Enter the dragon

It has been interesting to read the various letters praising or criticising the United States.

Rather than looking back at past reasons why American power has been beneficial, I personally think looking to the future is more pertinent.

Most Southeast Asian countries are acutely aware of the rise of China and its aggressive foreign policy. If anyone thinks it is ‘‘selfrestraint’’ that has prevented China from retaking Taiwan or the various territories it claims in contest with the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and more, think again. This ‘‘restraint’’is because of the deterrent presented by the US Navy.

To quote Ho Chi Minh during the Indochina war: ‘‘You fools! Don’t you realise what it means if the Chinese remain? Don’t you remember your history? The last time the Chinese came, they stayed a thousand years.

‘‘The French are foreigners. They are weak. Colonialism is dying. The white man is finished in Asia. But if the Chinese stay now, they will never go.’’

I rest my case.