By The South Asia Times

BEIJING — China's state-run Global Times has criticized the United States' decision to deploy Coast Guard vessels to the Western Pacific, arguing the move reflects Washington's overstretched military commitments and will not alter Beijing's position on Taiwan or the South China Sea.

In a commentary, the newspaper said the United States was transferring six Coast Guard fast-response cutters previously assigned to the Middle East for rotational deployments from Singapore and Subic Bay in the Philippines.

The report cited a Wall Street Journal article that said the deployment is part of Washington's efforts to deter China from taking action against Taiwan or disputed features in the South China Sea.

According to Global Times, the deployment demonstrates what it described as a "pepper-sprinkling" strategy, dispersing limited maritime assets across a vast region as the US Navy remains heavily engaged in the Middle East.

The commentary argued that Washington is increasingly using the US Coast Guard as a "low-threshold" instrument for overseas operations rather than its traditional role of protecting US coastal waters.

It claimed the deployment would neither weaken China's resolve nor affect its ability to defend what Beijing considers its sovereign rights in nearby waters.

Middle East commitments cited

The article said ongoing military tensions in the Middle East have tied down much of the US Navy's surface fleet in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea, prompting Washington to rely more heavily on Coast Guard assets in the Indo-Pacific.

It argued the move was intended to reassure regional allies that the United States remains committed to maintaining its presence in the Western Pacific despite competing global security demands.

Citing Chinese military analyst Song Zhongping, the report said the deployment would also allow US Coast Guard personnel to familiarize themselves with the region's maritime environment, potentially laying the groundwork for future intelligence-gathering and operational activities.

Questions over long-term sustainability

The Global Times also questioned whether the United States has sufficient financial resources, personnel and shipbuilding capacity to sustain an expanded maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific over the long term.

The commentary pointed to what it described as structural challenges facing the US Navy, including shipbuilding delays, maintenance backlogs and recruitment shortages.

It further criticized Washington's efforts to integrate Coast Guard operations into regional maritime security partnerships, warning that such cooperation could increase geopolitical tensions.

China's position

The commentary asserted that China has developed robust maritime capabilities in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait and said the China Coast Guard enjoys significant operational and numerical advantages in waters close to the Chinese mainland.

It maintained that Beijing possesses the capability and determination to defend what it considers its sovereignty and territorial integrity against external interference.

The article reflects Beijing's longstanding criticism of expanded US military and law enforcement activities in the Indo-Pacific, where Washington has strengthened cooperation with allies and partners amid rising tensions over Taiwan and competing territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The United States has repeatedly said its military deployments in the region are intended to uphold freedom of navigation, support allies and partners, and maintain stability in accordance with international law. Beijing, meanwhile, accuses Washington of increasing military pressure and interfering in regional affairs.