Is a New Cold War on the Horizon?

Concerns over Chinese military advancement and growing maritime border disputes among Asia-Pacific countries became icy this week as Chinese President, Hu Jintao, urged their Navy on Tuesday to become prepared and ready for extended warfare. 

The chilly statements from the Chinese government came just weeks after U.S. President Obama announced military operations in Australia, strengthening presence within the politically troubled Asia-Pacific region.  On the coattails of two Middle Eastern wars, Obama stressed on November 17th that in the future U.S. budgets will be allocated to maintain and grow strong military attendance in the area.  Although officials of the Obama administration strike down any notion that these plans were specifically aimed to balance power with China, it seems like the Chinese will be playing hardball anyways. 

In his speech on Tuesday which addressed China’s Central Military Commission in Beijing, Jintao was quoted in a government statement saying that the Navy must “accelerate its transformation and modernization in a sturdy way, and make extended preparations for military combat in order to make greater contributions to safeguard national security.” 

Additionally, soon after Obama’s announcement for military presence in Australia, Defense Military Spokesman for China, Geng Yansheng, was quoted by the Wall Street Journal saying, “We believe this is all a manifestation of a Cold War mentality.  We hope relevant parties do more things that are beneficial for the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, rather than the opposite.”  However, amid the undertones of peace from Chinese officials, the military advancements have only become more intense, and relations seemingly more frigid.

The steadfast news from China’s president tightens tensions over maritime borders of the South China Sea.  Lately, China has been aggressively claiming the rights of nearly the entire sea as their military is in a state of rapid naval expansion.  Their relations with Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and now the U.S. are seeing a gradual deterioration as they continue to “up the ante”. 

China currently imports most of their oil by tanker from the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America through shipping lanes which are policed by the U.S. Navy.  And if nearly every one of these tankers must pass through the South China Sea, U.S. presence within it will surely worsen the unspoken strain between the two world super powers.  As more warships begin to occupy the region from China, the U.S., and the other Asia-Pacific countries, the risk that maritime, and geopolitical implications will result grows exponentially. 

With the wealth of natural gas and oil reserves lying underneath the South China Sea, it is unlikely China will retract its aggression, but hopefully the progression of this brewing Cold War will be countered by the extreme need for global economic cooperation.