Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Why China's Latest Military Exercises Aren't Scaring the Rest of Asia

Ralph Jennings

   TAIPEI - Chinese military drills in the East and South China seas this
   week failed to rattle militarily weaker neighbors because, defense
   experts say, most have grown used to the exercises and fear them less
   than they did a decade ago.

   One neighbor, Taiwan, even test-fired missiles in response.

   Media outlets in Asia reported this week that the Chinese Maritime
   Safety Administration said it would use airspace and waters off the
   coast near Shanghai as well as farther south, closer to Hong Kong, for
   military exercises.
   Those waters adjoin areas that China contests with Japan and Taiwan.
   Four Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan also dispute parts of the
   South China Sea, beyond Hong Kong, with the government in Beijing.

.