Pentagon: China extending military reach, might be threat

China is rapidly extending its military reach, buying more long-range aircraft and weapons that will allow it to compete with the United States and potentially pose a threat to other countries in the region, a Pentagon report said Tuesday.

The pace and scope of China's progress in modernizing its military suggests it is looking beyond Taiwan, the self-governing island that draws much of its attention, according to the annual study.

At the same time, however, China has increased by about 25,000 the number of ground forces deployed to the three regions opposite Taiwan, and has upgraded the units with tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory, and has threatened to invade if the island declares formal independence or resists Beijing's insistence on negotiating a reunification. The United States, which is Taiwan's main arms supplier, has cautioned both countries not to force a change in the status quo.

According to the report, in the past year China has:

Taken steps to buy transport and tanker aircraft from Russia, and expressed interest in attack planes than can operate from aircraft carriers.

Continued to buy short range ballistic missiles, estimated at the end of 2005 as between 710-790. Last year's report said China had deployed some 650-730 to garrisons opposite Taiwan, reports AP.

O.Ch.

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