Show of Force

Despite Clinton's, and the current Democrats' desire for "strategic engagement" with China, it is clear from China's actions that it is not a future partner for the US, but in fact, a strategic threat. China wants to be the hegemon in the Asia-Pacific region, in effect pushing the US out. Recently China has been making threatening statements towards Taiwan, moving missiles closer to their coast, and conducting military exercises that were clearly meant as a signal to Taiwan. Now the Bush Administration is responding to China's gestures with its own gesture, deploying an unprecedented (in peacetime) seven aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs) for exercises off the Chinese coast.

From past deployment patterns, the US usually despatches one CSG to a trouble spot as a reminder of its presence.

It did so several times in the past when tension was high in the Taiwan Strait.

It sends two to indicate serious concern, as was the case when China test-fired missiles over the strait in 1996.

In a combat situation, it deploys three to four, which was what it did in the Gulf War in the early 1990s and the recent Iraqi war.

But never before has it sent in peace time seven CSGs to the same theatre.

The implications for China are grave.

According to Kanwa Defence News, which specialises in Chinese military matters, Beijing can cope with just one CSG currently.