China's SCS Strategy Thread

[Deleted member 13312]

I did say that this is pretty smart for China. Quickly consolidate one's gains in the area when the other side is wavering.
And the way they are doing it is pretty artful as well, they are not occupying more features in the area but rather they are fortifying the ones they have.

 

[Equation]

I did say that this is pretty smart for China. Quickly consolidate one's gains in the area when the other side is wavering.
And the way they are doing it is pretty artful as well, they are not occupying more features in the area but rather they are fortifying the ones they have.

Why not it's one of China's sovereign territories where they have the right to protect it long before the US and whatever paid allies they have was even form.

 

[Hendrik_2000]

From SCMP I guess they want to increase their situation awareness

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China plans to send up 10 more satellites from the southern island of Hainan over the next three years to plug surveillance gaps over the South China Sea, a move observers say is meant to consolidate Beijing’s control of the contested waters.

When completed, the satellite network would be able to monitor the South China Sea around the clock and analyse every object in the waters in detail, including the structure of vessels, Hainan Daily quoted Li Xiaoming, from the Sanya Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, as saying.

The plan surfaced on Friday after a US think tank released satellite images showing what it said was more Chinese infrastructure built on seven artificial South China Sea islands.

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According to state-run Xinhua, China will launch the satellites, including more sophisticated “hyperspectral” and “synthetic aperture radar” satellites, by 2021 to conduct round-the-clock remote-sensing over the busy waterway.

Collin Koh, a maritime security specialist at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, said various technical and climatic factors prevented China’s existing satellite system from giving complete coverage of the disputed waters.

“The new satellite remote sensing plan ... constitutes just a facet of the overall efforts China has been making in improving its sense-making ability in the South China Sea,” Koh said.

A Beijing-based remote sensing expert said the new satellites would back up the existing network operated by the military and “could be called into military service when needed”.

China has expanded surveillance and military facilities in the South China Sea amid competing claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia.

The Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative said China had added 29 hectares of infrastructure to seven artificial South China Sea islands since early last year.

It said the build-up suggested Beijing would develop the bigger outposts into fully-functioning air and naval bases.

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Greg Poling, the initiative’s director, said China was making the most of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s conciliatory stand on the territorial dispute and a US administration preoccupied by North Korea’s nuclear threat and trade disputes with China.

“[The construction has] got off the front pages, but we shouldn’t confuse that with a softening in China’s pursuit of its goals. They are continuing all the construction they want,” Poling said.

Beijing has also placated the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) by agreeing to start talks on a long-awaited code of conduct for the waters.

Analysts said Beijing was exploiting the relative calm to quietly strengthen its physical control of the waters.

“Beijing must have also recognised that the current peace – compared to the ramped up tensions last year – could be temporary or transient, so it’ll pay to continue to fortify its physical hold of the area,” Koh said.

“Now that China appears to have managed to align Asean more towards its thinking about managing the disputes for now, it would seek to exploit the anticipated downplayed responses.”

Dai Fan, a Southeast Asian affairs analyst from Jinan University in Guangzhou, said the build-up and fortifications were more about consolidating China’s control of the waters than intimidating a specific rival claimant.

“China does not wanted to be confined to near shore and wants to go further into the high seas and that build-up will help Beijing take control and compete with more powerful maritime nations like the US and Japan,” Dai said.

But the new construction would be a concern for all Asean nations and push them closer to other countries like the United States, Clarita Carlos, an international affairs expert from the University of the Philippines, said.

“None of us want to see further militarisation of the islands,” Carlos said.

 

[Jura The idiot]

now noticed
Top Chinese commander takes aim at Australia over South China Sea military moves
UPDATED : Friday, 15 December, 2017, 7:10pm

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Accusation launched amid diplomatic row over allegations of Chinese political interference in Australian politics

China’s top commander has accused Australia of compromising peace and stability in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

The accusation comes amid growing wariness in Canberra over China’s roles in the region and a diplomatic row over alleged Chinese political interference in Australian politics.

People’s Liberation Army Navy commander Lieutenant Admiral Shen Jinlong levelled the claim during a meeting with his Australian counterpart Vice Admiral Tim Barrett in Beijing on Thursday, the Ministry of National Defence said.

“The situation in the South China Sea is positive, but a series of moves by the Australian military this year has compromised the overall trend of peace and stability in the area,” Shen was quoted as saying.

“This goes against the consensus agreed by leaders of both countries, as well as the goodwill they are trying to develop. It is also not beneficial to the safety and stability of the region.”

Shen did not refer to a specific incident but in June Australia joined Japan, Canada and the United States for two days of military exercises in the South China Sea.

He also warned Australia to take into consideration the rights and concerns of the countries involved, and to “add positive elements” to the relationship.

Canberra has traditionally called for restraint and respect for international laws in the disputed waters, over which China insists it has sovereignty. Other countries in the region, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, also lay claim to the area.

But in a foreign policy white paper in November, the Australian government criticised China’s creation of artificial islands in the South China Sea.

