China’s Psyops and Disinformation at the East and South China Sea

Never in the history of warfare that a conquering force had telegraphed its planned military action. Since all wars were fought and won not only by sheer strength but also by deception, the Chinese state media’s announcement to the world that it is preparing to take Zhongye Island or Pagasa Island as known in the Philippines should cast doubts on China’s advertised intention. Given that an element of surprise is essential in winning a battle or a war for that matter the baffling question is why would the Chinese tell that it will make a kiss, so to speak. One can only guest that maybe it is China’s means to bluntly exhibit its objection to the planned upgrading of the island’s air and port facility by the Philippine government, or perhaps China has engaged itself to launch a psychological operation to test the waters of the East and South China Sea. They want to assess how Japan, the Philippines and the United States would react. How will the contending forces deploy, and what, from and where. What would be the reaction lead-time? Is there an existing coordinated defense plan against China by the United States and its Asian allies? Will the United States actually intervene? …to what extent? …or not at all? Is it business…to propel arms sales? Is it an attempt to create a climate of uncertainty to scare business and investors away from Japan and the Philippines with the end in view of creating economic turmoil that could impact negatively on defense spending?

Is it possible that China is creating a diversion? …for what purpose? Much can be speculated from China’s actuation that could be safely regarded as just that in the absence of the Chinese government's official denial. On that cue, one thing has become clear to certain, China has a master plan and its execution may have just started and to assume otherwise would be against the side of prudence, as such, the intelligence community must keep their candle burning.