The risk of conflict between the United States and China in the East Sea

Tensions between China and the United States have continued to rise as both countries intensify their military activities in the South China Sea.

Some analysts warn that the risk of military conflict is increasing as neither side shows signs of faltering. In the last verbal fight, the United States responded vigorously after China fired two ballistic missiles DF-26B and DF-21D (considered “killer carrier“) went to the East Sea on August 26 while doing the exercise last week.

According to the Pentagon, China’s actions, including missile tests, further destabilize the situation in the South China Sea. A day after launch, the US guided missile destroyer USS Mustin was on patrol near Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago (illegally occupied by China).

In response, a spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry on August 28 criticized Washington for becoming a destructive party and disruptive to peace and stability in the South China Sea. On the same day, China announced that it was proceeding drills last one week in the Bohai Sea. Another Beijing exercise took place in the Yellow Sea from August 29 to September 3. These military power bombing exercises are familiar in China and were used in June as the border dispute with India escalated, according to Yahoo News.

Mr. Derek Grossman, an expert from Rand Corporation (USA), said that if the situation in the East Sea continues to follow the current orbit, the risk of military conflict will increase. “The US military is less likely to step back because the entire government is competing and dealing with China both regionally and globally,” Grossman told the newspaper. South China morning post.

Mr. Grossman added one more war between America and China it is unlikely, but there is still the risk of miscalculation. “If China fires another DF-21D and approaches a US carrier passing through the area, the US military may respond strongly because it believes the Chinese missile is missing its target.” The situation could get worse after that, “Grossman said.

The US USS Mustin during a training exercise in the East Sea on August 28 Photo: HAI QUAN MY

Chen Gang, an expert with the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, said launching a missile in the South China Sea would only motivate the United States to develop and deploy more similar missiles.

Not only that, the US can also increase punish Chinese companies accused of facilitating the illegal construction and militarization of artificial islands in the South China Sea. In the immediate future, Washington last week launched sanctions on Beijing for the first time over the South China Sea issue after blacklisting several people and 24 companies. The prominent name among them is China Communication Construction Company (CCCC).

According to the sheet South China morning postThe dredging activities of the ACPC may not suffer much from the negative impact of Washington’s sanctions measure. However, the operations and reputation of CCCC’s subsidiaries abroad may be compromised. The question is how subsidiaries of CCCC abroadAs Friede & Goldman Marine Engineering Company (based in Texas, USA), it is possible to transact with the parent company in the near future.

In addition to Friede & Goldman, a subsidiary of CCCC in Australia, John Holland is also facing the negative impact of US sanctions. As one of Australia’s leading engineering and construction companies, John Holland may find it difficult to win tenders for local projects due to his relationship with CCCC. According to experts, the situation is even more problematic when the Australian federal government is increasing interference between local governments and Chinese companies.

Many governments and companies in Asia do business with CCCC and its subsidiaries will have to explore the impact of US sanctions. According to the newspaper South China morning postCCCC has a strong presence in many Asian economies, in part because these countries participate in the multi-billion dollar China Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. According to Eurasia Group (USA), CCCC currently involves 923 projects in 157 countries.