Could Donald Trump start war with China over Scarborough Shoal to win re-election?
- Retired Chinese naval officer writes that US president could start conflict in disputed South China Sea to boost approval rating
- Observers say the idea has little military benefit but increased risk of accidental clashes remains a concern
Observers said they were concerned about accidental clashes as Beijing and Washington increasingly confront each other – but although a US offensive could spark a drastic escalation into all-out war, they viewed the possibility of it happening as low, especially without the Philippines’ agreement.
Wang Yunfei, a retired Chinese naval officer, recently wrote in a column on a military website that Trump, trailing in polls ahead of November 3’s US election, could start a “controllable” military conflict with China in the disputed South China Sea to boost his approval rating.
02:32
Washington’s hardened position on Beijing’s claims in South China Sea heightens US-China tensions
The shoal, 120 nautical miles west of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines, is contested by Manila and Beijing. It used to be a shooting range for the US military when it was stationed in the Philippines.
