China missile threat described as growing

WASHINGTON, June 14 (UPI) -- China is rapidly developing mobile ICBMs that could target the United States, a congressional Republican warned Wednesday.

"China's road-mobile DF-31 and its longer variant, DF-31A, intercontinental ballistic missiles reached initial threat availability in 2006 and are expected to achieve operational status in 2007. Make no mistake about it, these missiles could target and reach the United States," said Duncan Hunter, the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and a conservative candidate for the GOP's 2008 presidential nomination.

"China's strategic force ambitions remain strong," Hunter said. "China has at least 10 varieties of ballistic missiles deployed or in development and is updating some of its older systems with improved range, mobility, and accuracy -- this includes about 900 CSS-6 and CSS-7 short-range ballistic missiles deployed to garrisons opposite Taiwan."

"The basis for China's military modernization efforts and emergence as a regional and global power is its economic engine," the congressman said. "During the last 10 years, I have watched China become the world's third-largest trading power by devaluing its currency to achieve an export advantage over its trading partners. In 2006, China's trade surplus with the United States grew to more than $200 billion -- a 25 percent increase from 2004. I continue to be very concerned about the yuan, which remains undervalued by approximately 40 percent, and the Chinese use of American 'greenbacks' to purchase its ships, planes, and missiles."

The rapidly increasing Chinese investment in modern weapons systems is generating increasing concern among both Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress.