politics

WWII Pacific battlegrounds now site of U.S.-China tug-of-war

14 Comments
By Giff Johnson

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14 Comments
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Speed: The US better wake up put more serous effort into Asia.

HalwickAug. Why? Only to have those countries (and anti-US people like you) accuse the U.S. being a imperialist, meddling, interfering, warmongering colonizer? 

"And anti-US people like you." Didn't write anything about being anti-US. You don't read or understand things very well. Try to be more careful in your responses.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Fun fact: Palau, leader of the Micronesian Federation, is one of the few countries that recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation and have a Taiwanese embassy.

A few years ago, Palauan President Tommy Remengesau placed a limit on Chinese tourists (40,000 down from 100,000) citing environmental and infrastructure concerns, and tightened restrictions on Chinese purchases of real estate. The reasons stated were concerns of a Chinese “soft power” takeover and a need to focus on long term sustainability rather than short term economic gain. The same year, Palauan coast guard sunk 3 Chinese coral poaching boats shooting dead some of the crew in the process. Palau is highly committed to protecting its environment and national identity.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Why does this area belong to the Americans? China has the right to spread its influence. I believe anti-China is based in racism.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

WolfpackAug. 13  09:33 am JST That’s right. The writing is on the wall for these low lying island nations. After Gore’s prediction that the Arctic ice cap would disappear by 2013, it’s practically a fait accompli.

While it hasn't disappeared, the whole of the Arctic can now me navigated in the summer, Alaskan and Russian permafrost is no longer permanent, Svalbard is now ice free in the summer, and Greenland's melt-off has accelerated. So yes, there are thousands of low-lying islands, along with the coastal regions of a number of areas in the world, that will be uninhabitable in the coming decades.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Agree with Bugle Boy. It doesn't matter whether it's the US, JPN, AUS whatever. The important thing is that prominent democratic nations step up to stop the Chinese dictatorship's expansion plans.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Whatever country it is that is actually helping these island nations, good for them. Just keep China out!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand had better wake up, stop relying on the U.S. and put more serious effort into a similar economic aid program or it will find China in their back yard.....along with military outposts.

US aid to the pacific has been a pittance over the last couple of decades. Some seem to think incorrectly that the US has been thre main player in the Pacific when it has actually been Australia, backed up by New Zealand that have been the main players in the region. Australia led the peace keeping force in East Timor and contributed the majority of the equipment and troops. Also the operation the Solomon Islands was handled mainly by Australia.

The US could and should be doing more with China now looking to gain influence in the Pacific. Australia and New Zealand have done a fine job until now but can not compete with China which is much richer than the Aussies.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

TriringToday 10:20 am JST

If I remember correctly, historically Japan has been been the biggest donors to this region and have been their biggest trade partners.

When it comes to aid in the Pacific, Australia comes first.

Between 2011 to 2017, Australian governments poured at least $US6.5 billion ($8.76 billion) into aid projects across the region. The final figure will likely be even larger because Lowy is still gathering data for 2017.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-09/aid-to-pacific-island-nations/10082702

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The US better wake up put more serous effort into Asia.

Why? Only to have those countries (and anti-US people like you) accuse the U.S. being a imperialist, meddling, interfering, warmongering colonizer? Maybe better for U.S. to exit the region and they can look to China and participate in its "Belt-and-Road" program.

The world sticks its hands out to the U.S. looking for handouts. Then it turns around and bites the hand that feeds and helps them. You can't have it both ways. Either welcome and appreciate U.S. aid and cooperate with the U.S. or look elsewhere.

China is doing what Japan tried to do back in the 1930s, expanding its sphere of influence and dominating the region with its rule of order. Only China is doing it economically.

Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand had better wake up, stop relying on the U.S. and put more serious effort into a similar economic aid program or it will find China in their back yard.....along with military outposts.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

If I remember correctly, historically Japan has been been the biggest donors to this region and have been their biggest trade partners.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Wouldn't worry too much about these places. In a few years, with global warming, they'll be under the ocean anyway!

That's why China wants to help, it has experience with turning reefs into islands ;-)

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The US is now getting their sweat on since China might step in as Daddy Warbucks after funding might dry up in 2023. America has a long history of ignoring the Pacific.

They pay way too much attention to the Middle East and Europe, but remember, Asia has the three of the top four populous countries and two of the top three economies of the world.

The US better wake up put more serous effort into Asia. They also need much better top level diplomats and strategic planners.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Wouldn't worry too much about these places. In a few years, with global warming, they'll be under the ocean anyway!

That’s right. The writing is on the wall for these low lying island nations. After Gore’s prediction that the Arctic ice cap would disappear by 2013, it’s practically a fait accompli.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Wouldn't worry too much about these places. In a few years, with global warming, they'll be under the ocean anyway!

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

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