China and Transparency

If we have one consistent theme on this blog in regards to relations with China, it is the necessity to stress more transparency in their military forces. This is a very positive development.

China has reported its 2007 military expenditures to the United Nations (UN), the second time it has done so since it started participating in the UN Military Budget Transparency Mechanism last year.

The report provides more information than the previous submission, including basic data of the country's military spend for the latest fiscal year. It also explained the main purpose of the expenditures.

It would be interesting to see that report, we wonder if they declare the number of submarines they have.

Why do we stress transparency as important? It is about content flows. The more information they release, the more connectivity in open channels are possible. The key to this development is the explained purpose aspect, intent is critical.

The Navy has been making plenty of obvious gestures lately that China is where the focus is. Will transparency from China change the Navy's perspective in this regard? Hard to tell. At some point, the political leadership in the US needs to define the status of the relationship between the US and China. It doesn't make sense to frame China as the clear and present danger in the future that defines the US Navy's operational posture, fleet constitution, and strategic priority for operational necessities while also making China the most important economic partner for the United States at the same time.

Grand Strategy, call your office.