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China's navy should speed up its development and prepare for warfare, President Hu Jintao has said.

He told military personnel they should "make extended preparations for warfare".

China is locked in territorial disputes with several other nations in the South China Sea. Political tension is also growing with the US, which is seeking to boost its presence in the region.

After Mr Hu's comments, the US said China was entitled to defend itself.

"Nobody's looking for a scrap here," said Pentagon spokesman Admiral John Kirby in quotes carried by the AFP news agency.

"Certainly we wouldn't begrudge any other nation the opportunity to develop naval forces."

Senior US and Chinese officials are currently holding talks on military issues.

The one-day meeting takes place every year, with the stated aim of ensuring there are no misunderstandings between the two nations

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-16063607

....China's Hu urges navy to prepare for combat
..Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday urged the navy to prepare for military combat, amid growing regional tensions over maritime disputes and a US campaign to assert itself as a Pacific power.

The navy should "accelerate its transformation and modernisation in a sturdy way, and make extended preparations for military combat in order to make greater contributions to safeguard national security," he said.

Addressing the powerful Central Military Commission, Hu said: "Our work must closely encircle the main theme of national defence and military building."

His comments, which were posted in a statement on a government website, come as the United States and Beijing's neighbours have expressed concerns over its naval ambitions, particularly in the South China Sea.

Several Asian nations have competing claims over parts of the South China Sea, believed to encompass huge oil and gas reserves, while China claims it all. One-third of global seaborne trade passes through the region.

Vietnam and the Philippines have accused Chinese forces of increasing aggression there.

In a translation of Hu's comments, the official Xinhua news agency quoted the president as saying China's navy should "make extended preparations for warfare."

The Pentagon however downplayed Hu's speech, saying that Beijing had the right to develop its military, although it should do so transparently.

"They have a right to develop military capabilities and to plan, just as we do," said Pentagon spokesman George Little, but he added, "We have repeatedly called for transparency from the Chinese and that's part of the relationship we're continuing to build with the Chinese military."

"Nobody's looking for a scrap here," insisted another spokesman, Admiral John Kirby. "Certainly we wouldn't begrudge any other nation the opportunity, the right to develop naval forces to be ready.

"Our naval forces are ready and they'll stay ready."

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said: "We want to see stronger military-to-military ties with China and we want to see greater transparency. That helps answer questions we might have about Chinese intentions."

Hu's announcement comes in the wake of trips to Asia by several senior US officials, including President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

US undersecretary of defence Michelle Flournoy is due to meet in Beijing with her Chinese counterparts on Wednesday for military-to-military talks.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao last month warned against interference by "external forces" in regional territorial disputes including those in the South China Sea.

And China said late last month it would conduct naval exercises in the Pacific Ocean, after Obama, who has dubbed himself America's first Pacific president, said the US would deploy up to 2,500 Marines to Australia.

China's People's Liberation Army, the largest military in the world, is primarily a land force, but its navy is playing an increasingly important role as Beijing grows more assertive about its territorial claims.

Earlier this year, the Pentagon warned that Beijing was increasingly focused on its naval power and had invested in high-tech weaponry that would extend its reach in the Pacific and beyond.

China's first aircraft carrier began its second sea trial last week after undergoing refurbishments and testing, the government said.

The 300-metre (990-foot) ship, a refitted former Soviet carrier, underwent five days of trials in August that sparked international concern about China's widening naval reach.

Beijing only confirmed this year that it was revamping the old Soviet ship and has repeatedly insisted that the carrier poses no threat to its neighbours and will be used mainly for training and research purposes.

But the August sea trials were met with concern from regional powers including Japan and the United States, which called on Beijing to explain why it needs an aircraft carrier.

China, which publicly announced around 50 separate naval exercises in the seas off its coast over the past two years -- usually after the event -- says its military is only focused on defending the country's territory.

http://news.yahoo.com/chinas-hu-urges-navy-prepare-combat-160509787.html

Yep..

our PTB says that China has a right to defend themselves..and can buildup their navy..but..Israel has no right to defend themselves.

Gen 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: ...
.

Sandy,

It looks like the players are lining up in position, for World War 111, including China!

I agree with you, Israel, is always left out in the cold; I believe she should have the right to defend herself & she will!!! Jesus will come to Earth at the Second Coming to fight the battle at Armageddon, and defend His people and their land.

The Rapture can take place any time now, even today, for nothing has to happen beforehand; we're there, just awaiting for the Rapture Flight to Heaven to take off with out pilot, Jesus in the driver seat...He knows the way and it's through Him...!

Blessings in Jesus,

Valerie

Valerie..

I totally agree with you but I just get my blood in a boil when I see how our Prez treats Israel..I know this is all prophetic but it still upsets me when I see it happen..

Sandy, I fully understand where you are coming from on this issue! I'm sure you, myself and others know how untrustworthy O. is, as his mind is always on whatever benefits himself. He doesn't care about Israel, or the U.S.A. He is destroying your country within. He is a hypocrite, two faced person, whom one minute states he stands by Israel, and the next he's ready to allow her enemies to destroy her.

All we can do is pray for Israel, and ask God to keep her until Jesus comes at the battle of Armageddon, to destroy her enemies.

We're going home soon, because we see all the signs pointing to what has to take place after we're gone.

Maranatha & God Bless!

Valerie

Valerie & Sandy, I totally agree w/ya' both. Someone on my local Christian Radio Station said that Zero shouldn't even had been put into office--PERIOD!!! When I heard that, I totally agreed.

Maranatha!
Tammy