The US military and those of its major allies are carrying out a heightened tempo of training exercises and personnel exchanges across Asia, underscoring the fact that the Obama administration’s “pivot,” or rebalance, to the region is centrally aimed at preparing for a war with China.
Since the pivot was formally announced in November 2011, annual or biennial military exercises have taken on an increasingly menacing character and scope. The training rehearses the integration of the armed forces of other countries into US war plans.
These plans include “AirSea Battle,” which envisages missile and air assaults on command-and-control and other military targets across mainland China, operations to destroy the Chinese Navy and Air Force and a naval blockade of key Asian sea lanes to cut off China’s access to energy supplies and raw materials.
This year, amid the sharp tensions over Ukraine, Russia declined to participate. China, however, accepted an invitation. The Chinese Navy is reportedly sending four ships—a destroyer, a frigate, a refuelling vessel and a hospital ship.
The invitation to Beijing followed an outcry in the Chinese media that China’s previous exclusion demonstrated the aggressive character of the “pivot.” The inclusion of a few Chinese ships is intended to shore up Washington’s threadbare claims that its plan to concentrate 60 percent of its Navy and Air Force in Asia is not directed at China. It will also enable the US military to acquire intelligence and insights by observing its Chinese counterparts at close quarters.
Under overall US command, an Australian and a Japanese admiral will be the deputy and vice commanders of the assembled armada this year. A Canadian admiral will command the naval component; an Australian officer will command the air component; and a US marine general will direct the land component. A special forces component has been included in the exercises for the first time.
The Chinese ships will join exercises in which the scenario is disaster relief—responding to an earthquake, tsunami or typhoon. They are also slated to participate in an “interdiction” exercise, commanded by the US Coast Guard, based on scenarios of combatting piracy. The Chinese Navy joined anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden last year.
In March–April, 7,500 US and 3,500 Korean marines, backed by 20 warships and aircraft, rehearsed beach landings. A detachment of 130 Australian troops also took part. In April, the US and South Korea held their largest-ever joint air force exercise, with over 100 jet fighters and bombers drilling for an outbreak of war on the Korean peninsula.
3,500 Filipino and 2,500 US troops, with a small contingent of Australians, began the annual “Balikatan” exercises. Philippines Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario bluntly stated that the operations would prepare for conflict arising from “excessive and expansive maritime and territorial claims” and “aggressive patterns of behaviour”—a reference to the Philippines’ territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. The US has just concluded a basing agreement with the Philippines allowing unfettered access for American forces to the country’s military facilities.
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