Lack of trust between US and China means minor incident could become a ‘nightmare’, security analysts warn
- Growing tensions between two sides means clash in South China Sea could spiral out of control, Xiangshan Forum is told
- Taiwan also identified as a potential flashpoint as relations deteriorate
Even a minor naval incident between the US and China in the South China Sea could have “nightmarish” outcome because of a severe trust deficit between the two countries, military observers have warned.
Analysts attending the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing also highlighted the risk that Taiwan could become another flashpoint between the two sides, with tensions affecting almost every aspect of their relationship.
“Strategically speaking, trust between China and the US has fallen. A skirmish involving military aircraft or warships in the South China Sea could easily escalate [and become a crisis],” retired PLA Major General Yao Yunzhu told the event on Tuesday.
In the last two years, the US Navy has sent warships into Chinese-controlled waters 11 times as part of what Washington described as “freedom of navigation” operations to challenge China’s “excessive claims” in the South China Sea.
Bates Gill, professor of Asia-Pacific security studies at Australia’s Macquarie University, said Taiwan would become a potential flashpoint when its presidential election is held in January.