China Missile Chronology 2011‐2008 | 2007‐2005 | 2004‐2000 | 1999‐1995 | 1994 | 1993‐1992 1991‐1990 | 1989‐1985 | 1984‐1980 | 1979‐1970 | 1969‐1935 Last update: September 2011 2011‐2008 24 August 2011 The United States Department of Defense releases its annual report entitled, “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2011.” The report estimates that China’s military modernization has made drastic improvement. The report suggests that the “PLA is obtaining large numbers of highly accurate cruise missiles, many of which have ranges in excess of 185 km.” Michael Schiffer deputy assistant secretary of defense says, “the pace and scope of China's sustained military investment have allowed China to pursue capabilities that we believe are potentially destabilizing to regional military balances, increase the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation, and may contribute to regional tensions and anxieties.” Schiffer also urges China to improve its military transparency and openness. Xinhua News Agency reports that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying responds to the criticism in an interview with German magazine, Der Spiegel by telling the world not to worry about China’s military ambitions. She says, “[the West and its allies] are not going to see a U.S. or a Soviet in China.” Office of Secretary of Defense, “Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2011,” Annual Report to Congress, distributed by the United States Department of Defense, 24 August 2011, www.defense.gov; American Forces Press Service, Jim Garamone, “China Report Notes Military Modernization,” U.S. Department of Defense, 24 August 2011, www.defense.gov; Mo Hong’e, “Vice FM Urges West to Demolish Wall of Distrust with China,” Xinhua News Agency, 24 August 2011, www.xinhua.net. 10 August 2010 The Chinese navy launches its first aircraft‐carrier on its maiden voyage. Xinhua News Agency reports that the refitting work on the aircraft‐carrier will still continue after its sea trial. People’s Daily reports that the carrier is expected to officially operate with the Chinese Navy in August next year. The United States seeks explanation from China regarding the types of equipment installed on the aircraft carrier. U.S. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland says that U.S.‐China relations should be an “open, transparent relationship in military‐to‐military affairs,” however does not believe that the two countries have reached that goal yet. According to the BBC News, Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa urged Beijing to give international community a clear explanation of needing an aircraft carrier with high maneuverability and attack capabilities. “The so‐called aircraft carrier is just a purchased hull China has been refitting for research and training purposes,” Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Fu Ying said. Bureau of Public Affairs, Victoria Nuland, “Daily Press Briefing‐August 10 2011,” distributed by U.S. Department of State, 10 August 2010, www.state.gov; Mo Hong’e, “Vice FM Urges West to Demolish Wall of Distrust with China,” Xinhua News Agency, 24 August 2011, www.xinhua.net. “Japan Minister Says China Aircraft Carrier to Have ‘Big Impact on the Region’,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, 12 August 2011, www.bbc.co.uk: “Aircraft Carrier Returns Related content is available on the website for the Nuclear Threat Initiative, www.nti.org. This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, or agents. Copyright © 2011 by MIIS. to Port after Maiden Voyage,” People’s Daily, 15 August 2011, www.peopledaily.com; “China’s Aircraft‐Carrier Name and Purpose to be Determined,” The Economist, 13 August 2011, www.economist.com.. 27 July 2011 China’s Ministry of Defense spokesman Senior Colonel Geng Yansheng confirms that “China is currently refitting an old aircraft carrier that it bought from another country and will use it for research, experiments and training purposes [中国目前正在利用一艘废旧的航空母舰平台进行改造，用于科研试验和训练].” According to Col. Geng, “there is not a question of when this ship is launched,” it will be decided upon the schedule of the refurbishment project. Col. Geng reiterates that China’s national defense policy will not change. However, some in the region feel threatened by the development. "China's next moves have to be watched carefully, or there eventually could be a negative impact on maritime safety in Asia," said Yoshihiko Yamada, a professor at Japan's Tokai University. “我国改建第一艘航空母舰 用于科研试验和训练[China's First Aircraft Carrier Converted for Research Testing and Training],” Zhongguo Guangbowang [CNR] (China), 28 July 2011, www.cnr.cn; Ben Blanchard and Benjamin Lim, “China Building Aircraft Carriers; Neighbors Worried,” MSNBC, 27 July 2011, www.msnbc.com; Jeremy Page, “China Says Carrier Won’t Alter Naval Strategy,” The Wall Street Journal, 28 July 2011, www.wsj.com. 10 June 