B.RAMAN
Through E-mails, Tweets and telephone calls, I have been in receipt of strong words of criticism regarding my article on Shri Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, which was uploaded in my blog on April 15,2011, and which was simultaneously carried by rediff-com and the South Asia Analysis Group (SAAG).
2. Some of the criticisms have been very personal and hurting. One senior journalist, working for a left of centre daily, has called me amazingly naive. I have an impression ( I hope it is wrong and a figment of my imagination) that some people who were very close to my mind and heart and whose friendship I valued more than anything else in life have suddenly grown cold to me and have started marking a distance from me as if I have committed the mother of all sins by endorsing Modi's development model and by criticising some so-called secular elements who are trying to keep him quarantined in his past and prevent him from playing his due role in the present and in future. I have even been snubbed by some of them.
3.Some critics have been seriously worried by my call for the assertion of Youth Power in support of Narendra Modi. I have been accused of playing with fire and encouraging irrationality by writing such an article and by voicing such views.
4. Frankly, I have been surprised by the negative reactions against me expressed by some secular elements whose opposition to Modi is well-known. I have been writing about Modi off and on since 2003. I wrote in detail on the issue of the cancellation of the visa issued to him by the US. I wrote why he is so popular in the Hindu community. I also strongly criticised his ideas relating to counter-terrorism and wrote positively of the record of the Congress (I) in counter-terrorism.
5. I have been a strong critic of Modi the Hindutva ideologue and a strong supporter of Modi, the administrator.I have never hesitated to use very strong language to criticise his ideological demagogery. I have never hesitated to use very positive language to support his achievements in the field of development of Gujarat.
6. It has been my view that one must encourage his transformation from a demagogic ideologue to a benign politician and administrator and that he should be given an opportunity to play his role for the development of not only Gujarat, but also India as a whole.
7. It was this view which found strong expression in my latest article on him which appered on April 15. I have been taken aback by the kind of negative reactions it has evoked among some sections of the so-called secularists. I respect the views of my critics and have carefully thought over them the whole of last night when I did not and could not sleep.
8. I have come to the conclusion that there is no reason why I should have any second-thoughts on my wisdom in writing the article. I stand by whatever I wrote in that article.
9. If, as a result, I become the bete noire of some sections of the so-called secularists, so be it.
10.If I become persona non grata in the world of the Indian media, so be it.
11.If I lose some precious friendships, so be it.
12.If I lose readership of my future articles, so be it. ( 16-4-11)
( The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai, and Associate of the Chennai Centre For China Studies. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )
Friday, April 15, 2011
ASSERTION OF YOUTH POWER IN SUPPORT OF NARENDRA MODI
B.RAMAN
The storm in the tea cup raised by some so-called secular elements over the praise by Anna Hazare, the social activist, of the rural development achievements of Shri Narendra Modi, their whipping-boy, in his State of Gujarat underlines once again the determination of these elements to keep Modi quarantined in his past and not to take cognizance of his achievements in ushering in an era of prosperity and development in Gujarat. All sections of the population of the State---whatever be their religion or language--- have benefited from the efficient, corruption-free and people-friendly administration given by him to the State for the last three or four years.
2. The results achieved by him comparable to the results achieved in Western China---but not yet in coastal China--- demonstrate that we can catch up with China earlier than anticipated if only we had leaders with the kind of motivation, determination and vision that Modi has shown in developing his State.
3. Unfortunately, the so-called secular elements would rather keep Gujarat and the rest of the country backward and lagging behind China than acknowledge the record of Modi and let his Gujarat model of development become an Indian model.
4. The so-called secular elements that have taken up sword against Modi have only one objective---- keep him quarantined in his past and stop him from playing any role at the national level even if such a role would be of benefit to the country. The venom and hatred, which these elements keep spreading against him, are because of his strong Hindutva ideology, which is anathema to them, and his perceived sins of commission and omission during the horrendous acts of violence against our Muslim co-citizens in the aftermath of the massacre of a number of Hindu pilgrims by some Muslims at the Godhra railway station in Gujarat in the beginning of 2002.
