U.S. and its allies in the Pacific begin to demonstrate resolve against China’s hegemony push
U.S. and its allies in the Pacific begin to demonstrate resolve against China’s hegemony push
China, an increasingly menacing force in the Pacific, is meeting resistance in concerted fashion in what could be a promising sign for the U.S. and much of the world in reducing China’s manipulative powers.
Recent efforts by regional powers indicate positioning to boost their military strength.
The U.S., the Philippines and Australia, completed an annual exercise in April 2023 that included 17,000 troops, in what was the “largest Balikatan (the exercise name) in history.”
Following the exercise, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met in Washington, D.C. with President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin to “continue the fundamental work needed to modernize and strengthen the alliance between the two nations.”
Predictably, the leaders of China’s ruling Chinese Communist Party saw the exercise as an attempt by the U.S. to meddle in China’s ongoing dispute with Taiwan.
The Philippines ties to the U.S. are long-held, but the exercise indicated the Marcos administration wants to demonstrate to China that it will end its years of focusing on internal threats in recognition of the “eye-opener” of Russia invading Ukraine.
Australia has also recognized the need to improve its defense to address China’s mounting ambitions.
In April, Australia “unveiled the biggest strategic shift in its military posture since the Second World War to adapt to China’s military build-up.”
The Australians will focus on improving bases in its northern region given the increasing reach of Chinese missiles, and thus reducing the natural defense of remote location.
They will also build on the use of a nuclear submarine fleet along with the U.S. and the U.K.
Australia has been plagued by China’s activity in the region, notably by China seeking to bully the Solomon Islands into an agreement that could lead to Chinese basing and use of a major port. The Solomons sit only 1,000 miles off Australian shores.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited Washington in April to great fanfare that included meetings and a state dinner with President Biden, and a separate meeting with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon.
He and Biden signed a “declaration of intent…to boost nuclear deterrence against North Korea” which “prompted Beijing to lodge criticism that shows a stronger alliance (between the U.S. and Korea) as a threat to its sphere of influence.”
The stronger purpose of the visit, of course, was to show solidarity against China in its pursuit of hegemony.
Yoon recognizes the dangers China presents and is the first South Korean leader to openly criticize China on its posture on Taiwan.
“…tensions occurred because of the attempts to change the status quo by force, and we together with the international community absolutely oppose such a change,” Yoon said in an interview with Reuters. “The Taiwan issue is not simply an issue between China and Taiwan but, like the issue of North Korea, it is a global issue.”
Among key South Korean defense initiatives is a revived effort to build up to three “Joint Firepower Ships” which function as “floating missile silos, each carrying 80 ballistic missiles or more.” The ships are designed to be part of a system that will carry out a “preemptive attack on (North Korean leader Kim Jong Un) and his nuclear arsenal.” Clearly, such a system could be launched against a variety of targets.
Japan has, in recent years, begun rethinking their military posture. With the aggressiveness of China on its doorstep, it is making strides in upgrading its military to at least approach its highly sophisticated economy.
Japan has stated that it would increase its military spending to “2% of its GDP on defense, up from about 1% now, making it the world’s third largest military spender.”
Other examples of Japan’s serious investment are also very public and meant to send a clear signal.
In January, Japan joined with the U.K. in signing an agreement for troop deployment to each other’s countries.
The “Reciprocal Access Agreement” will allow the Japan and the U.K. to conduct “joint military exercises.”
Also in January, the U.S. and Japan made known a “strengthening of their military relationship.”
This new effort was announced by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
“We’re replacing an artillery regiment with an outfit that’s, that’s more lethal, more agile, more capable,” Austin said, according to CNN. It will “bolster deterrence in the region and allow us to defend Japan and its people more effectively.”
In March, Japan moved “hundreds of troops, including missile units, into a new base built on a remote island near China and Taiwan…” This move is clearly related to the obvious China’s obvious efforts at regional hegemony.
Japan has also undertaken efforts to develop its own weaponry.
“Until 2014, military exports were essentially prohibited,” which in turn limited the ability of Japanese industry to engage in scaled research and production because their only potential customer was Japan itself. While restrictions have “eased,” difficulties persist in exporting systems due to government over-involvement.
While the moves by the Philippines, Australia, South Korea, and Japan, are substantial, it is likely clear to each nation (and other countries in the region) that much work remains in deterring and limiting China’s advances.
The U.S. must maintain a leadership role in building a strong response to China. Time will be the judge of the effectiveness of that effort.
James Hutton is a former assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is a retired colonel in the U.S. Army. Follow him on Twitter @jehutton
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-great-strategist-henry-kissinger-turns-100-china-ukraine-realpolitik-81b6f3bb?mod=opinion_lead_pos5
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