NIKKEIAsia February 4, 2021|CHINA UP CLOSE|Analysis” Xi takes over Coast Guard and gives it a license to fire” “President’s consolidation of power at home will be felt in the East China Sea”
By Katsuji Nakazawa
Senkaku Islands Image source scmp.comS
A new law initiated Monday gives Xi Jinping control of the Coast Guard essentially creating a second navy for the President to control and one authorized to remove foreign buildings on “Chinese Islands.” Considered by the Pentagon as “’by far the largest coast guard force in the world” and has “new ships that weigh in at 10,000 tons, carry 76mm cannons and can accommodate helicopter landings” it’s not hard to imagine this group capable of assisting “in the event of a military contingency.” With this latest move, coming after many purges of opponents in what was dubbed an “Anti-Corruption” campaign, Xi directly controls all assets with a military potential including “the People’s Liberation Army, the People’s Armed Police and Coast Guard.” Earlier Xi was able to “scrap the limit of two five-year terms” and essentially become President for life following the lead of Mao who left office at age 86 upon his natural death.
With control in hand all wonder “What approach will his regime take in international relations?” Specific points of contention include “The Senkaku Islands [that] are administered by Japan but claimed by China, which calls them the Diaoyu Islands.” Tensions rise according to the Chinese when “Japanese boats [are] coming too close to the shores.” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that “The Chinese side will continue to firmly safeguard it’s sovereignty.” Yi “proposed that the two sides should avoid taking actions in sensitive waters…and that the two sides should communicate in a timely manner if problems occurred.” If the Japanese agreed it would signal to the international community that the islands are “jointly managed by the two countries.” It seems to clear with the Coast Guard falling under Xi that China is attempting “to alter the status quo by force.” Observers worry about further escalation by China.
Image from bbc.com
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