The US media claims that the Chinese Navy's focus is still on the first island chain and does not need to over -react to the Solomon plan in China

The US "Foreign Policy" magazine on June 13, original topic: The Solomon Islands plan for China does not have to over -reflect the Solomon Islands and Beijing recently signed an agreement, causing (West) to worry about China's expansion in the Pacific region. However, it is certain that although related agreements are worrying, it is likely that China to go into the Pacific to fight for sea power is likely to be decades later.

Political disturbances around China are no stranger to these islands. China Foreign Minister's visit to the Solomon Islands in May is part of the widely visited Pacific Island, and it also highlights China's attention to the region. The competition of great powers has indeed come to the Pacific.

To understand China's interests here, we must explain the "three big island chains". The first island chain extends from Taiwan to the South China Sea from Taiwan. The second island chain is centered on Guam, and the third island chain runs through Hawaii. Although China has the long -term goal of expanding its power projection to the third island chain, it is a matter of decades later. The short -term goal may be more common, that is, expanding logistics support and military channels to protect the maritime transportation line and be located in the market. Chinese citizens in danger.

The completion of Beijing's "supporting facilities" in Djibouti in 2017 marked the first time that the Chinese army was involved in overseas bases. This is consistent with China's efforts to build blue water and improve the efforts of the marine field. Since 2008, Beijing has performed anti -pirate mission in Aden Gulf, and has been withdrawn in Libya and Yemen in 2011 and 2015. As the Navy emphasizes new priorities, China has added a new expression in a strategic dictionary: offshore defense, long sea defense.

"Offshore defense" refers to the anti -intervention of the U.S. military in the first island chain. The unfavorable geographical conditions and the surrounding environment have troubled China. This restricted China's marine environment and also approached the enemy forces. Therefore, China's defense is to build a area that can prevent and defeat intervention. However, it is another thing to prevent the United States from intervention in China, and it is another thing to offset naval blockade.

The goal of the "Far Sea Defense" is to actively incorporate the defense of the distant sea transportation line during wartime. This is an urgent need for Beijing. For example, about 80%of China's imported oil is transported through the Malacca Strait, and any interruption will cause huge losses. Far sea defense also includes the second interest, that is, protect Chinese citizens and overseas assets. In 2011, Libya withdrawn from Overseas Chinese and Yemen withdrawn from 2015 that the PLA's role as a defender of Chinese citizens and assets was expanding. China believes that they cannot rely on other countries to protect their overseas interests.

China's distant defense ambition has not yet been realized. Fundamentally, China's military focus is still on the first island chain. In most potential crises, the main combat is still supporting offshore defense. Far sea defense is more ambitious. (Author Lucas Melus, translated by Qiao Heng)

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