5.There has been a perception---not unjustified---that Modi did not, in the initial stages, deal with the explosive situation vigorously in order to protect the members of the Muslim community from brutal and beastly reprisal attacks by the Hindus. The fact that the Police subsequently took vigorous action to protect the Muslims ---as evidenced by the large number of Hindus killed in police-firing--- would not mitigate from the fact that in the initial hours after the news of the Godhra massacre spread across the State, the administration dragged its feet in protecting the Muslims, thereby wittingly or unwittingly giving a free run to frenzied Hindu mobs. It was a horrible episode of which all of us have to be ashamed.
6. After the frenzy of the initial hours, the State Administration did move in vigorously to bring the situation under control. The fact that no effective action was taken in the initial hours has left a scar in the minds and hearts of Muslims. This scar is likely to take a long time to heal. The cases registered in connection with the brutal attacks on the Muslim community are under investigation or prosecution. The investigation made so far has not produced any evidence of complicity by Modi.
7. Under these circumstances, the right thing would have been to let the law take its own course in the cases registered and proposed to be registered and let Modi continue on the path of development of the State and not stand in the way of the aspirations of people, who want to see him play a much a larger political role at the national level so that the country as a whole benefits from the kind of efficient administration he has given Gujarat.
8. Modi enjoys the unqualified support of large sections of the Gujarat population and is increasingly admired for his drive and administrative acumen in other parts of the country too by people who can by no means be called Hindutva ideologues. People, who look up to him and want him to increasingly play a pan-Indian role, are nationalists and as much secular in their outlook and beliefs as the so-called secularists whose main preoccupation has become stopping Modi at every stage. They are concerned over the slow rate of development, over the aggravating internal security situation and over India lagging behind China. They feel that the type of governance and leadership that Modi has provided to the people of Gujarat needs to be tried out in other parts of India too, but these so-called secular elements are not prepared to let Modi play his due role for the development of the country.
9. The unexpected success of the Anna Hazare movement in the initial stages of the battle against corruption was made possible by the assertion of youth power in support of his movement. There is a need for a similar assertion of youth power in support of the development model as experimented with in Gujarat by Modi and for its spread to other parts of India. The Stop Modi Movement by these elements has to be stopped and rolled back. Only youth power can do it. ( 15-4-11)
( The writer is Additional Secretary ( retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai, and Associate of the Chennai Centre For China Studies.. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )
The storm in the tea cup raised by some so-called secular elements over the praise by Anna Hazare, the social activist, of the rural development achievements of Shri Narendra Modi, their whipping-boy, in his State of Gujarat underlines once again the determination of these elements to keep Modi quarantined in his past and not to take cognizance of his achievements in ushering in an era of prosperity and development in Gujarat. All sections of the population of the State---whatever be their religion or language--- have benefited from the efficient, corruption-free and people-friendly administration given by him to the State for the last three or four years.
2. The results achieved by him comparable to the results achieved in Western China---but not yet in coastal China--- demonstrate that we can catch up with China earlier than anticipated if only we had leaders with the kind of motivation, determination and vision that Modi has shown in developing his State.
3. Unfortunately, the so-called secular elements would rather keep Gujarat and the rest of the country backward and lagging behind China than acknowledge the record of Modi and let his Gujarat model of development become an Indian model.
4. The so-called secular elements that have taken up sword against Modi have only one objective---- keep him quarantined in his past and stop him from playing any role at the national level even if such a role would be of benefit to the country. The venom and hatred, which these elements keep spreading against him, are because of his strong Hindutva ideology, which is anathema to them, and his perceived sins of commission and omission during the horrendous acts of violence against our Muslim co-citizens in the aftermath of the massacre of a number of Hindu pilgrims by some Muslims at the Godhra railway station in Gujarat in the beginning of 2002.
5.There has been a perception---not unjustified---that Modi did not, in the initial stages, deal with the explosive situation vigorously in order to protect the members of the Muslim community from brutal and beastly reprisal attacks by the Hindus. The fact that the Police subsequently took vigorous action to protect the Muslims ---as evidenced by the large number of Hindus killed in police-firing--- would not mitigate from the fact that in the initial hours after the news of the Godhra massacre spread across the State, the administration dragged its feet in protecting the Muslims, thereby wittingly or unwittingly giving a free run to frenzied Hindu mobs. It was a horrible episode of which all of us have to be ashamed.
