China’s military strength a bluff — defense analyst

The Chinese military is weak as opposed to what the Asian giant purports it to be, according to military historian and defense analyst Jose Antonio Custodio on Wednesday.

"Nagte-threaten ang China but can it do? Can it carry out? China is very weak militarily. Sa projection ng forces niya mahina pa siya. It cannot even surpass that of the Japanese Navy," Custodio said in an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

"'Dun pa lang sa Japanese Navy medyo tagilid na ang Chinese Navy what more pa sa US Navy?" he added.

A Chinese missile launch was reportedly conducted in the South China Sea over the weekend.

The Pentagon expressed concern as the act was projecting militarization of the disputed waters despite China's claim that it wants to bring peace in the region.

Custodio said that in the face of situations like this, the international community should always assume that China is lying.

"The international community should always assume first that China is lying kasi the actions on the ground or... on the seas are always different sa sinasabi niya," he said.

He, however, added that this should not be a cause of fear among the Filipino people as he described it as only a "bluff" of China to intimidate other countries.

"Mabahala tayo in terms of condeming what China is doing. Mabahala tayo in that aspect, hindi 'yung matakot tayo at wala tayong magagawa," he added.

Custodio said that the Philippine government should also join other countries who question China's aggressiveness in the South China Sea. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News