CHINA ISLAND BUILDING
China is in the process of building its own islands and bases in the South China Sea. This is an ongoing progression of establishing a permanent presence in a shipping lane where around one-third of maritime shipping passes each year. While being in the news spotlight in the past week, China’s activity has actually been a deliberate project of a huge scale for quite a while.
[themepacific_googlemap title=”China” location=”Spratly Islands” zoom=”10″ height=250]
In a time where the world’s attention has been on events occurring in the middle east and Russia, China was running at full speed to complete its projects before people in news reporting began to notice. There have been brief encounters between the United States and China in recent weeks that were almost unnoticed. Now, this has changed and the news hounds are in full focus, until the next potential crisis arises.
For the record, most do not know that of the 10 leading economies in the world, Russia is ninth while China has risen to the second largest economy. To this end, if China is an enemy of various nations in their hemisphere, who can be a factor in stabilization? The answer is the United States. Although, Malaysia is perhaps number eight in military might in the world, it is not in position to be a factor in this dispute, much less, Vietnam, Japan, Philippines, or Taiwan. The potential for a tragic flash occurrence of conflict is real in this region.
[Tweet “Could there be conflict between China and the US in the South China Sea?”]
In just the last two days, China is claiming it will cease its island building operations at Mischief Reef, but the fact remains, it has completed oil platform operations, as well as, bases at Fiery Cross, north of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. It is apparent both China and the United States do not want conflict and in keeping with past history, this, too, may pass.
Until recent communications between the two super powers were underway, China was actively working to create and continue building islands, bases and actual island communities in the area. Any and all protesters were blocked from approaching each island project inclusive of colliding with other ships (as shown of Japanese ship above). Further, China changed its air force status from defensive to defensive/offensive status.
This is a game of international politics, so may the global public be aware. Cooler heads should prevail, as in this age, like no other, a semblance of reality regarding what regional or global warfare could do would be just plain stupid. Period.
Even those in elite positions are realizing there is a global economy and community that should be bolstered and maintained. No matter, how, why, when, it was formed and perfected, it is reality.
Your comments are welcome on this issue.
The author has not embellished so you may. Smiles.