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From economic threat, the US now labels China as main threat to security
KUALA LUMPUR (October 2017): Within a fortnight, the US twice accused China of being a threat to their interests and, also implying, to the rest of the world.
First, on Sept 13, 2017, the online news portal Amercian Security Project (ASP) reported that China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative is an ambitious strategy challenging the US - stopping short of saying that it is a strategic threat to American interests.
This was followed by US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Joseph Dunford who accused China as a main threat to security, as reported by ASIA TIMES on Sept 26, 2017.
Now, I Love Malaysia-China Silk Road wants to ask two questions:
Ø Just who threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea in an address at a United Nations (UN) summit?; and
Ø Who has waged and engaged in the most number of wars with other nations in history in this planet?
And, now the US wants the UN and the rest of the world to support and go to war with North Korea? Has the US gone insane?
While China has already imposed some sanctions against North Korea to tame the reclusive state, China has also continued to call for a diplomatic solution to the growing Korean peninsula security tensions.
So, who’s the one waging for war again? Who’s the threat to the rest of the world?
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We wonder whether the US has become paranoid with China’s growing global economic and military progress in Asia and the rest of the world.
Or, are the US just plain jealous of China’s success and the urgent need to demonise China to the rest of the world?
What is clear is that the US has been spending billions of dollars and time on wars, focusing on propagating their global economic and military agenda.
The US lost its focus on science and technology while China progressed by leaps and bounds, thereby building global confidence in investors and sovereign states.
Yes. China’s global economic might is unquestionable today, and its military presence in Asia has over shadowed the US.
These are the real reasons why the US is now demonising China globally in a bid to stop China in its tracks. The US are also unable to match China in terms of mutual economic planning for the rest of the world.
And, that is the reason for China’s multi-billion-dollar One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative to promote trans-border culture, trade and business.
Read on how the Americans are now fighting among themselves and trying to influence the UN to wage new wars with others:
"
DEFENSEUNITED STATES
US military chief Dunford: China is main threat to security
The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff set out new US military strategies and policies toward China and Asia in a senate hearing
By BILL GERTZ SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 11:17 AM (UTC+8)
China was identified this week as posing the most significant long-term military challenge to the United States by America’s senior-most military leader, as he set out new US military strategies and policies toward China and Asia more generally in a congressional hearing.
Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, also revealed in the hearing, before senate, that he had informed China last summer of US plans to use military force against North Korea.
Dunford was asked to rank various military threats and identified nuclear missile-armed North Korea as presenting an “immediate” threat, with Russia and China posing potential dangers based on their growing nuclear arsenals.
“We don’t actually have the luxury of identifying a single threat today, unfortunately, nor, necessarily, to look at it in a linear fashion,” Dunford said.
The four-star Marine Corps general then went on to say that, over the longer term, China represents the most significant danger, overshadowing the nuclear and cyber power of Moscow.
“If I look out to 2025, and I look at the demographics and the economic situation, I think China probably poses the greatest threat to our nation by about 2025, and that’s consistent with much of our analysis,” Dunford said.
The comments echoed those of CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who said in July that he believes China is the most significant regional security threat. “I think China has the capacity to present the greatest rivalry to America… over the medium and long term,” he said.
“[In 2000] we had a significant competitive advantage in our ability to project power when and where needed to advance our national interest. I can’t say that today”
The Chinese military buildup of missiles, warships, submarines and aircraft, along with cyber-warfare and other non-kinetic tools of warfare, is aimed at limiting the United States’ ability to project power and also to weaken American alliances in the Pacific.
China has closely studied US warfare weapons and tactics and has developed both arms and strategies that will enable its weaker forces to defeat US military forces in a future conflict, he said, adding that the gap has been closed between the two militaries over the last decade and a half.
In 2000, “we had a significant competitive advantage in our ability to project power when and where needed to advance our national interest,” Dunford said. “I can’t say that today. We are challenged in our ability to project power, both to Europe and in the Pacific, as a result of those threats.”
Dunford outlined how the military is backstopping President Donald Trump’s attempts to press the North Korean regime of Kim Jong-un to give up its nuclear arms.
Government analysts put forth the pessimistic view that Kim will not give up his nuclear and missile arsenal because those weapons are inextricably linked to his survival. The analysts also assessed that China will not co-operate with the United States in seeking Korean Peninsula denuclearization.
