China Irked by “Hawkish” Abe
A Xinhua News editorial laments the victory of the Liberal Democratic Party in last weekend’s election and the imminent elevation of Shinzo Abe as Japan’s new prime minister:
LDP leader Shinzo Abe was hawkish on the campaign trail, which forecasts more assertive foreign and defense polici ...
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Given the size and economic growth, no country but the US can ever expected to match China one-on-one, militarily. However, the Chinese miscalculated aggression has pulled enough small and mid-size armies together as a natural circle of containment whereby the US ‘s pivot to Asia may only a trump card, after all. Early movers are Japan ( tie up at least 1/2 of Chinese naval assets to the north ), the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and the willing India ( tie up 1/4 of Chinese naval assets in the South China Sea theater ). Once escalated tension and small flare-ups occur, the early movers will consolidate and motivate the formation of some out-liners: Australia, Indonesia, Singapore and S. Korea. The US can watch from a distance and avoid the back-lashes but has options to assist smaller countries when requested.
The motion must be started now with Japan diverting economic assets from China and liberating its military positioning. It can also minimize the negative economic impact of Chinese market losses with increased sales of equipments to the allied neighbors. Small countries must strategically upgrade with small missile strike-forces that can maneuver in shallow waters and coordinate across national controls and commands and/or assign separate responsible sea areas based on capabilities.