The United States-China Economic and Security Review

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001284 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM CH SUBJECT: The United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission Discusses Military Issues with Chinese Academics Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) A "responsible government" would never "initiate, sponsor or support" cyber attacks on other countries, a scholar from the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences told United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission members on April 1. However, the scholar described cyber warfare as an extension of an old tactic: the destruction of command and control communications that bombs achieved in the past. PRC military modernization, which became a priority in the 1990s in response to "global trends and a rising Taiwan independence movement," is constrained by competing demands for PRC government expenditures and neighboring countries' perceptions. China wants to maintain stability and avoid conflict in order to ensure domestic economic growth. Beijing lacks the military power or capacity to demarcate spheres of influence in the Pacific, the scholar said. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Members of the United States-China Economic and Security Review (USCC) Commission discussed a range of military issues with Chinese scholars from the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences (CAMS) on April 1. China's Military Modernization -------------- ¶3. (SBU) CAMS Senior Colonel Bao Bin said the modernization of the People's Liberation Army did not become a PRC priority until the 1990s. It was then, he explained, that China reevaluated the importance of its armed forces in response to what he described as "global trends and a rising Taiwan independence movement." China has since been trying to modernize its "backwards" facilities and equipment to make up for years of neglect. In response to a question from USCC Chairman Larry Wortzel, Bao described two limits to PLA modernization and growth: competing demands for PRC Government expenditures and the perceptions of neighboring countries. Developing military systems that would frighten China's neighbors would be "unwise," Bao stated. ¶4. (SBU) According to Bao, the relationship between Chinese civilian and military leaders has not changed as a result of military modernization. The "system and structure" is not yet reformed, he added. Prior PRC leaders had an understanding of military doctrine, but China's current leaders do not. The current PLA leadership also lacks actual war experience. The lack of military experience by political leaders is perhaps a concern in the United States, but is not in China. "An army lead by politicians is not a problem for us," he said. ¶5. (SBU) When asked if China favored creating spheres of military influence in the Pacific, Bao said that although the PLA is rapidly modernizing, China lacks the power or capacity to demarcate spheres of influence. A strong U.S. military presence in the Pacific does not mean a clash between the United States and China is inevitable. Conflict is preventable through dialogue and cooperation. Even if the PLA continues to strengthen, Chinese tradition frowns on pointless demonstrations of power, Bao said. Chinese Views on Space and Cyber Warfare -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Chairman Wortzel stressed the need for increased theoretical and strategic academic analysis on space warfare, noting the devastating affect that anti-satellite warfare would have on the civilian sector, such as commerce and banking. Bao agreed that the increased integration of civil and military technology complicates warfare. Bao said that when the subject of modern warfare is discussed, space-based systems naturally comes up. The purpose of military-related technology in space is to make targets more precise in order to reduce casualties. Research and development should shift from ground to space systems, he said, noting that preventing attacks from space is fundamental. ¶7. (SBU) Bao said he accepted the official U.S. explanation of why it recently destroyed an errant spy satellite. Rather, he said, he was interested in the method the United States used to shoot down the satellite. ¶8. (SBU) When asked Chinese views on cyber warfare, Bao said China has never used the term "cyber warfare," adding that a "responsible government" would never "initiate, sponsor or support" a cyber attack on another country. That said, Bao continued, cyber warfare should be seen simply as an extension of an old tactic: the destruction of command and control communications. Cyber attacks today accomplish what bombs achieved in the past, he added. USCC commissioners stressed that cyber warfare is a new phenomenon and the interconnectedness of civilian and military applications BEIJING 00001284 002 OF 002 complicates its use. Understanding Chinese Intentions -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Bao invited the USCC commissioners to share the U.S. perspective on China's "peaceful rise." The U.S. delegation said that while it may take many years to build up military capabilities, intentions can change very quickly. The United States wants to understand China's intentions. The USCC delegation pointed out that because China does not carry-out a public debate about its defense expenditures and strategic priorities, it is difficult for other countries to discern PRC intentions. Bao responded by saying that China wants to maintain stability and avoid conflict in order to ensure domestic economic growth. Routine, bilateral consultations and dialogue can help mitigate misinterpretation of intentions that could lead to conflict, he said. ¶10. (U) The delegation cleared this cable.