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Speaking to Express.co.uk, former First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy, Lord Alan West admitted his extreme concern over China’s quest to become the world’s leading superpower. Lord West served as Chief of the Naval General Staff for four years, from 2002 to 2006, before becoming Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Security and Counter-terrorism with Gordon Brown. If no action is taken against Beijing in the South China Sea, Lord West warned that aggressive Communist Party land grabs in the region could have far worse consequences.
The Labor pair said: “I think we have to confront China because it is a saber rattling, as I say, it is effectively claiming the South China Sea.
“It says ‘the line of nine strokes that they see belongs to us.’
“You have to show the bullies on stage, you have to confront them.
Otherwise, that is exactly what happened in WWII with Hitler.
“I would not say that it is as inevitable as the war with Germany was, but I think it is extremely worrying.
“The other concern is that today with a war, you can’t afford to have global wars because they go nuclear.”
Amid China’s claims in the region, the former Sea Lord insisted that the UK should seek to form new alliances in the region to defend itself and fight the Beijing Communist Party.
In fact, Lord West called for an alliance or organization based on the Southeast Asian Treaty Organization to be reestablished.
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Because of this, there are concerns that the Integrated Defense Review will also be scrapped or may not provide a clear long-term plan for the military.
The former Sea Lord concluded: “We are in a position where this integrated review is meant to be everything to everyone and the most important review since the Cold War, according to the Prime Minister.
“But it has slightly derailed due to the coronavirus. And for the impact on our budget and our finances.
“I am extremely concerned that despite all the good words that have been said about the defense, there will be no money to be found to do the things that are required.”
This month, the US rejuvenated the Quad alliance with Japan, Australia and India.
Last week, India also invited Australia to conduct naval exercises with the group for the first time since 2007.
The Quad alliance is seen as a four-state organization designed to strengthen cooperation among the four states and represent a viable bloc for China.
This week Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation to provide sensitive satellite imagery to India.
In response, China warned the United States to stop its Cold War rhetoric against the state.
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