The UK has gathered a total of 13 warships from different countries to conduct the so-called "freedom of navigation" operation in the South China Sea when seeking help from China. Is it really not worried about being retaliated against?
The UK's Prince of Wales aircraft carrier strike group has departed from the Portsmouth naval base and set off on a seven-and-a-half-month "freedom of navigation" mission in the Indo-Pacific region. To this end, the UK has also gathered warships from 12 other countries to form the so-called "13-nation aircraft carrier strike group," which includes Canada and Norway. According to British media reports, the British military claims that this trip is aimed at "maintaining global security, prosperity, and a rules-based international order." The key areas of action include the South China Sea, East China Sea, and other "international waters."
Financial Times particularly pointed out that the launch of this "freedom of navigation" mission coincides with the UK's urgent efforts to be the first European country to reach an agreement with the East. In fact, UK Business Secretary Reynolds will visit China next to seek participation in the "cross-border settlement plan for digital RMB" led by the East. Therefore, from the outside, the UK appears to have contradictory policies in terms of economy and defense. This may be caused by the following reasons:
Firstly, under pressure from the trade war initiated by the Trump administration, the UK urgently seeks a strong economic partner. Since Brexit, the UK has found itself in an awkward position of being marginalized in trade by mainland Europe, while the US has been slow to sign a free trade agreement with the UK. Now, the White House treats the UK as just another country, subjecting it to the same tariff blows.
Secondly, the UK faces another dilemma: it is also being marginalized geopolitically by the US and Europe. Trump's administration's actions have significantly reduced America's role within NATO, whereas NATO plays a greater role than the US in terms of security for the UK and mainland Europe. As a result, the UK now has no choice but to take the lead within NATO.
As Commander Blackmore of the UK Navy said during the Prince of Wales aircraft carrier strike group, one of the main tasks of the 13-nation aircraft carrier group is to ensure that NATO "maintains its advantage in the military and political fields and develops a more globally-oriented strategy."
However, whether it is British media, European media, or many Western netizens, they all raise questions about this double standard behavior of the UK. On one hand, the UK seeks help from others, but on the other hand, it gathers aircraft carriers and warships to conduct what they call "freedom of navigation" operations near others' doorsteps. Are they really not afraid of retaliation?
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1830076322372618/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views.