China's rising power

[josephpalazzo]

For those of you who complain about the US policing the rest of the world, take a look at what's happening right now in East Asia with China's rising power.

A Chinese military expert is explaining to a conference here what he sees as the benign inevitability of Beijing's rising power in the Pacific. "You should trust China," he says cheerily. "In 10 years, we will be much stronger, and you will feel safer."

This prediction did not appear to reassure most of the several dozen European and American experts who had gathered for discussions last weekend. Instead, there was a consensus, even among most of the Chinese participants, that Beijing's growing military power has worried its neighbors and led to friction with Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam over disputed islands and maritime rights.

"You think we are a bully," concedes the Chinese military expert. "We think we are a victim." But nobody in the room disagreed about the reality that tensions in the Pacific are rising — and that China and its neighbors cannot seem to find a way out. This leaves the United States awkwardly in between, trying to support traditional allies such as Japan without encouraging them to take reckless moves.

It is a sign of the times that delegates here talk openly about the danger of war in the Pacific. That's a big change from the tone of similar gatherings just a few years ago, when Chinese officials often tried to reassure foreign experts that a rising China wasn't on a collision course with the United States or regional powers. Now, in the East and South China seas, the collision seems all too possible.  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ ... ml?hpid=z3

[Sal1981]

Is it too early to say that "history repeats itself"?

[The Skeletal Atheist]

A war in the Pacific now would be hell. It would probably make the last few wars we were in look like pillow fights.

In other news glorious DPRK just tested 4 sort ranged missiles.

Also tensions are rising again in Ukraine.

Have fun.

[josephpalazzo]

A war in the Pacific now would be hell. It would probably make the last few wars we were in look like pillow fights.

China is not going to back down on its claim over those islands: 1) they would lose face and that would diminish their influence everywhere else; 2) it's also an opportunity to see the US resolve to honor its treaty with Japan. Would the US go to war over two hapless islands in the middle of nowhere? Unlikely.

In other news glorious DPRK just tested 4 sort ranged missiles.

China allows it as North Korea has always been a torn for the US. It's a nice distraction from China's building up its military might.

Also tensions are rising again in Ukraine.

Just look at the Republicans with their insistence that Obama is a weak leader, and Reagan (of all people) would know what to do in Ukraine. While in the news, it's a battle against LGBT, Obamacare (still), and the eternal Benghazi fiasco. The US is sleeping at the wheel.

Have fun.

It ain't going to last long.

[Solitary]

China has WMD's, let's invade them like we did Iraq where their WMD's were suppose to be the reason we went there.  :shock:  Like we would have if they did have WMD's.  :roll:  Solitary

[josephpalazzo]

China has WMD's, let's invade them like we did Iraq where their WMD's were suppose to be the reason we went there.  :shock:  Like we would have if they did have WMD's.  :roll:  Solitary

It's not so much that Iraq had WMD's but that NYC was in imminent danger of being nuked!?!! As to China, an invasion would be futile, the whole country is under toxic air pollution. Only the Chinese, who have developped immunization against that kind of poison, can live there.

[Solitary]

#-o  :rollin: Solitary

[zarus tathra]

tbh China isn't in a position to threaten any of the countries that matter. Russia has nukes, India has nukes, so it's fenced in north and south. Invading South Korea wouldn't gain them anything, nor would invading Japan. The only thing that could possibly be of use to them is ocean oil deposits and fishing rights.

[josephpalazzo]

The only thing that could possibly be of use to them is ocean oil deposits and fishing rights.

Guess what? The other countries are also interested in the same.

[Shiranu]

IIRC,  I remember seeing a few weeks ago that PM Abe is considering moving away from the military restrictions Japan agreed to after WW2 and beefing up their armed forces.

From what I have read of the Japanese culture,  this wouldn't generally be a popular move. However given China's rising influence it is quite possible that is changing.

Fishing and oil are very big money, definitely something two nations could fight over.  Add into that equation pride ("You let them have it without a fight?  You are too weak to lead! ") and you never know how it will turn out.

[The Skeletal Atheist]

The only thing that could possibly be of use to them is ocean oil deposits and fishing rights.

That alone is a good reason to go to war. They could also gain some strategic locations.

Also historical animosity.

I honestly don't think they'll go to war with Japan, but only not to piss of their lead trading partner, the USA. If they get over that then all bets are off.

[Thumpalumpacus]

For those of you who complain about the US policing the rest of the world, take a look at what's happening right now in East Asia with China's rising power.

A Chinese military expert is explaining to a conference here what he sees as the benign inevitability of Beijing's rising power in the Pacific. "You should trust China," he says cheerily. "In 10 years, we will be much stronger, and you will feel safer."

This prediction did not appear to reassure most of the several dozen European and American experts who had gathered for discussions last weekend. Instead, there was a consensus, even among most of the Chinese participants, that Beijing's growing military power has worried its neighbors and led to friction with Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam over disputed islands and maritime rights.

"You think we are a bully," concedes the Chinese military expert. "We think we are a victim." But nobody in the room disagreed about the reality that tensions in the Pacific are rising — and that China and its neighbors cannot seem to find a way out. This leaves the United States awkwardly in between, trying to support traditional allies such as Japan without encouraging them to take reckless moves.

It is a sign of the times that delegates here talk openly about the danger of war in the Pacific. That's a big change from the tone of similar gatherings just a few years ago, when Chinese officials often tried to reassure foreign experts that a rising China wasn't on a collision course with the United States or regional powers. Now, in the East and South China seas, the collision seems all too possible.  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ ... ml?hpid=z3

Oh, please.  Everyone knows that America is the only Evil Empire.

[Solitary]

Like Einstein said: "I don't know if there will be World War III, but I do know World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."   :shock:   8-[  Solitary

[Shiranu]

I doubt China or Japan would go nuclear.

I doubt Japan would also ever go to war with mainland China, besides maybe bombing ports and naval facilities. China is simply too big... without going nuclear, it would take a global invasion to really stand a chance at  holding it. All I can see is destroying the Chinese navy and air force to insure that the islands are secured.

Given that, I cant see us being knocked back too far technologically.

[Thumpalumpacus]

My prediction: Japan will attain nuclear weapons within two decades, in order to protect itself ... if it hasn't already.