6. After the frenzy of the initial hours, the State Administration did move in vigorously to bring the situation under control. The fact that no effective action was taken in the initial hours has left a scar in the minds and hearts of Muslims. This scar is likely to take a long time to heal. The cases registered in connection with the brutal attacks on the Muslim community are under investigation or prosecution. The investigation made so far has not produced any evidence of complicity by Modi.
7. Under these circumstances, the right thing would have been to let the law take its own course in the cases registered and proposed to be registered and let Modi continue on the path of development of the State and not stand in the way of the aspirations of people, who want to see him play a much a larger political role at the national level so that the country as a whole benefits from the kind of efficient administration he has given Gujarat.
8. Modi enjoys the unqualified support of large sections of the Gujarat population and is increasingly admired for his drive and administrative acumen in other parts of the country too by people who can by no means be called Hindutva ideologues. People, who look up to him and want him to increasingly play a pan-Indian role, are nationalists and as much secular in their outlook and beliefs as the so-called secularists whose main preoccupation has become stopping Modi at every stage. They are concerned over the slow rate of development, over the aggravating internal security situation and over India lagging behind China. They feel that the type of governance and leadership that Modi has provided to the people of Gujarat needs to be tried out in other parts of India too, but these so-called secular elements are not prepared to let Modi play his due role for the development of the country.
9. The unexpected success of the Anna Hazare movement in the initial stages of the battle against corruption was made possible by the assertion of youth power in support of his movement. There is a need for a similar assertion of youth power in support of the development model as experimented with in Gujarat by Modi and for its spread to other parts of India. The Stop Modi Movement by these elements has to be stopped and rolled back. Only youth power can do it. ( 15-4-11)
( The writer is Additional Secretary ( retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai, and Associate of the Chennai Centre For China Studies.. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )
Thursday, April 14, 2011
INDIA-PAKISTAN: A NEW TEST FOR DIPLOMACY
B.RAMAN
In my article titled " India-Pakistan: Re-Discovering Each Other" written a few hours after the meeting between Prime Ministers Dr.Manmohan Singh and Mr.Yousef Raza Gilani of Pakistan at Mohali on March 30,2011, available at http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers45%5Cpaper4402.html, I had written as follows: "The goodwill and the benign interest in each other generated by the World Cup cricket semi-final was taken advantage of by our Prime Minister to make the "re-engagement" and "re-connecting" process possible. He should readily accept the reported suggestion of Gilani for a friendly cricket match between the two teams in Pakistan in the near future and visit Pakistan to keep this process of strategic discovery of each other going forward. "
2.Our diplomacy with Pakistan has again entered a difficult and sensitive phase at a time when there were indicators that our Prime Minister was planning to move the re-engagement process further forward by agreeing to the suggestion of Mr.Gilani for resuming bilateral cricket ties with the Indian cricket team playing one or more matches in Pakistan. There are also indications that he might be favourably inclined to visiting Pakistan during one of these matches.
3. Unfortunately, simultaneously with this forward-pushing development, which I have no hesitation in endorsing and welcoming, has come the backward pulling news that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a US citizen of Canadian origin, whose trial on a charge of complicity with David Coleman Headley implicated in the 26/11 terrorist strikes in Mumbai is due to start next month intends taking up the plea that whatever he did in connection with the 26/11 terrorist strikes was at the behest of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and not the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET). His lawyers seems to be enouraging him to take up this plea in order to avoid conviction on a charge of aiding a foreign terrorist organisation so designated under the US laws and to project as a mitigrating circumstance his co-operating with the ISI with which the US itself has been co-operating in counter-terrorism. It remains to be seen whether their contention will be accepted by the court.
4.The proposed plea of Rana is serious from the point of view of Indo-Pakistan relations. If true, it would show the 26/11 terrorist strikes as a brainchild of the ISI and hence of the State of Pakistan. This would further show the 26/11 terrorist strikes as an indirect act of war by the State of Pakistan against the State and people of India. Can India sweep this development under the carpet and go ahead with the re-engagement process as if there has been no new negative development in the relations with Pakistan?
5. To do so would be unwise and confirm the suspicion that in his eagerness to push the re-engagement process forward, our Prime Minister is prepared to let bygones be bygones and close his eyes to the allegation regarding the involvement of the State of Pakistan.It will be an act of serious injustice to the memories of the over 160 persons---civilians and police officers---killed by the 26/11 strikes. It will further strengthen animosity against Pakistan in the Indian public. The Prime Minister will not be able to carry further forward his re-engagement initiative without support from at least sizable sections of the public.
