|
|
Updated Saturday, March 28, 2009 9:54 am TWN, By John J. Metzler, Special to The China Post China 'going global' with militaryThe PRC's naval modernization received renewed attention when Beijing dispatched ships to the Somali coast to assist in U.N. efforts in anti-piracy operations. Though this long-range naval deployment underscores Beijing's blue-water naval capacities, this is hardly a threat as much as a maritime milestone; a return to the very coastlines plied by Chinese vessels during the Ming Dynasty. The fabled fleets of Admiral Cheng Ho sailed these waters in the 1400s more than fifty years before Portuguese mariners arrived from the opposite direction. What is far more troubling is that Beijing's Marxist mandarins have looked to the vastness of the South China Sea as a kind of Sino Mare Nostrum; evoking the concept of Our Sea, which Mussolini's nationalists used to describe the Mediterranean as an Italian Lake. The South China Sea is claimed by Beijing, but bordered by the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia. Also, the disputed but resource-rich Parcel and Spratly islands are scattered through this basin. China claims the sea as its territorial waters and is willing to exert de facto control of this vital region as part of its exclusive economic zone, its shipping lanes of communication, and a southern defense bulwark. Recently, Chinese vessels harassed an American naval surveillance ship near the PRC submarine base on Hainan island. The U.S. Navy sent a destroyer to escort the surveillance vessel to safe waters. Though the incident fortunately did not escalate, the lesson is clear; this is China's geographic neighborhood. While the U.S. and many NATO nations remain transfixed on the Taliban threat in Afghanistan, rogue players like North Korea and Islamic Iran will take advantage of the situation to destabilize the equilibrium. Meanwhile, serious but cautious players like the PRC shall probe the parameters of this classic sphere of influence. China's “Mare Nostrum,” may soon become a geopolitical fact as Beijing tips the global balance of power. John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. Comments March 29, 2009 valwayne@ Reply History repeats itself. We found ourselves in this situation with the USSR in the late 70s early 80s. Instead of Jimmy Carter we now have Jimmy Obama. Let's hope as the disaster grows there is another Reagan in our future. March 29, 2009 myatthwin62@ With a land mass slightly larger than USA, a population FOUR times more, a military budget a FRACTION of Pentagon's $400 ~ $600 billion, and they are complaining about China's defense capability? When brothers fought brothers this is what happened, get it? http://www.360doc.com/content/090317/19/26382_2837483.html March 29, 2009 efax5@ Chinese global presence is long overdue. They can no longer continue to keep their head in the sand while their US$2 trillion foreign reserve is in the hands of other global powers. China must protect their wealth by being more assertive and involved in global affairs. We need a multi-polar world to deter mad men likes of Bush from throwing their weight around the globe recklessly and with impunity.China's presence in the gulf of Eden is a baby step. They should be speaking out against the war crimes and crime against humanity in Fulleja, Abu Gherib, Guantanamo, Gaza, Chechnya and Sri Lanka. China should use its economic power to redirect the global economy to right the wrongs of the past superpowers. China should be the moderating voice of reason like they did in North Korea, restraining the militaristic Bush from invading that nation. If China had spoken up, Israel may have respected UN’s numerous resolutions. If China had gotten involved directly, perhaps Bush could not have invaded Iraq. We need China to be the balance of power between self centered US, European and nonchalant Russians. March 29, 2009 oldgeek143@ China paying attention to its military is logical and not something that should be feared. China is more afraid of being attacked than has desires on expansion. The culture and history of China is to protect their country. March 29, 2009 natedegr88@ Looks like a lot of Chinese are on this board spreading propaganda. The culture and history of China is anything BUT protecting their country. Take a look at China's map two thousand years ago and its map today. Notice the big difference in land mass? How could merely "protecting their country" possibly gain them that much extra land? Get real!!! March 29, 2009 jbsmu@ valwayne@ wrote: Americans ought not fear the Chinese. They ought to fear the Europeans, who are hell bent on implementing their post-Christian vision of Marxist fabianism the world over. The Chinese are interested only in their self interest, and not in the pursuit of some ideological goal, such as the Europeans are. Americans ought to relate to that sort of impulse. We ought not fear the Chinese, who are interested only in securing their national interests. They have invaded no one. They have threatened no one. So stop with the alarmism.History repeats itself. We found ourselves in this situation with the USSR in the late 70s early 80s. Instead of Jimmy Carter we now have Jimmy Obama. Let's hope as the disaster grows there is another Reagan in our future. March 31, 2009 g-preston@ valwayne@ wrote: No thanks on the Reagan. I don't want all that increased deregulation and have to deal with another global economic crisis. And I hope you are not being paid to write comments or I'm wasting my time. Most of these comments seem like that.History repeats itself. We found ourselves in this situation with the USSR in the late 70s early 80s. Instead of Jimmy Carter we now have Jimmy Obama. Let's hope as the disaster grows there is another Reagan in our future. April 1, 2009 nikola.jako@ jbsmu@ wrote: So you're now wishing another movie star to be in control of the US? This planet is not made for Hollywood Star War movies. The US is no long populated by only 19th century white colonists, who today are still far ahead in the conventional and nuclear arm race, as well as in the global economic control. So what still worries you?Americans ought not fear the Chinese. They ought to fear the Europeans, who are hell bent on implementing their post-Christian vision of Marxist fabianism the world over. The Chinese are interested only in their self interest, and not in the pursuit of some ideological goal, such as the Europeans are. Americans ought to relate to that sort of impulse. We ought not fear the Chinese, who are interested only in securing their national interests. They have invaded no one. They have threatened no one. So stop with the alarmism. August 30, 2009 natedeger88@ natedegr88@ wrote: @natedeger88Looks like a lot of Chinese are on this board spreading propaganda. The culture and history of China is anything BUT protecting their country. Take a look at China's map two thousand years ago and its map today. Notice the big difference in land mass? How could merely "protecting their country" possibly gain them that much extra land? Get real!!! which countries are about the same as they were 2000 years ago? |
  | |||||||||||||||
Sitemap | Top Stories | Taiwan | China | Business | Asia | World | Sports | Life | Arts & Leisure | Health | Editorial | Commentary
Travel | Movies | TV Listings | Classifieds | Bookstore | Getting Around | Weather | Guide Post | Student Post | English Courses | Terms of Use | Sitemap
