China Flexes Its Maritime Muscles

Yuriko Koike, Project Syndicate | 14 May 2010

China is looking to replace the U.S. as the hegemonic maritime power in Asia, which places additional stress on its relationship with Japan. ++ Secrecy surrounding the Chinese build-up could conceivably “spark an arms race” in the Pacific. ++ Though there is no doubt that China is the regional powerhouse, the opaque nature of its dealings in the Pacific will stoke fears of Chinese aggression in the area, unless the country agrees to greater transparency and sincerity. ++ “China’s ambition is marked by muscle flexing.”