China's PLA kicks it old school

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Thursday, October 1, 2009 - 6:59 PM Share

My CNAS colleague Abe Denmark, who is scary smart on Chinese security matters, offers this commentary on the recent round of Chinese military parades, as seen here:

Very old-fashioned stuff. Fun things to look for:
Happy ethnic minorities in traditional garb.
Female soldiers, carrying submachine guns, clad in red miniskirts and white jackboots.
Goose-stepping -- always popular.
Mass choreographed dancing and sign-holding. Kim Jong-Il is very jealous.
Tanks rolling through Tiananmen Square. 'nuff said.
President Hu Jintao riding very stiffly in a motorcade to inspect the troops. Per tradition, he says "Greetings, comrades!" The soldier's traditional reply: "Serve the people!"
Awesome blue-tinted naval camouflage on the anti-ship cruise missile launchers, and the sailors' uniforms. Radar and infra-red be damned!

STR/AFP/Getty Images

EXPLORE:CHINA, MILITARY

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ZJIN

7:16 PM ET

October 1, 2009

For someone who is "scary

For someone who is "scary smart on Chinese security matters", he should not make mistake on Chinese military tradition: Per tradition, Hu says "Greetings, comrades!" The soldier reply "Greetings, commander"

Then Hu says "Comrades, you’ve worked so hard!" The soldier's traditional reply: "Serve the people!"

DON BACON

8:01 PM ET

October 1, 2009

Also some not very old-fashioned stuff.

The report particularly mentioned the development of the DF-21 anti-ship missile, which is a threat to US aircraft carriers. The new missiles are expected to fly in the upper atmosphere or near space and thus "negate" current U.S. Navy-based missile defenses, thus altering the strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region.

US defense experts are expecting a test of the missile, and a successful test would be strategically comparable to Beijing's January 2007 anti-satellite missile test.

The anniversary of the Republic of China on Taiwan is coming up October 10th -- good opportunity to show it off.

TYRTAIOS

11:30 PM ET

October 1, 2009

Always updating with a twist

Besides carriers, amphibious ships make great targets. The CSS-5 or DF-21 as you call it, has a multiple dummy warhead capability, which could befuddle our AEGIS, or at least deplete ordnance.

But then, the our Navy doesn't seem to have any desire to screen the PHIBRON these days.

You'll also note China paid a port of call to Tokyo Bay, a saluting harbor, back in Nov 2007.

Teaser question: a statue of Oishi Kuranosuke who lead the famous Forty-seven Ronin is at a temple overlooking Tokyo Bay at Sengakuji. Why are there only 46 grave markers there? : - )

SOLDIERSDIARY

5:43 PM ET

October 2, 2009

why only 46

Because on February 4th 1703, forty-six of the 47 Ronin committed seppaku as ordered by the shogun. These 46 represent their graves.

Trivia for you...what happened to the 47th Ronin?

TYRTAIOS

12:38 PM ET

October 4, 2009

Why Indeed -

soldiersdiary - a very famous tale still depicted in a play called the Chusingura.

The youngest of the ronin had been sent with the news of this event on 14 Dec 1702 was spared from the sentence of ritual suicide

Upon their deaths, the 46 ronin were buried side by side next to their master at Sengaku-ji Temple. If ever in Tokyo take the train to Sengaku Station, the view from the temple overlooking Tokyo Bay is breathtaking - cheers, and stay safe! :)

DON BACON

2:57 PM ET

October 2, 2009

Could the surface navy become obsolete?

The DF-21C is a ballistic missile with multiple warheads, conventional or nuclear, which could target a naval surface fleet at a range of 1500 miles.

The range of the modified Dong Feng 21 missile is significant in that it covers the areas that are likely hot zones for future confrontations between U.S. and Chinese surface forces. The size of the missile enables it to carry a warhead big enough to inflict significant damage on a large vessel, providing the Chinese the capability of destroying a U.S. supercarrier in one strike.

Because the missile employs a complex guidance system, low radar signature and a maneuverability that makes its flight path unpredictable, the odds that it can evade tracking systems to reach its target are increased. It is estimated that the missile can travel at mach 10 and reach its maximum range of 2000km in less than 12 minutes.
http://www.defensetech.org/archives/004777.html