While the US navy visit to Hong Kong is nothing outside of the ordinary, it is extremely convenient for US military power projection in the area.  With the increasing rise in tension in the South China Sea with the US, China and the Philippines, the US is looking to reaffirm its power in the area and for now that is easy  to with the overwhelmingly evident force of the US 7th fleet. However, as the video points out this long time trump card of military muscle could be properly challenged in the future with the drastic increases and emphasis that the Chinese are making to their naval forces. Also, I feel we are likely to see a Chinese response to this US naval visit to Hong Kong in the coming months. 

Chinese and Russian cooperation is nothing new to the international system. Russia has been selling arms to China for decades. The most recent example of this is the aircraft carrier that now sits in Chinese docks.  However, this military cooperation could be viewed differently in light of recent events in the Middle East.  With Russia and China’s block several UN resolutions that were aimed at addressing the Syrian conflict this partnership could be viewed as the a direct threat to the U.S. camp, which in includes the other two members of the Security Council.  These actions also reaffirm the power and strength of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. I feel that the SCO has the potential to be an effective multinational organization and I feel that the more that Russia and China invest in it, such as these exercises, the more incentive nations in central and East Asia will have to join it.  

New Zealand is the only western nation that has a free trade agreement with China and this recent move by Chinese firms is evidence of that agreement. This also speaks to the strength of the Chinese economic arm.  The incentive and massive amounts of capital that China can provide to possible trade partners or investment clients is overwhelming and undeniable for other countries.  China is becoming a black hole for everything that it needs to maintain its growth. The most common need that people assume CHina has is for oil and resources but we rarely realize that China has the largest population on the planet and they need to be fed.  Therefore, the move for this farmland is essential for China and its growth.  However, it could does raise some issues for New Zealanders. Like the article states, “The sale has worried many people in New Zealand who feel the country may be selling off its most vital industry in pursuit of quick profits.”  However, in tough economic times countries are more than willing to accept the almost irresistible offers from China. Quick capital is the name of the game these days and China is leading the field. 

As stated in the article, “the state-owned China Central Television (CCTV) said the test was “a historic moment for India and it shows that India has joined the club of the countries that own ballistic missiles”, Associated Press reported.”While this club that China is referring to may provided increased security and international influence, it also comes with responsibilities.  However, in the case of the India they want to take on the added responsibilities because of their want to become more dominant and relevant on the international stage as well as in their respective region.  The success of their missile program could be beneficial to Indian-Chinese relations now that both of them have the capabilities to attack one another’s capital.  This hopefully means that the likelihood of them engaging in open conflict over their border dispute or of India’s acceptance of the Dalai Lama will not happen.  Hopefully this means that the arguments will stay at the table between these two nations and not spill over into the use of their armed forces.