Here
and
Now

opinions

As China grows more assertive, U.S., Japan push back

63 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

63 Comments
Login to comment

"The Chinese military appears insecure and has a bit of an inferiority complex right now. China appears to have the strong perception that they have been bullied in the past and now that they are strong they can finally get their payback,” he said in an e-mail. “Many in China seem very ready to pick fights over perceived slights.”

The scary thing is that if you study the history of Imperial Japan from the mid 1800s onwards you see the same resentment towards the West and Nationalism, that lead up to and didn't end until WWII was over.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The training serves two purposes, said Toshi Yoshihara, an associate professor at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. “First, it makes sense for the alliance to send a deterrent signal to China. Second, it is prudent for Washington to reassure Tokyo.”

wait another 5 years when the US is even deeper in fiscal trouble and see where things are with the bloated defense spending getting cut. Japan would be wise not to rely on the US for it's defense. When push comes to shove America will run back home, look at Vietnam. The Chinese have already beaten the US once, why would they think that a conventional war wouldn't go their way once more? No way will nukes be used, I hope

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"The Chinese have already beaten the US once"

Last I checked the Korean War didn't have a winner and loser. Or are you talking about something else?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Vietnam.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

People does not know about USA and the free world. When USSR was their to attack then the free world became strong.You saw the result. This will happen again with China. It is good for USA and free world to see an aggressive China. Now the free world is sleeping but when the time comes you will see much more advances weapons from them than China. The final victory is for free world. This is the history. The best option for China is be a member of free world and think about co-existance and co-operation in a manner the world wants to see. Then you will see peace in Asia.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

“Many in China seem very ready to pick fights over perceived slights.” The keyword is "perceived".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Chinese military is pretty desperate. Have you seen the video of their new jet...which has clips from "Top Gun" in it?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Chinese military is pretty desperate

You wish. America wishes. We all wish :(

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Spudman. Vietnam was not won by the Chinese. It was won by the determination of the Vietnamese and the lack of determination by the American public to fully fight that war.

As for China's military future. They are well behind in R&D and only approaching having a first carrier. While their military will be substantial, Japan and the US have long technological leads that China would need to close. And that is before we even start talking about India, Australia, S.Korea and other allies in the region who would form an alliance against any Chinese agression.

China's wealth is also fully dependent upon her ability to export goods. A war would close that loop and render her income null. While the allied forces could carry on regional and global trade.

Losing a war against an insurgency is one thing. Mass global warfare between conventional powers is entirely different. Don't expect the US to drop that ball as that is the strong point of their military.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

spudman at 08:47 AM JST - 1st February Vietnam.

I don't recall US troops fighting the Chinese PLA during the Vietnam War. North Vietnam were certainly supported by China(PRC) and USSR but that's hardly the same thing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Let's not forget that China later attacked Vietnam "to teach them a lesson" and got their butts handed to them. The difference between China and the US and Japan is that China is internally unstable - a war could trigger internal turmoil from the many disparate groups within China. That in addition to international pressures. Still, never underestimate the foolishness if dictators. All nations around China need to keep their guard up.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Vietnam was supported principly by the USSR. China and vietnam have rarely had friendly relations.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

War with China is unlikely. China needs America as much as America needs China. Cheap labor, manufacturing etc etc.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Internally unstable is absolutely correct. Why do you think the government cracked down so hard on the Falung Gong? A long history of religious cults running amuck and stirring up revolutions. There is a reason so many middle class and wealthy Chinese go to Canada or America to give birth to their children and then return to China: they want a life line to a stable democracy for their children for the next time the Chinese people run riot. Any U.S. strategy against China would include capitalizing on this internal instability. Not that I believe there will be any conflict. Both nations need the status quo.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

China need not fire a single shot. Just recall the loans to the US, THEN leisurely sail over to Japan. Duh.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There's an old saying: if you owe the bank 10,000 and can't pay your screwed. If you owe the bank 10,000,000 and can't pay the bank is screwed. ;)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just recall the loans to the US...

