Opening Statement of Dr. Larry Wortzel, Vice Chairman
June 11, 2009
Washington, D.C.
Good morning and welcome to the sixth hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2009 reporting cycle. Our purpose today is to gather information about China’s naval modernization with a view toward understanding the scope, strategies, and intentions of the People's Liberation Army and the central leadership of the Chinese Communist Party in developing a modern navy with a reach beyond China's immediate coastal waters. Also, we seek to understand how the changes in China's maritime posture and strategy may affect U.S. security interests in East Asia and around the globe
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In the past decade, China's approach to maritime security and its naval posture has evolved from that of a nation which focused on continental issues to one of a nation which recognizes that it has broad interests and economic interactions around the world. Much of China's energy and other resource needs are supplied by sea, and the bulk of what China exports moves by sea. In Beijing, senior leaders recognize that a modern China must build the capacity to protect its maritime interests. Also, as we will hear in one of the panels today, there are serious differences between the United States and China over issues related to activities in the exclusive economic zone that have led to military confrontation between our two navies in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. These differences have the potential to create volatile situations if they are not well addressed through diplomatic activity.
To help us understand these issues, we will be joined today by a number of expert witnesses from the Government, academia, and the private sector. In particular, we are pleased to welcome several Members of Congress who have taken time out of their busy schedule to join us. This morning Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo from Guam and Congressman Randy Forbes from Virginia will present in turn their views on China’s naval modernization. And later this afternoon, former Senator John Warner will provide his views as former Secretary of the Navy.
On the 30th of April, 2009, the Chinese military conducted a large fleet review in the port city of Qingdao, China, commemorating the 60 year anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. On display were many of the navy’s newest vessels and aircraft. For China, the Qingdao fleet review was an opportunity to demonstrate to both a domestic and international audience the progress its navy has made in modernizing its forces.
In recent years China has made great strides in modernizing its naval forces. Since 2004, the Chinese navy has procured dozens of modern naval platforms, including 20 submarines spread among five different classes, eight destroyers, and 24 advanced fighters, the Su-30 Mkk2. China is on the cusp of an operational submarine-based nuclear deterrent and the Central Military Commission seems to be considering building aircraft carriers. There appears to be a credible effort by the PLA to develop the capacity to deny regional access to any potential adversaries through the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles. Some Chinese military writings on doctrine have emphasized the need for China to “control the seas” through missiles, electronics and information technologies that span the surface, subsurface, air, and space domains. Finally, recent PLA Navy events, such as the ongoing deployment of three PLA Navy vessels to the Gulf of Aden, the first transiting of Chinese surface combatants through Japan’s Tsugaru Strait out into the Pacific Ocean, and the noticeable increase in overseas port calls, demonstrate that the Chinese navy is turning into a blue water navy. Taken together, these developments represent a navy that seeks to secure China’s maritime interests, which include securing China’s sovereign territory, patrolling vital sea lines of communications, defending its economic and political interests overseas, and denying access to its littoral waters. They also could affect how the United States and its allies deploy forces, protect bases and troops, and conduct military operations in East and Southeast Asia.
Once again, I welcome all of you to this hearing, and I now turn to my fellow co-chair for this hearing, Commissioner Videnieks, for his opening statement.