China allays US fears over stealth jet

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/159696.html


China has told the visiting US defense secretary that a maiden test-flight of its first home-built prototype stealth fighter was not a show of muscle against Washington.

The test flight comes on the second day of US Defense Secretary Robert Gates' visit to China aimed at mending frayed military ties between the two sides.

Gates said Chinese President Hu Jintao has told him during a meeting that the flight was not timed to coincide with his visit.

"I asked President Hu about it directly, and he said that the test had absolutely nothing to do with my visit and had been a pre-planned test,” Gates told reporters.

Chinese media reported that the J-20 flew for about 15 minutes over an airfield in the country's southwest.

Ahead of his arrival in China, Gates had warned that Washington would respond to Beijing's development of a new stealth aircraft.

Defense analysts say the flight can eventually help end the US military dominance in the troubled region.

Gates has sought to resume military exchanges with China amid rising tensions between the two countries over a range of issues.

The developments come as senior officials in Beijing have strongly condemned the several rounds of joint US-South Korea naval war games recently conducted close to Chinese waters.

China says the drills were a fresh provocation "to China and its surrounding.”

Moreover, China has reduced its military cooperation with the Pentagon over the USD 6.4 billion US arms sales to Taiwan. China considers the island as part of its territory.

Reports say China is also building game-changing aircraft carriers, stealth jet fighters and advanced weapons that can pave the way for ending the dominance of the United States at sea.

China tests new Stealth jet fighter

Chinese Stealth jet, J-20

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158912.html


China has reportedly tested a new Stealth jet known as J-20 that very much resembles the American Stealth version of the aircraft.

Chinese media reported that the J-20 flew for about 15 minutes over an airfield in the country's southwest on Tuesday.

Several new photos of the Chinese Stealth aircraft have already been published on the Internet.

China's aviation tests take place while the US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is on the second day of his visit to China.

Gates who had postponed his visit to China several times in the past eventually paid a visit to the country.

Ahead of his arrival in China, Gates had warned that Washington would respond to Beijing's development of a new stealth aircraft.

Military observers believe that the Chinese Stealth fighter will not be used in its army before 2017.

However, China's access to the high technology of building J-20 can considerably increase that country's military capabilities. The technical specifications of the plane are quite similar to those of the US F-22 fighter aircraft.

A Chinese military official recently said that China will deploy its new J-20 Stealth plane during 2017-2019.

China's military budget has increased considerably in recent years. According to official figures, the country's defense budget is about $70 billion.

Chinese President Hu Jintao will visit the US next week, concurrent with the upcoming tour of China by Gates.

China tests new Stealth jet fighter

Chinese Stealth jet, J-20

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158912.html


China has reportedly tested a new Stealth jet known as J-20 that very much resembles the American Stealth version of the aircraft.

Several new photos of the Chinese Stealth aircraft have already been published on the Internet.

China's aviation tests take place at a time when US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is to visit the country in the coming days.

Gates, who has postponed his visit to China several times in the past, will eventually pay a visit to the country next week.

Military observers believe that the Chinese Stealth fighter will not be used in its army before 2017.

However, China's access to the high technology of building J-20 can considerably increase that country's military capabilities. The technical specifications of the plane are quite similar to those of the US F-22 fighter aircraft.

A Chinese military official recently said that China will deploy its new J-20 Stealth plane during 2017-2019.

China's military budget has increased considerably in recent years. According to official figures, the country's defense budget is about $70 billion.

Chinese President Hu Jintao will visit the US next week, concurrent with the upcoming tour of China by Gates.

China cuts export quota on rare earth

Chinese President Hu Jin Tao(right) is to visit his American counterpart Barrack Obama to resolve trade problems

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/157672.html


China has announced sharp cuts in export quotas for rare earth minerals in the first half of the coming year, raising concerns about its trade ties with major partners.

The metal supplies, vitally needed for making a wide range of high-tech and clean technology products as well as other goods, will decline by 11 percent in 2011, in addition to the 40-percent drop in exports in 2010.

China's Commerce Ministry allotted 14,446 tons of quotas to 31 companies, 11.4 percent less than the 16,304 tons it allocated to 22 companies in the first half of 2010.

China produces around 97 percent of the rare earth elements in the global market.

The announcement, made on Tuesday, will affect the country's trade relations with the United States, the European Union and Japan and has brought about concerns in Washington.

"We are very concerned about China's export restraints on rare earth materials. We have raised our concerns with China and we are continuing to work closely on the issue with stakeholders," Reuters quoted US Trade Representative spokeswoman as saying.

The Trade Representative's Office has said the US could make a complaint to the World Trade Organization if China resumes the export limitations on rare earth minerals.

China says the cuts are based on environmental policies and that ensuring supplies to Chinese clean energy companies is their priority.

Next month's talks between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his American counterpart Barrack Obama are viewed as a vital event in restoring stability in their trade ties.