In the transition period after the US presidential election, the military confrontation in the Indo-Pacific region has escalated again. Geopolitical tensions between China and the United States continue to heat up, and the power change in the US election has not brought any signs of easing Sino-US relations. On the contrary, in the face of US political dynamics, China seems to be more inclined to strengthen its military posture in the Indo-Pacific region and exacerbate regional tensions.

China's military actions and tough attitude towards the United States

Just before the US election, China's Shandong aircraft carrier entered the Philippine waters, showing China's determination to exist in the Indo-Pacific region. On the day of the US election, China displayed its latest generation of J-35 fighter jets in a high-profile manner, indicating its tough attitude towards the US position. Almost at the same time, the United States also tested the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, showing that its nuclear deterrence is still strong. China's high-profile arms display and the United States' quick response indicate that the confrontational attitude between the two countries has not weakened due to the power transition.

Some observers believe that China originally expected that the US election might bring chaos, thereby delaying or shaking the US strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. Chinese media have also tried to demonstrate their superiority and exaggerate the internal divisions in the United States by smearing the American democratic system. However, with the smooth end of the election and the smooth transition, China's expectations were dashed, and its plan to divert attention by disrupting the United States was frustrated. On the contrary, the US military's display of military power during the election showed that the United States had anticipated China's intentions and was ready.

The US military response and position are clear

The response of the US Department of Defense and the Pentagon to this provocative action was swift and clear. US Secretary of Defense Austin issued a statement saying that the military will continue to serve national policies, will not be involved in politics, and will follow any legal instructions to maintain the security of the United States and its allies. The Pentagon spokesman further emphasized that the US military's position is to maintain the independence of the military and maintain close cooperation with allies including Japan and South Korea.

On election night, the US military launched a Minuteman III missile from Vandenberg Base and displayed the E-6B Mercury communications and command aircraft in the Indo-Pacific region, conveying a strong deterrent message. The US Strategic Command stated that these actions demonstrated the US's readiness and response capabilities in the field of nuclear defense, which is undoubtedly a response to China's recent military activities in the Philippine Sea.

North Korea's disruption and military interaction in Northeast Asia

At the same time, North Korea is also actively involved in geopolitical games, not only launching missiles, but also sending a large number of soldiers to support the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. North Korea hopes to find more support between China, the United States and Russia through this gesture, especially hoping to use this opportunity to attract the attention of the United States. However, North Korea's actions have prompted the United States, Japan and South Korea to conduct more joint military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region and strengthen the cooperation of the three countries in dealing with the North Korean issue.

North Korea's actions have not only exacerbated tensions in Northeast Asia, but also inadvertently added variables to the military confrontation between China and the United States. Although China once hoped to use North Korea's power to create chaos in the region, North Korea's increasingly independent policies have made it no longer completely obedient to China. Pyongyang's independent actions have caused considerable trouble for Beijing, especially when North Korea's military actions that may be triggered in the tug-of-war between the United States, Japan and South Korea actually make China more passive in foreign relations.

Subtle changes in Sino-Indian relations and China's multi-front pressure

Against this volatile geopolitical background, Sino-Indian relations are also quietly adjusting. In October this year, India and China reached a patrol agreement on the border dispute in the Himalayas, and the troops of both sides began to withdraw from some disputed areas. In recent years, China and India have repeatedly clashed over border issues, and China has borne considerable pressure both economically and militarily. This time, China made certain concessions in order to reduce tensions with India and relieve pressure on multiple fronts.

Analysts believe that China's concessions may be due to strategic considerations. Faced with the North Korean situation in Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific confrontation in Southeast Asia, China realizes that its resources are limited and it is difficult to deal with conflicts on multiple fronts at the same time. The reconciliation with India has helped China reduce pressure to a certain extent, and it can instead invest more resources in dealing with challenges from the United States and its allies. However, this temporary reconciliation does not mean that the border issue has been completely resolved, and the complexity of the relationship between the two countries still exists.

The attitude of the Philippines and the choice of Southeast Asian countries

On the South China Sea issue, China's previous provocative actions against the Philippines have triggered a strong reaction from the country. As a result, the United States, Japan, Australia and other countries have also increased their military support for the Philippines. Under pressure from China, the Philippines has gradually moved closer to the United States and its allies. This change has prompted China to face more severe diplomatic challenges on the South China Sea issue.

In addition, Vietnam has also expressed dissatisfaction with China's sovereignty in the South China Sea and protested against China's actions in the Paracel Islands. This phenomenon reflects that Southeast Asian countries are becoming increasingly tough on China. In order to prevent Southeast Asia from fully turning to the US camp, China is forced to adopt a low-key diplomatic approach and temporarily shelve some issues. However, with the increasing influence of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, how China maintains its position in Southeast Asia has become another difficult problem in its foreign policy.

The US military strengthens its deployment in the Indo-Pacific and China's military pressure

In the face of China's various actions in the Indo-Pacific region, the US military's response is particularly rapid. The US Navy's USS Washington has returned to the Western Pacific, and plans to deploy the USS Lincoln to the region. The United States also maintains a military presence in the Middle East so that it can mobilize resources at any time to respond to multiple challenges. In addition, the US military's latest Burke-class destroyer is about to be commissioned, further increasing the US military's deterrence in the Western Pacific.

In contrast, China's naval power faces a greater disadvantage. Although the Shandong and Liaoning aircraft carriers have made their debuts, China's power projection capabilities in the region are still limited due to the insufficient number of destroyers and frigates and the limited combat capabilities of carrier-based aircraft. This gap has doubled the pressure on China to confront the United States and its allies, and its military's comprehensive combat capabilities and logistical supply still face many challenges.

The future situation under the Sino-US Indo-Pacific confrontation

At present, the game between China and the United States in the Indo-Pacific region is no longer just a confrontation between major powers, but involves changes in the strategic pattern of the entire region. China's military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, its relations with North Korea and Southeast Asian countries, and its interactions with US allies constitute multi-dimensional factors in this complex situation. In the future, how to seek a balance between various fronts and how to avoid larger-scale conflicts while maintaining its own interests will be an important test for Sino-US relations.

For the United States, continuing to consolidate its cooperative relationship with its Indo-Pacific allies and maintaining military deterrence are important parts of its strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. For China, easing multi-line pressure and flexibly responding to regional dynamics will be the key to maintaining its geopolitical interests.