State-run news website Global Times said the order transferring the Chinese coast guard leadership from civilian authorities to the country’s military took effect on July 1.
US News and World Report: U.S., Allies Fear Conflict With China Following Maritime Changes
Beijing is employing its military in new ways under the leadership of Xi Jinping, who has consolidated his power.
A little noticed organizational change in China's maritime patrols is causing increasing anxiety among Western military officials and their allies in the region, who fear Beijing is seeking new leverage to advance its goals and raising the likelihood that an accidental encounter could escalate into conflict.
The U.S. confirmed earlier this year that China has reorganized its coast guard to serve as a military branch rather than answer to law enforcement authorities. Militarizing the formerly civilian organization provides China with the firepower to harass and intimidate vessels from other countries who dispute China's claims to waterways. The change, which Beijing denies, signals not only that China wishes to further its ambitions for its neighborhood, including seizing contested disputed territory and access to natural resources in East and South China seas but that it is becoming a more potent foe internationally.
Read more ....
Update: Chinese coast guard placed under military command (The Philippine Star)
WNU Editor: Another sign that China is preparing to enforce its territorial claims with force.
1 comment:
Wnu, agreed... they'll use the Coast guard to ram and harass other ships and if they fight back, they'll immediately and directly report back to the Chinese navy. They're just itching to sink "a foreign aggressor".. they just need to find the right target
Post a Comment