China Wants A Ballistic Missile Defense System

Military vehicles carrying DF-21D ballistic missiles roll to Tiananmen Square during a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2015. (REUTERS/Damir Sagolj)

Michael Peck, National Interest: Get Ready, America: Here Comes China's Ballistic Missile Defenses

"There is little doubt today that China is developing a strategic BMD capability; their flight tests alone make that clear."

It's time for America to worry about Chinese ballistic missile defenses (BMD).

That's the conclusion of a new study by the Federation of American Scientists, which found that while Beijing has not yet decided to build strategic missile defenses, Chinese leaders are seriously thinking about it.

"Unlike some years ago, there is little doubt today that China is developing a strategic BMD capability; their flight tests alone make that clear," said authors Bruce MacDonald and Charles Ferguson, who spoke with more than 50 Chinese and American experts, including Chinese officials, military officers and academics. While Chinese BMD is in the development stage, it does give Beijing the option of deploying a missile defense capability – or not – depending on its assessment of the international situation.

WNU Editor: I give the Chinese 10 years before they start deploying these defenses.

Why The Chinese Fear U.S. Missile Defense

Roving Sands THAAD Launcher

Harry J. Kazianis, National Interest: Why China Fears U.S. Missile Defenses

North Korea loves to cause trouble--except this time China might be the one on the recieving end.

Well it seems we might want to hold off on all the predictions of Seoul and Beijing joining hands and riding off into the sunset as Asia’s new power couple--at least for now.

China is quite upset at the prospect of South Korea acquiring America’s latest missile defense platform, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD for short. However, Xi Jinping might want to redirect his anger at the real problem and why President Park Geun-hye might be considering THAAD in the first place: North Korea.

But before we get to the heart of the matter, it seems appropriate to understand what THAAD is, what it can do, and why its important.

WNU Editor: The South Koreans are definitely feeling the pressure from Chinese opposition to the deployment of US missile defense systems on the Korean peninsula .... Missile defense puts South Korea in East Asian squeeze (Robert Marquand, CSM). More here.

Update: The North Koreans are also voicing their opposition to missile defense .... N. Korea slams allies for possible THAAD deployment on peninsula (Yonhap News Agency)

Update #2: South Korea Tells China Not to Meddle in Decision Over Missile defense -- New York Times

China Is Developing Their Own Version Of Missile Defense

China's Evolution On Ballistic Missile Defense -- Lora Saalman, Carnegie Endowment

China’s approach toward ballistic missile defense is shifting. This area has long been regarded as a bastion of U.S.-Russian power politics and nuclear dynamics by Beijing. However, China has recently become a participant rather than an observer with its inclusion, along with Russia, as a dominant factor in the 2010 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review, and with its ground-based midcourse missile interception test in the same year.

While the United States and Russia are currently in the position to shape the dynamics of the debate, this is bound to change. In this context, it is important that Washington and Moscow take steps toward compromising on ballistic missile defense (BMD) cooperation now as a foundation for effective engagement with Beijing in the future.

Read more ....

My Comment: This should not surprise anyone.

China Is Developing it's Own Missile Defense System

China Developing 'Star Wars' Missile Defense Shield -- Chosun Ilbo

China is developing a missile defense system in the highest layer of the atmosphere and outer space using high-end technologies like laser beams and kinetic energy intercept.

In 2007, China successfully tested a direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon against a weather satellite, demonstrating its ability to attack satellites in low-Earth orbit. It has also been developing other kinetic and directed-energy technologies for ASAT missions like lasers, high-powered microwave, and particle beam weapons, according to a report released by the U.S. Defense Department last week.

Read more ....

My Comment: The Chinese space program is definitely making strides .... as well as its nuclear weapons program.