In this issue of The Prophetic Messenger we will take a look at the nation of China and their future threat to the United States.

1. Recent History of China
A civil war in 1949 separated China and Taiwan. The Chinese Communists ruled the mainland China and the Chinese Nationalists fled to Taiwan. They have been bitter enemies ever since. Under The Taiwan Relations Act, signed April 10, 1979, the United States agreed to protect Taiwan from an invasion by China. An article titled "Congress Hears US Forces Ready for Chinese Threat"(Note 1) states "The top US naval commander in the Pacific has told Congress that US forces are well-positioned to deal with any Chinese military activity aimed at Taiwan, but says that the US has not seen any indication of an immediate military threat in the period surrounding Taiwan's presidential election. Admiral Thomas Fargo, the Navy Commander of the US Pacific Command, made his comments in testimony on Wednesday before a House Armed Services Committee hearing on defense budget issues and US security concerns in the Pacific region.........He also noted that 'we maintain a force posture and readiness and an ability to respond to contingencies that will ensure that should the president ask us, we can meet those responsibilities under the [Taiwan Relations Act].' This act, enacted 25 years ago today, commits the US among other things to 'maintain the capacity ... to resist any resort to force of other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security ... of the people of Taiwan'........Fargo was asked whether Taiwan's desire for 'increased autonomy and eventual independence' could spark a military confrontation between Washington and Beijing. He refused to speculate on Taiwan's actions, but said 'the most important thing is that we have to meet our responsibilities with respect to the Taiwan Relations Act as well as provide good advice to Taiwan as to how they improve their capability to defend themselves. And we're certainly doing that'........'The balance of power is changing across the Taiwan Strait' with China's continued military modernization, he said. 'Taiwan, on the other hand, continued cutting its defense budget,' he said. 'These diverging military trends highlight a political problem in which China constantly seeks to strangle more assertive demonstrations of Taiwanese democracy lest the people of Taiwan decide that they don't want to surrender their rights in order to become part of greater China. Those trends are accelerating, undermining the fragile standoff that has secured peace across the Strait for most of the last 50 years,' he said."

For more information about the Taiwan Relations Act visit www.taiwandocuments.org/tra01.htm

2. China's Partner Russia
In 2001, during the visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin to Moscow with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin both countries signed the Sino-Russian Friendship and Cooperation Treaty. An article titled "Major Consequences of Chinese-Russian Treaty"(Note 2) says "During the visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin to Moscow this week, Jiang and Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin signed a Sino-Russian Friendship and Cooperation Treaty. This treaty, with an effective period of 30 years (20 years, from other data), will have grave consequences for prospects of war and peace around Taiwan and, probably, in all of East Asia - if not the entire world. First of all, the treaty will formalize and codify the strategic axis of Beijing-Moscow, i.e., an alliance directed against the United States and its close allies. The signing of the treaty will have several important aspects: There is enough reliable information that the treaty will contain open or hidden articles on Sino-Russian joint "resistance to aggression" against either of these two countries. This means that any attempt of the U.S. to defend Taiwan in the event of a People's Republic of China (PRC) attack on that island will be considered as aggression against the PRC, and the Russian army will come to the aid of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)............. In mid-February 2001, Russian strategic forces, including ground-based ICBMs and strategic submarines, carried out a "mock attack" against U.S. troops within the framework of joint Sino-Russian military actions during the Taiwan conflict. These preparations should be regarded with extreme seriousness. Between 1998 and 2001, the military expenditures of Russia, in comparable prices, almost doubled. These funds are being used mainly to support and revive the major components of Russia's strategic potential, including space warfare.........After signing the new Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, Russia will greatly boost its supply to the PLA of advanced conventional weaponry -fighters, attack helicopters, military transports, electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, diesel-electric submarines, destroyers equipped with advanced anti-ship missiles, air-defense missile systems of all kinds, and land-forces weapons. The same is true for the corresponding weapon-manufacturing technology. According to early data, in the first half of 2001, Russia's volume of weapon technology deliveries to China was at least two times more than in the first half of 2000. These deliveries will significantly expand in the 18 months after signing of the treaty this month. Moreover, after the treaty is signed, Russia (per agreements at the eighth Sino-Russian Military-Technological Cooperation Commission meeting in Moscow in February, with PLA Lt. Gen. Zhang Wannian as the head of the Chinese delegation) will also provide the PLA with TU-22 long-range bombers, state-of-the-art attack nuclear submarines, new-generation cruise missiles, and advanced EW and space warfare munitions. This will result in accelerated growth and qualitative upgrading of the PLA's combat potential, most of which will be focused into a "striking fist" around Taiwan. No illusions should remain here: After signing of the treaty, the entire Russian defense industry will be at the unlimited disposal of the PLA." Did you understand what is being planned against America? When our nation goes to defend Taiwan against China, the Russians will attack us in response. (For more details about Russia see the Prophetic Messenger newsletters titled "Is Communism Dead?" May/June 2000 and "Russia Friend or Foe?" March/April 2003)

