Water Wars: Chinese Maritime Militia Disperses Amid Political Standoff With the Philippines and the United States
The captain and the executive officer of the USS Mustin (DDG 89) observe Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning (CV 16) in the Philippine Sea on April 4. (Source: U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Arthur Rosen.)
A political standoff between China and the Philippines over a reef in the South China Sea has begun to subside, while Taiwan reacts to a new normal of continuous Chinese military activity around the island nation. In the background of both developments, the Biden administration is coordinating with its treaty allies the Philippines and Japan to confront an aggressive maritime posture from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Kamala Harris
Highlighting the need to revamp the water policy of the country, the Vice President of the USA Kamala Harris said recently that for years and generations, wars had been fought over oil but in a short matter of time, they would be fought over water. Based on reports of recent Chinese activities, a ‘Water War’ is what China might be planning.
China’s attempts at dominance in the South China Sea and tactics at intimidating nations like Taiwan expose its ambitions. A water war enables China to leverage its upstream Tibet-centered power over the most important natural resource.
Water Wars: Philippines No Fool about Chinese Maritime Militia, While China Keeps Pressure on Taiwan
Testing Taiwan
On March 26, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported the incursion of 20 Chinese military aircraft in Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ). This is the largest incursion yet reported by the ministry. The Chinese aircraft included four nuclear-capable H-6K bombers, 10 J-16 fighter jets, two J-10 fighter jets, two Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft, one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft, and a KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft. In response, Taiwan’s air force scrambled jets and deployed missiles to “monitor” the intruding planes.