China’s increasing assertiveness has triggered an on-going scuffle between more than eight neighboring countries and drawn in outside middle and world powers. The Global Quorumhas been there since the start, and continues to cover and analyse what’s happening in one of the most important regions of the world.
The latest:
100724-N-9500T-336 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 24, 2010) The Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) leads a group of multinational ships during a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010. RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise. Since 1971, this large-scale biennial exercise has been designed to increase mutual cooperation and enhance the tactical capabilities of participating nations in various aspects of maritime operations at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Taylor/RELEASED)
2017 will prove a challenge to the newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump. China has strengthened its position in the pacific with the deployment of its new aircraft carrier as well as fortifying its new island bases with anti-aircraft emplacements.
The post that started it all. In our inaugural article, we look at why the region is so important, and how the world’s two biggest Super-Powers are preparing to face-off over control of this vital trade and resources corridor.
Previously:
In this May 24, 2014 photo, China’s Harbin (112) guided missile destroyer takes part in a week-long China-Russia “Joint Sea-2014” navy exercise at the East China Sea off Shanghai, China. Several Asian nations are arming up, their wary eyes fixed squarely on one country: a resurgent China thats boldly asserting its territorial claims all along the East Asian coast. The scramble to spend more defense dollars comes amid spats with China over contested reefs and waters. Other Asian countries such as India and South Korea are quickly modernizing their forces, although their disputes with China have stayed largely at the diplomatic level. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT
JUNE 2014 CLASHES – China and Vietnam-owned vessels again clashed on Monday, June 23, near a Chinese oil rig that has been set up in a part of the South China Sea that is being claimed by both countries. According to Vietnamese Coast Guard, the incident left two Vietnamese sailors injured and their Fisheries Surveillance ship KN-951 severely damaged.
The dilapidated Philippine Navy ship LT 57 (BRP Sierra Madre) is anchored off Second Thomas Shoal. It is used as a base for a small contingent of Philippine marines to assert Filipino control. Picture: AP/Bullit Marquez Source: AAP
In response to the increased competition over resources, countries across the region are spending big on their navies. With more fire-power than ever, the chances for miscalculation continue to grow.
Gunboat Diplomacy on the South China Sea