Not so simple: the loans are in the form of bonds which must either be held to maturity or sold on the open market; the latter China could do, of course, but the value of the bonds would plummet and it would be China that loses money, not the US. This would make future borrowing very expensive for the US and the dollar would plunge, vastly reducing Chinese exports to the US; both results would be catastrophic for China. As Junnama said, "the bank is screwed." I'd like to add a Graham Greene quote: "We live on debt. Anyone can afford to kill a creditor, but no one kills a debtor."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sf2k at 11:52 AM JST - 1st February China need not fire a single shot. Just recall the loans to the US, THEN >leisurely sail over to Japan. Duh.

You can't "recall" bonds and T-Bills. You can only sell them. It always find it funny when people think that China holding US debt gives them some sort of special power over the U.S. when we are the ones who can print as many dollars as we want.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As U.S., Japan grows more assertive, China push back.

See where this is going?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Their is another old saying: Anyone who invades China, will become Chinese.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"With its swelling trade, China is understandably concerned that it needs to protect its sh!pping lanes,..."

Has any country ever threatened China's sh!pping lanes? You know, all those sh!pping lanes filled with cheap exports to, well, just about every country in the world.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Internally unstable is absolutely correct."

The Chinese in the past few days have been censoring the internet of "Egypt" and the events there. I guess that says it all.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And by the way, Hu Jintao is arguably the weakest leader of China in it's modern era. The politicians who are more moderate and practical have to wrestle with the business and the military sectors, both of which have their own agendas.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There's an old saying: if you owe the bank 10,000 and can't pay your screwed. If you owe the bank 10,000,000 and can't pay the bank is screwed. ;)

...........................

not true. Imagine if US defaults on financial obligation. Capitalism as we know it will be history. You believe everything you heard from mr. Trump

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The us won't default anyway, as they own their own printing press. The greeks and Irish don't - hence their problems.

The end of capitalism would stink for everyone, but china... They would lose trillions to boot ;)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The japanese empire needed two cities nuked to finally give up the dream of control East Asia with militarism. Let's hope that these time we can deter a conflict before see another Pearl Harbor attack but these time on american bases in South Korea, Japan and Guam. But the nationalist indoctrination in the PRC is so big that I doubt that peace with neighbors can be secured.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Han Chinese have tended to be expansionist. Traditionally they did not control Manchuria, inner Mongolia, Tibet, Uighuristan or Taiwan, all of which now are claimed by the PRC in addition to certain sea areas extending up to Japan and in the south China Sea, a long way from Chinese shores. The Chinese population is inceasing in Japan, and Chinese purchases of rural property in Japan have been increasing recently. China has been able to greatly increase allocations to military spending and young Chinese, denied proper access to information from outside China, often seem aggressive in their comments about countries such as Japan and the US. The trends point to a vital need for a continued US military presence in East Asia, as well as efforts to inform and educate.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Just recall the loans to the US"

What good would that do anyone?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A warning to future Asia Specialists - if you can understand and explain what US Foreign Policy is at the highest levels of academics, management will get ticked off.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The more you read the more you start wondering who really is on 'your' side and what the sides actually are. Patriotism serves a purpose you know. Also, have a real good luck at China. The history, the players, where they came from etc. Are we really in Plato's cave here? I suggest we may well be.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

oberst at 03:30 PM JST - 1st February Imagine if US defaults on financial obligation. Capitalism as we know it >will be history. You believe everything you heard from mr. Trump

I believe that historically no sovereign government has defaulted on it's obligations.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

vulcan at 01:45 PM JST - 1st February Their is another old saying: Anyone who invades China, will become >Chinese.

Nobody in their right mind would even want to "invade" China. The world is concerned about China "expanding" it's territory and claims. Totally different issue.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Just recall the loans to the US"

And as it's already been pointed out China can't "recall" US bonds. They can only sell them or stop buying new debt(neither of which will happen)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

