China's military expenditure

The Economist issue of April 7 carries a story on China's military rise. It has a tell-tale table on the top 10 nations by military expenditure.China is no 2 with $90bn, more than 2.5 times India's $37bn. The US is no1, with military expenditure of - hold your breath- $739bn. The total military expenditure of the other nine nations is less than $500bn. Now, you understand what underlies Pax Americana.

The numbers help place the so-called Chinese threat in perspective. China does not even remotely threaten American hegemony- a Chinese general is quoted as saying that the gap between US and Chinese defence forces is 30 or even 50 years. But China can clearly defend itself against American attack. And it can also pose a threat to its neighbours, keeping the US out of its vicinity if necessary. That raises the chances of an all-out offensive to take over Taiwan.

What could contain China's attempt to dominate the region? One, China's interest in the global economic system and its preoccupation with increasing the prosperity of its citizens. Two, its focus on maintaining internal stability. Three, the relative obsolescence of its military equipment following sanctions imposed after Tiananmen Square. Four, America's decision to focus its military efforts more on the Asia-Pacific region. One might add a fifth factor, namely, the question mark over China's ability to sustain its high growth rate and the possibility that India might forge ahead and emerge as an active counterweight.