March 29, 2024
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Arms race between powers teaches a lesson

Date: 20/05/2017 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

[2017-05-19]









Sino-Indian relations have hit a new low.
The downturn in bilateral ties is particularly noticeable after India test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile.
China reacted immediately launching a latest ICBM and announcing that it would put it into service. Beijing is mounting pressure on New Delhi while courting Pakistan as part of an intensive military and diplomatic bid to build strategic bases around India, which finds its efforts to raise its profile in the UN stymied by China in one way or another.
India said that “China’s nationalism compares unfavourably with the US”, in a strong public opinion war. It often launches latest missiles and works to deepen political and military ties with Bangladesh, Nepal and other neighbouring countries. It is intent on strengthening the relationship with Taiwan, and most recently invited the 14th Dalai Lama who claims Tibet’s independence, getting on China’s nerves.
Such a tit-for-tat situation has set the two countries on the road to out-of-control confrontation.
What is the reason of this conflict? It seems to be the collision of their strategic interests. China sets its eyes on overseas expansion while India wants to maintain its traditional influence in Southern Asia.
Now China pushes the Belt and Road Initiative which is probably designed to secure a land and maritime transport network around the world. To this end, China attaches much importance to the Indian Ocean.
Both China and India heavily rely on the Indian Ocean in maritime transport. About 85% of China’s trade volumes materialize through seas, while the figure is bigger for India. In recent years China has deployed submarines in the ocean to reassert its control over the body of water, one of the major maritime routes in the world, and to secure safety of maritime transport by ensuring its absolute edge.
India, a traditional player in the region, does not want its strategic interests being infringed upon. It is worried that tolerance of China’s presence in the ocean will turn the tide against it over the issue of territorial claim and leave all transport routes under the control of China, ending up with losing its geopolitical and strategic position. That's why India intends to contain China and raise its voice by building up its military capability and obtaining a permanent seat in the UNSC which it thinks will help earn it the legitimate status as nuclear state.
The military standoff between the two largest Asian countries gives the world’s top arms exporters a chance to sell more armament pieces to these huge markets. With outsiders trying to fish in the troubled waters, the conflict is turning into a strategic confrontation for securing more influence in the region and beyond and adding fuel to arms race. CNN said the two Asian countries with a population of 2.5 billion put together are competing in nukes and missiles, adding that the two nuclear states are on a collision course. A renowned civilian military information firm in Britain predicted China and India would lead the world’s arms race in the coming decade.
There is no point in talking about what implications the ongoing arms race will have. Nothing is more obvious than both countries are bracing themselves for a great deal of sacrifice. The reality shows that big countries in terms of territory, population and economy also find a way to defend their strategic interests in building up their nuclear capability.
It is so natural, therefore, that the DPRK which has been under constant and direct nuclear threats of the US launches ballistic rockets and conducts nuclear tests for self-defence.
Going through a lot of hard times, the DPRK has keenly realized that answering nukes with nukes is the one and only way to safeguard the right to existence and sovereignty. Its powerful military strength with the nuclear force as its backbone serves as a treasured sword of justice with which to foil the US’ blatant high-handedness, arbitrariness and war moves and protect the country’s sovereignty and right to survival.
The more it sharpens its nuclear sword, the more the DPRK raises its dignity and military standing.
The DPRK will cement its nuclear deterrent in every way so as to put an end to the ever-undisguised US’ nuclear blackmail and to ensure peace and security in the Korean peninsula and beyond.

Pae Kum Hui

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