2011 The Malaysian Insider, based on Wikileaks, asserts that a Malaysian company, Electronics Component Limited (with links to Iran) has tried to purchase gyroscopes used for guiding missiles from Chinese firm VibTel Industrial. According to Pam Durham, the director of Missile Threat Reduction at the U.S. State Department, “ECL [Electronics Component Limited] is associated with a network of Iranian‐controlled front companies that procure sensitive goods on behalf of a number if Iranian entities of proliferation concern.” The report says that Chinese officials will investigate the case. Shannon Teoh, “Wikileaks: Malaysian Firm Tried to Buy China Missile Parts,” The Malaysian Insider, 10 June 2011; “Iran Speeds Up Missile Development,” United Press International, 14 June 2011, ww.upi.com. 27 May 2011 Jane’s International Defense Review reports that the China National Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation has begun marketing “a rocket system that allows an 8x8 mobile launcher to transport and launch a pod of four SY400 [神鹰400制导火箭武器系统] 400 mm guided rockets and a pod containing one BP‐12A [BP‐ 12A近程战术地对地导弹武器系统] 600 mm long‐range guided missile. According to Jane’s, “both systems are based on the Wanshan Special Vehicle Company’s (WSVC) WS 2400 8x8 cross‐country chassis, which has a gross vehicle weight of 41 tonnes, and varies in its application. Wanshan Special Vehicle, also known as Hubei Sanjiang Space Wanshan Special Vehicle CO., Ltd [湖北三江航天万山特种车辆有限公司] is a state‐owned vehicle and chassis manufacturing corporation, which is subordinated to China Sanjiang Space Group [中国三江航天集团]. China has used this classis for a large group of rocket artillery applications. No comments are made from the Chinese government. Christopher F Foss, “China Develops Modular Long‐Range Rocket System,” Jane’s International Defense Review, 27 May 2011, www.jdet.james.com; “BP‐12A近程战术地对地导弹武器系统 [BP‐12A Short‐Range Tactical Surface‐to‐Weapon System],” China National Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation, www.cpmiec.com.cn; “神鹰400制导火箭武器系统 [SY400 Eagle 400 Guided Rocket Weapon System],” China National Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation, www.cpmiec.com.cn; “WS2400,” Wanshan Special Vehicle Company [湖北三江航天万山特种车辆有限公司], www.wstech.com.cn; “Members,” China Sanjiang Space Group [中国三江航天集团], www.sanjspace.com. Related content is available on the website for the Nuclear Threat Initiative, www.nti.org. This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, or agents. Copyright © 2011 by MIIS. 6 April 2011 The New York Times reports that China is set to launch its first aircraft carrier on its maiden voyage. State‐run Xinhua publishes, “The Chinese state news agency has posted photographs of an aircraft carrier [巨舰即将出航 圆70年中国人航母梦: Giant Ship to make maiden voyage, Chinese dream comes true after 70 years] under reconstruction that appears to show the warship near completion.” According to the Associated Press, China purchased the carrier from the Ukraine more than a decade ago. The ship first named Riga when its construction began in 1985 was later named the Varyag. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Ukraine sold the ship to China in 1992 when it was structurally complete, but without electronics. According to Asia Times, China installed the shipborne multi‐function Active Phased Array Radar and Sea Eagle as sensors, which were also equipped with Flying Leopard 3000 Naval air defense missile system. It is not yet known how China will outfit the carrier with missiles. “巨舰即将出航 圆70年中国人航母梦 [Giant Ship to Make Maiden Voyage, Chinese Dream Comes True After 70 Years],” Xinhua Photos, www.xinhua.net; Edward Wong, “Chinese Warship May Be Nearly Ready,” The New York Times, 7 April 2011, www.nytimes.com; “China’s First Aircraft Carrier to be Completed Soon: Reports,” The China Post (Taiwan), 7 April 2011, www.chinapost.com.tw; “China’s 1st Aircraft Carrier Watched by Region,” The Associated Press, 13 April 2011; Jens Kastner, “Ming Dynasty Admiral Spooks Taiwan,” Asia Times (Hong Kong), 13 April 2011, www.atimes.com; “China Aircraft Carrier Confronted by General,” BBC News, 8 June 2011, www.bbc.co.uk. 16 March 2011 According to Jane’s Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis, China’s new Dongfeng‐16 missile poses a serious threat to Taiwan, and “China has begun deploying a new pattern of ballistic missiles against Taiwan.” Taiwan National Security Bureau Director‐General Tsai Der‐sheng emphasizes that the “Dongfeng‐16 is a new type of ballistic missile that has a longer range than anything in China’s current cross‐Taiwan Straight arsenal.” It is thought to have a range of 800‐1,000 km, and but it is not known if it has multiple‐warhead technology. Chinese military expert, Xu Guangyu denies the existence of Dengfeng‐16 missiles. He argues that Taiwan is making false reports in order to increase U.S.‐Taiwan arms sales.