Dunford said US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is testing both assumptions, realizing that the alternatives – a second Korean war – are extremey dire.
“We’re at the phase now where implementation of the sanctions is going to determine whether or not we have a peaceful solution to denuclearization on the peninsula,” Dunford said.
Military options have been drawn up and placed before Trump for consideration if the campaign of economic and diplomatic pressure fails.
Dunford said he had traveled to China in August and delivered that stark message to the Chinese, which has a defense alliance with North Korea.
The chairman also disclosed that Pacific forces had adopted a new policy toward American warship passage near disputed Asian islands claimed by China.
In February, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis rejected the military’s piecemeal approach to freedom of navigation, which depended on approval through a bureaucratic process that limited passage.
The new Mattis policy was described by Dunford as a “full strategy that lays this thing out now for a long period of time and talks about the strategic effect we’re trying to achieve.”
The new policy will include regional allies in freedom of navigation operations and will become “routine and regular.”
Three American warship drills have been carried out so far this year, drawing the ire of China, which declared each to be a violation of Chinese sovereignty. Chinese warships shadowed the US destroyers during the activities.
“That’s what we’re implementing right now, a strategic approach to freedom of navigation operations that does in fact support our overall strategy in the Pacific, as well as the specific mission, which is, to ensure that we fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows,” Gen. Dunford said. “And we continue to validate those claims where we see international airspace for that matter, or the maritime domain.”
Dunford also expressed concern about China’s growing space warfare capabilities, including the development of satellite-killing missiles and multiple tests of high technology weapons.
“That’s what we’re implementing right now, a strategic approach to freedom of navigation operations […] to ensure that we fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows”
“When we fielded the current space capabilities, we didn’t field them with resilience to the current threat in mind,” he said.
The 500 US satellites that are strategic assets – used in both military and civilian communications and navigation, as well as intelligence and weapons-guiding – are vulnerable to attack from the Chinese, as well as by anti-satellite weapons being developed by Russia and North Korea.
To counter these threats, the US military is bolstering space defenses by building replacement satellites and improving launch capabilities. Commercial satellites also may be used to back up defense intelligence satellites.
On the US pivot to Asia launched by two previous American administrations, Dunford said the shift in focus toward Asia and the movement of forces is continuing.
Steps include positioning advanced warships, aircraft and drones to the region and bolstering nuclear deterrence in a bid to reassure regional allies.
In written policy statements to the Senate Armed Services Committee, to which Dunford testified on September 26, the chairman also noted China’s willingness to use economic leverage to advance the Communist Party of China’s political objectives in the region.
“As China’s military modernization continues, the United States and its allies and partners will continue to be challenged to balance China’s influence,” he stated.
The key to backing allies and limiting Chinese regional hegemony will be sustaining the US military presence and strengthening regional security partnerships “to help allies and partners stand up to Chinese coercive behavior,” he stated, adding that the military is unilaterally continuing to build capabilities aimed at countering Beijing’s improving military forces. – ASIA TIMES
POLITICS
WHITE HOUSE
SEP 21 2017, 8:01 AM ET
Trump Threatens to ‘Totally Destroy’ North Korea in First U.N. Speech
by ALI VITALI
UNITED NATIONS — President Donald Trump, in his first address to the United Nations, derided Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader, as a “rocket man” on Tuesday as the president warned that he may be forced to "totally destroy" the rogue nation.
"If the righteous many do not confront the wicked few, then evil will triumph," Trump said, as he detailed the horrors of what he called the "depraved" North Korean regime.
"Rocket man is on a suicide mission," he said, using a nickname for Kim that refers to the North Korean leader's recent missile tests.
"The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea."
Trump threatens to 'totally destroy' North Korea in UN speech
The North Korean ambassador to the U.N. walked out before Trump's speech started.
Trump’s remarks to the world body come amid sharply escalating tensions between the U.S. and North Korea. Both the president and Defense Secretary James Mattis have said all options are on the table for dealing with the threat from North Korea.
While the U.S. could take military action, Trump urged the U.N. to join togetherin curtailing North Korea's nuclear efforts.
"We meet at a time of both immense promise and great peril," Trump said, issuing a call to action that hinged on the responsibility of governments to their citizens.
