China, within the context of its claim to global hegemony through its growing power and challenges posed to the United States (US) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), engages in a global competition against the West. Indeed, this competition encompasses geopolitical, geo-economic, and geo-strategic dimensions. Particularly, under the framework of containment policies pursued regionally by the US and NATO against Beijing, this situation compels China to establish alliances and cultivate new partnerships.
In this context, it can be argued that Russia and North Korea stand out as states that develop their foreign policy processes from an anti-Western perspective. This manifests itself in various ways. For instance, the sighting of two Russian warships[1] near Taiwan on June 27, 2023, as well as the report from Russia’s Pacific Fleet on June 23, 2023, through the Interfax news agency, stating that a ship from the Russian Pacific Fleet crossed the South China Sea and then entered[2] southern regions near the Philippines. Similarly, on July 16, 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Defense announced via their WeChat account that a Chinese fleet consisting of five warships and four helicopters departed from Qingdao Port in the east, and it was stated that this fleet would participate[3] in a joint exercise with Russian naval and air forces in a pre-determined area over the Sea of Japan, aimed at ensuring the security of strategic waterways. These events are significant outcomes of the situation at hand.
These developments are leading to increased interest from Washington in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of alliances and collaborations. Currently, the US already holds significant influence in the region through mechanisms such as the AUKUS Pact, the ANZUS Treaty and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), along with arms agreements with various actors and regional powers. However, the ongoing process also prompts the United States to enhance its military presence in the region. For instance, on July 13, 2023 Chinese fighter jets observed a US Navy patrol aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait. This aircraft was identified as a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, serving as an anti-submarine warfare asset under the US Navy’s 7th Fleet.[4]
In a statement issued by the US Navy, it was stated that ‘Operating in the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the US is safeguarding the freedom of navigation and overflight for all nations.’ On the other hand, the Chinese military termed this action as a ‘deception’ and noted that aircraft were dispatched to monitor and warn the American plane in the region.[5]
The statement from the Chinese Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on their WeChat account reads, ‘The troops on the scene are always in a state of high alert and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability.[6] This situation at hand carries the potential for a localized conflict that could escalate into a global event with participation from various external actors, should a hot confrontation arise, possibly over Taiwan or the South China Sea.
Moreover, the absence of an official boundary in the Taiwan Strait between China and Taiwan leads Western actors to perceive a lack of deterrence regarding crossing this boundary. Taiwan’s standpoint on this matter highlights China’s ongoing military exercises in the region. However, Beijing does not accept this argument, categorizing Taiwan as a ‘separatist region’ that needs to be integrated into the mainland.
Within the framework of the ‘One China Principle,’ China’s perception of Taiwan as its own territory legitimizes Beijing’s exercises. Taiwan’s lack of international recognition as a sovereign state further reinforces this claim.
In conclusion, the global objectives of external actors are fueling the escalation of competition in the Asia-Pacific region. As a result, both China and the US are intensifying their efforts to collaborate with and form alliances among regional actors.”
[1] “Japan Says Russian Warships Spotted Near Taiwan, Okinawa Islands”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-says-russian-warships-spotted-near-taiwan-okinawa-islands-2023-07-01/, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.07.2023).
[2] “Russian Warships Spotted off Taiwan’s East Coast ‘on Way Home’ from Komodo Drills”, South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3225800/russian-warships-spotted-taiwans-east-coast-way-home-komodo-drills, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.07.2023).
[3] “China, Russia to Start Joint Air and Sea Drill in Sea of Japan”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/china-russia-start-joint-air-sea-drill-sea-japan-2023-07-16/, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.07.2023).
[4] “US Navy Plane Flies Through Taiwan Strait, China Carries Out More Drills”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-navy-plans-flies-through-taiwan-strait-after-chinese-drills-2023-07-13/, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.07.2023).
[5] “US Military Aircraft ‘Roars & Soars’ Over Taiwan Strait As Chinese Fighter Jets Watch Like A Hawk”, The Eurasian Times, https://www.eurasiantimes.com/us-military-aircraft-roars-soars-over-taiwan-strait-as-chines/, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.07.2023).
[6] “US Navy Plane Flies Through Taiwan Strait, China Carries Out More Drills”, Aol., https://www.aol.com/us-navy-plane-flies-taiwan-071608949.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 19.07.2023).
