The New York Times published a report on the Pacific and geopolitical developments in Asia on SundayWhich at the same time expresses the concern of the United States of a military conflict with China. The text refers, among other things, to a US base located on one of the three great islands of the Commonwealth in the Pacific Ocean (Tinian). The report describes the military rearmament of the base – a circumstance that reminds the authors of World War II and the escalatory spiral of that time. The New York Times wrote that the United States is now organizing exercises with Japanese pilots, who were still considered enemies of the United States during World War II.
The text clearly states: “Asia-Pacific is moving toward a turbulent period of rearmament, in which old conflicts and immediate dangers persist. Concerned by China’s military build-up, growing regional threats and — in the face of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and persistent doubts about US resolve — it is Countries across the region are choking off defense budgets, joint training, weapons production, and force infrastructure.”
China’s self-confidence is increasing
In the past, joint trade connecting China with the United States and the West was important. That time is over now. China is becoming more self-confident and pursuing its own strategy. The New York Times writes that relations between China and the West have been at their worst in the past 50 years.
The authors assess the situation in such a way that the recent meeting between Chinese President Xi Jingping and Russian President Vladimir Putin confirms China’s claim to power in the world in general and in the region in particular. The text states that there are many indications that China would soon like to take control of the self-governing island of Taiwan. The United States will respond in a very classic way and will respond primarily with military build-up and arming of its partners, that is, with deterrence. For example, the authors mention the armament plans of Japan and Australia, but the military plans of the Philippines and India are not ignored either. Arming Taiwan is also in the interest of the United States.
The Chinese are getting stronger militarily
The authors question whether these efforts will be sufficient to halt China’s expansionist trajectory. China will also rearm and carry out controlled provocations to persuade the Americans and their allies of China’s resolve. At the same time, many Asian countries no longer trust the persistence of the Americans.
The text states that „many countries hope that the strengthening of their armed forces will prevent China, the superpower, from advancing further. But their accumulation also reflects diminished confidence in the United States. The war in Ukraine (…) has weakened the material resources of the States „In many Asian capitals, there are doubts about the US military’s ability to adapt and halt China’s advance. There are concerns about what current US policies will produce: perhaps a nightmare of overreaction to Chinese provocations or a military withdrawal.”
What is currently happening is a radical shift in power, writes The New York Times. The balance of power is changing rapidly. It’s not just because of China, Shivshankar Menon, India’s National Security Adviser from 2010 to 2014, told The New York Times. There will be greater risks at the time of change. The New York Times writes that this is also due to China’s economic difficulties, growing competition in Asia and an aging population. China is becoming more and more powerful, but it will have more and more players, such as India and Indonesia. While the United States will have to diversify its military spending globally, China’s growing spending will be concentrated in Asia. At the same time, the Chinese were getting stronger militarily. They had good military technology and were always ahead technologically.
The age of world armament
The New York Times wrote: „The recent statements of American leaders – I figured it out Until 2027 or Even in 2025 War could break out — and the Chinese leadership’s belligerent rhetoric is adding to the anxiety (Regarding a military conflict, editor’s note). Chen Gang, China’s foreign minister, warned this month that if Washington continues „down this wrong path,” conflict between his country and the United States is inevitable. The same. The only certain thing is that all countries of the world have increased their military spending, even Japan, which previously declared itself a pacifist. The New York Times wrote that the age of global armaments has dawned.
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