6. Does this mean that the re-engagement process should be frozen in its tracks till the Government of Pakistan takes satisfactory action on the plea of Rana either by proving it false or by taking action against the ISI officers involved if his plea is correct? The verification of Rana's plea and taking the required follow-up action on it will be a long drawn-out process.The Government of Pakistan is not going to admit the involvement of the ISI. Rana's plea cannot be conclusively proved without independent evidence gathered by either the Indian or US agencies or by both acting in tandem. The possibility of this is remote.
7. That is the harsh ground reality facing Indian diplomacy and policy-makers. Freezing or calling off the re-engagement process will be an easy option, but that will take both India and Pakistan back into stewing in their past. No right-thinking person, who wants to look to a comfortable future without forgetting the lessons of the bitter past, will advocate it with a light heart. I personally feel it should be possible to keep moving forward on the re-engagement road while vigorously verifying the plea of Rana and pressing for co-operation and satisfaction by the State of Pakistan in this matter.
8. How to do so will be a difficult test for Indian diplomacy.It should be able to pass this test. We must give it a chance.
9. This may please be read in continuation of my article of December 23,2009, titled "Need To Focus More on Rana - International Terrorism Monitor---Paper No. 593" at http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers36/paper3561.html( 15-4-11)
( The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )
In my article titled " India-Pakistan: Re-Discovering Each Other" written a few hours after the meeting between Prime Ministers Dr.Manmohan Singh and Mr.Yousef Raza Gilani of Pakistan at Mohali on March 30,2011, available at http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers45%5Cpaper4402.html, I had written as follows: "The goodwill and the benign interest in each other generated by the World Cup cricket semi-final was taken advantage of by our Prime Minister to make the "re-engagement" and "re-connecting" process possible. He should readily accept the reported suggestion of Gilani for a friendly cricket match between the two teams in Pakistan in the near future and visit Pakistan to keep this process of strategic discovery of each other going forward. "
2.Our diplomacy with Pakistan has again entered a difficult and sensitive phase at a time when there were indicators that our Prime Minister was planning to move the re-engagement process further forward by agreeing to the suggestion of Mr.Gilani for resuming bilateral cricket ties with the Indian cricket team playing one or more matches in Pakistan. There are also indications that he might be favourably inclined to visiting Pakistan during one of these matches.
3. Unfortunately, simultaneously with this forward-pushing development, which I have no hesitation in endorsing and welcoming, has come the backward pulling news that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a US citizen of Canadian origin, whose trial on a charge of complicity with David Coleman Headley implicated in the 26/11 terrorist strikes in Mumbai is due to start next month intends taking up the plea that whatever he did in connection with the 26/11 terrorist strikes was at the behest of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and not the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET). His lawyers seems to be enouraging him to take up this plea in order to avoid conviction on a charge of aiding a foreign terrorist organisation so designated under the US laws and to project as a mitigrating circumstance his co-operating with the ISI with which the US itself has been co-operating in counter-terrorism. It remains to be seen whether their contention will be accepted by the court.
4.The proposed plea of Rana is serious from the point of view of Indo-Pakistan relations. If true, it would show the 26/11 terrorist strikes as a brainchild of the ISI and hence of the State of Pakistan. This would further show the 26/11 terrorist strikes as an indirect act of war by the State of Pakistan against the State and people of India. Can India sweep this development under the carpet and go ahead with the re-engagement process as if there has been no new negative development in the relations with Pakistan?
5. To do so would be unwise and confirm the suspicion that in his eagerness to push the re-engagement process forward, our Prime Minister is prepared to let bygones be bygones and close his eyes to the allegation regarding the involvement of the State of Pakistan.It will be an act of serious injustice to the memories of the over 160 persons---civilians and police officers---killed by the 26/11 strikes. It will further strengthen animosity against Pakistan in the Indian public. The Prime Minister will not be able to carry further forward his re-engagement initiative without support from at least sizable sections of the public.
