Patrolling the disputed waters of the South China Sea with a clear objective to minimize China’s influence in the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. warships have been alarmed by the abnormal movements of the Chinese warships.
While the small-scale encounters between the U.S. Navy and the Chinese Navy usually go unnoticed behind the curtains, the recent development is an exception. The massive mobilization of Chinese warships in the South China Sea has introduced a new challenge for the U.S. and the West.
As observed, these developments are posing a grave threat to the security of global maritime traffic. The Chinese government’s decision to mobilize the heavily-guarded warships capable of carrying heavy weapons in the South China Sea reflects Beijing’s intentions to leverage the COVID-19 pandemic for political motivations.
Consequently, the anti-China club is growing with Malaysia and Vietnam expanding their presence in the disputed waters. If the uncertainty remains the same for a long period of time, the Chinese Navy would have to face a possible counteroffensive from Japan, one of the key stakeholders of the disputed waters, and a major ally to the West.
Since the USS Theodore Roosevelt visited Da Nang in early March to mark the 25th anniversary of U.S.-Vietnam relations, China has significantly increased the number of warships in the South China Sea.
Activating the fishermen’s militia and deploying thousands of additional troops in the Pacific Ocean, China intends to drive the U.S. military out of the South China Sea. A major response from Washington and its Western allies is inevitable and the unworthy collision between the greatest military forces could lead the world to a world-war-like situation.
Primarily speaking, the race to dominate the Pacific Ocean is negatively affecting global maritime movement. Therefore, the U.S. and China have been called by their partners to resolve the matter through effective diplomatic channels.
The escalating tension between the U.S. and China means the already crippling global economy could experience another major blow causing the global stock market to crash.
As the COVID-19 pandemic is increasing its sphere of influence to every inch of planet Earth, it is highly unlikely that mankind is prepared for another global war that would leave behind nothing but mere devastation and utter chaos.
