This past Sunday, H.R. McMaster, a former national security adviser and retired General, stated that China was definitely planning the “biggest land grab in history.”
While speaking on “Face the Nation” on CBS, host Margaret Brennan asked, “What do you think is the impact then, of this growing alliance between Russia and China, and you know, is China going to be emboldened by what happens next in Europe?”
“I think possibly depending on how we respond, and of course, China already is more and more aggressive in terms of extending and tightening its exclusive grip on power internally, you’ve seen how they’ve gone across sectors of the economy, continuing the genocidal campaign in Xinjiang, extinguishing human freedom in Hong Kong, persecuting journalists and anybody who might criticize the Chinese government during the Olympics have been intimidated or imprisoned,” answered McMaster. “And then, of course externally as well, Margaret, and we’ve seen them bludgeon Indian soldiers to death on the Himalayan frontier.”
“You’re weaponizing these islands in the South China Sea,” he continued on. “Now they’re painting some of their naval ships Coast Guard colors so they can claim really the biggest land grab in history in the South China Sea. And then, of course, Taiwan is probably the most dangerous flashpoint, and we’ve seen how aggressive they’ve been there as well. So it’s really important, I think, for the free world to come together to strengthen again our confidence and to communicate to these totalitarian regimes that they can’t accomplish their objectives at our expense.”
As part of an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton stated that the United States and allies had in the past “acquiesced to Beijing in regards to the South China Sea, where they allowed China to create islands and defense bases out of coral reefs. He stated in the interview:
I think we’ve lost a considerable period of time where China gave assurances about their activity in the South China Sea. … And the United States and others acquiesced and allowed the militarization now to the point where China has 20 points of presence in the South China Sea, which does not help stability in the region. If we continue on that trajectory, then I think we’ll lose the next decade. And my sense is that we’re better off being honest about that.
In May of last year, Teddy Locsin Jr., the Foreign Minister of the Philippines, put forth a scathing tweet aimed at the Communist Chinese government and throwing a warning at them concerning their pushing out into the South China Sea, stating on the platform, “GET THE F*** OUT.” This tweet from Locsin, which cropped up as a reaction to vessels from the Chinese coast guard harassing ships from the Philippines, stated:
China, my friend, how politely can I put it? Let me see… O…GET THE F*** OUT. What are you doing to our friendship? You. Not us. We’re trying. You. You’re like an ugly oaf forcing your attentions on a handsome guy who wants to be a friend; not to father a Chinese province.
“With China’s enormous military build-up, there is growing concern that Australia needs to prepare for a war with a major power,” stated an article in the Sydney Morning Herald. “While the likelihood of an actual war is still remote, Beijing’s actions – which include militarising disputed features of the South China Sea and increasing military pressure on Taiwan – have made the prospect of a conflict more likely, especially with the US intent on remaining a major power in Asia.”