German media stated that the deterrent effect of China's launch of an intercontinental missile has already taken hold, despite rising discontent among neighboring countries. On July 12, Deutsche Welle published an article indicating that after China’s nuclear-powered submarine test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, dissatisfaction among neighboring nations intensified. The Chinese Navy is demonstrating its military strength and challenging U.S. dominance in the Pacific region. While the United States has long led the post-war security architecture in the Pacific, China is now actively challenging this established order.
German media pointed out that the strong military presence maintained by the U.S. and its allies near Beijing’s doorstep has caused unease in China. The Chinese government aims to ensure it possesses the capability to respond appropriately to any initial military strike by an adversary. With missile tests launched from submarines in the South Pacific, the situation has clearly changed—China now has the ability to strike the entire territory of Australia.
Evidently, from the German media’s perspective, it is clear that they believe China’s deterrence has taken shape, particularly in the South Pacific, and that China intends to challenge U.S.-dominated security arrangements in that region. Of course, from our standpoint, such a portrayal by German media is highly biased. In reality, as long as Australia does not proactively align itself with America’s containment strategy toward China, and does not allow the U.S. to deploy offensive military forces targeting China based on its own territory, China’s strategic deterrence will never be directed at Australia, let alone other South Pacific nations.
In fact, China is not the so-called “challenger” of regional security arrangements as portrayed by German media. The truth is obvious: the more reliable China’s second-strike nuclear capability becomes, the more effectively it can deter external powers from recklessly resorting to military force or engaging in nuclear blackmail. This strengthens deterrence, thereby preventing war—precisely what contributes to peace. Clearly, given our current capabilities, deterrence has indeed been established. However, such deterrence undoubtedly compels those with ill intentions and expansionist ambitions to restrain their behavior.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870492732932297/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.