US asks China to explain why it wants carrier

US asks China to explain why it wants carrier

economictimes.indiatimes.com

As China commenced sea trials of its first aircraft carrier, the US has sought an explanation from Beijing why it needs this kind of equipment and asked it to be more transparent about its power projections.

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I have a question why does America need to have 11, yes 11 active Aircraft carriers 10 of which are Nimitz class and have another 2 brand new aircraft carriers go into construction. Just so you know the first General R. Ford Class carrier is going to cost America approximately 14 billion dollars all in.

And why is it ok for America to have such a vast fleet of aircraft carriers unquestioned yet they can question China for building one, which is a soviet era converted carrier. Who ever gave America the right to ask such questions.

PS: this is not another “hate America thread” it just strikes me as somewhat hypocritical of America to turn round and question China’s need for one aircraft carrier when America has 11 and another two in the pipe line.


economictimes.indiatimes.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

That was my first reaction...who gives the U.S. the right to question the military goals of any other country...and honestly that extends to nuclear weapons. If we can have them, so can any other country. I think the prevailing opinion among the powers that be is that we are the "good guys". Not that we aren't, in some sense, but the fact of the matter is, we do not, or should not, have the authority to police the world. We can have intel on other countries, but cannot dictate what they do with their military.

And if I was a Chinese diplomat fielding the question, my response would be, Shut up, dickwad. You owe us so much money, we could have come and repo-ed one of yours, you blathering cauldron of putz, so shut your pie hole and scurry back to one of your fourteen carriers before I call due a couple of trillion.

Because the US has interest around the world were we might need to use our carries to support our allies. When any counrty has any kind of trouble they look to us for handouts, argue if you want but its the truth. Taiwan is an ally of the US and not China and we all know how those two countries get along. Looks like a simple inquiry to me, if there is going to be another big ship in the same waters as our fleets we should know something. For china this seems like a step in becoming a bigger global power so of course they are going to need a naval force. Its just a symbol of power rather than a threat, like the battleship and castle used to be.

you have got to laugh.

What a cheek!

Possibly its because china is overtaking the usa is the new economic super power?

2nd.

p.s. not justifying it, just a thought as to why they feel they must ask for transparency.

Originally posted by OtherSideOfTheCoin


I have a question why does America need to have 11, yes 11 active Aircraft carriers 10 of which are Nimitz class and have another 2 brand new aircraft carriers go into construction. Just so you know the first General R. Ford Class carrier is going to cost America approximately 14 billion dollars all in.

And why is it ok for America to have such a vast fleet of aircraft carriers unquestioned yet they can question China for building one, which is a soviet era converted carrier. Who ever gave America the right to ask such questions.

PS: this is not another “hate America thread” it just strikes me as somewhat hypocritical of America to turn round and question China’s need for one aircraft carrier when America has 11 and another two in the pipe line.


economictimes.indiatimes.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Everybody hates the boss...............

The U.S. was simply asking, not demanding. It's a fairly reasonable question given China's reputation for making peaceful military visits to our military installations and telling us one thing while going back home and doing something else.

Those thinking it's as simple as China being able to call in debts are pretty simple-minded. Go read some peer-reviewed books regarding global economics instead of basing all your world views off of half-researched ATS threads.

Those claiming China has overtaken the United States in terms of military or economic power are also pretty damn far from the actual state of things. The Chinese economy is drowning as quickly as any one else'.

Asking is better than sinking in my opinion, and if anyone doubts the U.S.' ability to kick China's military back within its own borders and keep it there is completely blind to current global military force projections.

Given the tension globally, but specifically in the waters surrounding Taiwan, The Koreas and much of South East Asia, it is merely the U.S. trying to get a clear picture of China's intentions, so as not to assume they are mounting an offensive while going out for a boat ride.

reply to post by OtherSideOfTheCoin


I see your point because yes America are being hypocritical in this aspect, however it is understandable why they would ask this considering China's growth over just the past decade. Plus the Chinese originally claimed they were going to be using it as a casino, but I guess that idea went straight to building Aircraft carriers.. & China are apparently going to be building another 4 or 6 within the next few years!

