China tests stealth fighter

[David Guyatt]

All very well for the president to say with a smile, but try telling the Pentagon they're now equal with China.

Nope, don't think so.

[URL="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1349251/China-military-threat-insists-president-urges-U-S-treat-equal.html"]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1349251/China-military-threat-insists-president-urges-U-S-treat-equal.html
[/URL]

China 'not a military threat', insists president as he urges U.S. to treat it as equal
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 11:50 AM on 21st January 2011


Collaboration: Chinese President Hu Jintao has insisted his country is not a military threat, despite aggressive moves in the west Pacific and a build up of forces
Chinese President Hu Jintao has denied his country is a military threat despite a rapid build up of its military forces.
Politicians gave the Chinese president an 'earful of complaints' during his visit to Capitol Hill over the country's policy on business and trade practices, human rights and aggressive military gestures.
President Barack Obama has also expressed similar concerns during the Chinese state visit to the U.S.
But Hu dismissed the concerns and urged the U.S. to treat China 'with respect and as equals'.
'China-U.S. relations will enjoy smooth and steady growth when the two countries handle well issues involving each other's major interests,' he said.
'Otherwise, our relations will suffer constant trouble or even tension.'
He told a the U.S.-China Business Council: 'We will remain committed to the path of peaceful development. We do not engage in an arms race, we are not a military threat to any country.
'China will never seek to dominate or pursue an expansionist policy.'
He added that the U.S. should continue to recognise China's sovereignty over Taiwan and Tibet.
The Chinese leader will today visit a Chinese centre at a high school and a Chinese auto parts producer.
House Speaker John Boehner said members 'raised our strong, ongoing concerns with reports of human rights violations in China, including the denial of religious freedom and the use of coercive abortion' - referring to China's one-child policy.

Criticism: Outgoing Chicago mayor Richard Daley, left, talks with Mr Hu. Politicians have given a list of concerns over human rights and trade practices to the Chinese President

Opposition: Students protest against the Chinese government visit to the U.S. in downtown Chicago
Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said: 'Out of all the issues I raised, the only one which received a response from Mr Hu was my statement urging the end of China's forced abortion policy.
'I was astonished when he insisted that such a policy does not exist.'
Mr Hu has used the visit to call for closer cooperation between the global economic powers.

Muscle: Developments like the J-20 stealth fighter have led to concerns about China's military strength
In recent years, China has grown rapidly both economically and militarily.
The U.S. has expressed concerns over Beijing's increasingly aggressive stance in the western Pacific and the accountability of the People's Liberation Army to civilian leaders within the government.
During Defence Secretary Robert Gates' visit to China earlier this month, the decision to conduct a test flight of its first aircraft designed to evade radar - the J-20 stealth fighter - appeared to catch Hu and other Chinese leaders off guard.
Another area of concern is the development of anti-ship missiles which could make it harder for U.S. aircraft carriers to operate in the western Pacific.