Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
U.S. says watching China's naval expansion closely
| International
|
My Profile
Top News
Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Subscribe
You are here:
Home
>
News
>
International
>
Article
Home
Business & Finance
News
U.S.
Politics
International
Technology
Entertainment
Sports
Lifestyle
Oddly Enough
Environment
Health
Science
Special Coverage
Video
Pictures
Your View
The Great Debate
Blogs
Weather
Reader Feedback
Do More With Reuters
RSS
Widgets
Mobile
Podcasts
Newsletters
Your View
Make Reuters My Homepage
Partner Services
CareerBuilder
Affiliate Network
Professional Products
Support (Customer Zone)
Reuters Media
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
U.S. says watching China's naval expansion closely
Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:32pm EDT
Email | Print |
Share
| Reprints | Single Page
[-]
Text
[+]
By Ben Blanchard
BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States would like to have a better idea about the intentions behind China's naval build-up, a senior U.S. navy officer said on Sunday, but downplayed worries over Chinese plans for an aircraft carrier.
"The advancement and the growth of the PLA Navy is consistent with China's economic advancement and its role in a globalized world," U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead told a news conference in Beijing.
"I think it is important however that as we create a naval capability, indeed any military capability, that there should be clear communications with regard to what the intentions of that capability are," he added.
"That's why visits like mine are important," Roughead said, ahead of a trip to the northern port city of Qingdao to attend celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army's navy.
The United States has long complained that China's increased military spending lacks transparency, charges Beijing denies.
This year's U.S. Defense Department annual report on Chinese military capabilities said China was making advances in denying outsiders access to offshore areas and was improving its nuclear, space and cyber warfare capabilities.
This week a Chinese admiral told state media that China would accelerate development of warships, stealth submarines and long-range missiles as the country makes a stronger navy a priority in military modernization.
Chinese media have also highlighted the government's hopes to build an aircraft carrier, seen as the badge of a mature ocean-going power, prompting concern in the region about China's military ambitions and how that could alter the balance of power.
"There has been no doubt in my mind that the acquisition of an aircraft carrier and carrier aviation was something that was clearly an ambition and an objective of the PLA Navy," Roughead said.
"The advent of an aircraft carrier on the part of the PLA Navy to me really doesn't change the nature of our operations at all," he added. "The real issue is: how are those aircraft carriers used, and what is the intent of that capability?"
Tensions between the United States and China rose last month over an incident in the South China Sea in which five Chinese ships jostled with the Impeccable, U.S. Navy surveillance vessel.
The United States said its ship was in international waters. But Beijing said the U.S. ship was in the wrong and Chinese naval officers argued that it violated their country's sovereignty.
"It's important that we adhere to international law even though there may be some different interpretations. We must continue to operate in accordance with the rules of the road ... and most importantly that we operate safely," Roughead said.
Still, the admiral said he wanted greater cooperation with China in areas like search and rescue and humanitarian missions, highlighting joint efforts to combat piracy in the seas off Somalia.
"The opportunity for our navies to work together against the threat of piracy is very important," he added.
(Editing by Jeremy Laurence)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Share:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Mixx
Yahoo!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Next Article:
France arrests ETA military chief
Also on Reuters
Video
Video: Reading the economic signs
Yahoo and Microsoft approach endgame on search
Volkswagen may oust Toyota as world leader
More International News
U.S. drone hits militant camp in Pakistan
| Video
Eight killed in Mexico in foiled drug gang rescue
U.S. and Venezuela work to mend ties
U.S. will boycott U.N. conference on racism
Thai emergency rule to stay for now: PM
More International News...
Editor's Choice
Slideshow
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow
Most Popular on Reuters
Articles
Video
U.S. will boycott U.N. conference on racism
Madonna suffers minor injuries in fall from horse
Playboy names University of Miami top U.S. party school
Citi trade profitable but now tough to execute
Geithner sees no new banking crisis: report
Delta stops using India call centers: report
Obama a hit as Americas Summit drawing to close | Video
UPDATE 1-US regulators close American Sterling Bank
Obama says he'll cut dozens of wasteful programs
Burger King to scrap ad after complaint
Most Popular Articles RSS Feed
Video
Obama reaches out to Cuba
Obama and Chavez shake hands
Susan Boyle: Unlikely pop star
Iran shows off its military might
Zimbabwe Independence Day
Thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations?
