Provocations at Sea: US Must Bear Cost of Any Mishap

Early this month, U.S. and Chinese warships nearly collided during a confrontation in the South China Sea. The encroachment of a U.S. naval vessel into the “inner defense layer” of a Chinese carrier group, as well as its interference in normal exercises conducted by [the Chinese] military, are provocations of an extremely inimical nature. China’s power grows daily, and if a collision similar to the Hainan Island incident of over a decade ago occurs once more, the U.S. will have to bear the entire cost. Both the U.S. and China wish to build a new type of relationship between great powers, and both nations must accordingly deepen strategic cooperation, increase strategic trust and do their best to avoid friction.

The Chinese carrier group was en route to conduct military exercises in the South China Sea, and the international community had long since been informed of the area delineated for the operation. Under normal circumstances and with consideration for their own navigational safety, other nations’ ships would not knowingly enter those waters. Even if they did enter, they would be required to steer clear of the course set by China’s capital ship, as stipulated by international charters. Furthermore, despite the exercises being located on China’s doorstep, the U.S. ship ignored Chinese warnings and brashly cut through and shadowed the Chinese column, on multiple occasions obstructing and harassing [the Chinese] ships. This was a blatant provocation that constituted a threat to the carrier group, and China’s adoption of a measured response was well within the bounds of legality and reason. Just think for a moment on how the U.S. would react if Chinese warships tailed and monitored a U.S. carrier group in the Gulf of Mexico. Would they simply ignore it?

The fact is that U.S. warships and planes frequently hound Chinese military movements. This conduct is extremely disrespectful to China, infringes upon its rights and may trigger conflict in the future. The most apt example is the 2001 Hainan Island incident, in which two planes collided. Over a decade has passed since then. China’s strength as a nation has grown immensely, and its military is striving to take the lead. In recent years, the U.S. has slumped into economic atrophy, and the sum of its power has waned while China’s has risen. China now has even more strength to safeguard its dignity and interests.

The East and South China Seas are both sensitive regions that have a significant bearing on China’s territorial sovereignty. Chinese naval activity in these regions is a statement and a powerful signal that China will defend its core interests. China has no desire to see other nations parading around on its doorstep. If the U.S. misreads the situation and persists in engaging in provocative behavior, the gravity of any mishap will far exceed that of the Hainan Island incident and come as a severe blow to U.S.-China relations. This can have no positive effect on amity between the two or, on a wider scope, global peace and stability. The U.S. will be the one that will bear the responsibility and the consequences.

This year, following the Annenberg Estate meeting between President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping, the U.S. and China reached an important consensus on working together to establish a new type of relationship between great powers which is now steadily developing. The U.S. and China are the world’s most important powers and have a decisive influence on the prosperity and stability of the world. The vastness of the Pacific can undoubtedly accommodate both nations. The U.S. and China should strive toward general amicability and aligned interests by taking appropriate measures to manage differences of opinion and sensitive issues, reducing the risk of friction and conflict and benefiting the peoples of both nations and the entire world.