Washington's militarizing of Pacific bodes ill: China Daily editorial

As a rule, disorders in global affairs are more commonly occasioned by those seeking to preserve power, since their position enables them to operate changes with less effort and to greater effect. Especially since their corrupt and arrogant behavior tempts to their side those who think there are pickings to be had.

Such a lesson taught by history is one applicable to today, as Washington seems intent on demonstrating.

Scheduled to be held from June 29 to Aug 4 in Pacific waters reaching from the Hawaiian Islands all the way to southern California, the month-long Rim of the Pacific naval exercises look set to be the largest ever.

With around 25,000 personnel from across 26 nations participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercises, and the US touting them as a means for a network of capable, adaptive partners to train and operate together in order to strengthen their collective forces and promote "a free and open Indo-Pacific" — Washington-speak for containing China — the naval drills are widely perceived as being meant as an intimidatory message to Beijing.

The exercises are further evidence that the US has the capability, the intention and the encouragement of partners to dangerously militarize the Pacific Ocean.

With the United States indulging in full-blown confrontation and competition with China on many fronts, the US' strategic tilt to China's periphery has become an increasingly risk-laden destabilizing factor in the region.

With the aim of containing China, it has sought to sow the seeds of division between China and its neighbors, injected the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with a renewed sense of purpose and formed a new trilateral security partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom.

To implement the US' "Indo-Pacific Strategy", the US and its allies have not only frequently conducted so-called freedom of navigation operations near disputed waters in the South China Sea but also hosted increasingly larger military drills with regional allies.

As the world's sole superpower and largest economy, the US should send a message of peace and cooperation, rather than confrontation and tension.

Quitting the worthy course of cooperation to indulge in such wanton displays of aggression will bring no good to the world, no matter how many and which countries the US manages to rope in as co-conspirators.

Instead of forcing other countries to take sides in its bid to sunder the world, it should join hands with countries in the region, including China, to play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and promoting development.