Chinese Focus on Navy Leaves Big Political Wake – Mark Magnier and Mitchell Landsberg

From LA Times:

President Hu Jintao’s call last week for a strong Chinese navy won’t threaten U.S. military dominance any time soon. But in China, where symbolism often is as important as substance, the address was seen by analysts as serving two functions: to help build a policy consensus and signal his near-complete grip on the political field before a key party congress next fall.

“This is very significant,” said Ni Lexiong, a professor at the Shanghai Institute of Political Science and Law. “Though this does not mean immediate budget increases, it is a strong signal that lays out our future direction.”

State media gave prominent play Thursday to comments by Hu a day earlier at a Communist Party meeting on the need for a powerful navy prepared “at any time” for military struggle.[Full Text]