Why China and the US are Fighting over the Pacific

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For the past few years, the Asia-Pacific region has been a battleground for both China and the US, competing for influence through various means. In this video, we explore why this region is so significant, what the various actions are, and the perspectives of the countries involved.
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1 - www.cfr.org/in-brief/china-so...
2 - www.state.gov/u-s-pacific-isl...
3 - www.minister.defence.gov.au/s...
4 -www.foreignminister.gov.au/mi...
5 - pg.usembassy.gov/opening-of-t...
6 - www.state.gov/tonga-embassy-o...
7 - www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ka...
8 - www.reuters.com/world/us-plan...
9 - www.pm.gov.au/media/prime-min...
10 - www.state.gov/secretary-blink...
11 - www.state.gov/secretary-blink...
12 - thediplomat.com/2023/07/presi...
13 - www.reuters.com/world/us-agre...
14 - Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu
15 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign...
16 -www.theguardian.com/world/202...
17 - www.dw.com/en/new-vanuatu-pm-...
18 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_So...
19 - www.reuters.com/world/asia-pa...
20 - www.theguardian.com/world/202...

[@TLDRnewsGLOBAL]

One quick correction: When we list the three countries in Free Association with the US we include Nauru when it should in fact be Palau (which does get mentioned later in the video)

[@cam_webb]

I'm not having that mustache 😂

[@KeithBarnesLife]

You should also have clarified in your list of places that President Macron visited, that New Caledonia is French. They’ve literally had 3 referendums and chose to remain French each time.

[@gardenshed6043]

I also feel the need to correct your pronounciation of Kiribati. It’s an easy trap to call into but it’s pronounced more like Kiribass as far as I know.

[@miguelmiramon1505]

5:19 you put Belize's flag in the saint vincent and the grenadines slot

[@saahiliyer11]

It’s MARIANAS islands, not Marinara Islands.

[@michaeleaston6723]

I love the editing. The minecraft gold and copper ingots caught my eye, but seeing it played made me giggle - hella appreciate the levity, cheers

[@realdreamerschangetheworld7470]

The editors are just having fun now 😂

[@SamOrthodoxy]

That Minecraft inclusion was so random 😂😂

[@moussaalmoussa6989]

Fr 🤣🤣

[@noblereaction2586]

It had me confused lmao

[@gp-1542]

I think the worst part is that the pacific islands might not have a choice

[@carlflaherty2215]

When Elephants fight, much grass gets stomped.

[@WorldIsWierd]

yeh, the only reason they had peaceful sea is the US was the only power. Historically the never did

[@ChineseKiwi]

As I stated before, The Pacific Islands aren't 'weak' 'damsels in distress' that needs saving from anyone and painting this picture ignores the history of Pacific Island nation geopolitics. In fact, in reality, they have greatest diplomatic clout now than they ever have had and have always deliberately played the bigger powers against one another for that pure pure self interest. I studied South Pacific geopolitics, with a focus on Chinese relations.

[@andrewmichieli1760]

@@ChineseKiwiyes but if conflict arises then they get stomped on like grass

[@ChineseKiwi]

@@andrewmichieli1760 What do you think the defence pacts are for?

[@alexandercoriolanus]

I just noticed that you include numbers in the top right corner for the references that are, very neatly, organised in the description. I am mind blown; so simple yet very professional. Makes the credibility of the videos even higher!

[@socialistrepublicofvietnam1500]

Now I am just imagining thousands of Chinese and American soldiers floating in the middle of the Pacific, fighting eachother with pool noodles and fake plastic Minecraft wooden swords

[@AmirSatt]

hopefully all international conflicts will be resolved like that

[@infidelheretic923]

I wish it would be that easy

[@sparks1792]

Tbh I would join the army at that point.

[@AloisAgos]

Sounds like a pretty on the nose metaphor to me.

[@skeletonentertainment4201]

World peace would have been achieved a long time ago if all wars were fought that way

[@slimee8841]

TLDR takes the "in Minecraft" meme to the next level...

[@wanitooo]

TLDR Minecraft soon?

[@tabletgenesis3439]

4:35

[@MrARock001]

Small note: The name of the nation of Kiribati is pronounced KIRI-bas, as it's the local rendition of the earlier colonial name Gilberts.

[@joefarrow1599]

This is a great factoid

[@Tay12345]

I didn’t know it came from the Gilberts name!

[@brendanshannon1706]

I don't understand why they don't change their name to reflect this, just seems unnecessarily confusing.

