China; taking our breath away...

WHAT could be more unsettling than the thought that a 'Communist' totalitarian superpower may actually posses military hardware to match that of the democratic countries of 'The West'?

Obviously with such ongoing critiscism of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that may be a controversial opening in itself, but nobody can deny the increasing relevance of China's military in the asia-pacific region and indeed in the world today.

It is highly illegal to photograph military hardware in China,
 but a leaked photo made the world aware
of the Chinese J-20 prototye

When Hu Jintao finally admitted that China was indeed developing their own stealth fighter- the J-20 (seemingly named after a soft drink), alarm bells rang for many around the world. Although it was well known that the Chinese were actively pursuing their first aircraft carrier - something which would give them considerable bargaining power in their constant maritime disputes and border clashes - the thought that something as advanced and 'American' as a stealth jet was being built by them hadn't even entered the West's collective mind.

It wasn't long, however, before fingers were pointed and the familiar cry of 'knock-off' could be heard. China's reputation for copying successful products, illegally manufacturing them and selling them domestically is well known, and it seemed this wasn't just limited to shanzhai ipods and dodgy clothes brands. Soon came claims that the technology behind the Chinese J-20 Stealth was stolen from a US F-117 stealth jet which was shot down over Serbia. Of course the Chinese rejected these claims, as they always do, but it is not difficult to imagine Beijing going out of it's way to acquire the wreckage for their own ends.

And today, a rather humourous chapter is added to the ongoing coverage of China's air force. The hilarious news that China's state-run broadcaster- CCTV -  has tried to pass off scenes from the 80s movie 'Top Gun' as video footage of their own air force have done little for their credability on the world stage.

The Wall Street Journal has compared the 'news' footage with the movie scene in question:




So, as China seeks the attention of the rest of the world, trumpeting their advances in technology and military might, it is rather unfortunate for them to be caught attempting to pass off Hollywood movie footage from 30 years ago as footage of their own air force.

Beijing often utilises it's air force in displays of power - hoping that the sheer scale and noise of the jets will impress and intimidate the people enough - it is a tactic they employ on a daily basis too. It is not uncommon to be forced to stop a conversation in Shanghai's city centre and wait for the deafening noice of a fighter jet, passing overhead, to fade.

The military maintain a constant presence over

 cities such as Shanghai - Footage by Joe Briscoe, 2010



The oppressive 'big brother' in the sky is something that most city residents are used to, hardly noticing the warplanes circling above. But the younger generation seem to be more than aware of it.

One student I spoke to in Shanghai, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It always comes over in the class time. So many times we have to wait for it to go over so we can hear the teacher. It's so unnecessary I think. Are we at war with someone?"

But how important does this 12 yr old think it is to have such a rapidly expanding military?: "China needs to be strong" he said, "but so many poor people are more important I think. Give them a house and doctor first, then we can spend on other things."

Fighter jets constantly circle heavily populated areas of China - 

an ominous reminder of power to the people below.

- Footage by Joe Briscoe, 2010

So while the country continues its long quest for an aircraft carrier and presses forward with designing it's own fleet of stealth jets, it seems that the sharp-eyed youth of today who spotted the cinematic addition to their news report and the students who grow tired of the military presence interrupting their classes are less than excited by the prospect of more money being spent on airborne machines of death.

Even if Tom Cruise is, unknowingly, the posterboy.

A tale of two countries... and a bullet to the face

"Taiwan is a democracy," President Ma Ying-jeou said after visiting Mr Lien at a Taipei hospital. "We will not tolerate such violence."

For those who don't know, there are actually two Chinas in the world.

FOURTEEN nations share a land border with the first and most influential.
The People's Republic of China supplies arms to Darfur, labels nobel peace prize winner the Dalai Lama as a terrorist, holds the power of veto in the UN and executes as many as 10,000 people a year.

It has a population of 1.3 billion people, enforces mandatory abortions and maintains a stranglehold over all media. It is also boasts the worlds most staggeringly successful economy.

Further away from the spotlight is the Republic of China; comprising of the island of Taiwan.

The ROC is ranked high in terms of freedom of the press, health care, public education and economic freedom, but fell into a recession in 2001 and has been fighting hard to keep it's head above water ever since.

The youngest and loudest of the two Chinese governments - formally established in 1949 by Mao Zedong - is officially a communist party, though few would agree that this was actually the case in practice.

On the other hand, the ROC - the oldest of the two Chinas - dates back to 1912, and is a functioning democracy - albeit one with ongoing corruption issues.

Taiwan is about to hold local elections, the outcome of which will be used to judge the publics opinion on the recent strengthening of ties between the two Chinas - a controversial policy being relentlessly pushed by current President Ma Ying-jeou.

Earlier today, Lien Cheng-wen, son of Taiwan's former Vice President Lien Chan was shot in the face while campaigning for the elections. The bullet struck the left side of Mr Lien's face and exited from his right temple, miraculously leaving him in what medical officials described as a 'stable condition'.

A man carrying a gun and bullets was arrested, but it is unknown what his reasons for doing this were.
"Taiwan is a democracy," President Ma Ying-jeou said after visiting Mr Lien at a Taipei hospital. "We will not tolerate such violence."

It is not such a stretch to assume that the Taiwan governments stance toward their snarling export-driven cousin is responsible for much of the current anger on the island, and possibly even for todays shooting. But as President Ma rightly says, violent outbursts of that kind do not belong in a country which can - for the time being - claim moral superiority over their new 'friend'.

                                         Former Vice President of Taiwan Lien Chan (left)
                                         with Chinese President Hu Jintao

Taiwan and China recently signed a historic trade pact - seen as the most significant agreement since the two sides split at the end of China's civil war in 1949. A deal was also struck in 2008 to allow flights between the two Chinas - the most direct transport connections in 60 years.

Mr Ma's predecessor, the Democratic Progressive Party's Chen Shui-bian, severely strained relations with China by making moves towards formal independence, something which resulted in the PRC drawing up the Anti-Secession Law in 2005 - which stated that they would use "non-peaceful and other necessary means" to reclaim the 'lost province' should it ever actually declare formal independence.

Aside from the current government in Taipei doing what it believes is right for the future of the country, clearly not everyone there wishes to snuggle up with their brothers just 100 miles across the water, especially as Beijing recently increased the number of missiles it keeps trained on the island to 1,500.

India this week added an extra 36,000 soldiers to be stationed along its border with China, and countries which are linked geographically with the super power are becoming increasingly wary of their intimidating neighbour. Its not difficult to imagine Pakistan, Vietnam and Russia developing nervous twitches right about now.

It seems that those in Taiwan who are wary of China are right to be so - and there are many.

A survey, conducted in Taiwan in July 2009, showed that 82 percent consider the ROC and the PRC to be two separate countries developing individually, directly contradicting Beijings claims that the island is simply a rogue province.

Another poll from December 2009 showed that 62 percent of the respondents considered themselves as Taiwanese only, compared to 8 percent who considered themselves to be Chinese.

But as the UK too sells it's own soul for a slice of China's economic pie - David Cameron himself carefully stepping over the oppressed and abused to get to Beijing - it seems that the morals and values of a country can be conveniently swept away for a while - a worthwhile sacrifice during these hard times.

Or not.

As Taiwan creeps closer to the smiling dragon, it needs to remember; it has a lot more to lose than we do.

On the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11849878