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Posted 21 July 2010 - 12:35 AM
Source: Global Times [22:44 July 19 2010]
By Ni Lexiong
The changes in China over the last 30 years have altered it from being a land-orientated, agricultural nation into one increasingly dependent on maritime traffic for its exports and imports.
But China isn't yet prepared to cope with this change into being a maritime nation, and so has encountered many unprecedented difficulties.
China is like a man trying to do business in an unfamiliar town full of robbers.
China hasn't been a significant naval power since the 16th century, and for decades its naval power was orientated purely toward coastal defense. As a result, China has very little ability to project naval power, making it difficult to protect its vital interests overseas or guard sea routes critical for national survival.
Instead, China has to conduct careful diplomacy with those nations that could threaten its key maritime routes.
In the South China Sea, China needs both to defend areas where it claims traditional sovereignty, and to defend its national maritime lifelines.
The South China Sea not only is important to national defense and trade, but also holds many valuable marine resources, such as fisheries. Failure to protect sovereign rights here could cause great damage to China's interests.
China's dependence on the sea without a navy to match has been a national Achilles' heel for some time.
Without effective military protection, China will have to make significant concessions or even accept humiliation if it comes into a significant conflict of interests with international maritime powers.
It is essential to have a strong Chinese navy in order to tackle these difficult issues. Even if a powerful navy cannot solve all the problems, the situation will be much better.
China can't wait for an Asian equivalent of the EU to be formed. Despite the impressive prospects, the degree of political integration in Asia is still far away from that of Europe.
Another strategy is to follow the UK, which lost its previous maritime supremacy in World War II and, as a highly sea-dependent nation, had to tie its interests with its close ally, the US. This means giving up a degree of national dignity, although it saves effort and money.
Therefore, in order to properly solve the strategic issue of Chinese sea power, China must first find a logical starting point for its strategic realities and consider future uncertainties.
There is no guarantee of peace in the future, whatever efforts the international community is making nowadays, so China needs to build a strong navy.
The 21st century will see the rise of the Asia-Pacific region. In historical geopolitics, China has moved from the fringe to the heart of the world. No matter how sincere China may be in its desire for peace, it still faces many potential enemies.
The route between the South China Sea, the Malacca Strait, and the Gulf of Aden will be critical for China's future.
According to incomplete statistics, there are 180 million Chinese people depending directly or indirectly on this maritime lifeline for a living. It has undoubtedly become a core national interest to ensure the smooth flow of this lifeline.
However, China has no power to have absolute control over this lifeline. Even if it has the power, there will be many side effects. At present, China's proper sea power strategy should not pursue absolute control, but look to be able to cut off others' routes if necessary. This can show Chinese self-restraint while building its ocean defense.
China can't rely on its own desire for peace to protect itself, and has to look to the military balance of power.
There is no need to pursue an absolute advantage, only to have the capacity to threaten other countries' maritime lifelines if they threaten China.
China needs to build its naval forces toward being able to achieve this if it wants to guarantee future maritime security.
http://opinion.globa...-07/553549.html
This post has been edited by China Exile: 21 July 2010 - 12:36 AM
