In recent years, the United States and China have significantly increased military exercises across Asia, as reported by a new study. The International Institute of Strategic Studies found that while the number of drills is rising, the scale and complexity of China’s exercises still lag behind those of the U.S. The study, titled “Scripted Order,” revealed that the U.S. conducted 1,113 exercises with Asian countries compared to China’s 130.
The study also highlighted concerns that the U.S. may eventually lose its edge over China in the region, noting that China’s lack of combat experience results in underdeveloped and over scripted exercises. As tensions in the region continue to simmer over issues like Taiwan and territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas, the importance of military drills for promoting freedom of navigation, deterrence, and diplomacy has become more pronounced.
While China aims to enhance its defense capabilities and regional trust through drills, concerns have been raised about the impact of escalating exercises on regional security. The pace of drills is expected to continue to rise, with both the U.S. and China looking to deepen their exercise ties with regional partners.
This report is attributed to © Thomson Reuters 2024.