The Sino-NATO Connection: the Kremlin's View.
Abstract
During the past several years, the possibility of a Sino-NATO military connection has remained in the background as a recurring theme in the Soviet media. As a result of Western arms and related technology sales to China, this subject has moved to the forefront among the Kremlin's security concerns. Moscow's decision makers perceive Sino-Western political-military links as a threatening 'two-front' anti-Soviet military alliance. This antagonistic bloc is visualized as a new form of containment policy directed against the USSR. In the Kremlin's view, Sino-Western collusion is predicated upon the West's desire to enhance the PRC's potential as a counterweight to the USSR. Consequently, China is figuratively envisioned as being the 16th member of NATO. Western political-military support to Peking is considered by the Kremlin's leaders to be a dangerous trend that will eventually lead to the buildup of China's military-industrial potential, the modernization of its armed forces, and the modification of its defensive strategy. Significantly, the Sino-NATO connection and the increasing security cooperation among China, Western Europe, Japan and the United States does have important contemporary imperatives. In Moscow's view the Soviet East Asian front is now an area no less vital than the political military front between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA079282
Entities
People
- Alfred Biegel