China Intensifies Pressure on America's Asian Allies
The unprecedented launch marks a new phase in China's regional military posture
Synopsis
It was the first time since the 1980s that China launched its first ballistic missile into international waters, from a submarine off its southern coast onto the Philippines and the Pacific Ocean in early July; it is indeed a matter of discussion.
AdvertisementWhat Is the Reason Behind This?
President Donald Trump made a trip to South Korea to meet Xi Jinping in order to express his desire to improve the relations between the two countries, followed by a cordial meeting in Beijing in May, during which China’s assertiveness toward America's Asian allies grew.
How Is the Trump Government Reacting to This?
President Donald Trump and his government have been rather cautious in reacting to the activities of China.
AdvertisementFirstly, because they can neither under react or over react to the Chinese advances. If they try to downplay the situation, China might think it has the upper hand and further increase its strategic assertiveness; on the other hand, if the U.S. responds too harshly, it might escalate into a war.
Secondly, the Trump Administration Remains Focused on Iran Conflict amid China Tensions
How Will American Alliances in Asia Deal With This?
Asian countries have three ways to improve their security: strengthening themselves, strengthening their ties with one another and ensuring that they have strong support from America.
However, since America has refused to be vocal about them facing the Chinese bully and given the fact that they do not have a strong security organisation like the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), they have no other option than to rely on themselves and on each other.
AdvertisementThe cumulative defence spending of America’s treaty allies is less than half that of China; and none of them has nukes.
What Can the U.S. Do Now?
Trump has previously attacked China based on the grounds that they have stolen American jobs as well as intellectual property. In his venture to attack China on such grounds, Trump was backed by the Asian leaders such as Abe Shinzo, Japan’s late prime minister, who spent hours encouraging him to take a hard look at the military threat China poses.
Hence the only way that the Asian countries can get any sort of respite from China is to nudge and convince the Trump government that China is threatening the America’s position as the world’s leading superpower and that its military ambitions are connected with its industrial, technological and economic ambitions.
