US Coast Guard to Strengthen Presence and Collaboration in Indo-Pacific in Response to Growing Concerns About China

October 29, 2024 TruthUSA

The report highlighted that the United States is focused on strengthening the capabilities of regional coast guards to counter ‘malign influence’ in the area.

The U.S. Coast Guard plans to deploy specialized forces, training teams, and other assets to assist Indo-Pacific allies in safeguarding exclusive economic zones and defending natural resources from exploitation, as indicated in the Coast Guard 2024 operational posture report published on Oct. 25.

The report emphasizes that the region remains a key priority for the United States due to its strategic significance, role in global trade, and the necessity of maintaining a free and rules-based maritime order.

The Coast Guard stated its commitment to expanding presence and collaboration in Southeast and South Asia, with a specific focus on advising, training, deploying, and capacity building, while also supporting allies in combating illegal fishing practices.

Although the report did not explicitly name the Chinese regime, it outlined the goal of enhancing the capacity of regional coast guards to counter ‘malign influence,’ enforce laws, and address crucial issues such as climate change.

According to the report, the Coast Guard will deploy National Security cutters to the Western Pacific and move the Harriet Lane cutter to the Indo-Pacific region. Operations of fast response cutters and buoy tenders in Oceania will also be maintained.

During an Oct. 18 press conference, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed concerns about China’s coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with allies in the region.

“We’re troubled by the increasing alignment between Russia and the People’s Republic of China [PRC], especially the PRC’s support for [Russian President Vladimir Putin’s] war in Ukraine, reinforcing the need for close cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies,” he noted.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has faced criticism for its aggressive actions against neighboring countries like Taiwan, the Philippines, and Japan.

Recently, China conducted joint military exercises with Russian naval and air forces in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, highlighting their strategic military cooperation to address security threats.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported an increase in Chinese military activity near the island, with multiple Chinese military aircraft spotted along with vessels, including some crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

In a separate incident, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned Chinese coast guards for aggressive actions near the disputed Sabina Shoal, causing tensions in the region.

Last week, the United States announced $8 million in new funding to upgrade the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) after a maritime dialogue in Manila on Oct. 24.

The funding will support infrastructure enhancements, training programs, and resource management for the PCG, as stated in an Oct. 28 statement by the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

During the dialogue, representatives from both countries reviewed collaborative efforts and discussed ways to address maritime concerns in the South China Sea.

They emphasized the importance of upholding the 2016 arbitral award, which ruled in favor of the Philippines against China’s claims, a ruling that China has refused to acknowledge.

Beijing has laid claim to most of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of neighboring countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

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