Perspectives

Diplomatic tension creates waves in Yellow Sea

In June, Chinese military officials refused a visit to China by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, a move that no doubt angered Gates.

Jeffrey Bader, the U.S. National Security Council's director for Asian affairs, was also angered and stated, "The Chinese military is the most provincial, and I would say the most xenophobic, element of the Chinese elite."

"Provincial" may have its place, but from Westerners' point of view, "xenophobic" ranks among the strongest forms of insults toward Chinese -- on par with describing them as barbarians from the Boxer society (Righteous Harmony Society).

The specific reason for the tarnished relationship probably stemmed from movements of the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington, whose home port is Yokosuka, in Japan.

Following the sinking of a South Korean naval vessel, relations between South and North Korea have been tense. The United States has supported South Korea and has put diplomatic pressure on the North. It has also applied military pressure, with the suggestion of deploying the George Washington to the Yellow Sea.

The Yellow Sea is the portion of sea between the Korean Peninsula and China's Shandong Peninsula. The South Korean and U.S. military are planning joint training around the Gyeoknyeolbi islands south of Incheon. Immediately west of this is the Shangdong Peninsula and Qingdao, the location of China's North Sea Fleet.

If a U.S. aircraft carrier were deployed to this area, it would be like pointing long spears at Pyongyang. But China, which considers the Yellow Sea to be its own backyard, cannot remain silent about the introduction of any "long spears" into the area.

Usually, U.S. aircraft carriers do not enter the Yellow Sea. An exception was the Kitty Hawk in 1994. At the time the administration of former U.S. President Bill Clinton had considered bombing a nuclear facility in Yongbyon, North Korea. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter visited North Korea and a crisis was averted, but it was during this tense time that the president sent an aircraft carrier to the Yellow Sea. At the time, U.S. carrier-based planes and Chinese military aircraft flew over the area in what was potentially an explosive situation.

The reason that Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, delayed U.S.-South Korean joint training that was originally scheduled to take place at the beginning of June until the end of the month was probably to give North Korea room to make concessions. But if North Korea does not cede ground, the U.S. says maritime exercises will be conducted and collective defense strengthened.

The George Washington left Yokosuka on June 14. Following the completion of Japan-U.S. joint military exercises, it will head to the Yellow Sea while keeping an eye on North Korea's response.

In a report on the issue, China's Global Times newspaper published the opinion of military expert Dai Xu, calling for prevention of joint U.S.-South Korean exercises in the Yellow Sea. This probably represents the Chinese military's true feelings. Turning down Gates' visit was an expression of its anger. Both U.S. and Chinese emotions are running high.

Will the George Washington enter the Yellow Sea, or will it turn back a moment ahead of time? It's a game of chicken between the U.S., China and North Korea.

Interest in the issue is lower in Japan, which is now approaching a House of Councillors election, but on the Korean Peninsula, the situation remains tense. (By Hidetoshi Kaneko, Expert Senior Writer)

Click here for the original Japanese story