[@JaiAcuneIdeeQuoiMettreIci]

Fun fact:Pacific Ocean means something like “peaceable ocean”

[@delfinenteddyson9865]

who would have thought that peace and pacifism has the same root

[@jusu8961]

its ”peaceful ocean” you nugget

[@Tortle-Man]

Very ironic considering everyone who wants to fight over it.

[@alt_zaq1_esc]

US & China "Meh, it's pacified ocean"

[@JerzyFeliksKlein]

@@alt_zaq1_esc It's called "Calm/Peacful Ocean" in Polish

[@kaptainkowalski]

The minecraft clip caught me off guard

[@prateekbhurkay9376]

I'm glad I saw this comment. I then watched the video instead of just listening to it.

[@PsychoSavager289]

Kiribati is pronounced "Kiribass" (like how nation is pronounced "nayshon") and it's the Mariana Islands, not the Marinara Islands. As in, the Mariana Trench, not Marinara sauce.

[@joshuaewald5883]

No the marinara islands are a real place. They are right near the thousand islands.

[@iamjimb]

I used to ask for meatball mariana at subway

[@RobespierreThePoof]

Mispronunciations are evidence that the KZbinr you're listening to doesn't actually know much about the subject.

[@budakbaongsiah]

This channel is rife with mispronunciations.

[@ws4857]

If they want people to pronounce it Kiribass in English they should probably spell it as such. The Kiribati people would probably have to decide which of spelling or pronunciation is the more important thing. Your example is a little misleading because it makes it seem like Kiribati should be pronounced Kiribash.

[@nitramregiep9505]

The minecraft video and references were awesome! :D

[@jackdo1624]

Hey there tldr… I believe the country 1:07 Kiribati is pronounced differently. It’s pronounced more like Kiribas rather than how it’s spelt… luv you guys

[@thedayb4tomorrow]

Was going to write the same thing. We'll be hearing the name more often as the country is swallowed by the ocean thanks to climate change...

[@camerondeans9056]

​@@thedayb4tomorrowsounds like we'll be hearing the name less often then

[@Zilentification]

What's weird is I'm pretty sure they've pronounced it correctly in the past

[@bonelesswatermelon420]

The Northern Mariana Islands sounded too close to Northern Marinara Islands, but I assume this was probably just a glitch in the audio

[@maninredhelm]

Why is it spelt that way if it's not pronounced that way? Like, I'm sure that's what the citizens of Kiribati call their nation, but we English-speakers have a long tradition of naming foreign nations whatever we want, and then coming up with spelling consistent with our pronunciation of the made-up name we invented. Deutschland? No, that's Germany. Zhongguo? No, that's China. Danmark? Close but no, we decided that's Denmark, although for some reason we still go along with calling them Danes instead of Dens. Anyway, I can't think of any other examples like Kiribati in English. We let Djibouti have a mostly silent D, but that's about it.

[@mattvolpe1492]

I don’t think we have a compact of free association with Nauru, but we have one with Palau

[@Munchkin_1408]

That is right. I was just about to comment that.

[@ipadcover5597]

5:15 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has the Belize flag represented twice

[@PointFear]

I love The Minecraft References Especially at 6:01

[@Immortal-Daiki]

Small note: Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau are the three Pacific Island states that have Compacts of Free Association (COFA) with the US. The US doesn't have a COFA with Nauru

[@endme1903]

great video team! other than the mispronunciations of some of the pacific countries, I believe that at 5:22 you've given saint Vincent and the grenadines the wrong flag! (its the flag of Belize instead). over all, its very knit picky, but thought id let you know. great video

[@BradTheThird]

Belize is even in that same list. I can't Belize the editor would make such a mistkae.

[@budakbaongsiah]

​@@BradTheThirdOut.

[@chameleonicblu22]

It is Palau, and not Nauru, which has a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Nauru is a former British colony and Australian client state. To this day it lacks an American embassy.

[@user-op8fg3ny3j]

War in the pacific 2.0 time to get your grandad’s marine gear out

[@salkoharper2908]

My grandfather was a Radar officer onboard HMS Illustrious at the Naval battle of Okinawa. In his war the enemy was Japan and the friendly nation was China. How things have gone polar opposite now, only 2 generations later.

[@polytopiahu1015]

The third compact of free association country is Palau, not Nauru

[@vaga4239]

Ohh naruuu

[@vaga4239]

What's your polytopia tag?

[@jdogdoggo]

1:25 northern marinara islands

[@zizzlerizzle8707]

I wonder what the pasta is like on the "Northern Marinara Islands"; does it pair well with the local sauce? Jokes aside, good video. Thanks for this.

