Strengthening a country’s defences should neither alarm its neighbours nor lead to an arms race. Despite this theoretical cognition of political sciences, the People’s Republic of China sees Ballistic Missile Defence as a threat to its national security.
The aim of this essay is to explain why the BMD systems of the USA are threatening China’s national security. I will show that it is mainly a psychological discourse. Although, or precisely therefore, it is very important for the understanding of China’s position and assumptions.
We will understand that China faces a security dilemma which is threatening the national security and ultimately lead to an arms race.
I will show that the technical aspects here are not as important as the psychological implications. Missile Defence “hints at the psychological side of international politics.” The US’s BMD systems may not work well enough to be technically a real threat to any country, but the development and instalment causes China’s threat perceptions. BM is used “as a saber-rattling show of force, for intimidation in order to reach a political goal or simply as deterrence against a perceived outside threat or imminent attack.”
For the People’s Republic of China there are two main issues: First, a period of strategic transition between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China and second, the US transfer of advanced PAC-3 Systems to Taiwan.
“The negative impact of missile defense deployments on Sino-US relations could potentially be reduced by offsetting them with political and economic measures to reassure China.”
Chinas concerns about missile defence focus mainly on political questions. Thoughts, fears and perceptions of Chinese officials and experts focus on Japanese militarization, the possibility that TMD would encourage Taiwan’s independence and the uncertainty about US intentions toward China. I will focus on the uncertainty about US intentions but I can’t leave out the other two aspects totally.
We will have a better understanding of the Chinese mind if we are aware of China’s principle national priorities. On the one hand the Communist Party wants stay in power. For this reason they need social stability. On the other hand the economic development is very important for the country. It is the goal to have a continued economic growth. Additionally this plays in favour of social stability.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. China’s Perceptions
2.1. NMD will break the strategic balance
2.2. Missile Defence is not purely defensive - China’s nuclear deterrence capability and national security is threatened
2.3. Missile Defence systems are actually targeting China
3. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the security dilemma facing the People's Republic of China regarding the development and deployment of Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems by the United States. It examines the psychological and strategic perceptions of Chinese officials and experts, arguing that these systems are viewed as a threat to China’s national security and a catalyst for a potential arms race.
- Psychological and strategic implications of BMD systems
- The impact of US-China strategic transition
- Concerns over the transfer of advanced military technology to Taiwan
- The perception of BMD as an offensive tool targeting China rather than rogue states
- The influence of historical rivalry and regional security concerns
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. NMD will break the strategic balance
China had high hopes in post Cold War arms reduction. A balanced political environment, especially between the major powers USA and Russia, gave a save feeling to Chinese officials. Based on the arms reduction, China could focus on its economic development. The armed forces including the ICBM’s were not developed further. After 2002 the situation changed.
The PRC and Russia are strategic partners since 1996. Both see the global balance in jeopardy by US BMD plans. 2002 USA withdrew from the ABM Treaty. As a consequence the RF gave up its opposition to the US’s withdrawal. These events have two impacts for the Chinese ambitions. USA and Russia can improve their ABM systems. As a result China lost its partner Russia in the ABM opposition and stands very alone right now.
In the post ABM-treaty era it is highly likely that the proliferation of offensive arms will increase. After the US’s withdrawal a peaceful strategy for the East Asian region sounds not convincing. It is no wonder that China is suspecting the USA planning offensives or at least convincing. “US deployment of NMD would inject an additional element of uncertainty and confusion into bilateral strategic relations.”
Another factor is that Chinese experts see the similarities between MD and SDI. Just as SDI led the SU into an arms race they couldn’t win (as history has proved), MD could lead China into the same situation. The reaction of formal Soviet Union to SDI and its significant economic impact is a warning to China, not to get into any possible arms race. MD is in this understanding a trap by the USA. Furthermore, China’s worst fear is the unipolarity of a Western power. In this understanding former fears about SDI are projected on MD.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the core argument that China views US missile defense systems as a major security threat, emphasizing the psychological dimensions over technical capabilities.
2. China’s Perceptions: This section provides a theoretical framework for nuclear deterrence and details China's specific fears regarding the disruption of strategic stability and perceived US hostile intentions.
2.1. NMD will break the strategic balance: This chapter analyzes how the end of the ABM Treaty and US deployment plans have heightened Chinese insecurity and revived fears of a new, unwinnable arms race.
2.2. Missile Defence is not purely defensive - China’s nuclear deterrence capability and national security is threatened: This section discusses the Chinese perspective that missile defense systems are offensive in nature, potentially enabling US first-strike capabilities.
2.3. Missile Defence systems are actually targeting China: This chapter argues that Chinese experts believe BMD systems are designed to counter China's rise rather than threats from so-called "rogue states" like North Korea.
3. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes Beijing's concerns, highlighting that US policies are seen as counterproductive and potentially destabilizing for the East Asian region.
Keywords
China, National Security, Missile Defence, BMD, NMD, TMD, Nuclear Deterrence, Strategic Balance, Arms Race, Taiwan, USA, Japan, Security Dilemma, Military Modernization, Geopolitics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic work?
The work examines why the People's Republic of China perceives US Ballistic Missile Defence systems as a significant threat to its national security.
What are the primary themes addressed?
The key themes include the security dilemma between major powers, the psychological impact of military technology, regional instability in East Asia, and the strategic transition between the US and China.
What is the main research question or objective?
The primary objective is to explain the Chinese perspective on BMD and to demonstrate why these systems are interpreted as tools for intimidation and offensive strategy rather than purely defensive measures.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a political-science approach, analyzing international relations theory, strategic doctrines, and the discourse of Chinese officials and security experts.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body treats theoretical aspects of nuclear deterrence, the impact of the US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty, the specific concerns regarding Taiwan and Japan, and the perceived ulterior motives behind US missile defense deployments.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Essential keywords include Missile Defence (BMD), China, Strategic Balance, Security Dilemma, Nuclear Deterrence, and Geopolitics.
How does the author characterize the "security dilemma" in this context?
The author defines it as a cycle where the efforts of one country to enhance its own security by building a "protection shield" lead to the downgrading of another nation's security, thereby triggering an arms race.
Why does the author argue that North Korea is not the real target of these systems?
The text argues that Chinese experts perceive North Korean military capabilities as insufficient to threaten the US, leading to the conclusion that US expenditures on missile defense are intended to contain China's rise.
What role does the Taiwan issue play in China's threat perception?
The transfer of advanced military technology, such as PAC-3 systems, to Taiwan is seen by Chinese experts as a sign of deepening US-Taiwan defense integration, which China views as a direct threat to its sovereignty and national integrity.
- Quote paper
- Thomas Oeljeklaus (Author), 2008, China’s security dilemma: Why is Missile Defence threatening China’s national security?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/134456
