Australia startled by unprecedented Chinese provocation

[mota bhai 2,675]

On February 1, the Chinese navy (PLAN) sent a taskforce of three warships from Hainan in southern China through the Sunda Strait in Indonesia, along the south coast of Java and past Christmas Island into the Indian Ocean. Two Chinese destroyers accompanied an advanced 20,000-ton amphibious ship, capable of carrying hundreds of marines, and conducted a series of combat simulations before heading north through the Lombok and Makassar Straits and into the Pacific.

...

This was the first time the Chinese have carried out military exercises so close to Australias northern maritime border ... China is sending a clear and deliberate signal to the U.S. and to the region.

The Chinese are demonstrating that they have the intention and capability of operating in Australias north-western approaches and in the Indian Ocean and this is really quite a significant threshold moment.

...

The default response for Australian policymakers is to double down on the alliance with the United States, which remains the cornerstone of Australian foreign and security strategy. This should be supported, but Australia needs to examine ways to broaden the basis of its strategy.

...

Significantly upgrading Australias relationship with Indonesia offers a compelling propositionbut just dont call it an alliance!

Australia-Indonesia relations are currently recovering from the low of the Snowden leaks as well as seemingly perennial tensions on asylum seekers and the inevitable amplification of the Indonesian election season. However, this loud and clear signal from the Chinese navy should put things in perspective.

...

Australia and Indonesia not only have complementary strengths, but the amplification provided by this combination of power could make the region more resistant to external pressure and coercion.

This is particularly important in building resilience, or ballast, as Northeast Asia becomes less stable, more competitive and the level of risk is rising. The creation of this power core between arguably the two strongest military and economic powers in Southeast Asia would use the joint strength of a greatly enhanced bilateral partnership to foster stability, deterrence and ultimately a greater degree of independence for all states in Southeast Asia.

The creation of a centripetal force, or strategic gravity, by Australia and Indonesia could potentially draw in others in Southeast Asia, such as Singapore, and then potentially ASEAN.

...

A concerted effort by the U.S. to help speed the realization of such a Southeast Asian power core may seem to some in Washington like herding cats, yet such efforts are critical in forging and thickening links between the spokes of the Asian regional web of alliances of which the U.S. has long been the hub.

...

Moreover, Indonesia and Australia may be critical in crafting to a robust response to Chinas anti-access strategy; turning it on its head by providing sites for the deployment of land-based anti-ship missiles at key maritime choke points in times of crisis in the Strait of Malacca, the Sunda and Lombok straits and the Java Sea Routes.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Lol.

On February 1, the Chinese navy (PLAN) sent a taskforce of three warships from Hainan in southern China through the Sunda Strait in Indonesia, along the south coast of Java and past Christmas Island into the Indian Ocean. Two Chinese destroyers accompanied an advanced 20,000-ton amphibious ship, capable of carrying hundreds of marines, and conducted a series of combat simulations before heading north through the Lombok and Makassar Straits and into the Pacific.
...
This was the first time the Chinese have carried out military exercises so close to Australias northern maritime border ... China is sending a clear and deliberate signal to the U.S. and to the region.

The Chinese are demonstrating that they have the intention and capability of operating in Australias north-western approaches and in the Indian Ocean and this is really quite a significant threshold moment.
...
The default response for Australian policymakers is to double down on the alliance with the United States, which remains the cornerstone of Australian foreign and security strategy. This should be supported, but Australia needs to examine ways to broaden the basis of its strategy.
...
Significantly upgrading Australias relationship with Indonesia offers a compelling propositionbut just dont call it an alliance!

Australia-Indonesia relations are currently recovering from the low of the Snowden leaks as well as seemingly perennial tensions on asylum seekers and the inevitable amplification of the Indonesian election season. However, this loud and clear signal from the Chinese navy should put things in perspective.
...
Australia and Indonesia not only have complementary strengths, but the amplification provided by this combination of power could make the region more resistant to external pressure and coercion.

This is particularly important in building resilience, or ballast, as Northeast Asia becomes less stable, more competitive and the level of risk is rising. The creation of this power core between arguably the two strongest military and economic powers in Southeast Asia would use the joint strength of a greatly enhanced bilateral partnership to foster stability, deterrence and ultimately a greater degree of independence for all states in Southeast Asia.

The creation of a centripetal force, or strategic gravity, by Australia and Indonesia could potentially draw in others in Southeast Asia, such as Singapore, and then potentially ASEAN.
...
A concerted effort by the U.S. to help speed the realization of such a Southeast Asian power core may seem to some in Washington like herding cats, yet such efforts are critical in forging and thickening links between the spokes of the Asian regional web of alliances of which the U.S. has long been the hub.
...
Moreover, Indonesia and Australia may be critical in crafting to a robust response to Chinas anti-access strategy; turning it on its head by providing sites for the deployment of land-based anti-ship missiles at key maritime choke points in times of crisis in the Strait of Malacca, the Sunda and Lombok straits and the Java Sea Routes.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Oops forgot URL

http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/australia-startled-by-chinese-naval-excursion/

[mota bhai 2,675]

Lol.

What is funny?

[Pooky 3,840]

China will, inevitably, start facing increased cooperation between those to whom it wishes to send "messages".

Indonesia is the fourth most populated nation on the planet, but it's armed forces lag significantly, due to its dubious human rights record and relative economic weakness. But it is growing, and the geography is compelling.

Interesting to note, however, that a good part of Australia's Defence strategy is driven by the supposed threat from ... Indonesia.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Australia hs benefited strongly from China's industrial rise.

China will, inevitably, start facing increased cooperation between those to whom it wishes to send "messages".

Indonesia is the fourth most populated nation on the planet, but it's armed forces lag significantly, due to its dubious human rights record and relative economic weakness. But it is growing, and the geography is compelling.

Interesting to note, however, that a good part of Australia's Defence strategy is driven by the supposed threat from ... Indonesia.

[mota bhai 2,675]

I still don't see the humor.

[Pooky 3,840]

Australia hs benefited strongly from China's industrial rise.

True, but that doesn't affect the geopolitical reality that China isn't their only trade partner and is not seen as a political ally.

[luckytxn 2,265]

Then they shouldn't be startled when the Chinese conduct excercises toward their area of influence. This should have been expected ever since they let it be known that the south china seas is theirs. All parties in the area need to start arming for the future conflict or using diplomacy to soften China's aggression.

So far all I have seen is everyone in the region is looking at the U.S. to handle their business.

True, but that doesn't affect the geopolitical reality that China isn't their only trade partner and is not seen as a political ally.

[GandD 5,966]

So far all I have seen is everyone in the region is looking at the U.S. to handle their business.

That's mostly because we told them we would. Something I happen to agree with. There's something to be said about being the only one with a gun. You tend to get your way.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Australia could use the money gained from selling vast quantities of it's raw materials to the Chinese to build more warships or they could start cozying up to neighbors who have territorial disputes with the Chinese. Which is just about everyone in that region.

[GandD 5,966]

We should let other nations pay us an annual maintenance contract for our services. Off sight hosting works well in IT for the little guys.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Can you imagine Taiwan imposing SLA penalties on us due to Boehners inability to control the teahadists?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

And Booyah said this would never happen and that the US was foolish for it's military spending. When China wants those Australian mineral resources they'll just take them.

[GandD 5,966]

Can you imagine Taiwan imposing SLA penalties on us due to Boehners inability to control the teahadists?

Just wait till the audits start.........