3. China Building Up Military
China has been building up its military for a future war with the United States over Taiwan through help from Russia and through huge trade with the United States and other nations. An article titled "Russia Helping Chinese to Superpower Status", subtitled "Moscow Assists Neighbor with Commerce, Military, Space program"(Note 3) says "China is on its way to becoming the world's next military superpower, thanks to Russian technology and assistance, and could be the first nation to build a moon-based space station. The Hong Kong Sunday Morning Post reported June 8 that 'a new colossus may be forming in the east as Russia and China edge toward a symbiotic relationship that could create the world's next economic, military and space-faring superpower.' In signaling the importance of Beijing's relationship with Moscow, Chinese President Hu Jintao used his first trip abroad to visit Russia, during which he signed a number of far-reaching agreements in energy, space engineering, arms supplies and regional security..........Meanwhile, Russia continues to aid China's military modernization effort. Beijing signed a $1.6 billion deal in May 2002 to buy eight Russian Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines, one of the quietest subs in the world. Construction of the first two subs recently got underway at the Sevmash defense industry shipyards in Severodvinsk; the other six are to be completed by 2005, ITAR-TASS reported. Additionally, in January, China agreed to buy two more Russian-built Sovremenny-class destroyers. Beijing bought two others in 1997 for $1 billion, and Moscow delivered in 1999 and 2000." Another article titled "China Successfully Tests Multi-Warhead Missiles"(Note 4) says "China successfully test-launched a medium-range missile with multiple warheads in December 2002, indicating a rapid modernization of China's nuclear missile capability aimed at countering the U.S. missile defense network planned for the region, sources said Friday. The launching of the Dong Feng-21 (DF-21), with a target range of about 1,800 kilometers, was the first successful test launch of the missile with multiple warheads for China. According to the sources, the launch was carried out in mid-December at a Second Artillery Corp's base of the People's Liberation Army in Shanxi Province, China........China has been trying to quickly develop a multiple-warhead missile system to counter the missile defense network being pursued by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush on the U.S. mainland and in east Asia and to deter U.S. military pressure, Chinese diplomatic sources said. China maintains two major types of missiles as a deterrence to U.S. military force. They are intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which include the U.S. mainland in their target range, and medium-range missiles, designed to contain U.S. military intervention in Taiwan. The DF-21 is categorized as a medium-range missile. About 50 DF-21s have been deployed in China since the 1980s. If the MIRV missiles are deployed, they could help to deter U.S. mobile forces on aircraft carriers near Taiwan. According to the sources, Beijing will begin deploying the DF-31--a new type of ICBM with a target range of about 8,000 kilometers--by this summer at the earliest. Three test launches of the ICBM have been carried out so far." In another article titled "Pentagon Says China Refitting Missiles to Hit Okinawa"(Note 5) says "China is modifying short-range mobile missiles to target U.S. forces in Okinawa and is sharply increasing the number of missiles aimed at Taiwan, according to the Pentagon's latest annual report on Chinese military power. 'Beijing has greatly expanded its arsenal of increasingly accurate and lethal ballistic missiles and long-range strike aircraft that are ready for immediate application should the [People´s Liberation Army] be called upon to conduct war before its modernization aspirations are fully realized,' according to the report released yesterday. The Chinese are working on a medium-range missile that will give Beijing the ability to launch attacks against the 25,000 U.S. troops deployed on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa. The new missiles also will be able to hit Taiwan from bases farther inland from the Chinese coast, the report said........The new CSS-6s will 'employ satellite-aided navigation to enable attacks against both Okinawa and Taiwan.' China now has deployed 450 short-range missiles and the force will grow by more than 75 missiles a year, the report said........Regarding the threat to Taiwan, the report states that China could use 'decapitation' attacks against the island using missiles, aircraft or an amphibious assault. 'China's efforts to develop coercive military options present challenges not only to Taiwan, but also to other countries in the region such as the Philippines and Japan,' the report said. China also is beefing up its long-range nuclear missiles........The report also warns that China is building up its "information warfare" forces in preparation for a conflict over Taiwan, which President Bush has vowed to defend from Chinese attack. Beijing has adopted a new strategy of what Beijing military planners call 'assassin's mace' arms -- advanced weapons designed for use against U.S. forces. Current 'assassins maces' that could trump advanced U.S. weapons include fighter bombers, submarines, antiship missiles, and mines that could attack U.S. aircraft carriers. 'Chinese doctrine continues to emphasize surprise, deception, and shock effect in the opening phase of a campaign,' the report said........China continues to build up its military in utmost secrecy. Its military spending is estimated to be many times greater than the official estimate of $20 billion annually, the report said."
 
