New U.S. Pacific commander says China far from peer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China is far from catching up to the United States as a military power, and the Pentagon will conduct exercises with the Chinese to gauge their intentions, tactics and strategy, the U.S. admiral set to take command of U.S. operations in the Pacific said on Thursday.
"While they may achieve improved combat effectiveness in certain limited areas, their overall near-peer status I think is a long way away," said Adm. Timothy Keating, who takes command of the U.S. Pacific Command next week.
"We're watching carefully. We'll work with them to the extent that is appropriate so as to be able to evaluate their military strategy and doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures, and stay ahead of them," Keating told reporters.
Keating on Monday will take responsibility for U.S. military operations in an area stretching from New Zealand to North Korea.
The U.S. and Chinese militaries have ties that include officer exchanges and limited joint exercises, and the United States maintains military relationships with many countries that it does not consider close allies.
The change of command in the Pacific comes as many analysts and policymakers in Washington cast a wary eye at China and its rising military budget, and question how soon Beijing may be able to challenge the United States militarily.
The Pentagon is due to update Congress, likely this month, on its assessment of China's power. Defense officials have said little about the contents, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said he does not consider China a strategic adversary.
Keating reiterated a regularly voiced criticism of China's recent anti-satellite test, saying it was not consistent with the country's claim to want to rise peacefully as a major economic and military power.
"We find that curious behavior for a nation that wants to have this peaceful entry into the league of nations, as they profess to desire," Keating said.
"Through the work that we will continue to do at Pacific Command to get greater transparency on their military intentions, we'll operate with them across a spectrum of exercises and services," he said.
