Chapter 18
April 18, 2016 11:00, (CST 10:00). Politburo Standing Committee Conference Room, Beijing, China.
Bang!
Unable to control his anger, President Xi slammed his fist on the conference room table. Blood rushed to his face as he furiously spoke.
“Is this true, Director Ju?”
President Xi shook his fist and glared in disbelief and rage at the other bureaucrats in the room, including Director Ju sitting across from him. A cold silence filled the room, and Director Ju replied amidst the chilling atmosphere.
“Yes, Mr. President, this is the information received from the agent in charge of overseas investigation about Japan’s Ministry of Defense. They have already finished negotiating with the U.S.”
National Security Director Ju’s report was as follows:
July 2016, U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier reception
3000 Japanese marines on the aircraft carrier with 1 year of training
Purchase of 80 F-35B
Purchase of 8 electronic-warfare aircraft EA-18G
Construction of 3 additional Atago-class destroyers
Construction of 2 new guided missiles
Construction of 3 new 6,000-ton diesel submarines (presumed to be nuclear submarines)
2020 Japanese Carrier Strike Group establishment
Aircraft carrier Kaga (Nimitz) 80 F 35B / 8 electronic-warfare aircraft EA-18G 3 Atago-class destroyers 2 new guided missiles 2 Asahi-class destroyers 3 6,000ton diesel submarines (presumed to be a nuclear submarine)
Details
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Vice President Li, who was sitting on the left side of President Xi, read through the report and threw the report on the table with rage; he had snapped.
“These insolent fools... These Japanese bstards are now outright flaunting militarism and pssing everywhere. They must have calculated our naval strength and are trying to go over our heads in the Diaoyu Islands dispute, hoping to prove that they can beat us in naval warfare.”
“Isn’t that in their nature? We should be more concerned about the U.S. helping them expand their weaponry.”
Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli’s reply summarized the heart of the matter.
“That is true. As Vice Premier Zhang said, the U.S. is trying to give its military influence in Northeast Asia to Japan. Aren’t they just trying to kill two birds with one stone? From the U.S. perspective, weaponry exportation is an economic gain, and they can make up for their lack of influence in Northeast Asia from the disarmament with the Japanese army. Their interests probably just happened to line up.”
Secretary-General of the State Council Ma Kai, who was sitting in silence, hit the nail on the head.
“Even so, aren’t they looking down on the other Northeast Asian countries, especially China? I think we need to accelerate our initial plans to expand our military.”
All eight executives turned to President Xi at Vice President Li’s statement. President Xi, who was pondering briefly after slamming his desk in anger, realized that his executives were looking at him and quickly asked Vice President Li something.
” Vice President Li, when did you say that the meeting with the General will be?”
“Tomorrow at two in the afternoon, sir.”
“Let’s push the meeting to two in the afternoon today. Since we need to decide after listening to the general’s mid-term report, I will also request that everyone here also attend the meeting.”
“Yes sir, I will contact him right away.”
April 18, 2016 13:00. South Korea
Launched in December 2015, the government has proposed reformations both small and large for five months, drawing heat from the people of Korea. First, the nation’s corruption investigation unit, starting with the Defense Industry and eventually with national business, had fought against corruption. Second, the committee to investigate anti-national behavior began investigating those who cooperated with the prime minister to dissipate the power of the president. The 7,000 people investigated by Baekbeom or Kim Gu and the provisional government in 1948 were re-investigated, and the descendants of those who were found with treason were investigated thoroughly by meticulously looking through personal connections and assets.
These actions by the government gave hope to the citizens that were of low economic background. Through the treasury recovery being spent on the welfare of the people, the government gained the people’s support in attempting to negotiate with the U.S. for wartime operational control.
April 18, 2016 15:00. (CST 14:00). Politburo Standing Committee Conference Room, Beijing, China.
“I will now present the mid-term report on the 2016 military expansion research.”
China’s People’s Liberation Army General Armaments Department, the department that oversees the development of military weaponry, was currently in the development of Jen-20 (J-20) stealth aircraft and the next generation radar to detect stealth aircraft. It also played a crucial role in the Chinese Central Military, being in charge of the development of “carrier killer” anti-ship ballistic missile Dong-Feng 21 (DF-21D) and the second generation of intercontinental ballistic missile Dong-Feng 5-B (DF-5B).
