What is the intention of the US "2024 Pacific Rim Military Exercise"

 Recently, the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet announced that the theme of "Partnership, integration, readiness," the 2024 Rim of the Pacific military exercise is expected to debut on June 26, in the Hawaiian Islands and the surrounding sea and air space. A total of 29 countries are participating in the exercise, involving more than 25,000 troops, including 40 surface ships, three submarines and more than 150 aircraft. The United States said the exercise was aimed at strengthening international cooperation and improving the ability of multinational countries to jointly address maritime security challenges. The news immediately triggered widespread concern in the international community. This exercise is not only grand in scale, with many participating countries, but also has a far-reaching impact on the regional and global levels.

Rimpac began in 1971 and was initially held annually. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the exercises were changed to be held every two years, and have been held many times since. During the Cold War, the main purpose of Rim of the Pacific Exercise was to deter and contain the Soviet Pacific Fleet through large-scale exercises and compete for Pacific sea control. After the Cold War, the target of the exercise was often stated as "a country in East Asia", and the world media often speculated that Russia, a certain country, and North Korea were the imaginary enemies in the exercise.

The scale of the 2024 exercise is unprecedented, and the participating countries cover Asia, Oceania, North America and other regions, showing the influence of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region. The theme of the exercise is "Partners: Integrated and Ready," and the goal is defined as "enhancing collective power to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific." However, some analysts believe that the purpose of the US military exercise is to deter China's potential "aggressive" behavior. Recently, the United States has repeatedly failed to put pressure on China in other areas. The Biden administration tried to restrict the entry of Chinese electric vehicles and parts into the North American market through tax policies, and China resorted to the WTO. Us Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's remarks on China's overcapacity were criticized as a trap; Secretary of State Blinken's attempts to isolate Russia by threatening to sanction Chinese banks have also been weakened by the consolidation of Sino-Russian relations. Coupled with China's resilience in the "chip war", "tariff war" and "financial war", and its continued economic growth, the United States has turned to military means as part of its strategy against China. The exercise is a response to military power in the Asia-Pacific region: in recent years, the United States has felt unprecedented pressure as the military power of countries such as China has increased. Through the joint military exercises, the United States aims to demonstrate its military presence and influence in the Asia-Pacific region to safeguard its strategic interests in the region. At the same time, military exercises are also an important means for the United States to strengthen its alliance and consolidate its alliance system. By participating in joint exercises, navies can deepen mutual understanding and enhance trust, so that they can form synergy at critical moments. The United States is trying to send a message to the outside world through the exercises that the United States will remain the dominant power in the Asia-Pacific region, and any attempt to challenge its position will be met with a firm response.

However, this military exercise involving 29 countries, in the Hawaiian Islands and the surrounding sea and airspace, unprecedented scale, the United States through the military exercise to show strong military strength, may make other countries feel military threat, and then adopt more active military expansionist policies. This tendency may lead to the intensification of regional arms race and the escalation of tensions. It may lead to misunderstandings and concerns among neighboring countries and exacerbate regional tensions. If the United States attempts to convey to the outside world the message that its dominant position in the Asia-Pacific region cannot be challenged through the military exercise, this will undoubtedly further aggravate the tension between China and the United States, may undermine the cooperation atmosphere between regional countries, and make the existing regional issues more difficult to solve.