Given the current response from the Chinese government, its approach to handling public opinion, and the current state of public sentiment within China, it is unlikely that the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or any other authoritative institution will step forward to provide any explanation or follow-up reports on this matter. Such a major scandal, if made public at the official level, would only lead to even more intense ridicule and mockery, especially since China's domestic opposition would not be satisfied by such attempts at appeasement; they would only celebrate even more vigorously.
China's SCS Strategy Thread
- Thread starter lilzz
- Start date
Agreed, IMO this is the main problem.
It's difficult to achieve any meaningful operational advantage when facing a vastly smaller and technologically inferior opponent like the Philippines. Reminds me of U.S. using F-22s and F-35s to bomb a few Taliban fighters hiding in the bushes with AKs. The PLAN should be kept out of these cat and mouse games with the Philippines unless it actually goes hot.
Only the CCG should be involved and hopefully they introduce newer boats designed for this type of skirmishing. Willing to bet that the Philippines will try these types of high-risk maneuvers again very soon.
It would be rather disappointing if they will not even come public with loss of life, these men died in their line of duty, the government should alteast acknowledge their service and not sweep it under the rug.
Engineer
Major
In the same world where a threat of taking away the home of a homeless person isn't considered as a real consequence. Every single mission undertake by that PCG crew is a "risk of collision" with ships bigger than they are, and if they were so risk adverse they would have stayed home. In other words, your "risk" wouldn't count as real consequence for the Filipinos if they treat it merely as occupational hazard.
If your claim of speed and mass advantages actually deterred the Filipinos from getting close (for fearing a collision), DDG164 wouldn't be in this situation. Yet, here we are.
The destroyer didn't need to actively engage the PCG; the destroyer merely needed to be in the vicinity. The PCG didn't need to entrap the destroyer; it only needed to exploit the fact that the destroyer is there. The only sure way for the destroyer to "extradite itself" completely would be to abandon post and such expectation is preposterous.
I guess they might hold a memorial service and honor them as martyrs after the public opinion has died down, but with the military parade coming up, now might not be the best time.
Have any fatalities been confirmed?
Yes,I guess more than 2 coastguard personel confirmed KIA.
Confirmed by whom?
There was 2 crew member at the very front of the bow right before the collision happened, survival seems unlikely given the damage sustained by the CCG vessel. Since there was no official announcement about this matter hence there are no official "confirmation" on casualties.
Unfortunately, I don't believe that there will be confirmation of casualties during this period of time.
It seems that the official narrative is to keep quiet and continue along, hopefully the PLA learns a lesson and not use expensive, valuable assets in such a manner in the future.
It seems that the official narrative is to keep quiet and continue along, hopefully the PLA learns a lesson and not use expensive, valuable assets in such a manner in the future.