Image from The Economist
Robert E. McCoy, Asia Times: Only unified international action can stop China’s expansion
A lack of coordination in resisting Beijing's relentless pursuit of territory has worsened the problem, but countries have been split on how to respond.
Beijing is relentless in its pursuit of territory that it feels once was a part of the Middle Kingdom. A lack of coordination in resisting this irredentist activity is having consequences, for ignoring it merely delays – and worsens – the problem.
For example, if the law-abiding nations of the world had taken effective action in the South China Sea when China reemphasized its Nine Dash Line claims some years ago, we would not be faced with the outposts China has established on islets in the area – some replete with landing strips and associated defensive equipment.
While it is building ever more islands in the territory its claims within the South China Sea, China is not ignoring the East China Sea. Just recently, Beijing flew warplanes into both the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and the Japanese ADIZ there.
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WNU Editor: This lack of unity among Asian states to stand up to China is very revealing .... if they do not have the will to work together, then why should we (i.e. the West) get involved.
