war drums

In an article in this month's Socialist Standard the writer describes the potential for a future war in the South China Sea and quotes the Global Times, published under the authority of the central committee of the Chinese Communist Party, "The time to use force has arrived in the South China Sea..."

SOYMB now notes that a BBC report that China's navy should speed up its development and prepare for warfare according to its President Hu Jintao. He told military personnel they should "make extended preparations for warfare". (The word "warfare" was used in official media, but other translations used "military combat" and "military struggle")

Analysts say Mr Hu's comments are aimed at the US and Beijing's rivals in the South China Sea.