China has become the the economic power that it is today by using the very same sealanes that every other country uses.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Chinese imports and export flows have never been threatened.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hence, the claim for a "need to protect the sealanes" is simply an excuse for Chinese territorial expansion and and effort to gain an upper hand strategically against the United States and all other Asian nations.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How remarkable so many people show so much fear and worries about Chinese economic success in recent decades. Wonder what those expressions of insecurity comes from. Would you really think that the Chinese will spend their hard earned money on warfare once they are so loaded and done making money ? As some have pointed out already: bonds can't be recalled just like that. That in itself is an important sign that China is committed to establish a stable world economy. They've been buying bonds in Europe as well (Greece for example) and I don't believe they bought them while thinking of an aggressive attempt for world/regional dominance presumed by may posters here. I am more worried about the most influential banking systems in the world like the Federal Reserve System (or Bank as sometimes interpreted). Check out their history and one might understand that a chance of war with China won't happen as long as China's development fits in their agenda. Some say: Money makes the world go round.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

freedomski at 03:41 AM JST - 2nd February How remarkable so many people show so much fear and worries about >Chinese economic success in recent decades. Wonder what those >expressions of insecurity comes from

You seriously missed the point. Nobody is concerned about China's economic success. It's where and how that money is being spent, the extent to which the one party dictatorship has hardened it's authoritarian control over the people instead of moving closer to democracy as had been hoped would be the result of economic improvement, and the arrogant and aggresive posture China is taking towards all of it;s "smaller" neighbors.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

OssanAmerica - Thank you for clearifying where the fear lies. About the spending on military by China my believe is that it's pretty normal. The budget spend on one's armed forces are comparable with insurances. The higher the value of the possesions the more you need to invest in your insurance. Hope you did not miss my point though. China's buying of bonds of several countries including the U.S.A. during the financial crisis is proof that they want a stable world-economy. So, no need to worry about it to that extent. :) Better worry about the influence of the international banking system on the wars of the world in the past and the future.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

freedomski at 05:34 AM JST - 2nd February China's buying of bonds of several countries including the U.S.A. during >the financial crisis is proof that they want a stable world-economy.

That may be true, as well as that they simply need a place to invest all that money. Entities, be they individuals, corporations, instututions or even nations don't invest with "global stability" as a priority. Still, because China's economic growth is still export driven they most certaibly should want "global stability". However that does not preclude a territorial expansionist agenda, simply that China, like everyone else, doesn't want a total war.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There is war in the air, and it has been planned long, loooooong time ago. Exciting times.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

apec, if they are 'secret' US plans, there's a high chance that no one here knows, right? Unless wikileaks have exposed them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

China growth in military is a normal change. I doubt there will be a major military conflict in the region. This is more of politics of cat and mouse than anything else. China has too much to lose from the industrial growth of the past 30 years. The history of China's industrial progress is very similar to Japan's export growth in the mid 80's to early 90's. During that time, Japan exported over 2 million vehicles annually and tons of consumer electronics to U.S. and destroyed U.S. manufacturing base. Just like China today, the definition of self retraint was not recognized in their goverment. U.S. has asked China to do more about the inbalance, but China will not due much. What U.S. will due is to take their own control and gradually squeeze and manipulate the currency, similar to what they did to Japan and make their product more and more expensive abroad. You will see major changes in the currency value which will impact Chinese economy in short time. Besides inflation, China will probably have a gradual real estate bubble in the future that will impact the growth.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

China growth in military is a normal change. I doubt there will be a major military conflict in the region. This is more of politics of cat and mouse than anything else. China has too much to lose from the industrial growth of the past 30 years.

In 1934 they said exactly the same thing in France and England. In 36 they were still singing that tune. Even as Neville Chamberlain insisted that we would see 'peace in our time'. Everyone thinks there will be peace, right up until the shooting starts. Thats why we have a military, thats why we prepare for war. Not because we hope there will be one, but because while we hope there wont, we prepare ourselves just in case.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

To M51T,

"apec, if they are 'secret' US plans, there's a high chance that no one here knows, right? Unless wikileaks have exposed them."

It's not that kind of secret. Higher levels in govt. would know parts or aspects of the "plan" in various countries. Example would be the recent defense agreement among Iran,PRC and Turkey. It's a secret to the public. As far as Wikileaks, it does seem odd to me, and still waiting to see how things unfold - I find the timing odd.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Molenir at 07:33 AM JST - 2nd February. In 1934 they said exactly the same thing in France and England. In 36 they were still singing that tune. Even as Neville Chamberlain insisted that we would see 'peace in our time'. Everyone thinks there will be peace, right up until the shooting starts. Thats why we have a military, thats why we prepare for war. Not because we hope there will be one, but because while we hope there wont, we prepare ourselves just in case.

