2011 report to congress - U.S.-China Economic and Security Review ...

dkrause on DSKHT7XVN1PROD with $$_JOB9• Continued improvements in China’s civil aviation capabilities,as first noted in the Commission’s 2010 Annual Report, enhanceChinese military aviation capabilities because of theclose integration of China’s commercial and military aviationsectors.• In an effort to calm regional fears, China attempts to broadcasta benign image of its growing military capabilities. Officialstatements from Beijing over the past year describe China asa status quo power and downplay its military modernizationefforts.• In 2011, China continued a pattern of provocation in disputedareas of the South China Sea. China’s policy in the region appearsdriven by a desire to intimidate rather than cooperate.Many of China’s activities in the region may constitute violationsof the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seaand the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the SouthChina Sea. While China sometimes demonstrates a willingnessto cooperate with other claimants to disputed waters in theSouth China Sea, it is unlikely that China will concede any ofits claims.• China’s government or military appeared to sponsor numerouscomputer network intrusions throughout 2011. Additional evidencealso surfaced over the past year that the Chinese militaryengages in computer network attacks. These developmentsare consistent with the PLA’s known missions and organizationalfeatures, as noted by the Commission’s 2009 AnnualReport to Congress and contracted research study Capability ofthe People’s Republic of China to Conduct Cyber Warfare andComputer Network Exploitation.• China’s military strategy envisions the use of computer networkexploitation and attack against adversaries, including theUnited States. These efforts are likely to focus on operationalsystems, such as command, control, communications, computers,intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets.This could critically disrupt the U.S. military’s ability to deployand operate during a military contingency. Chinese cyber attacksagainst strategic targets, such as critical infrastructure,are also possible.China’s ‘‘Area Control Military Strategy’’• The PLA’s military strategy is best described as an Area ControlStrategy. At its core, this strategy seeks to provide guidanceto the PLA on how to defeat a technologically superior opponent.• In order to defeat a superior opponent, the Area Control Strategyemphasizes degrading an opponent’s technological advantages;striking first in a conflict; and establishing military controlover China’s periphery, especially the maritime region offof China’s eastern coast.VerDate Nov 24 2008 13:46 Nov 10, 2011 Jkt 067464 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 G:\GSDD\USCC\2011\067464.XXX 067464