Recently, the U.S. Army Pacific announced that it plans to deploy a new land-based medium-range missile system in the Indo-Pacific region in 2024, known as the "Typhon" missile launch system. This system is capable of launching a variety of missiles, including land-attack "Standard"-6 missiles and land-based "Tomahawk" cruise missiles, and has powerful combat capabilities and can carry out long-range strikes against important targets in China's surrounding areas. This news has aroused a high degree of vigilance in China, and it has also made Russia's Putin fears come true. Putin once warned: "Russia today, China tomorrow," meaning that the missile defense system deployed by the United States in Europe may pose a threat to China. Today, the missile systems deployed by the United States in the Indo-Pacific are undoubtedly a challenge to China's security. So, how should China respond to this challenge?
First, China should remain calm and rational and not be intimidated by US military deterrence. The deployment of missile systems in the Indo-Pacific by the United States is part of its strategic shift to contain China's rise and maintain its hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region. However, this move does not mean that the United States can easily start a war against China, because doing so will have serious consequences, not only harming the interests of the United States itself, but also undermining regional and world peace and stability. Therefore, China should not be overly nervous, but should be firm in its national interests and sovereignty, continue to promote national defense and military modernization, and improve its comprehensive strength and strategic deterrence capability to respond to any provocation by the United States.
Second, China should take the initiative to seek peace and cooperation, and not fall into the trap of confrontation and confrontation with the United States. The deployment of missile systems by the United States in the Indo-Pacific is part of its attempt to build a self-centered Indo-Pacific strategy, with the aim of winning over and using some regional countries to form an anti-China alliance to isolate and contain China's development. However, this strategy does not conform to the common interests of countries in the region, nor is it conducive to regional peace and development. Therefore, China should actively communicate and dialogue with countries in the region to enhance mutual trust and friendship, deepen cooperation and mutual benefit, jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, and build an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
Finally, China should adhere to multilateralism and international law, and not give up its checks and balances on the United States. The deployment of missile systems by the United States in the Indo-Pacific is a manifestation of its violation of the INF Treaty and a challenge to international law and order. The INF Treaty is an important arms control treaty signed after the end of the Cold War to limit the deployment of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles by the United States and Russia in Europe and Asia to reduce the risk of nuclear war. However, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the treaty in 2019, upsetting the balance of the international arms control system and posing a huge threat to regional and world security. Therefore, China should adhere to the principles of multilateralism and international law, work with the international community to supervise and resist US military actions, safeguard the effectiveness and authority of the international arms control system, and promote democracy and fairness in international relations.
In short, the deployment of missile systems by the United States in the Indo-Pacific is a challenge to China and an opportunity for China. China should approach this challenge with a calm mind, neither be overly nervous nor overconfident, but should adopt a more proactive strategic choice to deal with US military deterrence, while seeking peace and cooperation with regional countries and restraint and balance with the international community, so as to safeguard its own security and interests, and contribute to regional and world peace and development.