US, Japan, India, and Australia’s Joint Coast Guard Patrols in theIndo-Pacific: Experts Warn of Potential Trouble
Beijing, October 6,2024 – The recent announcement of a joint coast guard patrol initiative by the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, dubbed the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Partnership, has sparked concerns among experts. While the four nations claim the initiative aims to combat illegal fishing and maritime crime, many believe it could leadto increased tensions and potential conflicts in the region.
The initiative, a key outcome of the recent Quad summit, has been met with skepticism, particularly regarding its potential impact on regional stability. The lack of concrete details regarding the scope and location of the patrolshas fueled speculation, with experts suggesting the focus could be on the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, where the four nations may seek to assert their presence under the guise of combating illegal fishing activities.
The US and its allies are using thepretext of ‘IUU’ fishing to justify their presence in the waters of sovereign nations, said Dr. Li Wei, a senior researcher at the Institute of International Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. This is a clear attempt to undermine the sovereignty of these countries and expand their own influence in the region.
Dr. Li’s concerns are echoed by other experts who point to the inherent sensitivity of coast guard operations, which carry a distinct police and enforcement mandate compared to naval activities. While military vessels can operate within a nation’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) with due regard for the coastal state’s rights,coast guard activities require explicit permission from the coastal state.
The US, however, has been actively seeking to circumvent this legal hurdle by signing ship rider agreements with several Pacific Island nations, including the Cook Islands, Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu,Vanuatu, and Fiji. These agreements allow US coast guard personnel to board and inspect vessels in the EEZs of these nations, effectively granting them a quasi-enforcement role.
This is a classic case of the US using its military and economic leverage to gain access to strategic areas and undermine the sovereignty of smaller nations, saidDr. Zhang Jie, a professor of international relations at Peking University. The US has a long history of using similar tactics in Latin America and other regions, and it appears they are now attempting to replicate this model in the Indo-Pacific.
The US Coast Guard has already been active in the Pacific, conducting patrolsand inspections in the EEZs of several island nations. Critics argue that these activities are often conducted without proper authorization and serve to advance US strategic interests rather than genuinely combat illegal fishing.
The proposed joint patrols by the Quad nations raise further concerns about the potential for escalation and conflict. Experts warn that the presence of multiple foreigncoast guard vessels in sensitive waters could easily lead to misunderstandings and miscalculations, potentially triggering a dangerous confrontation.
The US and its allies are playing a dangerous game by trying to assert their dominance in the Indo-Pacific, said Dr. Wang Yi, a researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academyof Social Sciences. Their actions are likely to provoke a backlash from regional powers, leading to increased tensions and instability.
The Quad’s joint coast guard patrol initiative is undoubtedly a significant development with potentially far-reaching consequences. While the US and its allies may frame it as a cooperative effort to combat maritime crime,critics argue that it is a thinly veiled attempt to expand their influence and project power in the region. The lack of transparency and the potential for conflict raise serious concerns about the future stability of the Indo-Pacific.
References:
- 美日印澳海警联合巡逻印太 专家：只会制造麻烦 [US, Japan, India, and Australia’s Joint Coast Guard Patrols in the Indo-Pacific: Experts Warn of Potential Trouble], Phoenix.com, October 6, 2024.
- Quad Leaders Issue Wilmington Declaration, Announcing New Initiatives to Strengthen Indo-Pacific Security, TheWhite House, September 24, 2024.
- The US Coast Guard and the Indo-Pacific: A Growing Presence, The Diplomat, August 15, 2024.
Note: This article is based on the provided information and aims to present a balanced perspectiveon the issue. It is important to note that there are diverse viewpoints on this topic, and further research and analysis are necessary to fully understand the implications of the Quad’s joint coast guard patrol initiative.
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