Red Cross hostage rescued
UK Tamils protest against Sri Lanka
Tree in lung mystery
Obama arrives at Americas summit
Most Popular Videos RSS Feed
The Great Debate
World Affairs:
Arabia's knowledge gap
Bernd Debusmann
Education is a tempting target for budget cutters in times of financial distress, but in the Arab world an education drive without parallel is taking place. Commentary
Reuters Deals
The global destination for corporate leaders, deal-makers and innovators
Knowledge to Act
Reuters.com:
Help and Contact Us |
Advertise With Us |
Mobile |
Newsletters |
RSS |
Interactive TV |
Labs |
Archive |
Site Index |
Video Index
Thomson Reuters Corporate:
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Professional Products |
Professional Products Support |
About Thomson Reuters |
Careers
International Editions:
Africa |
Arabic |
Argentina |
Brazil |
Canada |
China |
France |
Germany |
India |
Italy |
Japan |
Latin America |
Mexico |
Russia |
Spain |
United Kingdom |
United States
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Sunday, 19 April 2009 NATO frees pirate hostages, Belgian ship seized
| International
|
Iran jails U.S.-Iranian reporter for 8 years
| International
|
Suicide car-bomber kills 27 in Pakistan
| International
|
ETA military chief arrested in France: Spanish source
| International
|
Mugabe, Tsvangirai show rare unity in ceremony
| International
|
Thousands protest widening Turkish coup plot probe
| International
|
Iran says its military might help regional security
| International
|
Opposition attacks ANC in last rallies before vote
| International
|
Afghan quake survivors struggling without aid
| International
|
Pirate Bay's fileshare four get year in jail
| Technology
|
Bai Ling cranks up moonstruck life for High Voltage
| Entertainment
|
Three dead in suspected US strike in Pakistan
Afghan army grapples with shortages
Shells hit Baghdad's Green Zone after 3-month lull
U.S. drone hits militant camp in Pakistan
| International
|
New-look auto sector could emerge from crisis
Iran jails U.S.-Iranian reporter for 8 years
US vastly expands its DNA databases
Palestinian teen killed by Israeli troops
Eight killed in Mexico in foiled drug gang rescue
| International
|
France, Spanish police arrest ETA chief, 8 others
U.S. and Venezuela work to mend ties
| International
|
Thousands protest widening Turkish coup plot probe
Obama to convene cabinet to cut govt spending
U.S. will boycott U.N. conference on racism
| International
|
Israel primed to strike Iran nuclear sites: report
Thai emergency rule to stay for now: PM
| International
|
China PM Wen reassures over economy
Iran urges regional peace on Army Day
Palestinian driver injures two Israeli policemen
U.S. says watching China's naval expansion closely
| International
|
Turkey pledges to help train Somali armed forces
China extends help to Hong Kong during economic crisis
| International
|
Congress considers major global warming measure
Iran jails US reporter for eight years
US-TECH Summary
US family of 5 killed in apparent murder-suicide
Samsung display unit sees robust smartphone growth
| Technology
|
US 'will not join' anti-racism conference
Venezuela's Chavez to restore ambassador in US
US to boycott United Nations racism meeting
British watchdog wants post-G20 debate on policing
Obama disappointed by reporter's Iran sentencing
Lawyer: Iran convicts US journalist of spying
France arrests top ETA leader: Spanish radio
Senator says spy case `miscarriage of justice'
Royal apologises again for Sarkozy comments
G8, G5 farm ministers meet on food crisis
London police face new G20 protest claim
Belgian ship seized as Dutch thwart pirate attack
Pope to visit quake-hit L'Aquila
2 Koreas to hold first dialogue in a year
Suspected US missiles kill 3 in NW Pakistan
Thai PM says emergency rule to stay for now
Madonna suffers minor injuries in fall from horse
| Entertainment
|
15 suspicious deaths in China jails in 2009 alone
Moderate quake rattles China's northwest
Thai PM calls for calm after unrest
Sri Lanka: More than 2,800 flee war zone
Vietnam top official on Japan visit
Australia joins UN racism conference boycott
Macau casinos' luck begins to turn
SKorean ex-leader's aide arrested over corruption
Asian carriers shaken by plunge in premium travel
US admiral hails China anti-piracy cooperation
Hobbled US giants face China carmakers in Shanghai
Shanghai auto expo: showdown for global automakers
S.Korea March start-up/failure ratio at 8-mth high
Russia's ruling duo fete Orthodox Easter
Jackie Chan's China comments prompt backlash
Violence down, curtain up for Kashmir theatre
Circus cats play guitar, tap bells, ride skateboard
Israeli settlers claim Golan Heights 'forever'
'Housewives' cast gathers to bid Sheridan adieu
Battling the anti-celluloid tide in Syria
Eleven confirmed dead in Indonesia plane crash
French 'wine terrorists' take aim at foreign imports
Decades after the MGs, Booker T takes center stage
Buraka Som Sistema gets Coachella crowd jumping
NATO forces foil attack on Norwegian tanker
| International
|
Iraq parliament gets speaker after months of discord
Australia, Netherlands join U.N. race meeting boycott
| International
|
Pakistan must do more to fight Taliban: U.S. commander
| International
|
Taliban militants kill five policemen: official
Afghanistan eyes doubling police force
| International
|
Germany's Infineon needs state guarantees
UAE arrests suspect in Lebanon's Hariri murder: report
| International
|
Boeing, Dassault and Saab court Brazil plane deal
Two Koreas to meet on industrial park amid tension
| International
|
Iraq parliament gets speaker after months of discord
| International
|
Military leader and other ETA suspects arrested
| International
|
Jobs, crime keep South African expats away from home
| International
|
End of Cuba embargo 'way down the road'
Eyeing diners, restaurants take to Twitter
Eyeing diners, restaurants take to Twitter
| Technology
|
Joint operation thwarted new ETA attack: Spain
Norwegian tanker hijack bid foiled in Gulf of Aden
Boredom, hunger and fear for pirates' hostages
Sri Lanka: 17 rebels dead in clashes to clear road
China to build new panda breeding center
Pakistan: Suspected US missiles kill 3, wound 5
N.Korea renews threat to 'bolster nuclear deterrent'
Indonesia, Australia to cooperate on migrants
2 Koreas to hold first dialogue in a year
South Korean president calls for end of corruption
SKorea accepts North's rare talks offer
Philippines worried about ailing Italian hostage
Jackie Chan's China comments prompt backlash
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights