The Need for Improvement in East Asian Armed Forces and Reasons

This essay delves into the critical need for improvements within the armed forces of East Asian countries, examining the multifaceted reasons driving this imperative. The analysis encompasses the strategic importance of military strength in a region marked by complex geopolitical dynamics and rising tensions. The essay highlights China's growing military capabilities and its implications for regional security, alongside the influence of the United States and the impact of North Korea's nuclear program. It explores how longstanding territorial and maritime disputes, coupled with the pursuit of strategic influence by major powers, necessitate that East Asian nations enhance their military readiness. The essay also considers the internal factors, such as political instability and economic competition, which further underscore the importance of robust armed forces for maintaining stability and protecting national interests. The study emphasizes the need for these nations to modernize their military equipment and strategies to address potential threats and maintain a balance of power in the face of evolving challenges. The essay provides a comprehensive overview of the factors contributing to the urgency of military enhancement in East Asia.

RUNNING HEAD- ARMED FORCES 1
NAME OF THE STUDENT
NAME OF THE COLLEGE
COURSE ID-
SUBMISSION DATE-
TOPIC-
THE NEED OF IMPROVEMENT IS ARMED FORCES OF EAST ASIAN
COUNTRIES AND FOR WHAT REASONS.

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INTRODUCTION
Armed forces make a very important asset of a nation. These organisations are held
with pride and honour. They hold the capacity to save their nation from external forces as
well as maintain man power to handle tough situations inside the geographical terms of the
country. A well equipped and trained force can be a great success for a nation. The range of
equipments and training held by the men in forces maintains respect of the country in an
international sense. The army, air force and navy make up the armed forces altogether. Men
are trained well enough to handle extreme situations of war, protection and security of a
nation (Tan 2002). The reasons behind maintaining an army is ensure security on the borders
of a country for saving the lands and area from acquisition, guarding the boundaries at the sea
and protecting from enemies through the air. With the growing development and tensions
between the countries of the world, it has to be checked by all the nations to improve their
armed power so as to protect them from various hazards.
WHAT ARE THE EAST ASIAN NATIONS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT STORY
The East Asian nations include China, Korea, Japan, Veitnam, Taiwan, North and
South Korea, Macau, Hong Kong and various other small nations. These nations can be seen
in the world map, having similar boundaries each other. The sharing of boundaries gives
them power to expect a hold on other country’s land and create power over them. The
superpowers like, China, America and Russia is always on the go to take a hold on the
smaller countries. This has been seen in the cases of Veitnam war, China’s pressure on
Taiwan and other smaller countries around it (Ramos 2001). This supremacy gives a call for
an independent and self reliant force by the nations.
In the following years, china is growing economically and strategically with a great
development in its army (Ross 2016). China’s growing capabilities in the military pose a
concern for the nations like Taiwan as the tensions have only been increasing in the past few
years (Peters 2006). The significant command has been increased by china by using top end
Su-27’s and is planning for new Su-33’s.
THE NEED OF IMPROVEMENTS IN ARMED FORCES
There is a need for nations to improve their armed forces and equip them with new
technologies so as to match the growing capabilities of the superpowers like, china and USA.
Supreme powers have a tendency of taking over small islands and countries to develop more

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land and man power in its hold (Kim 2013). This can be seen in the china and Taiwan
disturbances leading on from the past and is expected to continue in the future.
The string of pearls policy dictated by china has planned to circumscribe India and
develop relations with all other countries around the Indian Ocean. This will gradually make
small nations and islands under the protection of china and affect the freedom of Indian navy
in the ocean. This policy has been strictly opposed by nations, whose security hampers by
creating path for china’s growth (Ross 2016).
East Asian countries are blessed with a strategic location and ample of natural
resources for the countries to settle in their financial conditions (Cimbala 2000). Due to its
strategic location, with rivers, lakes, mountains and deserts, create insecurities for the nation
by other neighbouring countries. This competition amongst the neighbouring countries has to
be controlled for maintaining discipline and avoiding security risks and disturbances. For the
same matter, the forces need to be equally developed to at least maintain sense of equality
with the neighbouring nations (Kim 2013). Longstanding Maritime and territorial issues in
the east Asian regions are yet to be resolved and have kept the tensions and disputes
simmering, leading to help requests to the nations like US which will complicate the coping
mechanisms and regional institutions like the ASEAN, association of southeast Asian
nations. This is going to escalate tensions of slowing investment, economic confidence and
regional cooperation (Ross 2016).
It has been seen that china is closing the strategic opportunities window for assuming
greater influence on the east Asian regions. But, a stronger pushback rises from the side of
US in its strategic attention to the region as well as japans’ policies towards the defence
mechanism create various issues to be resolved in the future which might need te countries to
have their own military powers for the protection of the same.
Taiwan’s leadership in its area and the growing thought of a spate identity states the
sense of freedom in the nations present in the east Asian region (Park 2014). This shows that
regional imbalances are heading towards the situations of war and fights amongst the nations
for their separate freedom. Hence, along with the powerful countries, it is important for the
smaller states to develop their militaries for facing off new challenges.
North Korea’s nuclear programs also awaken a sense of security issues in the
neighbouring countries so as to protect themselves from the overpowering nations and their

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policies to take away the territorial lands from force and disturbance or take hold on their
economic regime.
The longstanding issues and political hindrances are to hinder the relations between
south Korea and japans’ security because of the frustration that has been growing to china’s
policies of driving Seoul towards the cooperation with Washington and Tokyo. This gives
rise to the internal strife and radicalization, political instability and as struggle between
authorization and democratization amongst the countries (Tan 2002).
Internal disturbances in the continent amongst India and Pakistan can be seen as an
example for a need of well developed and improved army, air force and navy to provide
security to the nation. Lastly, natural calamities have never left the Asian countries with less
surprise. Hence, a team with better technological power and trained men is needed for the
times of need.
Increased amount of US engagement in the region of East Asian countries shows the
amount of power and domination needed by the powerful countries to rule the small ones and
hence, the following engagement comes up with a terror fact (Park 2014). This fact has to be
taken care of by a good military expansion by the countries being affected from the same.
China’s attempts to expand its area of influence in the East Asian region have continued to
affect the politics and thoughts of the people in the neighbouring countries. As the country
refuses to give up the territorial claims on any side, which includes senkaku islands and
spratly region, it adds to the tension of uncomforted between the nations (Tan 2002).
Not just china, North Korea’s missile launching created a rhetoric and fearing
environment in the nearby regions. The most dreadful display was in 2017, when the country
launched the same over the main islands of Japan in Hokkaido. This has created regional
tensions between the two nations (Park 2014).
Another threat that can be made out for Japan is the possibility of retrenchment by the
American forces in the region which is substituted by the Chinese. Negotiations made with
south Korea has added to the threats that are possible in the future (Moon 2017). Hence, good
military power maintenance is needed to resist the forces from entering inside Te territories
and gain power over the same.
With an incursive step taken by china relaxing the American input in the east Asian
region and the relationship between the powers of the world have made Japan bolster the

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military capabilities for facing if the uncertain times that can be seen to effect in the future.
This step has affected the East Asian politics at a large level and has been left unfelt since the
times of Second World War.
Japan has been working on increasing its military capabilities since 2012, but with the
current scenarios, this process has to show a little bit of clear and fast approach towards itself
so as to save the country from uncertain activities that are possible by the domination of two
superpowers getting together (TSENG 2015). Moreover, Japan has increased its efforts to
intercept incursions by the Chinese on the airspace in the east china and south china seas.
With these efforts, it can be seen that Japan is trying to keep up the pace with the military
players in the East Asian region by actively participating in non aggressive tactics required
for security.
The security challenges are to motivate the countries for having build-up of military
instruments in the east Asian regions and acknowledge their potential use of the safety of
territories and spaces in sea and air. With the growth in the levels of economics, countries are
to spend more on militaries for domestic reasons as well to show hedge against the
uncertainties growing up by US’s impact and china to the region (Moon 2017). Maritime
disputes in the south china and east china sea is going to continue and hence affect the
regional disparities at a great extent. the ASEAN countries are to spend amounts in their
military powers to crack down the Islamic radicalism growing in the region.
Fight between the governing regimes, that s the democratic and authoritarian
disparities in the region struggle to implement their policies for the east Asian regime and its
benefits. This creates disruptions amongst the ethics and policies of the nations, creating
regional disturbances amongst the countries for a better control and influence to the region
and its policies (Moon 2017). These policies work towards benefitting of personal targets of
the courtiers and hence, the future shows tension between them. tensions between the
countries cannot be resolved alone by bilateral talks, they also include a sense of power in the
nations involved and hence, military power plays an important role in assuming the security
and safety of a region.
REASONS BEHIND IT
China has been rising with its military power and modernisation which has caused an
alarming situation in the neighbourhood. Also, the tensions between north and South Korea
have been prominent in the East Asian region and have to be taken in check (Cimbala 2000).

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The emergence of America in the East Asian region in the Indian Ocean and Malacca strait
region has to be looked upon and should alarm the countries to protect the key energy and
trade routes around them. China is trying to challenge the American dominance in the Asian
region and this creates a risk of dominance of the following nations on the several other
neighbouring countries (TSENG 2015).
It has been seen that American influence is growing in the east Asian regions and not
just strategically, the economic hold by the American agencies have forced china and Japan o
cooperate with them, but it has created a situation of vacuum in the two countries that might
lead to political instability if removed. With the talks between trump and Kim jong un, has I
initiated the reduction if military threat by the north Korean authorities might add back to the
list if American counterpart is removed from the scenario (Kim 2010). A diminished presence
of US harbours might reduce the economic cooperation amongst the countries present in east
Asia. Increase in the military power of Japan might light up agitation amongst the regional
powers and create tensions. Hence, American influence is although affecting the freedom of
small nations present in the East Asian region but it is protecting them from the disturbances
that might be created amongst the regional countries because of territory issues and military
power. A new agenda of protecting lands not only in the boundaries of the country but also in
depth of oceans and high up in the sky is necessary for coping with the future disturbances
that can be predicted with the current conditions is necessary (TSENG 2015).
East Asia is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world and is likely to
grow as an economic influence to the other countries in the world. Geopolitical competition
and economic cooperation is likely to happen in the near future than can be seen.
China has been involved in increasing more and more political uncertainties in the
area with the increase in its economic conditions. Attempts made by Beijing to advance its
structure of rule in Asia and concentration of power has made its neighbours a little worried
about the security and freedom of the nations. China’s influence on the regions lying on its
boundary has always been a threat in east Asia (Kim 2010). These uncertainties act as te
shadows over the prosperity and peace of the region.
A future with such tensions is like a warning for the nations in the East Asia to initiate
progress and development in their armed forces so as to bring their economy with par to the
great powers like, China, USA and Russia. Not just for the sake of equality, but also to
prepare country for and against the preemptive strikes. A strong military ensures better

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foreign honors by other nations and agreements for cooperation in future development
processes. Military helps in cases of rescue operations and security in natural disaster
situations. The armed forces have the training and resources to intervene with the world
whenever ordered to do the same. Hence, it is important for a nation to equip the armed
forces with best training and resources so as to create an equal criteria of force and power
within the territory.
CONCLUSION
Since, china has always been deeply involved in the global economy and influences
the region by shaping the international rules and norms to advance personal interests. Its
assertions on the south china sea region has shown provoking reactions to its neighbours.
This has stirred nationalistic feeling in the hearts of people and hence, assuming to challenge
the great country in its efforts. This interplay consists of regime stability, security cooperation
and economic competition amongst the countries in the following areas. It has aroused the
regional interactions with small states to seek power against the Chinese assertiveness. With a
wide discussion on the East Asian regions and its geographical importance, it was clear that a
country needs to have a military power not just because of law, but to carry a sense of
security and pride in the nation (Blackburn 2010). The capabilities of armed forces define the
structure and development of a country. With the growing development of china in the East
Asian region give an idea about the future restraints that can be expected by the neighbouring
countries. The following disturbances between the neighbours like, veitnam, china and
Taiwan show a clear example of why is it necessary to improve the military power in the
region (Kim 2010). China’s new policies and ambitions have been looked on as a threat for
curbing the freedom and independence of sea routes in the great waters of Indian Ocean.
Along with the continental disturbances, Asia needs to match itself with the other developing
continental power in the world.

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