10 cargo ships impersonate Chinese vessels, independent observers lament: the new rules will be written in Chinese!
In recent times, at least ten cargo ships that originally did not belong to the Chinese fleet have been found to impersonate Chinese ship identification signals while sailing, attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The author of the book "The Rise Begins," Shanaka Anselm Perera, keenly pointed out that this marks a fundamental reversal in the security logic of the region. The once symbolic "Stars and Stripes" aura of absolute safety is fading, while a major Eastern power is becoming the new passport for passage.
During the 1980s, the "tanker war" of the Iran-Iraq War turned the Persian Gulf into a hell. At that time, oil tankers from Gulf countries such as Kuwait applied for American flags to avoid attacks by Iraq and Iran, hoping to obtain direct protection from the U.S. Navy. That was the peak of American hegemony, where the "American flag" equaled a "license to survive," and the U.S. aircraft carrier battle groups were the only arbiters of this waterway.
However, by 2026, the script had undergone a dramatic reversal. Faced with increasingly frequent drone attacks and missile threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, merchant ships found that the American flag no longer provided substantial physical protection. The strategic withdrawal of the U.S. military in the Middle East, the asymmetric attacks on its bases, and the United States' cautious attitude toward direct involvement in regional conflicts have led to a noticeable "credit deficit" in its military deterrence power.
In sharp contrast, China's "non-military security network" in the region has begun to show remarkable effectiveness. The decision made by these ten ships flying the Chinese flag was certainly not a sudden whim. Iran views China as its most critical partner to break through the Western blockade and maintain its economic lifeline. China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil and also the main financial channel for evading sanctions. For Tehran, attacking ships with Chinese markings is equivalent to cutting off its own economic arteries.
In the past, the enforcers of maritime rules relied on strong ships and cannons, forcing other countries to comply through the display of destructive military power. The foundation of America's rule in the Persian Gulf was built on the decks of the Fifth Fleet's aircraft carriers. However, the reality of 2026 shows that mere military presence is insufficient to deal with complex asymmetric threats. Drone swarms, smart mines, and proxy armed forces have made traditional naval defense costly and less effective.
Perera said that the daring journey of the ten cargo ships reflects the end of an era and the beginning of another. In the turbulent waves of the Persian Gulf, the decisions made by the captains are the most honest prophecies. When the shadow of the U.S. aircraft carrier cannot dispel the threat of drones, and Chinese cargo ships safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the world has clearly heard the sound of historical turning points.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1859152702884876/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.