China - US Relationship: Daring The Dragon

by Eze Eluchie

Growing up as a lad in the suburbs of a city that was to later metamorphose into the most populous city in sub-Sahara Africa (depending on whose population figures you opt to believe), one quickly learnt that the most important lessons in life were not taught in schools or classrooms but informally on the streets.

One of such lessons learned was the fundamental need to take turns at play or whatsoever – a lesson learnt whilst playing with peers. Another, and perhaps more critical lesson, was the practice of, with a view to avoiding repayment obligations, putting up a quarrel with ones creditors, and using the guise of the ensuing acrimonious relationship as fodder to refuse to pay back due debts.

A childhood acquaintance of mine had become so adept at this second lesson described above that some of us had to practically flee from him whensoever he tried to make trouble with us – he had formed the uncanny habit of picking up quarrels with whomsoever amongst his friends when he either had some treats on him or was in high anticipation of getting some goodies from some of his older siblings or relatives. In one particular instance, seeing that his efforts to catch up with us to pick a quarrel had failed, our rascal friend crawled back to his mum in a fit of hysterical tears, crying that he would now be forced to share the sweets in his pocket because none of us was ready to quarrel with him.

No doubt, the relationship between States often times imitates what transpires in inter-personal relationships. When however pranks by youngsters gets replicated in inter-States relationships, with a potential to adversely impact global peace and commerce, then there is sufficient course for concern for all interested in the well-being of the human race. The worry takes on added impetus when the countries involved are global powers with stockpiles of nuclear warheads sufficient to annihilate planet Earth.

It is with the forgoing in perspective that one considers the increasing foray by elements of the United States military, under the guise of operating in international waters, into the volatile waters of the South China seas, an area that has gained notoriety as a constant source of friction between China and several of its neighbors amongst which include Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam.

The past few months has witnessed noticeably increased numbers of close contacts between US and Chinese military personnel and equipment in the waters of the South China seas. One can only speculate that it not an issue of if, but when, one of these close contacts will result in the firing of anti-aircraft missiles and or torpedoes, and or the death of a few service men and worse escalations between these two global super powers.  aerial and naval interceptions b

The excuse given by US authorities as justification for their forays into the South China Seas sounds as hallow as it is porous – loyalty to allies/obligations under bilateral military protection treaties and protection of international trading routs, indeed. If these were truly the case, one would wonder why there is no similar efforts at protecting international bilateral military protection agreements and efforts at protecting international trading routes, one would wonder why similar proactive measures were not deemed worthy around the territories of Russia, Yemen, Iran and Syria.

Could the interest in provoking conflict with China be with a view to frustrating the redemption of the over U.S.$1.22 Trillion owed to the land of the ancient Dragons by the US? Certainly in the event of an  outbreak of conflict between the US and China, the Chinese may as well kiss goodbye to the trillion dollar debt owed them by the US, unless of course in the very unlikely scenario that both countries emerge from such conflict with the Chinese being a position to enforce collection of such debts.

Perhaps, like we did as kids growing up in the suburbs of Lagos, it is in the best interest of the Chinese to keep on running away from provocative acts. Unfortunately, knowing the psyche of the Chinese, running away from conflict cannot be a permanent vocation – they are bound, sooner than later, to stand up and seek to defend their integrity. 

The ensuing conflagration will be severe. 

Picture: Flags of US and China