Opinion | Amid fog of war, is China America's 'friend or foe'?
By Augustus K. Yeung
INTRODUCTION
US Navy Secretary Del Toro said that the major multination military exercise launched in Australia demonstrates unity to China. "Unity to China" for what? It is obvious that the United States Military has taken China as a target, as if the socialist nation is a replacement of the Imperial Japanese Army, which the country fought three-quarters of a century ago.
This ideological difference is misleading the United States and China is seen as a threat, perceiving, and presenting modern China as an enemy.
The lesson of the Pacific War has obviously been forgotten; China, which once fought alongside the U.S., is now the target as Del Toro sees it, in spite of their strong trading ties.
The fact that China is a socialist country does not mean it is on the wrong side of history as the Japanese Imperial Army was. Whereas China is motivated by its existential struggle against abject poverty and rampant social injustice, trying to create a just and fair society.
Any knowledgeable American scholar knows that Chinese people, regardless of ideological differences, are indebted to the American military during its war against Japanese resistance. Stories such as the American Flying Tiger or the greatness and generosity of General Joseph Stilwell are still being remembered in China.
Pitching the current U.S. Navy Secretary's words and deeds against the lofty mission of the CPC clearly shows these two former friends are on a collision course, which is a tragic misunderstanding.
Is China a "friend" or "foe"? The U.S. president as the commander-in-chief should ask Del Toro,
Modern Australian Navy is Being Misled by its American Hegemonic "Friend".
U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said Friday that the major multinational military training exercise launched in Australia sends a message to China that America's allies are cooperating to defend their security and democratic values.
Note: Talisman Sabre began in 2005 as a biennial joint exercise between the United States and Australia but has expanded this year to 13 nations and more than 30,000 military personnel.
Del Toro and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, welcomed ever-closer bilateral military ties as they launched the exercise at a Sydney naval base.
Del Toro justified that land, sea and air military platforms are becoming increasingly complicated and allies need to exercise together to be able to operate as a single task force.
"The most important message that China can take from this exercise and anything that our allies and partners do together is that we are extremely tied by the core values that exist among our many nations together," Del Toro told reporters.
"We're prepared to actually operate together in defense of our national security interests and in defense of the core values that we all share," he incited.
Marles: It's Going to be the Most Significant Logistics Exercise…since World War II
Marles said more than 800 military vehicles will cross a single mobile wharf to be deployed at the Queensland state coastal town of Bowen during the two-week exercise.
"It's going to be the most significant logistics exercise that we'll see between Australia and the United States in Australia – since the Second World War," Marles said.
"All of this is actually building muscle memory between our two countries' defense forces, is building comfort and familiarity and obviously not just between Australia and the United States –but the other 11 countries that will be participating," Marles added.
Del Toro and Marles were upbeat about progress on the so-called AUKUS deal under which the US and UK will provide Australia with a fleet of submarines – powered by U.S. nuclear technology.
Note: The closer military relationship will be underscored on Saturday when USS Canberra is commissioned in Sydney. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship built by Australian manufacturer Austal, will become the first U.S. warship to be commissioned in a foreign port.
The Solomons are again a security concern for the United States and its allies – over recent security agreements the South Pacific nation has signed with Beijing.
Chinese "spy" ships have reportedly been shadowing Talisman Sabre exercises.
Australian Army Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton said a Chinese "spy" ship had been "contacted" in the Coral Sea off Australia's northeast coast on Thursday and was expected to move into the exercise area.
"They've done this for a number of years. We're well prepared for it," a belligerent Bilton said.
Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan South Korea, New Zealand, Papua Guinea, Tonga, Britain, Canada and Germany are taking part in this year's exercise. The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are attending the exercise as observers. (Source: MDT/AP)
CONCLUSION
It is apparent that the above joint military exercise is getting bigger to become the "most significant logistic exercise" since WWII. And for what reason? Is China really an enemy, or Australia's largest trading partner?!
Through the prism of professional experience and personality, Raimondi's perspective and practices can help her country folks to timely correct the misperception that China is not a "foe", but a business partner.
Consider the case of Gina Raimondi, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
This picture of Raimondi hugging a young Chinese girl is such "A picture that worths a thousand words". It melts my heart and may even disarm the U.S. or Australian military!
"Raimondo talks can be seen as a success on the communication front,' writes the South China Morning Post editorial, "if clear communication – between the two sides on implementation of the curbs can soften the impact and reduce mutual mistrust – this has to be some kind of progress."
Paul Keating, former Prime Minister of Australia, reportedly wondered why – Australia's largest trading partner – China is treated as a foe that warrants the nation's AUKUS nuclear membership!
The peace-loving American people must know its hegemonic military poses a real threat to peace – under the tutelage of Lloyd Austin.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
To contact the writer, please direct email: AugustusKYeung@ymail.com
Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:
Opinion | Will BRICS+ be adopting an anti-US attitude under the influence of China
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