Pentagon and US senators concerned at China8217;s military might

8220;Countries in the Asia Pacific region are asking for its influence to counterbalance China as they are being challenged by it,8221; he said.

But he quickly pointed out that the significant growth of the Asian economy has been mainly due to the economic achievements of China.

Senator Carl Levin,Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said that it is important to understand and anticipate the consequences of this Chinese growth on the regional dynamic.

8220;As China8217;s influence and military grow,traditional alliances and partnerships in the region may come under pressure from a perception that the balance of power is shifting,and certain countries in the region may find it necessary to grow their militaries as well,8221; Levin said.

8220;Some experts even warn of the potential for an emerging arms race in the region and countries leery of China8217;s intentions for its burgeoning military seek to shore up their own defence,8221; he said.

8220;Such developments must be studied and understood if informed decision- making is to proceed in a thoughtful,effective way,8221; he said.

8220;A robust,meaningful and mutually beneficial military-to-military engagement with China8217;s military,although elusive and intermittent,remains a useful goal for the United States,8221; he said.

Senator John McCain expressed concern over China8217;s development of aerial weapons,anti-satellite capabilities,stealth combat aircraft,a growing arsenal of ballistic missiles,offensive cyber-weapons and an aircraft carrier.

8220;Indeed,just last week,the Chinese state news agency revealed that this carrier was nearing completion and would sail this year,8221; McCain said.

8220;Our concern over China8217;s military capabilities has only grown over the past year in light of a sustained pattern of actions that increased tensions in the region,from expansive claims of Chinese sovereignty in international waters to provocative confrontations at sea with neighbouring countries,to threats made against Southeast Asian countries,8221; he said.

8220;This past year also saw a worrying freeze in our bilateral military-to-military engagement with the People8217;s Liberation Army,8221; McCain said.

8220;The recent visit by the secretary of defense to China suggests that our military dialogue is resuming,but we would welcome our witnesses8217; assessment of China8217;s recent assertiveness,8221; he said.

Admiral Willard agreed with the senators.

8220;Last year we witnessed Chinese assertiveness that was demonstrated in the South China Sea and in the Senkaku Islands near Japan,8221; Willard said.

8220;We believe the motive behind that was a declaration by the Chinese regarding their sovereign claims over the contested areas within the South China Sea region and over the Senkakus,8221; he said.

8220;There was Chinese assertion that foreign military activity within those near seas should only come with their permission,8221; he said.

8220;There has been a retrenchment,a bit,by the Chinese navy,while we continue to experience their shadowing of some of our ships that are operating in these waters,8221; Willard said.

8220;We have not seen the same level of assertiveness in 2011 that we witnessed in 2010,8221; he said.

8220;The retrenchment can be taken as a positive particularly given the fact that we have mil-to-mil relations that have recommenced to a modest extent and perhaps we can make an advancement in that regard,8221; Willard said.

But I think there8217;s no question regarding their aims to have a great influence over that maritime space and especially over the contested areas that they8217;ve laid claim to in both the South China Sea and East China Sea,8221; Willard said.