OPINION:
The Chinese spy balloon downed off our East Coast brings into focus the strategic threat of Communist China to our national security.
China’s economy is comparable to ours, and its military exceeds our military forces in the western Pacific, including our navy. Its long-range missiles can reach our Pacific bases and the Western U.S.
China claims sovereignty over the South China Sea, which is an international water body, and it threatens Taiwan with military maneuvers. China wants to annex Taiwan by any means possible.
We are addressing the China threat by forging expanded military alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. We signed a defense agreement with Japan for increased U.S. military presence, and Japan agreed to develop offensive military capabilities and double its military spending by 2027. Japan and the Philippines signed a defense arrangement for joint training exercises and military cooperation. We added military capabilities at four bases in the Philippines, increasing access to nine bases. We have a strong military presence in South Korea, and it, India and Australia are significantly increasing their military spending.
Our allies — Japan, Australia, India, Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan — must continue to increase their military deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
DONALD MOSKOWITZ
Londonderry, New Hampshire