"As president of the United States, I will always put America first," he said in a phrase reminiscent of one of his key presidential campaign slogans.
And Trump urged other leaders to do likewise and always "put your countries first."
Or, are the US just plain jealous of China’s success and the urgent need to demonise China to the rest of the world?
What is clear is that the US has been spending billions of dollars and time on wars, focusing on propagating their global economic and military agenda.
The US lost its focus on science and technology while China progressed by leaps and bounds, thereby building global confidence in investors and sovereign states.
Yes. China’s global economic might is unquestionable today, and its military presence in Asia has over shadowed the US.
These are the real reasons why the US is now demonising China globally in a bid to stop China in its tracks. The US are also unable to match China in terms of mutual economic planning for the rest of the world.
And, that is the reason for China’s multi-billion-dollar One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative to promote trans-border culture, trade and business.
Read on how the Americans are now fighting among themselves and trying to influence the UN to wage new wars with others:
"
 |
| General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. on September 26, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Aaron P. Bernstein |
US military chief Dunford: China is main threat to security
The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff set out new US military strategies and policies toward China and Asia in a senate hearing
By BILL GERTZ SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 11:17 AM (UTC+8)
China was identified this week as posing the most significant long-term military challenge to the United States by America’s senior-most military leader, as he set out new US military strategies and policies toward China and Asia more generally in a congressional hearing.
Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, also revealed in the hearing, before senate, that he had informed China last summer of US plans to use military force against North Korea.
Dunford was asked to rank various military threats and identified nuclear missile-armed North Korea as presenting an “immediate” threat, with Russia and China posing potential dangers based on their growing nuclear arsenals.
“We don’t actually have the luxury of identifying a single threat today, unfortunately, nor, necessarily, to look at it in a linear fashion,” Dunford said.
The four-star Marine Corps general then went on to say that, over the longer term, China represents the most significant danger, overshadowing the nuclear and cyber power of Moscow.
“If I look out to 2025, and I look at the demographics and the economic situation, I think China probably poses the greatest threat to our nation by about 2025, and that’s consistent with much of our analysis,” Dunford said.
The comments echoed those of CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who said in July that he believes China is the most significant regional security threat. “I think China has the capacity to present the greatest rivalry to America… over the medium and long term,” he said.
“[In 2000] we had a significant competitive advantage in our ability to project power when and where needed to advance our national interest. I can’t say that today”
The Chinese military buildup of missiles, warships, submarines and aircraft, along with cyber-warfare and other non-kinetic tools of warfare, is aimed at limiting the United States’ ability to project power and also to weaken American alliances in the Pacific.
China has closely studied US warfare weapons and tactics and has developed both arms and strategies that will enable its weaker forces to defeat US military forces in a future conflict, he said, adding that the gap has been closed between the two militaries over the last decade and a half.
In 2000, “we had a significant competitive advantage in our ability to project power when and where needed to advance our national interest,” Dunford said. “I can’t say that today. We are challenged in our ability to project power, both to Europe and in the Pacific, as a result of those threats.”
Dunford outlined how the military is backstopping President Donald Trump’s attempts to press the North Korean regime of Kim Jong-un to give up its nuclear arms.
Government analysts put forth the pessimistic view that Kim will not give up his nuclear and missile arsenal because those weapons are inextricably linked to his survival. The analysts also assessed that China will not co-operate with the United States in seeking Korean Peninsula denuclearization.
Dunford said US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is testing both assumptions, realizing that the alternatives – a second Korean war – are extremey dire.
“We’re at the phase now where implementation of the sanctions is going to determine whether or not we have a peaceful solution to denuclearization on the peninsula,” Dunford said.
Military options have been drawn up and placed before Trump for consideration if the campaign of economic and diplomatic pressure fails.
 |
| General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 26, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Aaron P. Bernstein |
The chairman also disclosed that Pacific forces had adopted a new policy toward American warship passage near disputed Asian islands claimed by China.
In February, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis rejected the military’s piecemeal approach to freedom of navigation, which depended on approval through a bureaucratic process that limited passage.
The new Mattis policy was described by Dunford as a “full strategy that lays this thing out now for a long period of time and talks about the strategic effect we’re trying to achieve.”
