China's military might and its intention towards India

The security situation surrounding Japan ,India is becoming more severe, viewed in concerns over North Korea's missile and nuclear arms development and in China's increasing naval activity
along with its military modernisation in Tibet .

Defence Minister A.K. Antony has decided to visit the northeastern states for two days to review the security situation and the infrastructural developments done by the government.

While the chinese military always stick on their statement that the development of China's national defense capabilities is not aimed at challenging, threatening or invading any other country, but to maintain its own security.


According to some estimates, China’s military expenditure has nearly quadrupled in real terms within the last 10 years since 1997.But it maintains a complete secrecy over defense spending and the actual rise in Defense budget could be manifold. As per US Department of Defense estimates, China is the second largest military spender in the world. With much emphasis on research and development, enhancing combat capabilities through technology upgradation and the development of space power, the main thrust has been to drastically reduce the size of the manpower of the military simultaneously considerably enhancing its capabilities. The once-bloated force of 4.2 million people two decades ago has been drastically reduced to a 2.3 million, high tech strong force.

I took the exclusive interview of previous Chinese envoy to India Mr Sun Yuxi
Excerpts of the interview:

Q; In order to ensure the stability and security of this region,what strategic partnership is being planned?

Over 50 years ago,leaders of China and India co-initiated Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence,which made significant contribution to promoting world peace and stability ,and set up a model for carrying out friendly cooperation in the international affairs.China and India share extensive common interests in international and regional affairs,playing an increasingly important role.China views India as an important cooperative partner in Asia and the world at large .In the regional affairs,the two sides should be dedicated to regional and sub-regional cooperation and jointly push forward the construction of a harmonious Asia.

Q In view of vast borders between the two countries,what projects are being planned to enhance fusion and encourage trade?

Ans In recent years,China and India reached the Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the settlement of the Boundary Question. We maintain both sides should seek a fair,reasonable and mutually acceptable solution of the boundary question through equal and friendly consultation.
According to the China-India Joint declaration,both sides will promote greater trans-border cooperation at mutually agreed sites in China-India border areas with the objective of transforming their border from being a dividing line into a bridge that unites them in cooperative pursuits.In this context ,border trade between china and India ,including the recent resumption of border trade through the Nathula Pass,is of significant importance.

Q.  With both countries requiring huge amounts of clean energy for their economic expansion, how do you look at close cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy?

Ans China and India are two major energy-consumers. Both sides shall make joint efforts, bilaterally as well as in multilateral for a, to diversify the global energy mix and to increase the share in it of renewable energy sources. With regard to the cooperation in the civil nuclear energy field, China holds that any cooperation, whether bilateral or multi-lateral, should be “consistent with each side’s international commitment” and “maintaining the effectiveness of international anti- proliferation principle”.

Q “ Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement” has been signed between the two countries, how it will impact the growth of economies of the two countries?

Ans Promoting mutual investment is one of the key areas for expanding Sino-Indian economic and trade cooperation .In the near future,India will vigorously strengthen infrastructure building to break through the bottleneck that restraints the economic growth.Chinese enterprises boast mature technology,reliable quality and reasonable price in the fields of; electric power,roads,telecommunication and airport building,etc.,so they can make contributions accordingly.china’s demand in the software, consultation, financing, and other service sectors also provides India with great business opportunities.The conclusion of the Bilateral  Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement will provide the institutional and legal basis to encourage and promote greater investment flows between the two countries ,as well as a favourable environment featuring equal competition for enterprises of both countries to conduct mutual investment in each other’s country.The continuous increase of mutual investment between the two countries will also prompt the two-way flow of people and goods ,so as to play a significant role in consolidating and deepening Sino-Indian comprehensive cooperation. 

Q What’s your reaction to the Japanese initiative of having a Triangular relationship between China,Japan and India,how will it effect this region strategically?

Ans I haven’t yet heard about this initiative raised by Japan.I believe,however,as Asian powers,China,Japan and India should strengthen cooperation and communication,and work together with other Asian countries to build a peaceful,prosperous and harmonious Asia.

Q How do you view recent MOUs between China and India allowing oil and Gas companies of the two countries to engage in acquiring hydrocarbon assets in third countries without undercutting each other?

Ans  China and India share extensive common interests  in the international energy field.During president Hu Jintao’s visit to India ,both sides agreed to fully implement the clauses of the Sino-Indian Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in the field of Oil and Natural Gas signed in January 2006 and encourage cooperation between enterprises of the two countries.Both sides should encourage and support their enterprises to go to third countries to carry out energy cooperation.Enterprises of the two countries should also give play to their respective advantages and discuss about jointly going to third countries to carry out project contracting cooperation.

Q With China opening two consulates  general at Kolkota and Guangzhou,in which way will this step enhance cooperation and trade between the two countries?

Ans China-India comprehensive economic and trade relationship is a core component of the Strategic and cooperative Partnership between the two countries.Many Indian businessmen stay in Guangzhou,while kolkota also offers  transportation convenience for bilateral economic and trade exchanges.That China and India open consulates general at both cities not only facilitates mutual visits between citizens of the two countries in terms of visa but also offers a new window for them to increase mutual understanding.This helps further expand bilateral economic and trade engagement and personal exchanges.It is a good thing that conforms to interests of both sides.


Q Are there any other initiatives underway for similar cooperation in other economic sectors?
Ans Of course Sino-Indian cooperation is not confined to the oil and natural gas field.To enrich and enhance the Sino-Indian strategic cooperative partnership,both countries will fully tap the great potentials of cooperation in every field.China and India will further strengthen the positive trends in the overall development of bilateral relations, work hard to expand cooperation in the fields of trade,industry,financing,agriculture,water resourcesw,energy,environment,infrastructure,IT,sanitation,education,media,.culture,tourism,youth affairs and so on.

Q; Both countries are also to facilitate enhanced cooperation in refinery and electro chemical sectors,what will be the magnitude of this particular cooperation?

Ans During President Hu Jintao’s visit to India in November 2006,China and India agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy,science and technology.Both sides will take full advantage of the mechanism of Guiding committee on Science and Technology Cooperation to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in the science and technology fields.

Q The bilateral trade which stood at $ 200 million  in 2004 is expected to touch $30 billion by the end of the year,what are the future projections?

Ans China and India will endeavour to raise the volume of their bilateral trade to US $ 40 billion by 2010.Both sides attach utmost priority to an early implementation ,through relative mechanisms,of the decisions made in march 2006 by Ministerial-Level Committee on economic and trade, science and technology Cooperation,including recommendations of the Joint Study Group.According to the provisions of the Sino-India Joint Declaration ,the Joint Study group which studies the feasibility and benefits of a Sino-Indian Regional Trading Arrangement shall finish related work by October 2007.The Chinese side will actively promote the early realization of the above-mentioned objectives.

QWhat do you think about resolving the political and other differences among various countries for exploiting the vast resources of this region?

Ans Mutual benefit and development could only be achieved through cooperation among countries.Conflicts and divergences should be resolved peacefully through equal consultation and negotiation .When exploring regional resources,all the countries should cooperate with each other,mutually share experience to realize optimal allocation of resources.

Q With Russia ,Central Asian Republics emerging as suppliers of future energy resource,how can this supplement the energy security of India,China and Japan?

Ans The Chinese side attaches importance to carrying out mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia and Central Asian countries in the energy field.We hold that energy consuming and producing countries should strengthen dialogue and consultation to diversify the whole.