The data worries several countries around the Pacific, not least Australia. But also the United States, which sees China as an increasingly powerful rival both economically and militarily.
– The Pacific Ocean is anything but calm. A Chinese military ship passed by here last week, and it is perceived as a provocation by the American military that has its permanent bases here, says SVT’s Asia correspondent Ulrika Bergsten who is in Sydney, Australia.
In recent days, delegations from both China, Australia and the United States have visited the Pacific nations to try to build alliances.
At the heart of the tensions is the fear of a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan. SVT’s team has met Arthur Chu who is a former soldier in the Taiwanese army. He believes that an invasion of the island would be difficult due to the terrain.
See the meeting with Arthur Chu in the clip.