Description: Chinese aerial and naval assets were noticed to have expanded their presence in the Indo – Pacific and the South China Sea. Two long – range H – 6 bombers were spotted to have been deployed in the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea alongside a KJ – 500 warning plane and a Y – 20 military transport plane. Chinese naval assets also marked significant expansion of presence in the Indo – Pacific as well as the Arabian Gulf where several anti – submarine assets were deployed while awaiting a potential carrier strike group as well as aircraft carriers to enter the Indian Ocean in the upcoming weeks. The move represents a clear response to US navigation of military and naval assets in the region.
Impact: The implosion in presence coupled with the intensified maneuvering in the region signals China’s modified approach towards influence and operational clout in the Indo – Pacific. The move is undoubtedly a response to the recent US enhanced deployment of assets in the region as well as direct warning towards the Philippines and Taiwan, countries China has longstanding disputes with. The significance of the assets such as high – end long – range bombers and carrier strike groups considerably escalate the risk of potential confrontations as the abnormal level of military buildup positions military and naval forces from several countries on collision course with China. Currently the maneuvering by itself represents just military posturing and a show of force where both US and China draw their geographical spheres of influence in the Indo – Pacific.