[@socialistrepublicofvietnam1500]

5:16 that is not the flag of st vincent & the grenadines, that is belize repeated

[@EverettBurger]

Playing their cards right, leaders of these islands can make some decent money

[@thedownunderverse]

Oh they personally are. Their people on the other hand…

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Good video here. I'm living here in China and keeping a keen eye on developments. Let's hope for a peaceful, but MEANINGFUL solution.

[@Johnnytree67]

How did you comment?

[@damienreilly4347]

You mean like NOT invading a sovereign, independent island? Good idea

[@chopsticksandtrains]

I think you can figure that out... lol Just look up, "How to ---" on Google. I'll give you a hint, it's an acronym of 3 letters that starts with a 'V' @@Johnnytree67

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Living here, I'm not allowed to go into this, but let's just say that I'd guess you and I are probably pretty like-minded on the topic. @@damienreilly4347

[@ChineseKiwi]

@@Johnnytree67 You haven't seen enough VPN sponsor ads?

[@hansfrankfurt1870]

Heyyo great video Quick note about the thumbnail: CH🇨🇭is not the country code usually associated with China (CN 🇨🇳) 😅 Best wishes from Switzerland (aka. Sweden)

[@hansfrankfurt1870]

Ah! Fixed already

[@lv3609]

“Best wishes from Switzerland (aka. Sweden)” Huhh?? Switzerland 🇨🇭 Sweden 🇸🇪

[@GeorgiawithaG]

@@lv3609 🇨🇭 Switzerland - CH 🇸🇪 Sweden - SW

[@lv3609]

@@GeorgiawithaG and the aka.?

[@Ithinkitmightbeyourbirthday]

@@GeorgiawithaGSweden is .se, not .sw

[@JerzyFeliksKlein]

I think non-alignment is the best solution for those countries. Otherwise they will become pawns and be sacrificed like pawns.

[@johnnyissuper6955]

Indeed. Big powers like the USA or China don’t care about these smaller countries

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

Non-alignment isn't gonna stop any invader from wanting their land. Remember Indonesia (Dutch East Indies)? They were neutral to whatever crazy thing Japan is doing across Asia and yet Japan invaded them for the oil. Same with Thailand: they weren't doing anything against Japan and yet Japan invaded them and turned into a collaborationist state...

[@doujinflip]

Non-alignment only works if you have a defense capability to enforce it. Hence why only rich countries like Switzerland and Singapore can actually promote itself as a third way.

[@kth6736]

​@@doujinflipIndonesia and India are poor countries but non-aligned.

[@johnnyissuper6955]

@@kth6736 but they are big, big countries with huge populations and sizeable gdp, you can’t really push them around because their population gives them economic leverage and political weight

[@victorfaasuamaleaui]

Aussie here - my Grandad was a captain in the Forward Coast Guard in WWII. He confessed to my Auntie on his deathbed that he witnessed the Japanese capture his platoon in Papua New Guinea while he and one other watched the Japanese cut their hands off from afar. I'll die before I let China get anywhere near Australia.

[@tkw3864]

Was that why Australian soldiers cut the throat of Afghan boys?

[@victorfaasuamaleaui]

@@tkw3864 I assume you're referring to that bizarre fake tweet put out by the CCP?

[@cocaineminor4420]

Mate china has no intention of invading Australia China never really stated that they will invade Australia.

[@cocaineminor4420]

I don't where you get the idea of china invading Australia like ????? Fun fact native aboriginal got invaded by Europeans.

[@victorfaasuamaleaui]

@@cocaineminor4420 Fun fact, all land was invaded by someone else. The indigenous Australian's weren't exactly peaceful either, they're made up of over 500 different factions and were commonly at war.

[@CrabShoe]

Pretty sure his editors purposely took a sound clip of him saying marinara and stuck it in place of him saying Mariana at 1:25.

[@TerryDBlack]

Pronunciation guide needed for Kiribati…

[@jc3drums916]

3:40 You placed the Cook Islands where French Polynesia is supposed to be.

[@MrBrianYoutube]

6:01 I didn’t think that minecraft would make it’s way into a tldr news video

[@crepley8335]

What was that minecraft clip doing there😂

[@jackedwards3426]

What the heck was Minecraft doing in here

[@tasosGRvocals]

Loved the Minecraft addition!!

[@HudsonBencharski]

Lol the Minecraft B-ROLL and fish assets

[@robot_girlyman1556]

I love the Minecraft footage in this video. Keep it up!

