I expect that candidate Biden is likely to cozy up with China and start a ‘new relationship’. Quite what sort of relationship this is likely to be can surely be imagined and won’t be outlined here to prevent me having to use graphic language.
Since you will no doubt be completely unaware of quite what China is up to outside of the US domain, I thought I’d post a quick link to this article https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/china-warns-uk-against-sending-carrier-to-south-china-sea/
After China sent a frigate and 2 helicopters out to HMS Albion in 2018, one of three ships we sent to conduct freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea, our Foreign Secretary at the time, now Prime Minister Boris Johnson, met with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to discuss the Pacific and the opportunities for deeper British engagement in that part of the world. He suggested sending our carrier group out to the area to conduct freedom of navigation patrols. Recently the Navy and the Government made it clear this was likely to go ahead.
HMS Queen Elizabeth will be escorted by two Type 45 destroyers, two Type 23 frigates, a nuclear submarine, a Tide-class tanker and RFA Fort Victoria. It is similar in size to the John F Kennedy CV-67.
At a cost of £3bn, the HMS Elizabeth, named for Queen Elizabeth I, who reigned during the era of the Spanish Armada, displaces 65,000 tonnes with a length of 280m (920ft), overall beam of 73m (240ft) and draught of 11m (36ft). It has a speed of 32 knots and a 10,000 nautical mile range from its 4 x 10MW diesel engines and 2 x 36MW MT30 gas turbine alternators.
It has a full capacity of 1,600 with 250 troops and complement of 679. It’s planned air-wing is 24 (up to 36) F-35B Lightning IIs and 14 helicopters including the Chinook, Apache AH Mk1, Merlin HM2 & HC4, Wildcat AH1 & HMA2 and the Merlin Crowsnest AEW. Armament includes 3 x Phalanx CIWS, 4 x 30mm DS30M Mk2 guns and 6 x Miniguns.
Baroness Goldie, Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence stated that “The deployment of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH will demonstrate the UK’s commitment to upholding a rules-based international system and showcase our world-leading carrier capability.
The UK has enduring interests in the region and is committed to maintaining regional security, including asserting its rights to freedom of navigation and overflight as laid out in UNCLOS. Wherever the Royal Navy operate, they do so in full compliance with international laws and norms and exercise their rights to freedom of navigation and overflight provided for by UNCLOS.”
China, in response, have warned the UK that “The Chinese side believes that the South China Sea should not become a sea of great power rivalry dominated by weapons and warships. The real source of militarisation in the South China Sea comes from countries outside this region sending their warships thousands of kilometres from home to flex muscles. The Chinese military will take necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interest as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
I sure wouldn’t want to live in Taiwan right now.
3 replies on “Looking Forward to a New Relationship with China… … …?”
Out of the history hole.
In 1942 the aircraft carrier USS Wasp was sent to the Mediterranean to join the British Home Fleet. She twice carried fighters to shore up the defences of Malta, which was under fierce attack.
By the end of 1942 the US Navy had only one operational fleet carrier, the USS Saratgoa. HMS Victorious was sent, via Norfolk Va. and the Panama Canal to join the US fleet in the Pacific. Under Rear Admiral DeWitt Ramsey the Saratoga and Victorious operated in tandem.
By July 1943 the new Essex class carriers were entering service and Victorious was able to return home.
The US and Royal navies have a surprisingly long history of cooperation, dating back to the 1790s. I think I feel a blog post coming on.
The only thing that Biden says to China is, “Do you want eggs or pancakes for breakfast?”
If they let China do this, they will just do it again elsewhere.
Just get some dredgers and start pushing the islands back into the sea. if you don’t, the problem will never go away.