Filtering out the politics of the
issues printed here, we can see the tremendous leap that PRC has
made in modernising its military.
With many Western 'High Tech' Industries transferring manufacturing
capabilities, technological know how, and quality control
procedures into China, and with many Chinese students excelling in
their pursuit of knowlege in US tertiary and research institutions,
all these can only benefit PRC efforts to modernise the country and
its military for competition in the Twenty First
Century.
JIANG ZEMIN'S GRIP ON POWER IN CHINA LOOKS SET TO PASS TO
NEXT GENERATION
Son tipped for key military position By Ching Cheong
EAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT
HONG KONG - Chinese leader Jiang Zemin appears to be grooming his
elder son, Mianheng, for a key post in China's military.
This is evident from three recent developments, the first being the
surprise announcement he was one of three deputy commanders for
China's first manned space flight.
The announcement was seen as a way to ensure credit for the space
feat would also go to the younger Jiang, 52, who has a PhD in
electronics engineering from an American university.
The second development was his being named adviser to a task force
charged with digitalising weapon, control and command,
communication and other systems for the People's Liberation
Army.
This unit is under the direct supervision of the Chinese Communist
Party's Central Military Commission (CMC), led by the elder
Jiang.
The latter stood down as State President and Chinese Communist
Party General Secretary a year ago, but kept the all-powerful
chairmanship of the CMC, giving him last say on important
matters.
Finally, sources say the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), of
which Dr Jiang is a vice-president, recently agreed with the PLA's
General Armaments Department and Shanghai government to build a
research centre to String not found, develop micro-satellites for
the military.
While there is no direct evidence of the elder Jiang pushing his
son's career, analysts familiar with the Chinese system are sure he
is involved.
A source said it was the CMC which decided recently to set up
China's first fully digitalised division under the elite 38th Group
Army and assigned Dr Jiang the task of supervising its
formation.
When completed, it will become
the world's second fully digitalised division - after the United
States' 1st Heavy Mechanised Division.
The micro-satellites are to enhance the PLA's control,
communication, command, intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance capabilities.
They will let the PLA monitor troop movements of potential enemies,
enhance targeting and take on an aircraft
carrier battle group.
Dr Jiang is said to be well versed in digitalisation and
micro-satellite technology. He graduated from Shanghai's Fudan
University, obtained his Master's from the CAS Institute of
Semi-Conductors and his doctorate from Drexel University in
Philadelphia.
After returning from the US, he started a number of IT-related
companies.
In 1991, he was named CAS vice-president responsible for research
in IT-related dual-use technology. Since then, he has worked
closely with the PLA's General Armaments Department.
Given his meteoric rise, it is an even bet he will eventually head
the department and become a key PLA player.
Straits Time: 14 November 2003
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/topstories/story/0,4386,219806,00.html?