So I have to write this:
Chinese Geopolitics
- Thread starter Major
- Start date
- Status
blackstone, I don't think the issue that your criticism of Chinese gov't repression of religion is out of line (I personally agree with it), but just that it creates flame wars in this thread. It's not easy to have a political thread in this forum, because we have a lot of passionate Chinese supporters and also people with more pro-western views that could produce combustive threads. And we are hoping people who are smart and knowledgeable about military don't get irritated and leave the forum or make a lot of in the moment heated comments that will force us to suspend them. So while I fully understand that a lot of members here want to talk about political topics, it's helpful to keep it to a minimum.
Blackstone
Brigadier
Fair enough, Feng.
Blackstone
Brigadier
What exactly do you take issue with the three points I made, Janiz?
1) Obama rather play golf than take the lead on important global issues
2) Japan, Vietnam, and Philippines have been working on the US to oppose China
3) Japan is the key to US security network in Asia, and US will go to great length to mollify it
I'd like to hear your reasoning.
broadsword
Brigadier
It's not about China dreaming of US not getting involved. It's about letting only the regional countries solved their own problems. Getting a third party involved means third party interests and that complicates matters. Haven't you seen how much mess the US created in the ME? Don't use religion to draw support for your point of view.
Indeed, China and the US should be partners, but if the cost of being an American partner is the compromising of core values such as "we found these islands first, therefore it's ours", then China would loathe to commit to such a relationship.
If Japan fears being held to account for past misdeeds, then is the US is obstructing the course of justice? In any case, until the US views cooperation with China to be more important than maintaining the US 'security network', there will be a constant thorn in the Sino-US relations; it is, after all, difficult to work someone when the they have a military alliance that surrounds your house.
If this is any other forums, I would response to your comment. But I will not take your bait here. Considered it ignored.
solarz
Brigadier
No, I said there is no evidence of those other nations wanting a multilateral involvement of the US in their negotiations with China, other than wanting to use the US as a leverage. True multilateralism would mean all parties involved are sincere in their desire to reach a compromise.
How do you partner with someone who keeps trying to undermine your other relations? When have we ever seen China play the "US threat" card with South Korea, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, or Pakistan?
solarz
Brigadier
Exactly! How do you resolve issues when a third party whose interest is to keep those issues alive keeps getting involved?
It is good that China plans to discuss the disagreements re: territorial waters with the effected Southeast Asian countries. However, China should consider adhering to the International Law (UNCLOS) in settling the disputes in the South China Sea. BTW, the history of US as a Asia-Pacific power dates to the period of WW II. We sometimes forget that the USN defeated the IJN at various major battles in the Pacific, which helped turn the tide of the war. Also, the US assisted the allied Forces (inc. British, Australian, NZ) in Southeast Asia; and with the KMT and Communist to defeat the Japanese aggressors in China. The US Air Force also helped form during the WW II "Flying Tigers" in China; and the USAF pilots were actively involved in the air battles then. With this history of a benevolent and not a colonialist US, it is obvious that a number of Asian Nations & Australia will not forget their American friends. Looking at the world map, the Pacific Ocean which laps the Western Coast of the USA is definitely the responsibility of America. Also with Guam, an American territory, and defense treaties with some Asian countries and Australia, the Asia-Pacific is therefore within the sphere of American interest. China is also considered an important friend. As a Superpower it can contribute greatly to peace, economic progress and development of the Asia-Pacfic region.
- Status