China's Maritime Power Play: A Warning for America First Advocates

China’s aggressive “no-sail zones” in South Korea’s waters expose the risks of a multipolar world pushed by globalist elites, demanding vigilant America First engagement.

China's recent declaration of "no-sail zones" in waters claimed by South Korea reveals the dangerous reality of the multipolar world that certain powerful interests have been quietly promoting. While Americans focus on domestic concerns, China is testing boundaries and challenging U.S. allies in ways that demand our attention.

China's Bold Move in Disputed Waters

Last month, China unilaterally declared three "no-sail zones" in the Yellow Sea's Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ), an area established under a 2000 agreement where Chinese and South Korean Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) overlap. Two zones were designated for military exercises, while no reason was given for the third, which sits entirely within South Korea's EEZ.

This isn't just a minor diplomatic spat. South Korea, one of America's strongest allies in Asia, has voiced serious concerns through diplomatic channels. The South Korean Foreign Ministry noted that while both nations can conduct military drills in the PMZ, China's move "excessively" limits freedom of navigation.

What makes this particularly troubling is that China has already installed three structures in this disputed zone, raising fears in Seoul that Beijing is beginning a territorial expansion. Chinese naval presence in the Yellow Sea has also increased, with accusations that China is "militarizing" these waters.

The Quincy Institute: Where Koch and Soros Find Common Ground

Behind these geopolitical maneuvers lies an intellectual framework promoted by organizations like the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Founded in 2019 with $500,000 contributions from both Charles Koch and George Soros, the institute represents a rare point of agreement between these billionaire political opponents.

The Quincy Institute advocates for what it calls "responsible statecraft" and a move away from "endless wars." But dig deeper, and you'll find they're promoting a "multipolar world" vision where American power is deliberately constrained and other powers, including China and Russia, gain greater influence.

In a 2022 paper titled "Managed Competition: A U.S. Grand Strategy for a Multipolar World," the Quincy Institute argued that America should "recognize that attempts to isolate and weaken Russia and China are likely to fail" and instead pursue a strategy of "managed competition" where rivals are "constrained by agreed rules of the game."

This might sound reasonable on the surface, but it represents a fundamental shift away from the American leadership that has maintained global stability for decades. When China declares "no-sail zones" in disputed waters, we're seeing the real-world consequences of this multipolar vision.

Strange Bedfellows Funding a Dangerous Vision

The unusual alliance between Koch and Soros in funding the Quincy Institute deserves scrutiny. Despite their opposing positions on domestic politics, both billionaires share an interest in reducing American global leadership, albeit for different reasons.

Koch, traditionally associated with libertarian and conservative causes, has long advocated for reduced American involvement overseas. Soros, known for supporting progressive causes, has criticized American "imperialism" and promoted international governance structures that dilute U.S. sovereignty.

Their joint funding of the Quincy Institute represents a convergence of interests that should concern Americans across the political spectrum. When billionaires with such opposing worldviews agree on foreign policy, we should ask what they stand to gain from America's strategic retreat.

America First Doesn't Mean America Blind

For those who support an America First approach to foreign policy, China's maritime provocations offer an important lesson. America First should never mean America blind to threats or America absent from critical regions where our interests and allies are threatened.

An America First policy recognizes that our nation's security and prosperity depend on maintaining strength and vigilance globally, even as we prioritize domestic concerns. We can focus on rebuilding our economy and securing our borders while still maintaining the military and diplomatic presence needed to deter aggression against our allies.

China's "no-sail zone" declaration shows exactly what happens when potential adversaries sense American distraction or retreat. They test boundaries, intimidate our allies, and gradually expand their influence in ways that will eventually threaten our core interests.

The Path Forward: Vigilant Engagement

The solution isn't endless wars or nation-building crusades. It's vigilant engagement that protects American interests while avoiding unnecessary conflicts. This means maintaining strong alliances, a powerful military presence in key regions, and clear red lines that adversaries understand will be enforced.

The Quincy Institute's vision of a multipolar world where America accepts Chinese and Russian spheres of influence sounds peaceful in theory. In practice, it means our allies face intimidation, international rules are rewritten by authoritarian regimes, and America's security perimeter gradually shrinks.

As China tests South Korea's resolve in the Yellow Sea, Americans should recognize this as part of a larger pattern that demands our attention. We can put America first while still keeping a watchful eye on developments across the globe that threaten our long-term security and prosperity.

The billionaire-funded vision of American retreat isn't in our national interest. An America that leads from strength is still the best guarantor of both our security and a world order that benefits the American people.