The United States must have a "consistent and reliable" military presence in the Asia-Pacific to credibly confront Chinese bullying against its Southeast Asian allies.
The appeal for more U.S. military strength in the Asia-Pacific was made by David Stilwell, who was the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2019 to early 2021 under the Trump administration.
A fierce critic of China who once called that country a "lawless bully," Stilwell said a sustained U.S. presence is key to America's success in thwarting China's pressure against U.S. allies, especially those bordering the South China Sea.
He still strongly supports regular Freedom Of Navications Operations by the U.S. Navy in the South China Sea. The latest FONOP, in mid-February, was conducted by the USS Russell (DDG-59), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer that sailed near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
The United States Seventh Fleet said this FONOP upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging unlawful restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
And, only last week, the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10) completed 17-month deployment to the Pacific, the longest LCS deployment by the Navy.
"Doesn't matter what the boat is," said Stilwell in referring to these Navy FONOPS during an online webinar by the Heritage Foundation. He said the fact the USS Gabrielle Giffords was there made it clear to China "this is not internal, domestic waters" and the United States has a right to be there.
He praised Washington's stand that it "will not let China claim the South China Sea as its own." He once condemned Chinese actions in asserting its illegal claims in the South China Sea as "gangster tactics."
"A lot of people (in Southeast Asia) were surprised; a lot of people were happily surprised" by the change in American policy under the Biden administration in regards to China's claims and the strong support for Taiwan.
This change in American policy also protects smaller Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia when they confront swarms of armed Chinese fishing boats protected by Chinese naval militia and the China Coast Guard.
Asked if he expects China to enforce its recently announced quarantine on fishing in the South China Sea, Stilwell said, "I don't think they have the ability to enforce it. You never can fight in all places at all times."
He said China faces immense international criticism for its stifling of democracy in Hong Kong, its genocide against Muslim Uyghurs and its stand-off against India in the Himalayas.
