The Rise of China As A Maritime Power

While the world's attention is focused on the Middle East and Ukraine, a potential hot spot develops in the Far East.  China has long-standing disputes with its neighbours, Japan and Vietnam, over islands in the China seas.  Strategically, these small territories are important to China's maritime trade.  China's economic dynamism depends on seaborne imports of raw materials and seaborne exports to countries around the world.  Historically, China has a claim over all waters in the China Sea, Yellow Sea and East China Sea.  The Chinese call them the "near seas", meaning China's seas; and the government in Beijing wants to ensure they remain China's "sphere of influence".

To Achieve that goal, China is embarking on a massive naval build-up, including aircraft carriers and anti-ship missiles called "carrier-busters".  Across the East China Sea, Japan is quietly expanding its navy to meet the Chinese challenge.  Currently, the American navy holds an overwhelming balance of power;  but this could change over the next few years, particularly with the American reluctance to engage in a "deterrent"  foreign policy.  In previous blogs, I have profiled China's territorial claims and counter claims from its neighbours.  For now, keep both eyes on the Middle East and Vladimir Putin, but keep China's territorial ambitions in the rear view mirror.