The new policy will include regional allies in freedom of navigation operations and will become “routine and regular.”
Three American warship drills have been carried out so far this year, drawing the ire of China, which declared each to be a violation of Chinese sovereignty. Chinese warships shadowed the US destroyers during the activities.
“That’s what we’re implementing right now, a strategic approach to freedom of navigation operations that does in fact support our overall strategy in the Pacific, as well as the specific mission, which is, to ensure that we fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows,” Gen. Dunford said. “And we continue to validate those claims where we see international airspace for that matter, or the maritime domain.”
Dunford also expressed concern about China’s growing space warfare capabilities, including the development of satellite-killing missiles and multiple tests of high technology weapons.
“That’s what we’re implementing right now, a strategic approach to freedom of navigation operations […] to ensure that we fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows”
“When we fielded the current space capabilities, we didn’t field them with resilience to the current threat in mind,” he said.
The 500 US satellites that are strategic assets – used in both military and civilian communications and navigation, as well as intelligence and weapons-guiding – are vulnerable to attack from the Chinese, as well as by anti-satellite weapons being developed by Russia and North Korea.
To counter these threats, the US military is bolstering space defenses by building replacement satellites and improving launch capabilities. Commercial satellites also may be used to back up defense intelligence satellites.
On the US pivot to Asia launched by two previous American administrations, Dunford said the shift in focus toward Asia and the movement of forces is continuing.
Steps include positioning advanced warships, aircraft and drones to the region and bolstering nuclear deterrence in a bid to reassure regional allies.
In written policy statements to the Senate Armed Services Committee, to which Dunford testified on September 26, the chairman also noted China’s willingness to use economic leverage to advance the Communist Party of China’s political objectives in the region.
“As China’s military modernization continues, the United States and its allies and partners will continue to be challenged to balance China’s influence,” he stated.
The key to backing allies and limiting Chinese regional hegemony will be sustaining the US military presence and strengthening regional security partnerships “to help allies and partners stand up to Chinese coercive behavior,” he stated, adding that the military is unilaterally continuing to build capabilities aimed at countering Beijing’s improving military forces. – ASIA TIMES
POLITICS
WHITE HOUSE
SEP 21 2017, 8:01 AM ET
Trump Threatens to ‘Totally Destroy’ North Korea in First U.N. Speech
by ALI VITALI
UNITED NATIONS — President Donald Trump, in his first address to the United Nations, derided Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader, as a “rocket man” on Tuesday as the president warned that he may be forced to "totally destroy" the rogue nation.
"If the righteous many do not confront the wicked few, then evil will triumph," Trump said, as he detailed the horrors of what he called the "depraved" North Korean regime.
"Rocket man is on a suicide mission," he said, using a nickname for Kim that refers to the North Korean leader's recent missile tests.
"The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea."
Trump threatens to 'totally destroy' North Korea in UN speech
The North Korean ambassador to the U.N. walked out before Trump's speech started.
Trump’s remarks to the world body come amid sharply escalating tensions between the U.S. and North Korea. Both the president and Defense Secretary James Mattis have said all options are on the table for dealing with the threat from North Korea.
While the U.S. could take military action, Trump urged the U.N. to join togetherin curtailing North Korea's nuclear efforts.
"We meet at a time of both immense promise and great peril," Trump said, issuing a call to action that hinged on the responsibility of governments to their citizens.
"As president of the United States, I will always put America first," he said in a phrase reminiscent of one of his key presidential campaign slogans.
And Trump urged other leaders to do likewise and always "put your countries first."
 |
| UN Ambassador Nikki Haley: Trump's speech was 'firm response' to Kim Jong Un |
The president also took on Iran, dismissing the nuclear deal between Tehran and the U.S. and other world powers that lifted sanctions in exchange for Iran curbing its nuclear program. Trump ripped the deal as an "embarrassment" and vowed that this would not be the last the world hears about it — "believe me."
Iran's future, Trump said, comes down to a choice between continuing on its current road or returning to the nation's "roots as a center of civilization, culture and wealth."
The speech was a nationalist appeal — which had helped fuel Trump's rise to the presidency in 2016 and that his administration has grappled with in its policy making, both foreign and domestic.
Trump said that under his watch the U.S. is a nation that the world would no longer take advantage of, be it diplomatically or on matters of trade.
