South China Sea region at a higher risk for conflict: Weapons expert
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According to a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute expert, the South China Sea region is at greater risk due to its “alarming pace” of arming itself. This was reported by CNBC Monday.
He added that this comes at a time when worldwide military expenditures have surpassed $2 trillion in 2021 for the first ever.
The region is expanding at an alarming pace. Action-reaction is a game between countries, in which one country can increase its own defenses. [purchases]Another country [also]Increases in procuring weapons”, Nan Tian told CNBC’s “Moreover, there is more money to buy arms.” Nan Tian is a SIPRI researcher who has been focusing on the military spending of senior officials.Squawk Box Asia.“
Tian stated that China’s increasing military expenditure has led to a greater threat perception in the area. These countries, including Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and Singapore have “made a great deal of investments in new technology, like precision missile system and nuclear submarines,” Tian said.
An error in calculation could lead to serious consequences.
Nan Tian
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Tian also mentioned the threats North Korea poses for the region as well as the entire world. He stated that North Korea was testing and developing nuclear weapons. This is of greater concern not just to the region, but also the entire world.
Tian claimed that the South China Sea area’s military is receiving a significant amount of financial resources, which could lead to a wrong calculation. He stated that a miscalculation could lead to severe consequences due to the large amount of weapons purchased and the financial resources allocated to militaries in the South China Sea region to improve capabilities.
Top spenders
The global total of military spending surpassed $2 trillion in 2021 for the first-ever time. China and India were second in defense spending to the United States after the United States.
Together, 62% of all military expenditures last year was spent by the U.K., Russia and China, respectively. Tian noted that total spending was at its highest point ever and added that it has been rising for seven straight years. He said, “It makes it clear that even during economic recessions, oil price changes, or pandemics, military spending has shown a steady, consistent increase.”
An American and Philippine Black Hawk helicopter take off while U.S. marines engage in joint amphibious attack exercise on the South China Sea waters. It took place at Claveria (Cagayan Province, Philippines) on March 31, 2022. The region is experiencing anxiety due to China’s increasing spending. Several countries have begun arming themselves.
Getty Images News | Getty Images News | Getty Images
He stated that the military expenditures outstrip both education and health care.
He stated that the Ukraine war will only lead to an increase in spending. He claimed that Germany and Sweden had already declared more spending.
He stated that these countries would be seeking to upgrade their militaries and buy new weapons systems and equipment. This could lead to more orders from the biggest arms producers such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
Is nuclear proliferation possible?
Tian dismissed the possibility of increased nuclear proliferation risk in current circumstances, but warned about the dangers of proliferation of conventional arms. It’s hard to speak about nuclear proliferation, as there is still strong control at the U.N. “It’s about more spreading weapons such as fighter aircraft, missiles or air defense system,” he stated.
Tian stated that it was important to expand the non-proliferation regime also to include conventional weapons. Tian said that it is vital for institutions like the U.N. to bring in members and work together on non-proliferation. This includes conventional as well as nuclear weapons. “This is so that increases in military spending don’t get too out of control and increase potential conflicts,” he stated.
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