Safeguarding China's overseas interests through military cooperation
- By Zhou Bo
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 29, 2015
International cooperation is the only way out for the PLA working overseas. The white paper pledges that the PLA will “constantly explore new fields, new contents and new models of cooperation with other militaries” and “pushing ahead with pragmatic military cooperation”.
Cooperation requires the PLA to share interoperability with other militaries. NATO, EU members and American allies use same rules of engagement and communication systems while the PLA is hugely different in language, weaponry, communication systems and chain of command. This to some extent explains why over 6 years PLA naval vessels in the Gulf of Aden are still patrolling independently five nautical miles north of the International Recommended Transit Corridor where most international navies are working together. It is no surprise the white paper emphasizes “enhancing joint operational capabilities”.
The first step of cooperation could be in the military operations other than war (MOOTWs). Unlike wars led by the West in the name of “humanitarian intervention”, these areas are not controversial. The PLA has been involved in MOOTWs for years. In humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, be it domestic or overseas, the PLA has demonstrated its capacity and experience.
Cooperation may take different forms. The Gulf of Guinea is one of the crucial sources of China’s oil imports, but armed robbery at sea is rampant and one Chinese ship, Yue Liang Wan, was hijacked there. The PLA can provide more technical assistance, particularly to the navies which have boats and light frigates made in China. Currently seven out of nine of the PLA’s peacekeeping operations are in Africa. China can continue its financial support to the peacekeeping troops under the umbrella of the African Union and joint hands with EU and the US to train African peacekeepers. The Chinese and the US military could cooperate in pandemic disease research such as Ebola in Africa. In the ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEAN Defense Minister Meeting Plus framework, China can intensify its cooperation focusing on maritime security, counter-terrorism, de-mining, military medicine, disaster relief and peacekeeping.
Another important cooperation could be on security of sea lanes. Countering piracy in the Indian Ocean is a brilliant example of how the international navies could work in tandem to secure sea lanes that are pivotal to international maritime trade. With 85% of Chinese oil imports going through the Strait of Malacca, the importance of the strait cannot be over-emphasized. The Chinese military could send liaison officers to joint ReCAPP in Singapore, which monitors the piracy and armed robbery situation in Asia, and provide technical assistance to the countries that are currently involved in air and sea patrols of the strait.
Zhou Bo is an honorary fellow with Center of China-American Defense Relations, Academy of Military Science, PLA, China.
This article was first published at Chinausfocus.com To see the original version please visit:http://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/safeguarding-chinas-overseas-interests-through-military-cooperation/
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