HONG KONG -- The Pentagon's latest report on the military power of the People's Republic of China has, predictably, angered Beijing. But a careful reading shows that the language used is by no means provocative.
For one thing, the report begins by acknowledging that "little is known about the most significant aspects of Chinese military power" because "Chinese secrecy is extensive." Even though China published another white paper on defense last December, the white paper reveals "little about the quantity or quality of China's military forces."
Moreover, U.S. military exchange delegations to China "have been shown only 'showcase' units, never any advanced units or any operational training or realistic exercises."