6. Does this mean that the re-engagement process should be frozen in its tracks till the Government of Pakistan takes satisfactory action on the plea of Rana either by proving it false or by taking action against the ISI officers involved if his plea is correct? The verification of Rana's plea and taking the required follow-up action on it will be a long drawn-out process.The Government of Pakistan is not going to admit the involvement of the ISI. Rana's plea cannot be conclusively proved without independent evidence gathered by either the Indian or US agencies or by both acting in tandem. The possibility of this is remote.
7. That is the harsh ground reality facing Indian diplomacy and policy-makers. Freezing or calling off the re-engagement process will be an easy option, but that will take both India and Pakistan back into stewing in their past. No right-thinking person, who wants to look to a comfortable future without forgetting the lessons of the bitter past, will advocate it with a light heart. I personally feel it should be possible to keep moving forward on the re-engagement road while vigorously verifying the plea of Rana and pressing for co-operation and satisfaction by the State of Pakistan in this matter.
8. How to do so will be a difficult test for Indian diplomacy.It should be able to pass this test. We must give it a chance.
9. This may please be read in continuation of my article of December 23,2009, titled "Need To Focus More on Rana - International Terrorism Monitor---Paper No. 593" at http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers36/paper3561.html( 15-4-11)
( The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
SOME TWEETED THOUGHTS ON TWEETS
B.RAMAN
(To be read bottom upwards)
@BDUTT It is a weapon of mass catharsis.Up to us to decide how to use it.
@BDUTT It is a pastor's confessional. It is also a weapon of mobilisation. It has become a new instrument of soft power.
@BDUTT Twitter induces us to talk & debate with pple, even if we don't know many of them. It is a psyschiatrist's couch.
@BDUTT TV creates mental or intellectual lazines.We sit before TV & watch others talk or debate.We don't in real life ourselves.
14-4-11
(To be read bottom upwards)
@BDUTT It is a weapon of mass catharsis.Up to us to decide how to use it.
@BDUTT It is a pastor's confessional. It is also a weapon of mobilisation. It has become a new instrument of soft power.
@BDUTT Twitter induces us to talk & debate with pple, even if we don't know many of them. It is a psyschiatrist's couch.
@BDUTT TV creates mental or intellectual lazines.We sit before TV & watch others talk or debate.We don't in real life ourselves.
14-4-11
Monday, April 11, 2011
A NOTE
I will be away to New Delhi from the AN of April 12 to the night of April 14. During this period I may or may not write depending on the time available and my comfort level with my laptop ---B.Raman
BARKHA DUTT: Q & A
BARKHA DUTT: Q & A
B.RAMAN
The following are some comments tweeted by me yesterday and this morning in response to questions received from one of my readers, who has specified that he does not belong to any Hindutva group. To be read from bottom upwards. (12-4-11)
She demonises her critics which is wrong in a journalist.Criticise your critics, if need be, but don't demonise them.
Lot of criticism of Barkha is based on prejudices and pre-conceived notions.She has many wonderful qualities---but one negative.
I agree we have a right to criticise her objectively. Prejudices and pre-conceived notions shd not influence the criticism.
She is a professional journalist with no political agenda. I find her coverage objective.
Nor is she the favourite of any political party.Hereafter, I will ignore all Tweets on this subject.
From whatever I know of Barkha, she has no political favourites.
If I say she is exuberant, you guys say it must be because Congress (I) is winning.If I say she is subdued, U guys say opposite.
U guys all the time try to give a mischievous political twist to any remark on or about Barkha.Am sick & tired of this.
All I was hinting was she seemed to like WB (West Bengal) countryside more than TN ( Tamil Nadu) countryside.Her liking for WB cuisine is evident
B.RAMAN
The following are some comments tweeted by me yesterday and this morning in response to questions received from one of my readers, who has specified that he does not belong to any Hindutva group. To be read from bottom upwards. (12-4-11)
She demonises her critics which is wrong in a journalist.Criticise your critics, if need be, but don't demonise them.
Lot of criticism of Barkha is based on prejudices and pre-conceived notions.She has many wonderful qualities---but one negative.
I agree we have a right to criticise her objectively. Prejudices and pre-conceived notions shd not influence the criticism.
She is a professional journalist with no political agenda. I find her coverage objective.
Nor is she the favourite of any political party.Hereafter, I will ignore all Tweets on this subject.
From whatever I know of Barkha, she has no political favourites.
