While China and the United States are major economic partners, they cannot seem to help getting into various militarty tiffs. The most recent involves the USS Impeccable and Chinese vessels.
The Chinese alleged that the American surveillance ship entered their waters illegally and that their ships acted correctly in driving the USS Impeccable away. While the incident is a serious one, it seems almost like a confrontation between rival frat boys rather than a confrontation between military powers. Since the Impeccable is unarmed, the crew used the water hoses to try to defend the ship-a tactic I have seen used in college water battles. The Chinese crews responded in the usual fashion-strip down and keep on coming. After all, it is just water. It is also alleged that the Chinese threw wood in front of the Impeccable-this sounds more like some sort of angry neighborhood confrontation between a fast driver and that crazy neighbor who hates that the kids drive too fast on his road. It always strikes me as rather bizarre that many confrontations between nations seem very much like the actions of immature (often drunk) kids. Surely, we can work harder at acting like adults?
Of course, while this sort of incident seems childish in many ways (hoses? Wood throwing? Really?), it is actually deadly serious. This sort of game is all part of political posturing. The Chinese, no doubt, want to show that they are tough and powerful. They way to do this is to go after the guy who is supposed to be tough (in this case, the US). Of course, going after a really tough target (such as US carrier battle group) would be a bit too dangerous-so the usual targets are unarmed ships and planes. To be fair, we are encroaching on Chinese territory, so they must be expected to respond-to fail to do so would, of course, make them seem weak.
While this game must be fun for some folks, it seems that we should be focusing on more serious matters right now. After all, we have plenty of problems to deal with without having another cold war. Then again, perhaps this incident is intended to be a distraction from such problems or even a conscious attempt to ramp up a new cold war. After all, our last cold war was generally quite good for the US economy. Hmm, that sounds just a bit too much like a conspiracy theory, though.
1) First off–let’s be clear. The Chinese violated international law by approaching to such a close distance without while being ordered to stand down.
2) The waters are international, and the American ship was there legally.
3) We really need to discard the idea that everyone in the world wants to get along. That they’re really just like us. This may be the biggest misunderstanding on international relations that there is. China is a culture that respects strength and power–even subtle power. They’ve read Sun Zsu for longer than we have.
4) This is a test of the new administration’s will. Iran’s done the same thing. The West failed the Iranian test. We let them take British naval crew hostage with no problems. We let them throw fake mines in front of ships while Iranian Intelligence monitored response from on-shore. Soon, the Iranians will have nukes too. And they’ll use them, if not by exploding one in anger, then by gettings what they want by proxy of having WMD.
4) As for using water hoses for defense, this is a common tactic used by unarmed vessels. The same thing happened when Somali pirates attacked a cruise liner recently. It’s really not very funny though, for the crew. Imagine being in the middle of a big ocean, seeing Chinese vessels approaching as if they’re going to board you. For all you know, WWIII has just started.
Perhaps they need to start upgrading their weapons. What did Machiavelli say about being unarmed?
Unfortunately people in this country really believe the ridiculous and cliche’ statement: “Violence solves nothing.”
Anyone who’s been in a real fight knows better.
In truth, there is only law and order because of the potential of violence.
Too bad too that if the American ship did use weapons to defend itself against perceived aggression, that the entire episode would be portraye dby the media as “American Aggression.” and “Acts of War.” The Chinese would say that and then the New York Times would agree with them.
In reality, the Chinese are jealous like most of the rest of the world.