Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Huangyan Island confrontation during the Huangyan Island patrol vessel fishery 310.

Japanese foreign scholars “magazine’s website on June 17, the original question: People’s Liberation Army and the South China Sea in early June,” New York Times article refers to the period of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Deputy Chief of Staff Ma Xiaotian The video of the interview. But the paper did not talk about his answer the most interesting content. Other parts of the interview to clarify the South China Sea strategy, with particular emphasis on dispute avoidance militarization.

video display, this is an impromptu interview. Network Security Conference held in Beijing during a reporter in the aisles to follow Ma Xiaotian general. In the case of no prior preparation, Ma Xiaotian answer questions from reporters. Ma Xiaotian, said: “We have the ability to defend our territorial waters, but we are not prepared to use military force to defend, to as a last resort now or by the two governments to negotiate through diplomatic means, through a number of civil means to resolve disputes, so much the better. “

based on a number of reasons, such words from the highest level of Chinese military generals one statement of concern. First, contrary to the rumors spreading in mid-May, the interview hinted that the Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Island — Editor’s Note) confrontation during the Guangzhou Military Region and the South China Sea Fleet has not yet entered, by readiness to use force state of alert.

Second, Ma’s statement showed that there is a broad consensus of the emphasis on diplomacy and to avoid the militarization of the South China Sea dispute between the CPC and the top military leaders. Chinese Defense Minister Liang in late May Meets with Philippine Secretary of Defense Jia Siming stressed the importance of a diplomatic solution to the confrontation of the South China Sea also show such a consensus.

Ma statement to highlight the characteristics of a core strategy of the South China Sea. In the latest round of tensions of the South China Sea, China has not used naval power to force other countries claim sovereignty. On the contrary, China has relied on diplomatic and vessels from different civil marine law enforcement agencies, especially the ocean surveillance ship of the State Oceanic Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture, fishery boats. This emphasis on the use of marine law enforcement agencies to maintain the practice in the disputed area hinted that China adhere to the territorial claims at the same time, as far as possible to prevent the escalation of the situation.

Of course, China will continue to insist on its territorial claims. However, the People’s Liberation Army to support a diplomatic solution to the practice of ways and limit the escalation of the conflict should be taken seriously. ▲ (The author is Taylor, an associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Flavell, Wang Kuaicong translation)

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