Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates confirmed Sunday that U.S. intelligence agencies underestimated China's progress in developing a new stealth jet fighter.
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Asked about recent disclosures on China's Internet of a prototype fifth-generation jet, dubbed the J-20, Mr. Gates said U.S. intelligence has been "watching these developments all along.
"We knew they were working on a stealth aircraft," he said. "I think that what we've seen is that they may be somewhat further ahead in the development of that aircraft than our intelligence had earlier predicted."
In other news,
"They clearly have potential to put some of our capabilities at risk," Mr. Gates said, according to a Pentagon transcript of his remarks."We have to pay attention to them, we have to respond appropriately with our own programs."
Actually, I'd be much happier if they were having to respond to our developments, Mr. Gates.
But have no fear, because talking is the answer!
Mr. Gates, who arrived in Beijing on Sunday, said he hopes that closer military relations with China's communist-controlled armed forces will produce a strategic dialogue that might reduce China's need for "some of these capabilities."
Yes, because communist dictatorships always respond to kind words, right?
Found over at Ace, where there are some other thoughts on this.
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