[@doubleblocks3446]

I love how the editors are quietly adding Minecraft clips into the video. XD

[@danielcitty6235]

1. It is there

[@gia2371_b]

Using Minecraft for News, now that's something I like to hear.

[@masterchinese28]

Compacts of Free Association are with Fed States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau (not Nauru).

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Won't be too long until either side builds an island killer, much like the Death Star in Star Wars to force them to ally.

[@miroslan007]

LOLed at the minecraft gameplay

[@carlossarabia5793]

1:25 "The Northern Marinara islands"

[@Dinodude83]

We have compact of free association with Palau 🇵🇼, Micronesia 🇫🇲 and the Marshall Islands 🇲🇭 not with Nauru 🇳🇷

[@ryanhelsby4735]

What about the conflict in PNG?

[@starkiller6059]

I wonder if it's possible for the Pacific to become a neutral zone that supports each other without outside interference with it being the way it is Marie time trade and being a tourist hot spot is possible the could even take an isolationist (semi) like Japan did

[@jbalmarez8414]

US can solidify their foot hold even further if they make guam a state.

[@E4439Qv5]

Mm, I don't think that's something we'll do anytime soon.

[@michaelotieno6524]

Will new happen as the Republicans are very wary of creating a new state that is likely to vote for the democrats. Look at what happened to the idea of DC statehood.

[@DK-ev9dg]

What a greedy comment 😅😅😅😅

[@graceneilitz7661]

If Guam had statehood it would probably combine with the Northern Mariana Islands and a constitutional amendment to rework of the House of Representatives (such as lift the cap using the lowest states population as a baseline) would be in order.

[@purpledevilr7463]

1:24 marinara islands. Delicious.

[@bathamsteryt]

MINECRAFT? IN MY POLITICAL NEWS? THIS IS WHY TLDR IS THE BEST!

[@joshuaevans6295]

1:23 did you just say "Northern Marinara Islands"

[@caseclosed9342]

We fought in Guadalcanal to keep Solomons free from Japanese occupation, now China’s taking over them in a harder way for us to fight…

[@E4439Qv5]

???: Not all of the Solomons... *_Bougainville_** enters the conversation!*

[@DiskoNixon.]

The US has several allies and mutual defense pacts with countires in the Indo-Pacific with countries like Japan, South Korea, The Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Papau New Guinea, Thailand, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and more to keep China contained.

[@user-yw4rx6kb3r]

Stop lying to yourself and the people reading your comment. China isn't going anywhere. All of those countries you mentioned are trading partners of China. The propaganda has ruined your head.

[@yaseenmotala6717]

Which they set up similarly to how Nato is in the West. I can't wait for BRIcS

[@kth6736]

Only Japan, Australia and Philippines are with US. All other countries want to avoid getting involved. Even Philippines might flip at next election.

[@creatorofgods1668]

It is all on paper. If deemed beneficial they’ll turn on the U.S. just like their respective allies did to Napoleon Bonaparte and the Holy Roman Empire.

[@oceanusman]

Vietnam is not allied with the US, they’re officially neutral

[@philkelly704]

I’m not sure about the moustache. It’s kinda WW2 British spitfire pilot.

[@peperomero9638]

The Northern Marinara Islands sound delicious!

[@shubashuba9209]

6:00 Why did the video suddenly switch to Minecraft?

[@cgt3704]

More Minecraft sequences. They are really fun

[@_M3RCY]

the min ecraft ingots are crazy lol

[@RobespierreThePoof]

If any country should have a leadership role in the Pacific, it should be New Zealand. But New Zealand does not seem to want to take this role. Australia does a little bit more.

[@sinoroman]

Both are heavily influenced by USA, so unlikely to be them

[@chrislochhead1925]

both are US satellite states so what's the difference

[@tommydoez]

The pacific islands would need a leader that holds a significant Navy or ship building potential in order to keep a potential deterrence to any aggresive enemy. Additionally, the pacific islands need significant financial support to grow industries that they might not be able to invest into with their current resources. The countries that fulfil a naval presence in the pacific and the financial capability to give them investments are China and the US. Should Australia or New Zealand want to become a leader there, they would either need to heavily invest externally or invest into military, both that might be politically touchy subjects. With China's growing influence Australia might have the public will to invest into military, but incentives to buy the island nations support might still be lackluster unless a charismatic government is in charge (keep in mind that the investments themselves might be risky for the government as nations might default on those loans)

[@JustAnotherAccount8]

Why new zealand? Australia is significantly more important in terms of resources, political power, growth projections etc.

