By Jin Yinan

On June 29, the largest-ever Rim of the Pacific 2022 (RIMPAC 2022) military exercise kicked off in and around the Hawaiian Islands to run for 37 days till August 4. This year’s Rim of the Pacific has many new features and trends, which bring multiple risks to regional and even global security.

Political significance far outweighs military significance

Major adjustment in terms of participating countries has been shown in the RIMPAC 2022 military exercise, with all member states of such alliances as the US-regarded Quad mechanism and AUKUS, as well as many countries around the South China Sea participating.

Generally speaking, the RIMPAC 2022 military exercise has its political significance far outweigh the military significance. The RIMPAC, originally launched and advocated by the US Third Fleet, features the largest-ever biennial multinational maritime joint military exercise in the world, targeting the Soviet Union at the initial stage. Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the main content of the exercise has also been adjusted to target joint anti-terrorism, anti-piracy and so on.

However, the RIMPAC military exercise has begun to change its direction again in recent years, turning to target China. In this year’s exercise, the US has mobilized all its allies in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as some island countries in the South Pacific to join in. The US is trying to show off its enormous allies to the world or the Asia-Pacific region through this exercise, indicating the political significance of the exercise far outweighs the military one.

US-Japan-ROK “Iron Triangle” hard to form

Both Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have sent large-scale troops to participate in the exercise in high profile. The ROK has spared no effort to send its best troops, including a fleet headed by the second ship of the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship, LPH-6112ROKS Marado. The Japanese side has dispatched its newly modified quasi-aircraft carrier Izumo. Public opinion believed that the “paper triangle” of the US, Japan and ROK cooperation is about to grow into an “iron triangle” with relentless efforts made by the US.

However, it is difficult for the “paper triangle” of the US, Japan and ROK trilateral cooperation to develop into an “iron triangle” when Japan and ROK are still in competitive relations. Both Japan and ROK want to be the most intimate ally of the US, and to squeeze into the core circle of allies of the US. Both sides want to put pressure on the other side by strengthening relations with the US, so both sides have spared no effort to send the finest troops to the exercise. But it is undeniable that the US has its own plans, and so do the other countries. Even the most hard-core allies will have plans for their own national interests, and will not blindly act as a thug for the US.

Unequal international order lying behind the RIMPAC

How much power do the nine US Joint Forces Commands have? Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, once blustered that he served to control 52 percent of the earth’s area, covering an area from the west coast of the US in the east, to the east coast of Africa in the west, and now the area has extended to the Indian Ocean. The RIMPAC 2022has still been convened by the US Indo-Pacific Command. In fact, many countries are dissatisfied with this, wondering why all countries should participate in the exercise as called on by the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, who is not the head of state.

Some media in the US also criticized Commanders of the US military bases overseas for “issuing orders like an emperor.” Previously, the US Indo-Pacific Command often convened meetings of the defense ministers of the Pacific Rim countries. Upon hearing the announcement, the defense ministers of many countries would have to fly to Hawaii to attend meetings.

Therefore, whether it’s the RIMPAC or the meetings of defense ministers of the Pacific Rim countries, these events themselves reveal an unequal international order. The unequal international order is emotional damage to small countries, and even of serious impact on world peace and development.

Editor's Note: This article is originally published on military.cnr.cn, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.