Lieutenant General Fu stood next to a large screen and presented to the nine most powerful executives of the nation, including President Xi.
“First, I will speak on the J-20 stealth aircraft. We are currently on the second prototype and have completed the third stage of flight testing. However, there has been difficulty in developing a new generation high-performance engine needed for the J-20; this will require a change to the initial plan.”
“What kind of change would need to be made?”
Vice President Li impatiently interrupted the presentation.
“The initial plan was to develop a new, high performance engine and produce 60 J-20 models for the first round. However, due to the delay in engine development, it may be better to purchase 40 prototype AL-117S turbofan engines from Russia and use that for the first round of 40 models. This would help complete the engine development for the second round of production.”
“A delay due to technological advancement can’t be helped. Lieutenant General Fu?”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
“Increase the engine purchase from Russia to 80. Let’s make the first round of production 80 models of J-20 stealth aircraft. Also, do whatever it takes to finish developing the new engine within the next two years. Make sure the second round of production of J-20s is purely made from Chinese technology.”
“Yes, sir. I will try my best.”
“No, no. You can’t just try your best. You need to work on it as if your life depends on it. I will make this and all related matters our number one priority, so you need to take full responsibility in making sure 200 J-20 aircrafts are built and ready to be used by 2020.”
Lieutenant General Fu was initially taken aback by President Xi’s stern demand, but he collected himself, bowed, and responded in a loud voice.
“Yes, Sir. I will exceed your expectations.”
President Xi uncrossed his arms from holding up his chin and pointed his right index finger towards Lieutenant General Fu before continuing to speak.
“Yes. Take responsibility and finish it. This is a major opportunity for you, Lieutenant General Fu, so make the best of it. I will personally guarantee you a great career. Now, onto the next topic!”
Upon hearing this from President Xi, Lieutenant General Fu lifted his head and turned on the console as he pointed at the screen.
“I would like you to now direct your attention to the screen. This is a radar system that uses a very high-frequency, or VHF: the YJ-26. The YJ-26A is a standing radar that detects standard stealth aircraft within a 3,000km radius, and the YJ-26B can be mounted to vehicles to detect stealth aircraft within a 500km radius while moving. The standing YJ-26A will be placed in each theater by 2020, and we will be able to produce 30 models of the portable YJ-26B by 2019.”
“Lieutenant General Fu?”
“Yes, Vice Premier Zhang.”
“What is the performance level of the radars?”
“I will give you a simplified explanation. The radar will detect any small object in its radius that is moving at subsonic speed; we may presume the detection to be a stealth aircraft.”
“Can we not differentiate between the stealth aircraft models captured by the radar?”
“You are correct, sir. Our current technology is limited to just detection, and we cannot tell the exact model or the shape of the aircraft yet.”
“Lieutenant General Fu, how have you only developed this much while using tens of thousands of dollars in your research funding? This radar is disappointing, not to mention the stealth engine.”
Exploding in anger, Vice President Li glared at Lieutenant General Fu.
“I apologize, Vice President Li. The current research staff for stealth radars is working hard to be able to perfect and fully develop stealth radars within the next five years. I ask for your understanding on this matter.”
“Vice President Li, that’s enough.”
President Xi pacified the quick-tempered Vice President.
“Compared to other countries, China is leading in its stealth radar technology. This development is excellent. Let’s move on to the next topic.”
“Next is the “carrier killer” anti-ship ballistic missile Dong-Feng 21D, or DF-21D. Currently, we have finished the third stage of testing. When the missile is fired from a range of 1,450km, the success rate is 80%.”
In 2015, China announced the completion of the development of the Dong-Feng 21D and even showcased it at the 70th anniversary of its victory in the Second Sino-Japanese War. However, they showed an unfinished missile shell. This was to decrease the radius of the U.S. naval activity around China during the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
“Good. When will it be ready to be deployed?” General Zhang asked.
“One year from now, we will be able to set up two artillery batteries in the Southern Theater, with one in each Eastern and Northern Theater, according to our current missile production.”
“Let’s change our priorities. One year from now, I want one artillery battery in both the Southern and Eastern Theater.”
“Yes, Mr. President.”