[@LucasFernandez-fk8se]

Why? New Zealand has a population of 5 million. Australia has 25 million. Japan had 125 million and the second best navy in the world. Why would we pick dinky little New Zealand ?! They have no army, no population and enjoy just vibing out there out of harms way. This would make NZ a target of militaries and it couldn’t defend itself. America has 330 million people and the best navy on the planet. Japan is second best and it’s their home in the pacific. It should be Japan or america probably

[@TechMan1900]

1:24 Northern Marinara Islands 😂

[@andreipopa4352]

i like the minecraft part ( 06:01 ) :/

[@va_sirberpasir9708]

Did I heard northen marinara island

[@Klein_head]

6:01 M I N E C R A F T

[@geofflepper3207]

When you're a relatively small island nation and you see your island as being the home of your people but other powerful countries see your island only as a potential naval base and an unsinkable aircraft carrier and source of resources. Not likely a good situation to be in. Whatever the powerful countries offer your small nation will often turn out to be a modern day version of a Trojan Horse. When a powerful country offers to protect you It is sometimes like a very large octopus offering to wrap itself around you to keep you warm. Once you've agreed to that arrangement you will find that if you ever change your mind about the arrangement you will have a devil of a time trying to get the octopus to loosen its grip on you and unwrap itself from your body.

[@pyrokar1990]

Ben is lovely to listen to (and look at), but where is Jack? He always mispronounced names in such an adorable way.

[@sachin812]

Heads up kiribati is pronounced kiri-bass

[@barnij4866]

Why was minecraft in thi video???😂

[@vol.4691]

For your island dot problem, you should just make a square around an island and then show the island geographically correctly, we'll understand it as an enhancement of view and you won't have to overshadow these kind of nations

[@sino_diogenes]

not sure it'd work with how many such small islands there are, it'd probably look pretty cluttered.

[@vol.4691]

Well, he could just enlarge the ones he is talking about. I don't know a lot about editing, but I know for sure that this wouldn't take a lot of work.@@sino_diogenes

[@MrSixthcircle]

marinara?

[@KangaKucha]

Not Japan?

[@tabletgenesis3439]

4:35

[@joshtaylor9626]

I like the Minecraft footage in this video

[@NebraskaGonvilleJones]

Kiribass, please 🙏🏽

[@SkepticalRaptor]

American Samoa is not in the Compact of Free Association. It is a unincorporated territory of the USA.

[@mixkula]

The northern marinara islands... 🤣

[@robertprawendowski2850]

⭐

[@bleuhart2638]

the minecraft clip?!???

[@CARL_093]

Who ever influence more nation has more friends and pushing back the enemy

[@kevinansley7353]

Is it a surprise that politicians are for sale?

[@borkthunder]

Not the marinara islands

[@adonisarmanazi5346]

Minecraft was a cute touch

[@jordandino417]

This reminds me of Battlefield 4 lol

[@aldraone-mu5yg]

What’s with the Minecraft footage? You guys think we’re 12 or was that an error?

[@ThatGuyPotatoes]

Marinara islands 😏

[@owlesterkrowlee]

Minecraft clip to reduce tough news inflammation 😂🍻💙🤖💙🤖💙🤖💙🤖💙🤖💙🤖💙🤖💙

[@petercook9268]

Kiribati is pronounced Kiribass by the way.

[@charleslynch340]

Little late on this one, South East Asia is the new South West Pacific. Out with the old, in with the new

[@EzekielDeLaCroix]

"Kiribati"

[@VibronicCow]

Kiribati being pronounced wrong…. Also you can call Albanese just Albo like the locals and u good fam

[@lemmyorleans]

It's pronounced kiribas

[@jlmc3447]

Why is there Minecraft in this video

[@Amr-bi2kv]

Minecraft!! Really😂😂😂😂

[@angelzavala2254]

I hope we can get along in the future 🇺🇸🤝🇨🇳

[@kth6736]

I hope 🇺🇸 and 🇨🇳 never get along. It will be a disaster for a lot of people.

[@Idk-ys7rt]

Kiribati is pronounced Kiri-Bas not Kiribati.

[@loonowolf2160]

Those of solomon islands should remember that trust someone like chins, is 100% guaranteed that whateber they'll build will crumble down

[@torpenhigalak5909]

If they're advocacy intend for Non-Alignment, then joined the ASEAN then. instead of having affiliation with the Americans, Australians, or China.

[@aaronstanley6914]

Wtf why is there a Minecraft clip in here?

[@pyeitme508]

ok