Would China kill with its drones? - Wendell Minnick

Wendell Minnick

There is no sign China will use its drones to kill, although the US is offering her a perfect excuse to do so, tells defense specialist Wendell Minnick in the Turkish Weekly. The new international weapon race. 

The Turkish Weekly:

Wendell Minnick, Asia bureau chief at Defense News, says there is no evidence to suggest that China desires to carry out deadly drone strikes. But he says that if it did, it would likely point to U.S. drone use as justification. 

"There's certainly an argument to be made that if the U.S. can make the same type of judgment call and justification for hitting militants in Pakistan, what's to stop the Chinese from hitting Tibetan or Uighur rebel groups that are technically within China's own sovereign country?" he asks. 

Another area of concern for the United States is that China will increasingly export its relatively inexpensive drone technology to nations around the world. That fear was heightened when the Global Times said in November that "some foreign sales" were reported at the Zhuhai air show.   

Minnick says that Chinese drones, many of which are specifically produced for the export market, are very attractive for nations that cannot afford or are otherwise prevented from purchasing the U.S. alternatives. 

"Our drone exports are very expensive platforms, very sophisticated. The Chinese produce a much cheaper variety that basically does the same job," said Minnick. "The Chinese have got cheap labor, technological know-how, and are looking at an export market that's growing."

More in the Turkish Weekly.

Wendell Minnick is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in  our speakers request form.

The China Weekly Hangout discussed during the last session of 2012 China's tactics to deal with VPN's. Present: John R. Otto, Sam Xu, Gabriel Rueck and Fons Tuinstra
 

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