While the president said he seeks strong trade ties around the world, that trade "must be fair and it must be reciprocal."
While Trump promised to uphold America's interests above all, "we also realize it's in everyone's interest to seek a future where nations can be sovereign, prosperous, and secure."
Those complaints about lack of fairness and reciprocity are not new.
Trump left the Paris Climate Accord because he lamented it was unfair to U.S. workers. He's railed against multilateral trade deals, like NAFTA and the Trans Pacific Partnership, that he feels don't benefit the U.S.
"Are we still patriots?" Trump asked in his address. "Do we love our nations enough to protect their sovereignty and to take ownership of their future?"
Though his morning remarks focused on strength, a toast Tuesday afternoon was made in the name of "potential."
"The potential of the U.N. is unlimited," he said.
Acknowledging that he's been a "critic" of the organization in the past, Trump praised its future, saying "there can be no better forum" for world deliberations while raising a glass of red wine to the group gathered with him for the lunch. The president, who doesn't drink, raised the glass to his lips, though it was unclear whether or not he took a sip before passing it off to a waiter.
On Wednesday morning, Trump circled back to the North Korea issue by criticizing his opponent in the 2016 election in series of tweets.
"After allowing North Korea to research and build Nukes while Secretary of State (Bill C also), Crooked Hillary now criticizes," Trump tweeted.
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Donald J. Trump
Iran's future, Trump said, comes down to a choice between continuing on its current road or returning to the nation's "roots as a center of civilization, culture and wealth."
The speech was a nationalist appeal — which had helped fuel Trump's rise to the presidency in 2016 and that his administration has grappled with in its policy making, both foreign and domestic.
Trump said that under his watch the U.S. is a nation that the world would no longer take advantage of, be it diplomatically or on matters of trade.
While the president said he seeks strong trade ties around the world, that trade "must be fair and it must be reciprocal."
While Trump promised to uphold America's interests above all, "we also realize it's in everyone's interest to seek a future where nations can be sovereign, prosperous, and secure."
 |
Trump left the Paris Climate Accord because he lamented it was unfair to U.S. workers. He's railed against multilateral trade deals, like NAFTA and the Trans Pacific Partnership, that he feels don't benefit the U.S.
"Are we still patriots?" Trump asked in his address. "Do we love our nations enough to protect their sovereignty and to take ownership of their future?"
Though his morning remarks focused on strength, a toast Tuesday afternoon was made in the name of "potential."
"The potential of the U.N. is unlimited," he said.
Acknowledging that he's been a "critic" of the organization in the past, Trump praised its future, saying "there can be no better forum" for world deliberations while raising a glass of red wine to the group gathered with him for the lunch. The president, who doesn't drink, raised the glass to his lips, though it was unclear whether or not he took a sip before passing it off to a waiter.
On Wednesday morning, Trump circled back to the North Korea issue by criticizing his opponent in the 2016 election in series of tweets.
"After allowing North Korea to research and build Nukes while Secretary of State (Bill C also), Crooked Hillary now criticizes," Trump tweeted.
Follow
Donald J. Trump ✔@realDonaldTrump
After allowing North Korea to research and build Nukes while Secretary of State (Bill C also), Crooked Hillary now criticizes.
6:40 PM - Sep 20, 2017
16,51416,514 Replies
21,97121,971 Retweets
83,87183,871 likes
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20 Sep
Donald J. Trump ✔@realDonaldTrump
After allowing North Korea to research and build Nukes while Secretary of State (Bill C also), Crooked Hillary now criticizes.
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EaglePundit 
@RealEagleBitesIt is the height of hypocrisy. Obama and Clinton in effect gave nuclear weapons to North Korea by their policy of appeasement.
6:41 PM - Sep 20, 2017
2,5462,546 Replies
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Moments later he retweeted a post that had been written in response to his initial tweet that called it "the height of hypocrisy" that "Obama and Clinton in effect gave nuclear weapons to North Korea by their policy of appeasement."
The tweets may have been in reference to Clinton's criticism of Trump during an appearance Tuesday night on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" on CBS, in which she called the president's speech at the United Nations "very dark, dangerous" and "not the kind of message that the leader of the greatest nation in the world should be delivering." - NBC News"
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