4. The China Threat

a) Spiritual
The nation of China is Communist. Communists are atheists which are people who believe there is no God. Communist hate Christians and nations that spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We see the terrible persecution of Christians in China and how many missionaries and Christians have died for their faith in Jesus Christ. We are also seeing many people becoming Christians in China. In Philippians 1:29 it says " For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;" and in II Timothy 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Remember to pray for the persecuted Christians in China as well as all over the world.

b) China's Future Plan To Unite with Taiwan Through Peace or War
Since the recent election in 2004 in Taiwan preparation is being made for a future war. An article titled "China Considers Law 'Mandating' Taiwan Submit to Takeover"(Note 6) states " China says it might adopt a law mandating that rival Taiwan unify with the mainland. 'Unification is the common wish of the Chinese people, including Taiwan people,' Li Weiyi, a spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said Wednesday. 'China will seriously consider all suggestions for unification, including by legal means.' If a unification law is proposed "we will seriously consider it and adopt it," Li said at a regular news briefing........China and Taiwan split in 1949 during a civil war, but the Communist Beijing government claims the self-ruled island as its territory. Talk of a legal option is a new twist, and it is unclear how China would enforce such a law.........In China's view, 'it doesn't matter who is elected as long as he accepts the one-China policy,' Li said, referring to China's stance that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it. 'If Chen Shui-bian really wants peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, he must accept the one-China policy and stop his Taiwan independence activities,' Li said. 'There is no second road.'" In another article titled "China says pay any price to stop Taiwan"(Note 7) says "China's leaders have denounced Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's inaugural speech as a cloaked address on independence and have said Beijing will pay any price to stop him on his road to statehood -- even losing the 2008 Olympic Games. In his address on May 20, Chen ruled out any immediate steps towards formal independence on the self-governing island and called for improved ties with Beijing in a bid to placate China and key ally the United States. While Washington welcomed his address, Chen appears to have failed miserably with Beijing. China has mounted a new campaign to bring international pressure to bear on the leader of the Taiwan, which it regards as a renegade province to be reunified by force if necessary........Beijing would protect its territorial unity above all else, including the Olympic Games which it hosts in 2008, he said. 'If Chen Shui-bian dares to challenge the people of the world...we will safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity at any cost,' he said when asked if China would be willing to risk the Olympics over Taiwan."

Here is a recent article showing our response to China's threat to Taiwan. An article titled "U.S. Plans Huge Show of Force in Pacific"(Note 8) says " The United States is planning a massive show of force in the Pacific Ocean near China, reportedly to warn Beijing against using force toward Taiwan. The exercise, codenamed Operation Summer Pulse 04, is expected to bring seven aircraft carrier strike groups, or CSGs, to waters a safe distance off the Chinese coastline -- but within striking distance -- after mid-July, The Straits Times reported Wednesday.......According to a Department of Defense statement, Summer Pulse is to test the U.S. Navy's combat power and readiness in time of crisis............Given Beijing's repeated warnings that it will use force if necessary to stop Taiwanese independence, the U.S. needs to send Beijing a message, the Times reported."

In closing, as we see many corporations moving factories to China, China is preparing to go to war against us. In I Thessalonians 5:3 says " For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."

NOTES
Note 1: www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/04/02/2003116340
Note 2: www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2001/7/18/153308.shtml
Note 3: www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=33079
Note 4: taiwansecurity.org/News/2003/YS-020803.htm
Note 5: www.washtimes.com/national/20030730-105115-8410r.htm
Note 6: www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/5/12/94156.shtml
Note 7: news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/WireFeed/WireFeed&c=WireFeed&cid=1084193685354
Note 8: washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040629-115143-2994r.htm

Who Is Able To Make War With Him? Read this article in the next issue of The Prophetic Messenger.

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