Warships and fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy take part in a military display in the South China Sea April 12, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
Reuters: China's vast fleet is tipping the balance in the Pacific
TAIPEI (Reuters) - A generation ago, from mid-1995 into early 1996, China lobbed missiles in the waters around Taiwan as the self-governing island prepared to hold its first fully democratic presidential election. Washington forcefully intervened to support its ally, sending two aircraft carrier battle groups to patrol nearby. The carriers, then as now the spearhead of American power, intimidated Beijing. The vote went ahead. The missiles stopped.
Today, with tension again running high, Washington still backs Taiwan. Chinese President Xi Jinping on January 2 renewed Beijing’s longstanding threat to use force if necessary to restore mainland control over the island. But the United States is now sending much more muted signals of support.
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WNU Editor: They have certainly tipped it in the western Pacific, and they will probably dominate it within a decade.
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ReplyDeleteThe Chinese need to be stopped in any domination of the West Pacific. It can't be solely up to the US to defend Asia. Japan, South Korea, Australia, Vietnam, - NZ even - need to ramp up their navies. Taiwan needs to remain a recipient of the best weapons.
ReplyDeleteChina needs pushback and it could end up in a skirmish. That's why its important to transit the Taiwan Strait as frequently as possible. Otherwise it becomes de-facto exclusionary, China wins.
Its either that or pay a ransom to China to transit any shipping lanes under their control.