https://noqreport.com/2023/03/19/chinas-largest-military-buildup-sparks-warning-to-u-s/
China might be bluffing America with its aggressive statements and challenges.
But it might not.
And that means, according to an analysis by China expert Gordon Chang at the Gatestone Institute, where he is a distinguished senior fellow, U.S. leaders need to be matching its “largest military buildup since the Second World War.”
“The world needs to look at what the Chinese leadership is in fact doing. Xi [Jinping] appointed what is now known as his ‘war cabinet’ in October, at the Communist Party’s 20th National Congress; he is implementing the largest military buildup since the Second World War; he has been trying to sanctions-proof his regime; and he is mobilizing the civilian population for war. Communist Party cadres, for example, are taking over privately owned factories and converting them from civilian to military production,” Chang explained.
“In the latest move, China’s regime is establishing National Defense Mobilization Offices across the country. The Reservists Law went into effect the first of this month. Whatever China intends, its intended victims need to match its preparations. There has never been a time when it has been more important to deter the People’s Republic of China.”
The comments of late have been incendiary. China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang said recently, “If the U.S. doesn’t hit the brakes and continues to barrel down the wrong track, no amount of guardrails can prevent the carriage from derailing and crashing, and there will surely be conflict and confrontation.”
Xi had said just a day before: “Western countries, led by the U.S., are implementing all-round containment, encirclement, and suppression against us.”
Chang noted that such comments might be part of a bluff by China. It has, throughout its history, attempted to intimidate opponents into retreat.
Chang explained that’s because, “For many reasons, the Chinese fortress is empty at this moment. Among other difficulties, the country’s economy is stumbling, debt defaults are continuing, the currency is weakening, food shortages are worsening, localities are running short of cash, and diseases continue to afflict the population. Moreover, the Chinese people are unhappy. Since late October, they have taken to the streets in demonstrations over varied complaints. Some protestors have even demanded the removal of Xi Jinping and the Communist Party.”
While he said Chinese rulers “understand that war at this moment would not be in China’s interest,” but that does not mean Americans should feel relieved.
First, he said, not one outside Beijing knows what Chinese leaders