Japan strengthens South China Sea security posture

ah. ok. I'm beginning to see how this all ties together. The increased activity of proxy wars conducted by China signify that they are starting to contemplate their moves toward dominance as a world power. Proxy military involvement often signifies a heightened ability to commit resources toward the military in the effort to manipulate world events to their economic advantage. We've also seen an increase in Russian involvement in proxy conflicts such as Ukraine and Syria, though China is in a much more economically secure position to commit resources towards these activities. There is also currently a massive cyber conflict being waged as well. In regards to the south China sea, reports indicate a large deposit of natural gases, which is why they likely are taking interest in securing the area. Also, China is an export driven economy, and the South China sea is a heavily used trade route. Military dominance would also provide security, as well as act as a potential staging area for further proxy engagements. The west has reacted to this by engaging in heavy handed diplomacy, which China has resisted. As far as economic dominance, the west has reacted by attempting to reform trade agreements with the TPP, but the secretive nature of it has China, a portion of the general public, and republicans suspicious. China has recently changed their stance on it, however, which leads me to suspect they plan to establish the Yuan as their primary method of trade. You can see evidence of this right now with the recent establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and BRICS bank, which appears to be tied to Russia as well. Powers that be will likely have to either be more transparent, and/or modify the trade deal to satiate public and republican dissent. If Clinton is elected, however it may pass regardless as it appears she is organizing a cabinet which fully supports the agreement. Seems that there is beginning to be an attempt at a power shift here. http://www.wsj.com/articles/as-u-s-exits-china-takes-on-afghanistan-role-1423539002 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-nasser-h-saidi/the-brics-bank-signals-th_b_5604294.html http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/10/07/china-tpp-trans-pacific-partnership-obama-us-trade-xi/ http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2015/04/06/chinas-infrastructure-bank-challenges-dollars-world-hegemony/#43656c827232 http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/spratly-oil.htm http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/05/17/china-builds-unsinkable-aircraft-carrier-south-sea.aspx?source=eptnaslnk0000001

Well they practically own most of Australia, thanks to our stupid Government.

Thanks, T.O., for another great article. It's interesting about the mention of Vietnam in association with Japan. In frequent conversations with my husband about "the state of the world", most specifically China. In his multiple forms of anxiety, he voices the opinion about China taking over Vietnam. Now, I never know if it's his continually spinning mind running amok, or if there are some valid concerns there. But your pairing up Vietnam and Japan causes me to want to further investigate, to at least gain some knowledge in order to calm and reassure him, or support him in his pondering. Ah, life with a mind on a rapidly moving roller coaster...it can be quite entertaining!!!! Thank you, Sir Odyssean!!! Regardless, I enjoy your writing.

Well played, Japan. Well-invested, post-WWII U.S. And thanks for offering up the enlightening benefits of your internal monologue, Odyssean and Self.

read somewhere else that China moving away from the US dollar as their trade currency potentially could lead to global conflict as it would pose a threat to western trade policy. This seems fairly plausible, though at the same time Chinese investors are heavily invested in many US corporations. I wonder if they would take steps to prevent a change of trade currency, to protect their investments... or perhaps they would see it as "acceptable risk".