Ground control to Major…Tong?
Next week the People’s Republic of China is scheduled to become
the third nation in history to launch a human into outer space. A
critical step in China’s path to becoming the next world
superpower, the P.R.C’s entrance into the space race should be
considered the most important technological development of the 21st
century so far.
In typical Chinese fashion the event has been hyped to huge
heights, but the exact launch time is secret and will probably not
be televised live in case of failure. According to CNN.com, the
launch vehicle is a Chinese-built variant of the Russian Soyuz
space capsule, and the launch platform is a Chinese-designed Long
March missile. Russian space suits were also purchased by the
Chinese, however the government insists they were only used for
research purposes.
A full 40 years behind the two superpowers, a Chinese
accomplishment of manned space flight has little literal bearing on
world affairs, but the various applications of the technology
required to achieve such a feat are enormous. From an economic
standpoint, the feat serves to solidify China’s position in the
world economy as one of, if not the, premier platforms for
launching private satellites into orbit. From a military
standpoint, China is re-enforcing its position as a first-class
producer and purveyor of missile technology.
The military implications of this technology are what should be
given attention and respect. China’s long term military goals were
outlined and explained in a 1999 report for the U.S. military by
Mark Stokes of the Strategic Studies Institute entitled “China’s
Strategic Modernization: Implications for the United States.” This
report concedes that while China’s conventional army is second rate
at best, “the PLA (People’s Liberation Army), as part of its
long-range regional security strategy, is attempting to develop an
ability to target an enemy’s forward-based command, control,
communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) nodes, airbases,
aircraft carriers and sea-based C2 platforms, as well as critical
nodes in space.” In layman’s terms, China is developing advanced
missile technologies to target satellites, warships and support
aircraft. Furthermore, these missiles will not be used just to
deliver traditional weapons, but also as a vehicle for an
electromagnetic pulse weapon. What is an electromagnetic pulse
weapon? Remember “Goldeneye,” the James Bond movie? Yeah, that’s
what I’m talking about.
With no satellites, no aircraft carriers and no computers, the
mighty U.S. military wouldn’t be able to invade Guam, much less
defend Taiwan against a second-tier conventional army. An invasion
of Taiwan has long been a cornerstone of Chinese military policy.
Being the last bastion of Chinese Nationalism, mainland China not
only refuses to recognize the independence of Taiwan but also
regards the island as a rogue province that must eventually be
reunited with mainland China. Conversely, U.S. military policy in
the Pacific since the before the end of the Cold War has been
largely centered around the defense of Taiwan from mainland
China.
As stated in Sun Tzu’s “Art of War,” chapter 3, verse 1,
“preserving the enemy’s army is best, destroying the enemy’s army
is second best…subjugating the enemy’s army is the true pinnacle
of excellence.” If China succeeds in launching a man into space
next week, the nation will establish itself as a military
superpower not because of its power, but because of its prowess.
China is on the verge of developing technologies that will enable
it to circumvent decades of conventional military development and
become the world leader in a new type of arms race. This new race
will be gauged not just in terms of sheer might or destructive
capabilities, but also in terms of maneuverability and timing.
Perhaps this new arms race will not be considered a race at all,
but rather an elaborate dance; as master Sun explains in chapter 5,
verse 7, “Intermixed and turbulent, the fighting appears chaotic,
but cannot be made disordered. In turmoil and confusion, their
deployment is circular, and they cannot be defeated.”
Hero of the Week: My friend Rob Lane died two years ago this
Sunday. He was a great person with heart and ambition even larger
than his 6-foot 5-inch frame. Even larger still was the impression
and legacy he left with those of us that knew him; Big Rob always
stood up for what he believed in, always met adversity head on and
never backed down. His sudden and unavoidable passing should serve
as reminder of how all of us should live every day to its full
potential not because it might be our last, but because there is so
much in life to live for.
Zero of the Week: The Rev. Fred Phelps for wanting to erect an
anti-gay monument in Casper, Wyo., for the fifth anniversary of
Matthew Shepard’s death. Reverend, what century are you living in?
I have an idea: let’s pretend the year is 85 A.D, and I’ll get
together a band of pagans to beat and crucify you for believing in
He who is all! It is ignorant and narrow-minded people like you,
Rev. Phelps, who are responsible for every ill deed in history,
including the demise of your savior.
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