British warships supporting US in Asia-Pacific ‘could expand Five Eyes’ remit’
- Sending the two additional warships could put China under pressure and help share the US’ burden in the region, Chinese observers say
- Five Eyes alliance could be broadening focus from sharing intelligence to military operations, according to naval expert
Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie said the presence of the two additional British warships in Asian waters would not significantly alter the balance in the Asia-Pacific but might put China under political pressure from international public opinion.
“This is also a risky political move taken by the Five Eyes, which used to focus on sharing intelligence and is now dragging in Japan and expanding collaboration to joint military operations and coordination,” Li said, referring to the US-led grouping, also comprising Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
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“Britain is one of the five powers in the United Nations Security Council, so it means two Security Council members are joining to counter a rising China, and it may cripple Beijing’s political influence in the international community,” Li said.
The planned future deployment of the two warships was revealed in a joint announcement by Britain and Japan when British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met his counterpart Nobuo Kishi in Tokyo on Tuesday.