According to Kanwa Defence News, which specialises in Chinese military matters, Beijing can cope with just one CSG currently.
‘But in five to 10 years, it can certainly take on seven,’ said Mr Chang Hong-yi, head of Kanwa, in an interview with The Straits Times.
‘China’s military potential is enormous and in terms of military technology, the gap with the US is closing fast,’ he added.
However, a Chinese military source who declined to be identified is more sanguine.
‘Even now, China can easily take on two CSGs,’ he said but conceded that there was no way it could face seven all at the same time.
This means that if China has to wage war over Taiwan, it has to be able to land and seize control of the island within the first 30 days.
Otherwise, under the FRP, six CSGs may well arrive to join in the battle.
‘All this leaves China with no choice but to start and end the war with lightning speed,’ said the source.
Politically, Summer Pulse is likely to be seen by many Chinese as naked intimidation.
‘This is gunboat diplomacy in the 21st century,’ the source remarked, adding that it would remind the Chinese people of their century-long deep humiliation by Western powers – and put Sino-US relations at peril.
Nice fantasy land they live in, really. Not the slightest *inkling* of the firepower 7 CVNs and their battlegroups command. :rolleyes:
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