By Peter Wood, China Brief: “At the end of April, China’s Defense Ministry announced it would be conducting “live fire drills” near the border with North Korea. This followed weeks of rumors that the PLA was deploying in large numbers close to the Korean peninsula, which the MOD spokesperson subsequently denied (MOD, April 27). North Korean revelations of new missile types, several missile tests and histrionic response to U.S. deployment of THAAD missiles have all contributed to escalated tensions between China, the U.S. and both North and South Korea. Further emphasizing the gravity of the situation, U.S. President Donald Trump said that “we could end up in a major, major conflict.” An examination of China’s Northern Theater Command, its military organization responsible for Northeast Asia, provides insight into China’s interests in this region, and particularly toward the Korean peninsula.”
R-E-S-P-E-C-T . . . the PLA Navy
By James Fanell, USNI Proceedings Magazine: “Recent statements from a former and a current senior Navy official reminded me of the 1967 Aretha Franklin classic ballad “Respect” as it pertains to U.S. respect for the military capabilities of the People’s Republic of China. ”