One thing that amazes me about my fellow citizens is the lack of knowledge with regards to the Asian nations. Few know that these nations have long standing animositiy towards each other and that the only thing thats kept them from heading towards all out warfare is trade AND the threat from first the Soviet Union and now China.
South Korea and Japan. Mortal enemies. Vietnam and China. Mortal enemies. China and Japan. Mortal enemies. The list goes on and suprisingly enough (at least its my impression) its a mix of racial pride, economic tension over resources and issues with immigration. The latest two countries to go head to head? Japan and Taiwan. Check out this story and pics from China Smack.
Long story short. We need to make the turn to the Pacific just so we can keep our friends from starting a war with each other. But even with a strong US presence in the area I wonder how long the lid can be kept on these long simmering tensions.
South Korea and Japan. Mortal enemies. Vietnam and China. Mortal enemies. China and Japan. Mortal enemies. The list goes on and suprisingly enough (at least its my impression) its a mix of racial pride, economic tension over resources and issues with immigration. The latest two countries to go head to head? Japan and Taiwan. Check out this story and pics from China Smack.
In connection with the recent largest-in-history people’s protest for the protection of the Diaoyu Islands, Taiwan’s “Coast Guard” has dispatched over 10 naval ships in escort, including 100 ton, 500 ton, 1000 ton, and 2000 ton warships as well as established an emergency contingency center and command headquarters, to protect the fishing vessels.With regards to the people protesting for the protection of the Diaoyu Islands, Taiwanese authorities have also given approval and support. Ma Ying-jeou expressed on the 24th that Taiwanese fishermen have been catching fish in the waters around the Diaoyu Islands for hundreds of years but now often suffer interference from Japan’s Coast Guard, which makes the fishermen extremely angry. He said, “If this problem can’t be resolved, it may also be very difficult to sit down and discuss other issues”. The Ma Administration emphasized on the 24th that the Yilan fishermen heading towards the waters of the Diaoyu Islands were sailing out on “legal/lawful” fishing operations and that the “Coast Guard” would definitely protect them, also dispatching multiple warships to escort them.
The Japanese are going about things stupidly. They should do what China does and just build a staffed outpost on those islands without advance notice.
ReplyDeleteIf shit goes down, this Administration isn't going to help them.
you're right but what has me concerned is we just saw a dust up between China and the Philippines, S. Korea and Japan and now Japan and Taiwan.
ReplyDeletethe entire Pacific is ready to pop and no one is watching.
And who benefits if our Allies are all squabbling over barren rocks and commercial fishing areas?
ReplyDeleteThe neo-mercantilist attitude China practices exacerbates the demand for raw materials for all of the East Pacific nations.
The US needs to:
Bring all of the Allies together and broker an agreement to jointly develop any mineral or petroleum resources that might be found so they can focus on the 800lb silverback gorilla.
Get S.Korea and Japan to sign a defense treaty and then create a Mutual Defense treaty.
Lead an effort by Japan, S.Korea, Australia and Singapore to participate in Joint Military Exercises in the Phillipines. Air exercises, Amphib Forces, Rapid deployment exercises, etc. Invite Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand, too. Maybe even Taiwan eventually.
The time to do it is now. That Chinese Aircraft carrier will eventually have a larger air wing than the current Phillipine Air Force. Plus, the Phillipine Sea would be a great place for joint exercises.