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The United States stated that it needs a “combatant” presence in the South China Sea to stop China’s aggression. Australia will almost certainly be asked to contribute.
U.S. President Joe Biden nominates Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner told the Senate Armed Services Committee On Wednesday, the troops’ “combatable forward posture” is needed to “deter and deny fait accommodating facts when necessary.”
He was referring to the fear that Beijing is resolutely gathering troops to capture neighboring Taiwan.
When he made his statement, the US media revealed that the Pentagon was considering establishing a “standing army” in the Western Pacific-a permanent naval presence. Mr. Ratner went on to say that such a force would require “new operational concepts, modern and high-end prepared units, as well as capable allies and partners proficient in its combat roles.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison seemed to accept this idea. In a speech in Paris, he called on the international community to work hard to implement an “open, inclusive, safe, and resilient” Indo-Pacific region and promote a “freedom” world order.
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China Task Force
Following Mr. Ratner’s statement, the United States and China once again faced off in the troublesome waters of the South China Sea.This USS Ronald Reagan The aircraft carrier battle group passed through the area on its way to Afghanistan. When it passed by, Beijing used its most significant effort to bully Taiwan—a strike force composed of 28 aircraft, including radar-controlled aircraft, bombers, and long-range fighter jets.
Beijing’s growing strength has not been ignored.
Mr. Ratner, if confirmed by the U.S. Senate, will be responsible for the Indo-Pacific region. He stated that his first task is to “carefully review the current military balance across the Taiwan Strait to ensure that our defense cooperation with Taiwan is commensurate.” And the threat posed”.
This is the work that Biden’s White House has already undertaken.
In March, a working group was established to analyze the Pentagon’s China policy, with Mr. Ratner at the helm. It recently submitted a report to the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
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According to US media reports, the key to its proposal is to establish a naval “standby force” in the Western Pacific. Details have not yet been announced.
But references to the structure of NATO’s Cold War forces hint at what might happen. The Atlantic Standing Naval Force (STANAVFORLANT) was created to maintain a continuous naval presence in key strategic locations. About every six months or so, a task force of about six to eight ships is maintained by rotating ships and Allied partners.
This force stands ready to respond to the crisis. But it also regularly makes regional port calls to “display the flag” and maintain regional relations.
Mr. Ratner warned that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) “has sufficient resources and is developing rapidly in terms of direct military pressure on Taiwan and the adoption of other PLA capabilities aimed at deterring, delaying, or denying third-party intervention in the crisis”.
“Therefore, we must remain vigilant and provide a credible deterrent to combat in the area.”
Voluntary Alliance?
The establishment of such a force in the Western Pacific requires the redistribution of warships, equipment, troops and cash. This also means the establishment of an international military bureaucracy dedicated to confronting China.
Strategic Affairs Analyst Jerry Hendrix told political An “effective” Pacific Standing Force might include allies such as Australia and Japan.
Both the UK and France have shown new interest in the region and are also possible contributors.
Dr. Hendricks said that such a standing force would “have a deterrent effect because it demonstrates a unified effort to counter China’s excessive threats to the concept of free oceans and free trade and its claims of huge territorial waters”.
This seems more and more possible.
The G7 summit held in the UK over the weekend issued a statement expressing concerns about Beijing’s actions against Taiwan in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, as well as its actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
Beijing retorted that the United States was “really very sick.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said: “The G7 had better grasp its pulse and prescribe a prescription… This exposed the vicious intention of the United States and a few other countries to create confrontation and expand differences and disputes.”
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg later stated that NATO “was concerned about China’s coercive policy, which runs counter to the basic values contained in the Washington Treaty.”
French President Macron also clearly expressed his opposition to Beijing’s bellicose.
He told Mr. Morrison: “I want to reiterate how France is committed to defending the balance of the Indo-Pacific region, and how we think our partnership with Australia is important in the Indo-Pacific strategy.” “You stand in the region. Tensions, threats, and sometimes even intimidation are at the forefront. I want to reiterate here how much we are on your side.”
It echoes the sentiments expressed by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“We stand side by side with our friends,” he told local media. “But when I say that no one wants to get into a new cold war with China, I may also represent Scott-we don’t think this is the way forward.”
Jamie Seidel is a freelance writer | @Jami Saidell
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