Regular readers know that NAUTICAL LOG takes an interest in the military and political aims of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).
In today's The New York Times there is a long article, well worth reading, about the concerns in the PRC regarding its increasingly outspoken PLA military leadership. The PLA Generals are pushing the PRC Communist Party leadership on the status of the South China Sea and East China Sea. The military generals have little or no regard for the International Status of these sea areas.
The current Administration in the United States is so busy holding on to power at any cost telling wild stories of romance to get reelected. As a result the PLA leadership see this as an ideal opportunity to take charge of policy at home and various Generals are making considerable noise including a drunken rage by one of them in front of the PRC President.
Within the political system such as it is in the PRC a change of government is becoming due this is when preselected leadership is placed in power by an election - PRC style. It would seem the PLA is trying to use this occasion to exert considerable influence over policy or even take charge of the civilian government as well as the military government.
They may well be successful which would then lead to some serious confrontations in both South China Sea and East China Sea. It is concerning when this Administration is so absorbed in getting reelected that they most likely would not handle such a change of power in the PRC with a high degree of capability.
Meanwhile merchant shipping engaged on worldwide trade must navigate both these seas on voyages under Right of Innocent Passage but increasing harassed by the PRC Armed Forces of PLAN and PLAAF under policies of the PLA Generals.
Good Watch.
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