Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
A good article As everybody who learn high school Physics Action will result in Reaction
Indian Times
Action reaction: Deployment of Chinese missiles on South China Sea island is a product of US moves in the region
February 19, 2016, 6:36 pm IST in | | TOI
The US has described the deployment of Chinese HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles on Woody Island in South China Sea’s Paracel Islands group as further evidence of increasing militarisation of the region by Beijing. In fact, US secretary of state John Kerry has asserted that in the coming days the American side will have very serious conversations with the Chinese over the development. There’s no denying the fact that increasing tension in the South China Sea is a matter of concern for all parties. But to put the blame for this solely on China’s doorstep is patently unfair.
China may be taking steps to shore up its defensive capabilities in the Paracel Islands. It has argued this is well within its rights since Woody Island has been under its control since 1956. True, the island is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. But one must ask what has brought things to this pass. It’s simply absurd to assert that China’s military moves in the South China Sea lack provocation. In fact, the US as part of its Asian pivot has increasingly flexed its military might in the region. It’s clear now that President Barack Obama, in his last year in office, wants this to be a part of his Asia-Pacific legacy.
Let’s take a look at the list of American moves in the region. First, the US has sent warships and surveillance aircraft to waters near the disputed islands in South China Sea while disregarding the rules of innocent passage. It plans to continue undertaking such missions and is goading its allies like the Philippines to participate in joint naval patrols. In fact, Manila has inked a 10-year agreement with Washington that allows the latter to station its ships and aircraft at several Philippine bases. Plus, the US is spending millions of dollars to upgrade the naval capabilities of countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia.
Add to this tensions on the Korean peninsula in the aftermath of North Korea’s latest nuclear test. In response, South Korea has recently said that it is considering deploying the American THAAD anti-ballistic missile system to counter the North’s acts of provocation. However, given THAAD’s design the weapon system is more attuned to countering long-range missiles. This in the Korean context would mean missiles emanating from China. And if all of this wasn’t enough, the recently held US-Asean meet was a clear attempt by Washington to stiffen the Southeast Asian group’s spine against China.
Thus, given the evidence at hand it is ridiculous to argue that China shouldn’t feel threatened by US moves in the Asia-Pacific region. And with Washington upping the ante, it’s only natural that Beijing will take appropriate measures to defend itself. Of course, in the long run growing militarisation of the South and East China Seas isn’t going to benefit anyone. All parties to the territorial disputes in the region must come to the negotiating table and peacefully resolve their differences. In this regard, confidence building measures such as joint development of the islands and waters in the region should definitely be considered.
But if the US plans to use the situation to further its military-strategic interests in the region, China will obviously respond. It would be better for everybody if the two world powers work on their ties in the spirit of the ‘major powers relationship’ that was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his trip to the US last year. After all, US-China cooperation is critical to resolving the major challenges that the world faces today.
Indian Times
Action reaction: Deployment of Chinese missiles on South China Sea island is a product of US moves in the region
February 19, 2016, 6:36 pm IST in | | TOI
The US has described the deployment of Chinese HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles on Woody Island in South China Sea’s Paracel Islands group as further evidence of increasing militarisation of the region by Beijing. In fact, US secretary of state John Kerry has asserted that in the coming days the American side will have very serious conversations with the Chinese over the development. There’s no denying the fact that increasing tension in the South China Sea is a matter of concern for all parties. But to put the blame for this solely on China’s doorstep is patently unfair.
China may be taking steps to shore up its defensive capabilities in the Paracel Islands. It has argued this is well within its rights since Woody Island has been under its control since 1956. True, the island is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. But one must ask what has brought things to this pass. It’s simply absurd to assert that China’s military moves in the South China Sea lack provocation. In fact, the US as part of its Asian pivot has increasingly flexed its military might in the region. It’s clear now that President Barack Obama, in his last year in office, wants this to be a part of his Asia-Pacific legacy.
Let’s take a look at the list of American moves in the region. First, the US has sent warships and surveillance aircraft to waters near the disputed islands in South China Sea while disregarding the rules of innocent passage. It plans to continue undertaking such missions and is goading its allies like the Philippines to participate in joint naval patrols. In fact, Manila has inked a 10-year agreement with Washington that allows the latter to station its ships and aircraft at several Philippine bases. Plus, the US is spending millions of dollars to upgrade the naval capabilities of countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia.
Add to this tensions on the Korean peninsula in the aftermath of North Korea’s latest nuclear test. In response, South Korea has recently said that it is considering deploying the American THAAD anti-ballistic missile system to counter the North’s acts of provocation. However, given THAAD’s design the weapon system is more attuned to countering long-range missiles. This in the Korean context would mean missiles emanating from China. And if all of this wasn’t enough, the recently held US-Asean meet was a clear attempt by Washington to stiffen the Southeast Asian group’s spine against China.
Thus, given the evidence at hand it is ridiculous to argue that China shouldn’t feel threatened by US moves in the Asia-Pacific region. And with Washington upping the ante, it’s only natural that Beijing will take appropriate measures to defend itself. Of course, in the long run growing militarisation of the South and East China Seas isn’t going to benefit anyone. All parties to the territorial disputes in the region must come to the negotiating table and peacefully resolve their differences. In this regard, confidence building measures such as joint development of the islands and waters in the region should definitely be considered.
But if the US plans to use the situation to further its military-strategic interests in the region, China will obviously respond. It would be better for everybody if the two world powers work on their ties in the spirit of the ‘major powers relationship’ that was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his trip to the US last year. After all, US-China cooperation is critical to resolving the major challenges that the world faces today.
