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“Welcome Mr. Shinn and Major General Breedlove. Thank you for being here today to testify on recent security developments involving China. I look forward to your testimony on this important subject.
“I’ve stressed for some time now the critical significance of developments in China to our national security. While our military resources have been heavily focused in Iraq, China’s influence has grown in Asia and beyond. To address this reality, we must proactively and effectively engage with China on multiple fronts. There are many positive steps to note in the last year, but progress still needs to be achieved.
“Secretary Bob Gates and Admiral Tim Keating have pursued two major initiatives with China that I strongly support. These are a high level policy dialogue with China seeking clarity on its intentions and strategy in the security arena, and military to military contacts. Although some progress has been made, China has still not adequately revealed its full defense spending, military modernization efforts or strategic intentions.
“I should add at this point that I had the pleasure of visiting China myself last summer to explore these very issues. I very much appreciate the hospitality that was extended to me there. I was honored to plant a tree at the memorial in Kunming in memory of the American airmen and their Chinese allies who flew the hump route from Burma to China, and also the Flying Tigers who defended China. I also received a briefing at the headquarters of China’s 2nd Artillery Corps, which commands their nuclear and missile forces, a visit that had been previously made by then Secretary Rumsfeld. This was an encouraging sign of increased openness, and was an excellent opportunity for me to learn more about China’s strategic intentions.
“I’m encouraged by China’s agreement to begin submitting an annual report to the United Nations on its military expenditures. This is positive, but not enough. China announced that its military budget for 2008 is about $58.8 billion, continuing a trend of double-digit increases for the last decade. The U.S. continues to assess the real budget is two to three times greater. DOD’s 2008 report on China’s military power also notes that China continues its missile build-up across from Taiwan, and its power projection capabilities are steadily increasing.
“Secretary Gates has called upon China to increase its security cooperation with the U.S. in areas of common interest ranging from counterterrorism and nonproliferation to energy security. Admiral Keating has also made significant progress in arranging for meaningful military to military contacts between the two countries in compliance with the guidance on such contacts established by this committee in law.
“In addition, the U.S.-China ‘defense hotline’ is now operational. There’s dialogue with China on nuclear strategy and policy. There’s continuing U.S.-China cooperation on the denuclearization of North Korea. And China recently supported additional sanctions against Iran for its suspected nuclear activities. There is also a new U.S.-China agreement on Korean War POW/MIA matters.
“I continue to believe China is not necessarily destined to be a threat to the United States. There are trends and ambiguities that concern us, and today’s hearing should help us better understand China’s military development efforts. But we must also acknowledge China’s limitations and recognize that China’s choices may well be shaped by our own actions. There are also unique opportunities for progress with China on security matters this year, given the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; new leadership in Taiwan; and recent movement by Taiwan and the mainland toward an easing of tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
“So Gentlemen, I’m interested to hear your assessment of recent security developments involving China. However, before we begin testimony, I turn to my friend from California, Duncan Hunter, for any statement he may wish to make.”
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