The
nuclear aircraft USS George Washington with accompanying
aircraft
in the East Sea off the Korean coast. Recent exercises
with
South Korea near the Chinese coast has China fuming.
Global Times, People's
Republic of China
It's Time for China to Build its Own Aircraft Carrier to Counter U.S. Intimidation
Has China been too restrained by
not building an aircraft carrier of its own? According to this article from
China's state-run Global Times, America's recent military exercises with
South Korea near the Chinese coast is all the reason Beijing needs to set aside
any misgivings and begin construction.
USS George Washington crew members inspect the wreckage of South Korean naval vessel Cheonan, at Second Fleet Naval Command in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, July 22.
An American aircraft carrier
is on its way to the Yellow
Sea. In Lianyungang,
I feel the threat that the United States poses to China very deeply.
The term "Yellow Sea"
refers to the waters north of the line between the Yangtze River estuary and
Jeju-do Island. I live
on the west bank of the Yellow Sea, across from South Korea. The sea is shallow,
and considering the huge draft of an aircraft carrier, any military exercises
would need to be held far from the coastline. Even if a carrier entered near
the Daheishan Island Group, it's still very close to China. It feels to me that
a U.S. carrier battle group has come knocking on the door, and could launch a
carrier-based air attack within 40 minutes, not to mention its numerous cruise
missiles. While the world at large stresses the threat from China, personally,
I'm feeling threatened by the United States.
After having looked over the
map for a long while, I cannot help but have a few questions: First, what
strategic task has been assigned to this navy? Why isn't the United States
afraid of the Chinese Navy, to the point that it is actually sailing its
carrier right into Chinese coastal waters?
Second, if the Chinese navy entered
international waters between Okinawa and Miyako Island, it would be depicted by
the world as a maritime aggressor. It seems the Chinese Navy can do nothing but
sit in its own doorway. When the U.S. engages in military exercises in the
Yellow Sea, does it seriously consider the feelings of the Chinese people? How
would it feel if the Chinese Navy and Cuba held exercises in the Gulf of Mexico?
Third, wherever an aircraft
carrier goes, it makes a political statement. When a U.S. aircraft carrier
sails into the Yellow Sea, it exceeds the reasonable expectations that China
harbors toward U.S. military power. Now, some Asian countries are eagerly
moving closer to a resurgent American presence in Asia, and even contemplating
collective action to contain China. So what should China's strategy be?
The Chinese Navy has always
hoped to have its own aircraft carrier, but politically we've had to take the
feelings of our neighbors into account. But because of the current situation, I
think China shouldn't hesitate; it should immediately announce the construction
of an aircraft carrier. Given the Realpolitik "balance
of power" principle adhered to by so many Asian countries, the currently balance
of power is not conducive to China. The situation requires Chinese, through our
own efforts, to restore that balance.
This past summer, the United
States considered sending a carrier into the Yellow Sea, but hesitated and at
last decided against it. Now it uses the Korean conflict and the need to deter
North Korea to justify doing so (concluding that Chinese society wouldn't oppose
its actions as it did last time). Now it can kill several birds with one stone:
frighten North Korea; reassure South Korea; and "break the rules" for
a few months to show its contempt for the feelings of Chinese society. China
must strongly oppose such a strategy. In terms of military tactics, the
construction of an aircraft carrier should be announced as a way of fighting
back.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
If China announces the
construction of an aircraft carrier, it will not be to flaunt its superiority (as
the U.S. does with its more than ten carriers in the world's major waterways), but
to defend China's territorial security and demonstrate its deterrent capability
to foreign military powers who might wish to provoke China. This is the basic
goal of building a Chinese aircraft carrier, and it is legitimate and
reasonable to do so.
Ensuring the safety of territory
and surrounding waters is the indispensible duty of any national government. In
the past, the Western media has always yelled about the "Chinese military
threat," but with an American aircraft carrier in the Yellow Sea we can
see how weak China really is. But at least it provides us with a good
opportunity to realize once again the downside of lacking an aircraft carrier
and step up our actions in the direction of producing one. Now is the time to
officially announce the construction of a carrier, while it will meet with
minimal resistance from the outside world.
*Sun Peisong is directory
of the Jiangsu Lianyungang Development Research Institute.
