America’s ‘Biggest Interest’ Must Circumvent China’s ‘Core Interest’

Published in Huanqiu
(China) on 19 July 2016
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by William Torres. Edited by Elizabeth Cosgriff.

 

 

In Beijing on July 18, Chinese Navy Commander Wu Shengli met with Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson. Admiral Wu made the conversation public, showing that both sides were there to discuss their biggest points of divergence. Wu stated, “China will not stop construction along the South China Sea reefs and will not lessen its vigilant military fortifications because defense installations completely rely on how many threats we receive.”

Wu delivered a clear message to the U.S. that construction along the South China Sea will continue and military installations will be created there, both of which the U.S. is violently opposed to. Wu also said, “We are not afraid of military provocation and the Chinese Navy is fully prepared to respond to any such provocations or infringements.”

At the same time as the newspaper deadline last night, Admiral Richardson said something to Admiral Wu that the American media has yet to report on. This is the first time the Chinese attitude has emerged so forthrightly. This kind of situation is very rare. This firm attitude must be because of the issue in the South China Sea.

China’s sovereignty and interests in the South China Sea have been made the nation’s “core interests,” while the U.S. makes the South China Sea topic its “biggest interest.” “Core interests” and “biggest interests” do not give a lot of space to maneuver. The concern all along has been that the South China Sea will be the place of origin of Sino-American military conflict.

After the South China Sea “arbitration results” were published, several international law violations have occurred. China has made two test flights from Mischief Reef and Subi Reef airports and the People's Liberation Army has recently announced that it is conducting bomber patrols over the Huangyan Islands. Both of these show a lot of contempt for the arbitration. Taiwan has also sent warships to the Spratly Islands. We treat the arbitration results as just a “piece of paper.”

The U.S. simply cannot interfere with China’s construction in the Spratly Island reefs. Even if its warship again declares “freedom of navigation,” they are just flaunting their military strength. For us (Chinese), it is a highly embellished and ineffectual performance, which will not have any result.

Washington continues to promote the South China Sea arbitration, not only to discredit China but also the Chinese military. China, however, is determined not to take that and America is conversely feeling the pain. America has to take one of two options: “Quit while they’re ahead” and call it a day, or take it a step further and throw down the stakes by increasing military pressure on China. Victory is China’s ultimate concession.

In any case, will China and the U.S. have the determination to take the next steps and cross swords? The South China Sea dispute is up against extreme odds and can potentially endanger regional security as well as Sino-American relations. China has now made it known that regardless of the risk we will not yield. If the U.S. doubts the firmness of China’s attitude, then their need to continue this is just as dangerous a move. The battle of wills between two powers is beginning and it will likely not be one or two days or even one or two rounds; it will likely be protracted. During this period, China and the U.S. must pay attention to crisis management so they can make this trial of strength dignified and practical.

In that time, American aircraft carriers will have come and gone in a very superficial display. The Chinese refer to aircraft carriers as an effective tool and in the hand of the American military it is “a straight flush.” Chinese DF-41 guided missiles will be the next step toward the future of the military. They are also in the process of upgrading their nuclear-powered submarines and submarine strategic missiles, both of which have combat-ready capabilities. They are the source of China’s resolute will to protect its nation’s sovereignty and will allow the country such concessions on territory disputes, which is nothing more than an international studies of war joke.

Since it is a joke, America simply cannot put out all its cards. The South China Sea is America’s “biggest interest” and must circumvent China’s “core interest,” and cannot vainly hope to overwhelm the latter. China is unlikely to provoke the U.S. and both sides need to become more flexible. Otherwise, the U.S. president should ask his people: Are they ready to follow him to the South China Sea and assume such a real risk?


社评:美“最高利益”须绕开中国“核心利益”
  中国海军司令员吴胜利18日在北京会见来访的美国海军作战部长约翰·理查德森,吴胜利公开发表的谈话显示,双方谈到了彼此最大的分歧点。吴表示,中国绝不会让岛礁建设半途而废,也绝不会放松警惕而不设防,防御设施的多少完全取决于我们受到威胁的程度。
  吴胜利向美方传递了清晰的信息,那就是中国在南沙的岛礁建设将继续,而且会部署防御设施,这都是美方强烈反对的。吴胜利表示,我们绝不会畏惧任何军事挑衅,中国海军已做好充分准备应对任何侵权挑衅。那些企图通过展示军事肌肉迫使我们屈服的做法,结果只能适得其反。
  到昨晚本报截稿时,理查德森对吴胜利说了些什么,美国媒体尚无报道。这一次中方的态度更快、更完整地呈现出来,这样的情况以往并不多见。这应当是中国在南海问题上态度坚定的一种表现。
  中国已将南海的主权权益确定为国家“核心利益”,美国也将南海问题说成是它的“最高利益”。“核心利益”与“最高利益”对撞,回旋空间似乎不大,这也是外界始终担心中美会在南海发生军事冲突的根源所在。
  违背国际法的南海“仲裁结果”公布后,中国民用客机在美济礁和渚碧礁的机场做了试航,解放军还公布了近日轰炸机在黄岩岛空域的战巡,这些都是对仲裁的蔑视。台湾方面也派军舰去南沙太平岛,我们践行了对仲裁结果就是“一张废纸”的定性。
  美国根本无法对中国完成在南沙的岛礁建设进行实质干扰。即使它的军舰再来宣示“航行自由”,炫耀武力,对我们来说也是些花拳绣腿的表演,不起任何作用。
  华盛顿推动南海仲裁案,如果不仅仅是要抹黑中国,还想将中国的军,那么中国坚决不吃这一套,反过来难受的就是美国自己了。美国接下来有两个选择,一是“见好就收”,到此为止。二是进一步投下赌注,通过强化军事压力威逼中国,目标是获得中国的最终让步。
  那么中美就将进行接下来的意志较量,南海局势将面临极高风险,危及地区安全及中美关系全局。中国现在的表态是无论风险多大,我们也决不退让。美方如果怀疑中国这一态度的实际坚定性,那它就需进行对它来说同样危险的尝试。
  大国之间这样的意志比拼一旦开始,不是一天两天的事,也不会限于一两个回合,它有可能“旷日持久”。在这期间中美应当都会注意危机管控,让角力进行得凝重、扎实。
  到那时,美国的航母来了,又走了,都是很表面的招式。对有制服航母利器的中国来说,航母多也只能是美军手里的“同花顺”。中国的东风41导弹应会在未来一段时间服役,经过更新的核潜艇和潜射战略导弹都具有了战备值班的能力。它们是中国坚决维护国家主权的重要意志来源,让这样的国家在领土问题上让步,这不啻是国际战略学的玩笑。
  既然是玩笑,美国就不能当真牌出。它在南海的“最高利益”应当绕开中国的“核心利益”,而不能妄想压倒后者。中国自然不会主动挑衅美国,双方的弹性空间就出来了。否则,美国总统就该问问他的人民了:他们是否准备跟随他去南海承担一场真正的风险。
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