Here we go again, China's Military build up. What Build up? Could someone please put evidence down that is conclusive that the China is expanding it's military and behaving in an aggressive manner. What we have with an imaginary Chinese Military build up is no different the Cold War Missile Gap, Bomber Gap, Tank Gap etc. All of these so called Gaps between the Soviet Union were not true, the politicians knew but kept telling the public as such just to expand defense spending. Until some hard evidence of a Chinese military build up can be presented, all I can see is the same thing happening here. This is just the U.S. defense industry creating demand for weapons and platform that are not needed, serve no useful purpose and are costing the taxpayers a fortune. The first time shame on the arms merchants, the second time shame on the politicians.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well I guess if one is in denial about China's military buidup and aggressive posturing towards it's Asian neighbors then there really isn't much that such a person can add to this thread considering the title and content of the above article.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

OssanAmerica at 08:15 AM JST - 2nd February. Well I guess if one is in denial about China's military buidup and aggressive posturing towards it's Asian neighbors then there really isn't much that such a person can add to this thread considering the title and content of the above article.

Don't be shy and vague. Please put evidence down that is conclusive that the China is expanding it's military and behaving in an agressive manner. Show me.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

OssanAmerica at 08:15 AM JST - 2nd February. Well I guess if one is in denial about China's military buidup and aggressive posturing towards it's Asian neighbors then there really isn't much that such a person can add to this thread considering the title and content of the above article.

What else is new? There has been military exercise and activity by U.S. and South Korea foreign navies so close to China territory. Is this the right thing to do by U.S. military? How would U.S. react if China was having a military exercise close to San francisco or New York City with a live ammo?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How would U.S. react if China was having a military exercise close to San francisco or New York City with a live ammo?

I guess that all depends if China was involved in these exercises with allies who invited them to do so in such areas. Since, at this time, China doesn't have allies in the area (unlike how the US has allies in SK and JPN), I guess the US would take such a behaviour to be "very odd", "unorthodox" and "questionable" at the least...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This thread reminds me of US propaganda. The change in the PRC military is a "red herring", b/c the US was responsible for providing the essential technology and economic stimulus that the US claims "a threat". It's like buying a gun to give to someone for a gift. The following year, the giver of the gun is claiming the gun owner is a criminal psychopath b/c he has a gun.

In the final analysis, the US is pursuing an offensive foreign policy, which is the MOST expensive form of policy. To prevail, it takes at least 10 times the capabilities than the foe. This policy is characteristic of an Empire, and generally has nothing to do w/ the national security of the country fundamentally, resembles a resource accumulation policy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sfjp330 at 08:18 AM JST - 2nd February Don't be shy and vague. Please put evidence down that is conclusive that >the China is expanding it's military and behaving in an agressive >manner. Show me.

Try googling amd searching through all the news for the last 5-10 years. No one's going to waste time proving a realty that even China supporters freely admit.

sfjp330 at 08:29 AM JST - 2nd February There has been military exercise and activity by U.S. and South Korea >foreign navies so close to China territory. Is this the right thing to >do by U.S. military?

If China didn't continue to protect North Korea amd condone their attacks on South Korea the need wouldn't exist. China made their bed so they have to sleep in it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Now a days, Chinese are more confident about their economic prowess. Not because of their military strength. Their kids especially from Shanghai are top of the world according the international tests Such as GCE O. Their athletes are performing well too. Due to their huge population, promising talents are rising like tidal waves. Even in silicon valley and MIT, Chinese scientists and engineers are mushrooming.

In term of military and technology, China is inferior than both US and Japan. However military and technology prowess alone can not conquer everything. Such as Afghan and Irag wars. In the reality, US has drained too much resource for that two prolong wars. It is not the national interest for having war with the China. Besides that US owed the Chinese government for more than a trillion of dollars debt.

Without the Chinese government fund, US can not afford to build the nuclear powered air craft carrier, supersonic fighter jets and trident missile. It cost fortune to manufacture them. If there is no more funding, US can not afford pay the wages to marines too. Japan also depends on China market for jobs creation and economic growth. China is a rice bowl for Japan in the economic term.

