New Cold Era?
Diplomatic and military tensions between China, Russia and North Korea and the United States, South Korea and Japan are escalating as the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines over China in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea with the South Korean government having determined to accept the THAAD system in the Korean Peninsula.
At present, at least 66 countries are on the side of China with regard to the South China Sea issue. These countries include Russia, India, Brunei, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Gambia, Poland, Pakistan, Angola, Liberia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea and Senegal.
In the meantime, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the People’s Liberation Army to get ready for combat last week. Two U.S. aircraft carriers – USS John C. Stennis and USS Ronald Reagan – are currently near the South China Sea, too.
On July 11, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said that the THAAD system in the Korean peninsula is a significant threat to China’s strategic security and China will protect its security by taking corresponding measures, implying military response and economic retaliation alike.
The United States is likely to put pressure on China together with Japan, Australia, South Korea and the countries in conflict with China over the South China Sea issue including the Philippines and Vietnam. In response, China is predicted to relax its sanctions on North Korea. On July 11, Beijing and Pyongyang celebrated the 55th anniversary of their bilateral Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance and exchanged congratulatory messages.