NEWS BRIEF:  "China Troop Buildup on Afghan and Central Asian Frontiers", DEBKA-Net-Weekly, Vol. 1, Issue 33, October 12, 2001.

"The only satisfactory outcome of the Bin Laden crisis in Chinese eyes is the redeployment of Japanese-based US troops to the Persian Gulf, when the Kitty Hawk carrier moved to 3rd Marine's Division out of Okinawa last week.  Chinese intelligence did not miss the absence of fighers and reconnaissance craft on her decks.  The planes stayed behind, but the very fact that the Kitty Hawk is no longer within operational range of the Straits of Taiwan leaves the disputed island with diminished protection.

"Beijing also took note of additional US military movements, including the Army's 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, New York, and that of another formerly Pacific-based unit, the 25th Infantry Division, out of Hawaii to the Persian Gulf.

"According to DEBKAfile's Far East experts, the removal of substantial US military strength from the Pacific Rim opened the way for Chinese intervention in Afghanistan ..."