Admiral Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations presented a frank assessment on China’s potential in the western pacific and its possible future power grab.
China has been building up is ships and anti-ship weapons in recent years. China may try so to flex its muscle and limit access to those seas. And the US Navy is working on a strategy to keep the south China sea and Western Pacific open to international shipping.
Quote: “Over the long term, China will have the greatest potential, I view, to affect the economic and the security dynamics throughout the region and perhaps the world,” he said. “Their economic strength has grown. They have great regional capability and capacity, and it’s growing.
“And under circumstances, that capability could limit access in the region.” Admiral Jonathan Greenert stated.
Almost half of the US Navy is deployed to the Pacific now. end quote.
Council on Foreign Relations analyst Max Boot is an advisor to the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, has told the governor that many of China’s neighbors – including Vietnam, are looking towards the United States for leadership.
“The Chinese navy has become very aggressive in trying to push out the navies of the Philippines, Japan and other local powers to extend Chinese sovereignty beyond what international law would allow. Everybody would like to see China have a peaceful rise.” Mr. Boot said.
Mr. Boot also added the following: “I think we have to preserve the balance of power in the Pacific. But unfortunately, right now, I see the balance of power tilting against us. And I see a further tilt unless we actually increase our defense spending and expand the size of our Navy, in particular, which I think is at a dangerously low level.”
_____
Ref.
1. The Washington Times. “Navy readies for Chinese power grab on shipping” by Rowan Scarborough. January 11, 2012. (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/10/navy-readies-for-chinese-power-grab-on-shipping/).
