U.S. Bullying Adds to Korean Tensions

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu expressed yesterday that the only resolution to the Korean Peninsula conflict is by talks and negotiations, not through military alliances and threats. She denounced the claim made by the U.S. media about China’s advancement of the six-party talks as a “publicity stunt.” Unlike the U.S., who feels justified in carrying out its massive military alliance and threat of force, China, as the host nation of the six-party talks, is reasonably proposing talks. This is an act of bullying on the part of the U.S.

Right after the conclusion of the U.S.-South Korea military drills in the Yellow Sea, today the U.S. began another joint military exercise with Japan in the eastern part of Okinawa. The U.S. has also claimed that the Yellow Sea is part of international waters, and that it is normal for the U.S. to schedule aircraft carrier exercises there. The increasing threat of force shows the U.S. unwilling to ease the tension in Korea, and is instead aggravating conditions and demanding more by threatening China militarily. China will not be swayed by circumstances and will act accordingly. The U.S. is playing a dangerous game with fire and will have to abide by the consequences.

The situation in the Korean peninsula has been exacerbated and can again ignite at any moment. After the initial strikes on both sides, China called upon both parties of interest to remain calm and restrained, to actively communicate and negotiate to cool off tensions rather than worsen the situation. When the peninsula remains stable, both sides benefit, but when it is in turmoil, both sides lose. China has been pressing the six parties for an emergency meeting, hoping that the six parties would again meet at the negotiation table, but the U.S., South Korea and Japan have been reacting passively lately. China's active proposal for talks is met with criticism, even to the point of accusations of China being partial to one side in the situation. The U.S. continues to add fuel to the fire, believing it to be the righteous way, by pressing and demanding more. Not only is this unjustified, but it is a true act of bullying.

In midst of the Korean conflict, the U.S. has used this as the opportunity for aircraft carrier exercises. Even The Washington Post openly admits that although the military drill is meant to deter North Korea, its real intention is perhaps to pressure China. After the military drill, the U.S. proclaimed the Yellow Sea part of international waters and considers these military exercises justified behavior. Not only is this pressurizing China, the U.S. is openly engaging in a policy of military threat and military containment. From a strategic perspective, the Yellow Sea is the gateway to the Chinese capital, the major entrance to the heart of the China. The U.S. carrier exercises directly pose a threat to the heart of China and the Bohai Economic Rim. The Yellow Sea is a very sensitive area for China because of a grim historical past when outside enemies have entered China through the Yellow Sea. China has been opposing any country or military alliance from conducting military exercises in this region. An old Chinese saying goes, “Don't impose what you don't want on others.” If any country were to perform military exercises on the U.S. east and west coasts, would the U.S. allow that?

The U.S. is demanding more after the Korea conflict by directing its target toward China. Overwhelmed by greed, the U.S. is unable to think clearly and plays in dangerous water. Today's China is no longer the China during the fall of the Qing dynasty, weakened and controlled by foreign powers in the Eight-Nation Alliance. It is also not the China in the Korean War, and the U.S. should recall the courageous feat posed by the Chinese volunteer army then. Today's China is becoming powerful and will not tolerate any act of bullying. It is in the best interest of the U.S. to stop pointing fingers at China or it will have to live with the consequences.