It’s now official. The PLA navy has for the first time acknowledged its plan to up the ante in South China Sea in response to increasing tension in the area. In its newly unveiled military strategy White Paper on May 26, China has clearly indicated ambitions for a ‘greater naval presence further from its shores,’ issuing a blunt warning to countries it considers are ‘busy meddling’ in the South China Sea.
“A tiny few maintain constant close-in air and sea surveillance and reconnaissance against China,” the White Paper said. “It is thus a long-standing task for China to safeguard its maritime rights and interests.” Although the White Paper avoided naming smaller countries like Vietnam and the Philippines it pointedly named the US and Japan, and was explicit in its aim of increasing Chinese naval combat power. The paper, released by China’s State Council, said the PLA navy would gradually expand its “offshore waters defence” to include “open seas protection.”
“As the world economic and strategic center of gravity is shifting ever more rapidly to the Asia-Pacific region, the US carries on its ‘rebalancing’ strategy and enhances its military presence and its military alliances in this region. Japan is sparing no effort to dodge the post-war mechanism, overhauling its military and security policies. Such development has caused grave concerns among other countries in the region.