With so much attention focused on the Middle East and its seemingly insoluble problems, what may prove to be much more serious developments in other parts of the world tend to be ignored or discounted. Notably, China has made some territorial claims in the past few years that challenge the dominance of the United States and its Asian allies.
But claiming territory is one thing; acting upon that claim is something else again. China has begun to act. The naval and air forces of China, Japan and the U.S. have been coming closer to confrontation in what is a very dangerous game of saber-rattling. (See: “U.S. Interventionism in Asia Could Spark War With China”.)
Writing for the American Free Press, Richard Walker details what may be an already committed struggle for dominance in the Western Pacific. China sees itself as the natural leader in this vast territory by virtue of its robust economy and a military establishment that is making major advances in technology. China reportedly has ballistic missile capabilities that would allow it to destroy U.S. aircraft carriers, as well as U.S. military bases in the Far East.
These advances will enable the Chinese to challenge the West and its allies, which it appears determined to do. China has laid claim to the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Japan also claims the islands. The actual territory involved is little more than some scattered rocks in the sea, but their importance as a symbol of who rules in this part of the world is enormous. (See: “Senkaku Islands: Japan Sends Jets in China Row”.) China has declared the air space above the islands as its own air-defense zone and has sent surveillance planes to the area. Japan responded by scrambling its fighter jets. Shots have not been fired — yet. But it seems only a matter of time before bluster turns into actual battle.
China has also claimed a vast stretch of the South China Sea as its territorial waters, insisting on its right to determine who fishes these waters and uses them for any other purpose. Another U. S. ally, the Philippines, also lays claim to these waters, as do several other nations in the area. (See: “Armed Clash in the South China Sea”.)
The United States has recently reaffirmed its commitment to its Asian allies, with President Barack Obama making a visit to South Korea (see: “Obama, Park Vow No Reward for Unpredictable North Korea”). The U.S. has also just sent a battalion of four new armored companies (800 men) equipped with the latest version of the M1 tank to reinforce its 28,000 strong military presence in that nation (see: “Pentagon sending a battalion of 800 soldiers with tanks and other armor to South Korea”). This is seen as a provocation and a challenge to those who want the U.S. to withdraw its forces and leave Asia to sort out its own destiny without Western oversight or interference.
There have also been some near confrontations between Chinese and U.S. naval vessels, with no indication that either side is willing to yield. It is as though two heavily armed men stand facing one another, weapons drawn, each waiting for the other to make a move and wondering if he should not be the one to act first.
It is no accident that Our Lady chose to appear in Akita, Japan in 1973 to warn us of impending disasters on a cosmic scale. (See: “Our Lady of Akita”.) Our Lady prophesied disasters that would be more terrible than the Flood, saying that the survivors would endure so much suffering that they would “envy the dead.”
Our Lady also spoke of the turmoil in the Church: “The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see Cardinals opposing Cardinals, bishops against bishops.” This is happening now. How far off can the fulfilment of the other prophecies be?
Bishop John Ito, in approving the apparitions of Our Lady of Akita and the messages She delivered to Sister Agnes, said, “The Messages of Akita and Fatima are the same.” (See: “Fatima and Akita: A Fateful Concurrence”.)
These chastisements may be taking shape in Asia, while the world is looking the other way. Pope Benedict XVI, while he was Cardinal Ratzinger, also affirmed that the messages of Akita and Fatima are basically the same: repent or face unimaginable chastisements (see: “Catholicforum — Third Secret of Fatima”).
The time for obeying Our Lady of Fatima is running out. If the Pope and the bishops do not act soon, the world will be plunged into suffering such as it has never known nor can now imagine. We must do all we can to hasten this obedience and to conform our own lives to the Message of Fatima by increasing our devotion to the Immaculate Heart.
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We must work and pray ever more fervently that the Holy Father and the bishops will heed the requests of Our Lady of Fatima. (See: Petition to Our Holy Father — The Consecration of Russia and Petition to Our Holy Father — The Release of the full Third Secret.)