If I say she is exuberant, you guys say it must be because Congress (I) is winning.If I say she is subdued, U guys say opposite.
U guys all the time try to give a mischievous political twist to any remark on or about Barkha.Am sick & tired of this.
All I was hinting was she seemed to like WB (West Bengal) countryside more than TN ( Tamil Nadu) countryside.Her liking for WB cuisine is evident
CHINA'S FIRST AIRCRAFT-CARRIER
B.RAMAN
The following post has been extracted from the China Forum blog of the "China Daily". The abbreviation SCMP in the post stands for the "South China Morning Post" .Pics of the aircraft carrier are available at http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/viewthread.php?gid=2&tid=697241&extra=page%3D1
China's first aircraft carrier
Twenty high-resolution pictures of China's first aircraft carrier, the 67,500-tonne Varyag, appeared on the Xinhua website yesterday, with captions saying the vessel was almost finished and expected to sail this year.
It was the first time official state media reported on the nation's first aircraft carrier project as well as indicating its construction progress at a shipyard in Dalian , Liaoning .
It said while there had been a marked upswing in Beijing's assertiveness in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, that, too, had been toned down in recent months.
The Xinhua picture captions said refitting work on the Varyag, a Soviet-designed Admiral Kuznetsov-class carrier that China bought from Ukraine in 1998, was almost complete after more than a decade spent on reconstruction.
"A 70-year dream of an aircraft carrier that is all-Chinese will come true soon," one caption said.
Citing the latest report of Canadian-based Kanwa Asian Defence Monthly, the captions confirmed the carrier would start sea trials this year after an active phased array radar system was installed on the vessel.
It was at least the second time official media had quoted a source from the internet posted by military enthusiasts and overseas media to reconfirm Beijing's new weapon plans.
The first test flight of a new generation J-20 stealth fighter jet in January was another well-known example.
Chang estimated the carrier would undergo sea tests - including power system trials, harbour trials, close-range and high-sea trials - for about two years.
"After the sea trials are finished, it will also need at least eight years to test its radar and weapons systems such as the J-15, early warning planes and others on board," he said.
But China would have its first formal carrier fighting group in 10 years, after all the trials and tests were completed, he said.
"Since Varyag is a carrier for training purposes, it's possible that it will be equipped with magnetic or steam catapults instead of its originally designed ski-jump ramp take-off system," Chang said. (SCMP)
The following post has been extracted from the China Forum blog of the "China Daily". The abbreviation SCMP in the post stands for the "South China Morning Post" .Pics of the aircraft carrier are available at http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/viewthread.php?gid=2&tid=697241&extra=page%3D1
China's first aircraft carrier
Twenty high-resolution pictures of China's first aircraft carrier, the 67,500-tonne Varyag, appeared on the Xinhua website yesterday, with captions saying the vessel was almost finished and expected to sail this year.
It was the first time official state media reported on the nation's first aircraft carrier project as well as indicating its construction progress at a shipyard in Dalian , Liaoning .
It said while there had been a marked upswing in Beijing's assertiveness in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, that, too, had been toned down in recent months.
The Xinhua picture captions said refitting work on the Varyag, a Soviet-designed Admiral Kuznetsov-class carrier that China bought from Ukraine in 1998, was almost complete after more than a decade spent on reconstruction.
"A 70-year dream of an aircraft carrier that is all-Chinese will come true soon," one caption said.
Citing the latest report of Canadian-based Kanwa Asian Defence Monthly, the captions confirmed the carrier would start sea trials this year after an active phased array radar system was installed on the vessel.
It was at least the second time official media had quoted a source from the internet posted by military enthusiasts and overseas media to reconfirm Beijing's new weapon plans.
The first test flight of a new generation J-20 stealth fighter jet in January was another well-known example.
Chang estimated the carrier would undergo sea tests - including power system trials, harbour trials, close-range and high-sea trials - for about two years.
"After the sea trials are finished, it will also need at least eight years to test its radar and weapons systems such as the J-15, early warning planes and others on board," he said.
But China would have its first formal carrier fighting group in 10 years, after all the trials and tests were completed, he said.
"Since Varyag is a carrier for training purposes, it's possible that it will be equipped with magnetic or steam catapults instead of its originally designed ski-jump ramp take-off system," Chang said. (SCMP)
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