Water Wars: Beijing Charts Post-Election Path Forward

Dec 2, 2016 | Chris Mirasola
View Original

Many have wondered how China would respond to uncertainty regarding the US’ role in the Asia-Pacific since last month’s election. If news from this week is any indication, it appears that a more assertive regional posture from Beijing may be in the cards. Three vignettes in particular begin to draw the outlines of what this posture might entail.

First, Beijing sent two fighters and bombers as well as two surveillance planes through the Strait of Miyako last Friday. The flight was legal, though the area is politically sensitive as it is a key gateway to the Pacific Ocean from the East China Sea. China conducted a similar mission this past September. In both instances Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force scrambled jets in response. In announcing the drill, Chinese Air Force Spokesperson Shen Jinke said that the Air Force’s “strategic power” should match China’s “national interest.” In mid-September Beijing signaled that it would organize exercises past the so-called first island chain (which includes the Japanese islands) on a “regular” basis.