If China sells US treasury bonds in the market, dollar will become a worthless paper and inflation will be sky rocketed. It is time for friendship and co-operation not for hatred and confrontation.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Don't be shy and vague. Please put evidence down that is conclusive that the China is expanding it's military and behaving in an agressive manner. Show me.

So pathetic. Go complain about the article being wrong, that all the intelligence assessments are stupid, and of course insist that China isn't behaving aggressively towards its neighbors. What was Vietnam complaining about again?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Molenir at 03:45 AM JST - 3rd February. So pathetic. Go complain about the article being wrong, that all the intelligence assessments are stupid, and of course insist that China isn't behaving aggressively towards its neighbors. What was Vietnam complaining about again?.

And what happened to Vietnam? The bogus claim by U.S. in the Gulf of Tonkin to start a war? China's neighbors' concerns about China's military power are more psychological than material. China has not waged a war with any country since the end of the cold war and its military power was still much weaker than the U.S. When China improves its military power, by whatever degree, other countries get nervous. No doubt the U.S. position is based on its own interests.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kwaabish at 10:07 AM JST - 2nd February. I guess that all depends if China was involved in these exercises with allies who invited them to do so in such areas. Since, at this time, China doesn't have allies in the area (unlike how the US has allies in SK and JPN), I guess the US would take such a behaviour to be "very odd", "unorthodox" and "questionable" at the least...

They do. China has allies with Venezuela. With billions in loan invested in Venezeula, they have leverage close to Gulf of Mexico. What if they decided to protect the sea lane for the transport of the oil to Cuba and decide to have Military exercise with Venezuela Military close to Florida, then what?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Molenir - So pathetic. Go complain about the article being wrong, that all the intelligence assessments are stupid, and of course insist that China isn't behaving aggressively towards its neighbors. What was Vietnam complaining about again?

In my opinion no one is complaining that the article is being wrong or intelligence assesments are stupid. Though one might question wether they're biased intelligence assesments suiting the agenda of the most influential forces in the world: the dominating BANKING SYSTEMS.

But what was Vietnam complaining about ?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

OssanAmerica at 12:51 PM JST - 2nd February. If China didn't continue to protect North Korea amd condone their attacks on South Korea the need wouldn't exist. China made their bed so they have to sleep in it.

China needs to be more involve in peaceful dialogue with the peninsula for stability and the avoidance of war should be the top priority. For China, the NK is a huge problem for them, because NK could trigger a war on its own. If this happens, hundreds of thousands of NK refugees will flooding into China is a huge worry. China is most concerned about the collapse of NK leading to chaos on the border. This is why China have been hesitant about pushing NK too hard, for fear of making the regime collapse.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sfjp330 at 04:51 AM JST - 3rd February China needs to be more involve in peaceful dialogue with the peninsula >for stability and the avoidance of war should be the top priority.

You're 100% correct and that's exactly what the US and it's Asian aliies have been saying. And they can start by forcing North Korea to stop provoking a war instead of coddling it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

For China, the NK is a huge problem for them, because NK could trigger a war on its own. If this happens, hundreds of thousands of NK refugees will flooding into China is a huge worry. China is most concerned about the collapse of NK leading to chaos on the border. This is why China have been hesitant about pushing NK too hard, for fear of making the regime collapse.

Hmm, so you speak for China do you? You claim to know whats in the heads of the leaders? Allow me to send your own quote back to you.

Don't be shy and vague. Please put evidence down that is conclusive that the China is expanding it's military and behaving in an agressive manner. Show me.

Ossan is right. China needs to be more proactive with its primary political ally in the region. Shut down NK, get them to stop behaving belligerently. And of course China also needs to back down itself. Quit trying to claim land that isn't theirs, quit trying to force others out of fisheries that don't belong to them etc. Or are you going to try to claim that isn't happening either?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

China doesn't plan to do anything to Japan, that's either 1. retarded Chinese nationalism or 2. retarded Japanese fearmongering.

There is no threat from the US or China either, this is just people getting butthurt over nothing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If we didn't see so much number 1, then we we wouldn't see any number 2. But the more number 2 there is the less problem the US has. Xie Xie.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Who here believes the US controls Japan's government indirectly and directly.

Are Japanese people proud of being occupied by American troops?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites