China's SCS Strategy Thread

[joshuatree]

Has it happened before to the workers at the Malampaya facility?

Watching the video, it appears no.

 

[plawolf]

Isn't it traditionally what's exactly supposed to be happening in regards to historical waters claim?
You have to reach a certain level of publicity and notoriety for your claims, inevitably so in the process of gaining the possession and control of your claims and acquiescence of others of the very fact.
There clearly is a link between China's actions in SCS and her A2AD layout, so is the link between FoN and AirSea Battle. That'd be the geopolitical underpinnings of the whole thing.

Please read the article ABC78 posted.

China's hardening stance in the SCS has little if anything to do with A2AD or AirSea Battle (or whatever its called now) and entirely to do with the real expansionist moves most of the other claimants, especially Vietnam has made in recent years.

Those nations are actually practicing the kind of "changing facts on the ground" and "salami slicing" acts Washington and the western media only ever accuse China of.

By remaining silent and wrongfully making accusations against China (in Beijing's eyes anyways), America has foolishly and needlessly angered China and destroyed pretty much all of its credibility in China's eyes about its ability to act as the independent mediator in disputes.

It is this utter loss of faith in the American led system that is the primary reason China started its land reclamation operations, and I can see China strengthening its determination to create its own rules and norms to replace the American ones in existence.

Ironically, in a weird sort of causational twist, China may well see A2AD as a means to resist what it seems as blatant American meddling and imperialism.

If you bend and break your own rules and claimed principles for petty gain and meaningless political point scoring, could you really blame others for not taking your rules and principles seriously?

If you bend and break your own rules and principles over an issue which you have zero direct interest, is it any wonder others will view your actions not as someone standing up for their principles as claimed, but rather those of someone going out of their way to look for excuses to mess with a certain other country?

I think history will judge this as a textbook example of how a leading power should NOT behave if it wants others to sign up to and invest in the norms and rules it has established, especially over such an inconsequential issue (from America's POV).

The lack of a coherent strategy and cogent long term game plan, other then maybe "screw the Chinese any which way we can" is truly breath taking.

 

[Blackstone]

So does it mean it boils down to ancestor worship as the basis for the claim? Before long someone would invoke "mandate from heaven" as a justification.

As an ethnic Chinese I fully understand this ancestor card in Chinese psyche but once invoked there is no turning back.

Agreed. I'm all for honoring creations and deeds of our human ancestors (if deserved), but it's a sharp line between showing respect for the departed and ignorant superstition. Confucian societies often have too much of the latter.

 

[Jeff Head]

Folks, a reminder.

We are not going to allow this thread, or the other SCS Threads s to devolve into a name calling, personal opinion discussion about the what some posters may view as dastardly ills that either side has or is committing, war drums, or nation bashing.

There is no warfare here. There is no breaking of diplomatic relations on either side...so the involved nations certainly are not going there.

There is disagreement and we can discuss the strategies on the two strategy threads on how they can respectfully address those disagreements.

But let's not call for warfare, lets not try and presume that one side or the other is entirely to blame, and lets not get into nation bashing on either side.

Our discussions on those threads can be held without that.

If they do not, if it breaks out, the threads will first be temporarily closed to cool down...but if it keeps up they will be closed and any members stepping over the line will receive moderation.

Thanks.

DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS MODERATION.

 

[SteelBird]

Latest photos of the 981 oil rig, Sina reports that it will be deployed in the SCS again. Vow, if this is true, it would be another round of chaos.

 

[PanAsian]

Latest photos of the 981 oil rig, Sina reports that it will be deployed in the SCS again. Vow, if this is true, it would be another round of chaos.

So what has been and what will be the practical purpose of these deployments? Exploration? I assume these deployments are not purely political in nature though if I remember correctly wasn't one of the earlier deployments a tit for tat prompted by Vietnam deploying an oil rig in conjunction with an Indian oil company?

 

[Brumby]

Agreed. I'm all for honoring creations and deeds of our human ancestors (if deserved), but it's a sharp line between showing respect for the departed and ignorant superstition. Confucian societies often have too much of the latter.

I don't believe it is a case of superstition. I see a hardening of China's position in the remark made by the Foreign Minister. Shaming ancestors to me in Chinese culture means one is prepared to face death and destruction before dishonour. The problem is does the CCP view mirrors that of the Chinese population over some rocks in the SCS?

 

[Brumby]

So what has been and what will be the practical purpose of these deployments? Exploration? I assume these deployments are not purely political in nature though if I remember correctly wasn't one of the earlier deployments a tit for tat prompted by Vietnam deploying an oil rig in conjunction with an Indian oil company?

The Philippines case is scheduled for preliminary hearing with the International Court in July (just round the corner). Maybe this is a form of distraction.

 

[SteelBird]

So what has been and what will be the practical purpose of these deployments? Exploration? I assume these deployments are not purely political in nature though if I remember correctly wasn't one of the earlier deployments a tit for tat prompted by Vietnam deploying an oil rig in conjunction with an Indian oil company?

Deployment of the oil rig is for oil research; however, I didn't heard any result since the last deployment. New deployment? up to now, it is just a rumor. I have no evidence that it will deploy.

 

[Blackstone]

Deployment of the oil rig is for oil research; however, I didn't heard any result since the last deployment. New deployment? up to now, it is just a rumor. I have no evidence that it will deploy.

Oil research? Sounds hookie. Why not just come right out and say the oil rig is currently deployed in Chinese territorial waters or EEZ, whichever the case might be, and it's perfectly legal, ethical, and moral for China to drill there. Full stop.