US Intensifies Construction of New Military Order in Asia-Pacific

Recent U.S. military activities have been frequent in the Asia-Pacific region. A series of activities, like the USS John C. Stennis supercarrier entering the disputed territory of the South China Sea, and symbolically holding the largest military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea to date, have increased the level of intensity of the confrontation, reaching a climax. What is the United States’ intention with this rapid display of military actions? These actions are the external manifestations of an accelerating construction of the new military order in the Asia-Pacific region, led by the United States.

Military order refers to the rules and systems of the military. Throughout history, countries with powerful militaries have set these rules and systems, while weaker countries could only comply. During the Cold War, the military order in the Asia-Pacific region was established by the two superpowers, the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Post Cold War, the U.S. has attempted to dictate the military order of the Asia-Pacific, but the development of the military strength of the various countries in the region has led to a change in the military capacity in that region in a direction that the U.S. did not wish to see.

Although the U.S. remains the world’s only military superpower, the accelerated upgrading of military strength in many countries of the Asia-Pacific has largely promoted the tendency of the military order in that region to develop in a multipolar manner, with the intention that the U.S.-led military order faces more and more challenges. Following China’s accelerated establishment of military systems and mechanisms, the U.S. feels the substantial upgrade of China’s military capacity. If China upgrades its military capacity at certain “nodes,” the dream of a new U.S.-constructed and U.S.-led military order in the Asia-Pacific could become a pipe dream. In addition, with Japan’s new security bill already in effect its military strength is expected to grow rapidly and its influence to expand quickly. Although the U.S. and Japan are allies, this does not preclude Japan from developing in a direction away from the United States. If Japan escapes from American control, the U.S. will also feel Japan’s threat. Moreover, with a nuclear test and a missile launch one after the other, it appears that North Korea’s ability to challenge the U.S. is also growing.

Under these circumstances, the U.S. is accelerating the construction of its new self-led military order in the Asia-Pacific. The characteristics of this new type of order are relatively clear. First, the U.S. is advocating for itself to be the leader. Second, pawn countries like Japan and the Philippines are settling adverse factors for the United States. Third, countries like Vietnam and India are being used to accelerate progress when the time is right. Fourth, countries like Russia, China and North Korea are being constrained, but their relations with the U.S. are also being appropriately maintained to avoid spoiling the U.S. plan as much as possible.

It is not difficult to see that while the U.S. is attempting to construct this new type of military order in the Asia-Pacific the countries of this region will not have the equivalent status of NATO members, but rather they will be segregated into many cliques or status levels, creating a pyramid formation, and thus allowing more convenient control by the United States. Additional clarification can provide a better understanding of recent events in the Asia-Pacific region, such as the U.S. moderately enhancing Japan’s ability to “seize the islands,”* the U.S. dealing with India to sign documents like the Logistics Support Agreement, an American aircraft carrier cruising through the disputed territory of the South China Sea, Japan debuting the Soryu-class combat submarine, and the Philippines remanufacturing a carrier to be “stranded” in the South China Sea. In fact, these events, although they have their respective principal countries as the main players, all have a shadow of the U.S. in the background.

The American effort to accelerate the construction of its new self-led military order in the Asia-Pacific has undoubtedly put increasing pressure on China’s military as the Chinese face a grim military threat. Consequently, China has to muster its courage and elevate its resourcefulness in search of a big strategy to counter the United States’ small scheme to win first by strategy, and then by strength. With quick and clean military reforms to rapidly enhance combat response strength, China can play a more significant role in influencing the Asia-Pacific region during the formation of the new military order to better safeguard its interests and national security.

*Editor’s note: This expression refers to an ongoing territorial dispute between Japan, China and Taiwan over the uninhabited Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.