Adm. concerned about China military buildup

[unhappycamper]

Adm. concerned about China military buildup
JEREMIAH MARQUEZ - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Oct 30, 2009 8:02:37 EDT

HONG KONG — A U.S. Navy admiral expressed new concern Friday over China’s military buildup and urged Beijing to be clearer about its intentions.

With China’s military growing at an “unprecedented rate” — spending was up almost 15 percent in the 2009 budget — the U.S. wants to ensure that expansion doesn’t destabilize the region, Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan told reporters on a visit to the Chinese territory of Hong Kong.

“When we see a military growing at that rate, we’re interested in transparency and the understanding of the uses of that military,” said Donegan, commander of the George Washington aircraft carrier strike group, a key part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Donegan’s comments come as a top Chinese general visits the United States on a mission to strengthen trust between the two militaries and dispel U.S. concerns about the growth of the People’s Liberation Army.

Xu Caihou, the PLA’s second-highest ranking officer, told President Barack Obama on Wednesday that ties between the two countries’ militaries play “an important role in enhancing strategic mutual trust and deepening their pragmatic cooperation,” according to Chinese media reports.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/10/ap_china_military_103009/



unhappycamper comment: Hey Kevin! The military is designed to kill people.