(RTTNews) - China's Air Force chief revealed plans to develop a separate air force wing with integrated capabilities for offensive and defensive operations "to face challenges of militarization in the space and in air."

In an interview to the country's official Xin Hua news agency, People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Commander Xu Qiliang justified the move on the basis of the government's perspective that "only power could protect peace."

Superiority in space and in air would mean, to a certain extent, superiority over the land and the oceans, Xu said. "As the air force of a peace-loving country, we must forge our swords and shields in order to protect peace," he added.

According to Xu, not only major air force powers in the world were currently seeking superiority in space and air, but also some developing countries were changing their military strategies with that objective.

Xu says a country without adequate power would have no say when faced with challenges posed by the militarization in the space and air.

With 2.3 million active troops, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the largest military in the world. The official announced that the PLA's 2009 budget was $70 billion. However, the United States claims China does not report its real military spending, which is estimated at least $105 billion last year.
Beijing-based reports say despite being one of the strongest economies in the world, China's military budget is still about eight times smaller than that of the U.S.

The Communist state is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Air Force on November 11.

The Air Force will put its most advanced warplanes on display in the suburbs of Beijing during the exercises.

It will include Kongjing-2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) aircraft, J-11 fighters, H-6 bomber jets, and HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles, all built in China, according to He Weirong, Deputy Commander of the PLA Air Force.

In an apparent effort to show the world its power and military preparedness at air and space, Beijing has invited senior air force officers from more than 30 other countries to an international military forum themed "harmonious skies" to be held in the capital's suburbs.

Possessing nuclear weapons and delivery systems, China is considered a major military regional power and an emerging military superpower. In order to protect its critical supply lines, China has been establishing foreign military relationships.

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