China deploying Troops near North Korea Border

I have just stumbled across this:

China deploys 150,000 troops on Korean border

* Unidentified security source says military deployment aims to deter Pyongyang from nuclear build-up
* Move to push DPRK into holding talks with US
* Will stifle mounting violence of soldiers

HONG KONG: China has deployed up to 150,000 troops on its border with North Korea to deter Pyongyang�s nuclear build-up and to stifle mounting violence from rogue North Korean soldiers, a report here said Sunday.

Hong Kong�s Sunday Morning Post cited an unidentified security source in China as saying five divisions of Chinese People�s Liberation Army (PLA) troops had been deployed in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, bordering North Korea, since last month.

Large troop movements and new military barracks have also been seen in the border towns of Hanchun, Tumen, Kaishan, Sanhe and Baijing, while air force jets have frequently been seen flying over the capital Yanji, some 40 kilometres from the border, the report said.

The source said troops were also in the area to help stem the flow of North Korean refugees fleeing to China to escape a long famine and recession in the hermitic state.

Here is the link:

China Build Up

Is this really an attempt to coerce NK into talking with the US, or does it have a hidden meaning?

I think it could be a double play from China. On one side, pressuring NK into talks, and at the same time, a show of force to the US that at a moments notice and with little warning, they can deploy 150,000 men, should the US think of a "different" solution to the NK crisis.

[edit on 11/10/04 by stumason]

I agree, thoses forces would be just a warning for America not to Invade. It also levels the field off abit, because the South Koreans have America and there technology, Now that China has deployed those troops it levels it off, China's massive numbers against Americas great technology.

Originally posted by stumason

I think it could be a double play from China. On one side, pressuring NK into talks, and at the same time, a show of force to the US that at a moments notice and with little warning, they can deploy 150,000 men, should the US think of a "different" solution to the NK crisis.

[edit on 11/10/04 by stumason]

Could be a little of both. China has a lot riding on North Korea's playing 'nice'. It does not serve China's interest anymore to support NK as any backlash will directly effect China and its world Trade.


Kinda gives Bush a little credence to his remarks in the debate.

Very interesting!

150,000 is alot of men to quickly mobilize (however, I beleive China could probably get alot more bodies together then that... and in a hurry!)

In a totally hypothetical situation, I wonder how quickly the U.S. military's combined forces could get anything near 150,000 men into Asia.

The U.S would alone by itself destroy china in a conflict as long as the U.S goes for total annihilation and not for occupation.China would never be able to put troops on american soil ,thier ships and planes would be blown out of the sky by the americans superior fighters jets and destroyers.The U.S has a foot hold on China with south korea and Japan rite on thier doorstep and lets not forget Tiawan.I think nukes are the only reason why the U.S doen't go in there,Let's just hope the U.S gets that missile shield up and perfected before it eventualy comes down to a war.

The U.S would alone by itself destroy china in a conflict as long as the U.S goes for total annihilation and not for occupation.China would never be able to put troops on american soil ,thier ships and planes would be blown out of the sky by the americans superior fighters jets and destroyers.The U.S has a foot hold on China with south korea and Japan rite on thier doorstep and lets not forget Tiawan.I think nukes are the only reason why the U.S doen't go in there,Let's just hope the U.S gets that missile shield up and perfected before it eventualy comes down to a war.

Ok....way off topic, and utter BS, but I respect your input.

1: China wouldn't want to put troops on US soil. Who said they did?
2:Your very confident of your "fighters jets". What makes you think the Chinese planes are so inferior?
3:And you can have as many destroyers as you like, but Destroyers don't kill ships, on the whole they take out subs and planes. You may be talking about Cruisers, or other guided missile platforms or perhaps subs, but that is all academic, please refer to point number 1.

Anyway, back on topic. Why do you suppose they have mobalized such a large force? what is its purpose?

And no more "we will kick those chicoms asses, Yeehaw!" BS please, lets have an informed, sensible discussion.

