China has introduced long-range surface-to-air missiles to and recently landed modern fighter aircraft on Woody Island in the disputed Paracel Islands of the South China Sea provoking fears that China may use them to restrict navigation.
Meanwhile, North Korea continues its nuclear threats.
After reviewing the problems in these areas, Derek Burney and Fen Hampson conclude “The scope for diplomacy is limited. For the time being, a stiffer spine and more muscular posture by the U.S. and its allies may be the best way to keep matters in check.”
We have seen seem the United Kingdom join the United States in sending its fighter aircraft to Japan for exercises, while Australia is being urged to begin freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea. From Canada, nothing, it would seem.
Given our withdrawal from the ISIS bombing campaign, a more a "muscular posture" does not appear to be part of the current government’s foreign policy playbook.
One thought on “South China Sea and Korea February 2016”
China needs the natural gas from the East China Sea and the South China Sea to clean up the environment and run its industry, instead of importing the gas from various maybe unreliable countries. It needs the natural gas until nuclear energy comes into use. Prior to 2008, China, Japan, Philippines and Vietnam had an agreement to jointly explore for natural gas and oil. They were led to believe that the United States will fight for them. Hence the freedom of the sea patrols and the pivot to Asia policy. But all I can see is an arms race in Asia with China spending money to equal or surpass the US. China has developed stealth jets, Hypersonic missiles and airplanes and cavitation submarines. I do not want a war with a richer and more industrialized country. I hope we learned our lesson in Viet Nam, a poorer county. I do not see anything wrong with a 51% and a 49% share with China doing the extraction. China is willing to fight for it, unless there is a joint settlement with the countries involved. That is why China claims sovereign rights by building and arming reefs and islands. It has drilled and extracted natural gas from the Pinghu, Liwan, Panyu gas field and is presently drilling southwest of Hanian Islands. China could pay hard ball by supporting claims in the Kuriles, Dohka Islands and arm the Moro in the Philippines or other places. We do not need another Middle East or my grandsons fighting for it.