Sounds like a couple of kids fighting over the toy box. Mummy, China is playing with my boat, wa wa

Well, my first reaction is...Why is it the US business if China has a carrier?

Second reaction, if you HAVE to ask what a country, that has increased its military spending by 12-18% over the last decade, is going to do with a carriier?......

You might want to read a few history books and get some new and more intelligent people in your advisory pool.

reply to post by ateuprto


While I certainly understand the motivation behind it, I again maintain that it is not our right to do so. If we can spend $20+ billion on military projects that don't even ever see the light of day...without being questioned by anyone...I don't see why China can't do the same and it not be any of our business.

reply to post by StratosFear


That's entirely true..

Perhaps it's the way this is written, but it seems pretty threatening to the US.

'All of these can target US bases, US ships and US carriers in Asia. They will make it much more dangerous for US carrier fleets to operate close to China's coast, pushing them out further offshore.
In any future conflict they could make it much harder for the US to operate as freely as it would like. That in turn opens up more room for China to flex its own military muscles in Asia.'

www.bbc.co.uk...

There's a lot more quotes all over the web about China's uprising, the fact that they mention specifically tracking onto the US carriers strikes me.

Correction...China has increased its military expendatures 12-18% EACH YEAR over the last decade.

They are building ships, subs, landing craft, working on advanced fighters and bombers, and conceptual designs are incredible...

If I was the US Military, I wouldn't have to ask... I'd be looking at and reassessing our capabilities pronto.

I would also realize Taiwan has a big fat bullseye on it...and so does the Phillipines.

This is why Viet nam is getting so cozy with the US and having joint naval exercises.

reply to post by bobdigi


Again, it's because we've never hidden what we were building, save for concept and research aircraft.

China is not some stranger to us, our respective militaries interact on a fairly open level. China has lied about the construction of this carrier for years. They have lied about its size, capabilities and use. They are now getting it ready for deployment. We want to know their true purpose. It's called diplomacy, so as not to wake up one morning to Chinese aircraft launched from the carrier bombing the piss out of Taiwan. So as to make sure that North Korea is not allowed to utilize the Carrier in any way, shape or form. So as to avoid future bloodshed over a lack of communication and/or understanding.

Don't mistake us asking their intentions for demanding they tear it down or keep it in-port. China has been shady and now we are asking for some clarification to maintain the peace.

If you don't remember, the reason no one really asked us why we were building the largest Navy in the world is because the WORLD ASKED US TO BUILD IT. A little conflict known as World War II forced us into a corner. Between the world's constant begging and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, well, we mobilized our economy, our workforce and our servicemen in a way never seen before.

reply to post by OtherSideOfTheCoin


The US can ask the question but China can say "Mind your own damn business"..

Why doesn't China ask the US where all that "black budget' money goes??
Actually why doesn't the US citizens for that matter??

Originally posted by AlreadyGone
Correction...China has increased its military expendatures 12-18% EACH YEAR over the last decade.

They are building ships, subs, landing craft, working on advanced fighters and bombers, and conceptual designs are incredible...

If I was the US Military, I wouldn't have to ask... I'd be looking at and reassessing our capabilities pronto.

I would also realize Taiwan has a big fat bullseye on it...and so does the Phillipines.

This is why Viet nam is getting so cozy with the US and having joint naval exercises.

Not to mention Thailand...

Answer: Because we are taking your job old man. Here is a nice gold watch. Now go and play shuffleboard with the brits and the dutch in the failed empires club.

I dunno, I'd think the MIC would like to have some justification for all the money it spends on the US carrier fleet.

Despite my feelings about China, and I have nothing good to say about them, they are a sovereign nation and may spend their money on whatever they wish. Also we have empowered China to do this. If we didn't allow tariff free trade with a country with near slave wages, no environmental protections, and that does not respect intellectual property they would most likely not be in an economic position to afford a real force projection platform like a carrier, yet.