The Coming War on China

Film Overview: The Coming War on China

Running time: 1hr 53min

Rating: Exempt from Classification

In John Pilger’s 60th film for ITV, The Coming War on China shed lights on an issue missed by mainstream media. Two nuclear armed nations, the US and the world’s second biggest economic power, China, are on the road to war.

Amid The Coming War on China providing a very timely warning, John Pilger also presents an inspiring story of resistance.

While the media has given some attention (and rightly so) to concerns about Russia, what is happening in the Pacific has been ignored. Simmering territorial disputes in the South China Sea are the tip of the iceberg, as the Obama administration has overseen the largest buildup of nuclear arsenal in history. Much of this increase has been directed to the “pivot to Asia”, providing a clear focus from the US on the region. It is clear, that the US is ready to aggressively counter any Chinese aspiration to convert commercial prosperity into regional power.

Pilger provides historical context to what these moves represent, filling in the gaps to the strategic moves being made. Added to this, the recent moves of Donald Trump, encouraging America to consider China the enemy, it seems the buildup to war has no signs of abating any time soon. Overall, Pilger’s film, The Coming War on China, provides a corrective view to the indifference and complacency that has plagued the new war-game scenario building in the Pacific.

Published Articles & Reviews

Karl Quinn – The Sydney Morning Herald. 

” It’s dramatic stuff. But is he perhaps over-emphasising the American risk and downplaying the significance of the Chinese build-up in order to make his point?

No, he insists. “The point I make in the film is that one-sided news suppresses the degree of danger we face,” he says. “The fact that China itself is surrounded by US bases, with American ships, missiles and bombers on its doorstep, has been virtually ignored. Once you fill in the whole picture, the pattern is clear. With every American move in the region, China reacts.”

Jim Schembri – 3AW

” Pilger’s latest work, The Coming War on China, examines the changing face of China and questions the growing US military presence in the Pacific region. He argues that while China is not a likely threat to America, the military muscle being flexed by the US could prompt conflict.“

Craig Mathieson – Brisbane Times

3.5 STARS
” His take on American militarism and its shocking exploitation of Pacific territories such as the Marshall Islands…. is damning.“

Trevor Johnston – Radio Times

4 STARS
“…Pilger characteristically explores the opposite angle, questioning the ultimate purpose of a whole phalanx of US bases from Australia through the Pacific to South Korea and Japan – all pointing their weaponry at China.”

Louise Agostino – FilmBlerg

4 BLERGS
“This documentary sheds some hope, even if the reality we face could very well be doomed. Pilger is a prevailing light of truth and shows that light exactly.”

Neil Young – The Hollywood Reporter

“A persuasively partisan example of old-school investigative journalism”

Peter Bradshow – The Guardian

4 STARS
“A gripping film … a strong corrective to our bland and complacent indifference”

John Noonan – FilmInk

“It sounds like alarmist talk, but over the course of his film, his tenacity for research aims to prove it’s anything but.”

John Bleasdale – Cinevue

“The kind of stark warning we need”

Stephen Romei – The Australian

“The first thing I need to say about John Pilger is that he is the reason I am a journalist, for which he has my deep gratitude.”

John Parker – Entertainment Focus

“A chilling documentary, which in any other year might seem far-fetched. In 2016 however, it is the scariest film of the year. “