Examples of China’s Aggression

Is China a threat to the United States?  Let’s ignore geopolitical theories, assessments of intentions, and historical analogies. We should stick with facts. Here are facts:

In August 2006, the Chinese fired a laser to blind an American satellite, a direct attack on the United States.  

In the following October, a Chinese submarine for the first time surfaced in the middle of an American carrier group. This episode, which occurred in the Philippine Sea southeast of Okinawa, was an obvious warning to the U.S. Navy to stay away from Asian waters.  

Then in January 2007 the People’s Liberation Army, in what was an unmistakable display of military power, destroyed one of China’s old weather satellites with a ground-launched missile. Analysts noted that the shootdown demonstrated China’s ability to destroy America’s communication satellites and other space assets.   

At the end of last year, China conducted military maneuvers that were apparently rehearsals to take ally Taiwan, which we have essentially pledged to defend, and disputed South China Sea islands, some of which are claimed by our allies. These maneuvers were unprecedented in scope and sophistication for the People’s Liberation Army.  

Beijing has recently stepped up its objections to our Navy transiting international waterways.