China represents the new possibilities and realities of a multipolar world. That country, which has been building its military muscle and industrializing rapidly, has earned some respect, grudging it may be, by standing its ground, on its own feet, at least in some cases. The reported quickening of delivery of Sukhoi-35 aircraft by Russia is a case in point.
The deal, which was reported to be running two years behind schedule, was expedited as China drew closer to inducting into the PLAAF its twinjet, fifth generation stealth fighter Chengdu J-20 — an aircraft the country plans to offer in the materiel market for “one-fifth to one-third of the price of a similar US weapon”.
According to some reports, Russia delivered four of the 24 Su-35s China is buying on Christmas Day 2016.
Pakistan, too, is said to be impressed with the performance of the aircraft and has evinced interest in acquiring J-20s for its forces. China is a willing seller.
Incidents in the recent past, including the capture of an underwater American drone in the South China Sea by the Chinese navy, barely 500 metres away from the American naval vessel Bowditch that was operating the craft, are indications of China’s expansionist intentions and aplomb.
The incident was also interesting considering the fact that it took place about 80 kilometres from Subic Bay, a port in the Philippines which was once home to a large American naval base.
The wily move, while sending a strong message, posed minimal risk of conflict as the American ship was not a combat vessel. Also, China did return the drone but decided when and where it would do so, much to the chagrin of the US, which tried to downplay the incident stating that the drone was not very valuable and employed only commercially available technology.
China’s lifting of the American drone finds parallels in the recent cyberattack that suspected Pak hackers made on the National Security Guard website. Here, too, there was no military risk, no collateral damage but a point was made, particularly against the backdrop of the appointment of Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat as Chief of Army Staff superseding two officers senior to him.
China has been at it for quite a while. Most recently the country conducted an exercise involving its sole aircraft carrier, the Ukraine built craft extensively refit and renamed as Liaoning, in the South China Sea.
It ruffled some feathers, again. There are also reports that the red dragon is preparing to launch its first indigenously built aircraft carrier — expected to be named CNS Shandong — this year.
While the Chinese model of development may not be in the best interests of world peace, it does reaffirm that country’s collective wish and endeavour to be its own master.
As China browbeats its neighbours, needles Uncle Sam and leaches away territory into its own fold, it also preaches peace.
There is a deceptive languor in the dragon’s rise. The fire in its belly is seemingly simmering hot and could be hard to contain. The means China is deploying may not be kosher but it does meet one end, and that is giving a clear message that it is not to be messed with. The Chinese melon is now armour-plated.
