu Chintao was reappointed as chairman by the Communist Party Central Committee on Monday 22 October 2007.

Taiwan has no Nukes

2007-10-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

Taiwan News Online reported 21 October 2007 that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said Taiwan had no missiles or plans to develop them. Prompted by accusations from Su Chi (蘇起), who claimed Chen had ordered the Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) to develop the nuclear weapons, Chen said, "there is no nuclear missile in Taiwan" and that his administration "is not going to develop any nuclear missiles."

Annual Report to Congress

2007-10-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Military Power of the People's Republic of China, 2007.

US Investigates Chinese Helicopter Engines

2007-10-25T10:32:00.000-07:00

Canadian-made engines have been used in China's first domestically developed attack helicopter, according to a 23 October 2007 Reuters story. The PT6 engine was developed over 40 years ago. United Technologies Corp in Canada said that the engines were sold to be used on the civilian version of the aircraft, with a Chinese version to be used in the military helicopters. The Chinese claimed delays in developing their own engine caused the Canadian-built units to be used.

Welcome

2007-10-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

This space will be devoted to one of my great interests, Sino-American relations, with a special focus on forecasting potential threats. I hope this will be informative and useful for you.

Regards,

John R. Shirley