I have to wonder if China might not be ready to kick NK's but a little bit? Yes I know they are both communist states, but all of Nk's nuclear blustering isnt in China's best interests.

Maybe they're being mobilised to make sure NK doesnt go overboard?

That is what most specualtion seems to centre around, a sort of big stick approach to NK, to remind them "Who is the Daddy", so to speak. But, it could have a double meaning, just in case the US goes overboard instead, as there is alot more riding on NK than just a few dodgy little nukes, it is very important Strategically.

Also, there are vast ideological differences between China and NK, and are nowhere near as close as they used to be. China is more open, relatively free (compared to NK anyway), they do allow non communist party members to stand for election (Yes! Many Americans may be surprised, but they do have elections in China), and is embracing an open market which has revolutionised their country.

So i wouldn't describe China as pure communist, more of a very extreme, Socialist state, whereas NK is very Stalinist, with a quasi religious leadership cult going on.

In my views 150,000 men , including armoured divisions , so quickly is dam good

the PLA has 1,200,000 in it's ranks , imagine how fast they could mobilize that, the USA would be in for some serious problems

As for the 150 thousand men , i think that china it just doing it to persuade , NK to not try any stupid things like invasion etc , and they are really just proving to the USA , that it just isn't a pittyful LEDC , due to the fact the USA army has around 200 thousand , 3 quarters are in other countries , because the American government is scared of losing it,s own power and not begins so strong , so really China just proved that they would wipe out america with just numbers.

And another thing , the death tol lin iraq 1500 americans , 49 british , and all the british men apart from ken bigley RIP died whilst with american forces , and the USA still thinks that everyone is a target in iraq , this proves that most iraq's love the british government and country

49 british , and all the british men apart from ken bigley RIP died whilst with american forces

i think it is more like a hundred, but you have a point. Most of our guys weren't killed whilst with the Americans, they where killed by the Americans! But thats another thread...............

It's probably "a little from column A, and a little from column B". The troop deployment has the double bonus effect of intimidating NK, and letting the US see that China is going to take charge of events that happen near her borders.�@I don't feel that China is favouring either side; in fact when the talks have been held in China, they have been the voice of reason and mediation between the beligerent US negotiators and the arrogant NK ones.

A couple of points though:

China is more open, relatively free (compared to NK anyway), they do allow non communist party members to stand for election (Yes! Many Americans may be surprised, but they do have elections in China),

Errr...like when? I've lived in China for the last five years and I haven't seen any. It's almost like a royal family the way they pass power down. Hu Jin Tao was a buddy of Jiang Ze Min who was a prtege of Deng Xiao Ping who was in turn a protege of Mao. They're all chosen from within the Party and it's all predetermined who will take over months before the retirement of the current CCP President; Party in-fighting notwithstanding.

150,000 is alot of men to quickly mobilize (however, I beleive China could probably get alot more bodies together then that... and in a hurry!)

The article didn't state how quickly the troops were deployed, just that it had been noticed. The majority of Chines troops are already placed in the North East near Korea, on the East coast opposite Taiwan, and in the South near the Vietnam border. Also this NK-US-China fiasco has been going on for months. I'm sure the Chinese govt. didn't decide to mobilize the troops and then two days later they're there. It could have been started at the beginning of all the talks.

Errr...like when? I've lived in China for the last five years and I haven't seen any. It's almost like a royal family the way they pass power down. Hu Jin Tao was a buddy of Jiang Ze Min who was a prtege of Deng Xiao Ping who was in turn a protege of Mao. They're all chosen from within the Party and it's all predetermined who will take over months before the retirement of the current CCP President; Party in-fighting notwithstanding.

sorry should have clarified, I meant in local elections. Its hard for a non communist to be allowed to stand, but it does happen.

Fear and Flexing of muscle. It is not 1950 and the communsit drive is not encompassing the globe, but Krazy Kim has gone nuclear. If you lived on a block where someone bought a tank, parked it in the driveway, and aimed it at your house, would you not get a little nervous?

China is entering the global market and demanding resources that outpace supply. This is for defense.