European Nations Signal United Opposition To China’s Intimidation In South China Sea

Mar 19, 2021

“The dispatch of warships by the UK, France and Germany to the Indo-Pacific could draw a backlash from China and create new tension. But its positive effects – in terms of deterring Chinese adventurism in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea – arguably outweigh its negative ones,” wrote Hiroyuki Akita, a Japanese international security commentator.

In a united opposition against China’s intimidation in the South China Sea, the UK, France and Germany are sending warships to the South China Sea to pushback Beijing’s assertiveness in the region.

Jamie Seidel, in an article in news.com.au – Australia based news site – wrote that “With diplomatic efforts meeting a wolf-warrior response, international forums gagged, and trade used as a coercive cudgel, Europe is reacting with growing alarm at China’s aggressiveness.”

“The dispatch of warships by the UK, France and Germany to the Indo-Pacific could draw a backlash from China and create new tension. But its positive effects – in terms of deterring Chinese adventurism in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea – arguably outweigh its negative ones,” wrote Hiroyuki Akita, a Japanese international security commentator. “This would set a higher bar for a Chinese decision on military action.”

The move to deploy warships in the South China Sea came after Beijing’s motives for building the world’s largest navy.

At this week’s Two Sessions, National Assembly of the Chinese Communist Party, Chairman Xi Jinping reasserted his desire to build a world-beating fleet.

“Our country’s current security situation is largely unstable and uncertain,” Xi told the assembled delegates. Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe added to the drumbeat, declaring China had “entered a high-risk phase”.

Courtesy: ET