Zhang Jie, Southeast Asian affairs specialist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, described the Chinese navy chief’s comment as “sharp-edged” and “openly frank”.

“It is a sensitive time for top leadership [from the two countries] to be meeting, and China has used the opportunity to show its attitude towards Australia,” Zhang said. “But it also suggests that the relationship is not bad, otherwise the meeting would not have taken place.”

She also said China had noticed that Australia had taken a stronger stand on the contested waters.

“[Australia] has been active in the South China Sea in the past year, and has shown more aggression than the United States,” Zhang said.

The commanders met just days after Australian ambassador to China Jan Adams was summoned by the Chinese foreign ministry over the introduction of a new Australian law that bans foreign political donations.

The legislation was prompted by a political controversy over Australian Labor Party lawmaker Sam Dastyari links with a wealthy Chinese Australian businessman, Huang Xiangmo, a political donor with close ties to Beijing. Dastyari resigned from the senate a few days ago.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has also expressed concerns about reports of Chinese interference in Australian universities and politics. Beijing has denied the allegations and criticised Turnbull for harming bilateral relations.

Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University, said China was only ramping up criticism of Australia on maritime security because of the wider mistrust in the aftermath of Canberra’s crackdown on foreign interference.

“This conflation of a political problem and with bilateral defence ties is not helpful, as both the Chinese and Australian navies have been improving communication and coordination through dialogues and exercises in recent years,” Medcalf said, referring to Shen’s comments.

“Australia has done nothing provocative or against international law in the South China Sea, although it is one of many countries that is concerned about Beijing’s militarised island-building in disputed waters.”

Zhang said there could be tough times ahead for Sino-Australian relations, just as talks between Canada and China stalled over human rights issues.

“Australia has strong social values that are different to China’s, and this is bound to result in further diplomatic clashes,” Zhang said.

 

[Hendrik_2000]

Australia always paranoid when it come to China Anything other than china armed with stick and stone is considered threat to Australia
It smack of rasism I know I have the chance to immigrate to Australia but after visiting it and travel widely I decide not to

You figure that living close to Asia they are more understanding but the opposite is true back in 60's they are disdainfull of poverty and backwardness in Asia Now that Asia and specially China has risen they are now scare the wit for no reason other than perceived vulnerability being the only white country in Asia pacific region and hubris They think they are idle rich and every poor asian is looking with envy and going to snatch it from them

There is this bunch of student who protest the one sidedness of Indian professor view in doklam dispute during lecture
It was blow put of proportion by the media and politician as meddling in Australian affair orchestrated by Chinese embassy A flaw and unsubstantiated accusation Don't they think that those student also know the fact and can decide for themselves

What happened to freedom of expression? Seem like they pick and choose freedom of expression . Only when the student criticize commie can there be freedom of expression
Bunch of loser!

 

[Lethe]

You figure that living close to Asia they are more understanding

I'm not sure why you would think this. Distance brings detachment, while proximity creates friction and anxiety.

Australia has always been an outpost of the Anglosphere, with all the arrogance and anxiety that suggests. We have not known a region dominated by a non-Anglo power, and our previous experience with that prospect (i.e. Imperial Japan) was unpleasant. It will take time to adjust. Hopefully China's decision-makers have foresight enough to allow Australia its mistakes borne of anxiety, immaturity and political infighting, rather than reacting in ways that will only reinforce our worst tendencies.

 

[Equation]

I'm not sure why you would think this. Distance brings detachment, while proximity creates friction and anxiety.

Australia has always been an outpost of the Anglosphere, with all the arrogance and anxiety that suggests. We have not known a region dominated by a non-Anglo power, and our previous experience with that prospect (i.e. Imperial Japan) was unpleasant. It will take time to adjust. Hopefully China's decision-makers have foresight enough to allow Australia its mistakes borne of anxiety, immaturity and political infighting, rather than reacting in ways that will only reinforce our worst tendencies.

China is no Imperial Japan or the US crusade for regime changing. Therefore the fear or anxiety that some Australians are basically out of nothing other than racial dominance in their occupy native land.

 

[Lethe]

The so called "fear of the unknown" is just a geopolitical tool and statement to force China to abide by the post WW2 "world order" at any cost even if it's against China's interest and sovereign territory.

I think you are referring to phrases like the "rules-based order", which is indeed a rather deceptive characterisation. The "fear of the unknown" that I am referring to is a simply a statement of the structural realities of power in international relations. In my previous post I divided the discussion of the sources of Australian anxiety into three categories: the aforementioned structural category, which is essentially unavoidable; the ideological/historical category, which is the most powerful factor shaping Australian responses to China's rise, and the empirical category, i.e. real-world occurrences such as island-building which are interpreted according to the aforementioned ideological/historical frame.

Like I said many times, it is not China's or anybody's job to make the opposition force feel safe to their liking.

China's job is to look after its interests, and China's interests are not served by alarming other nations unnecessarily, thereby encouraging them to form alliances to counter-balance China and to acquire capabilities and enact policies that threaten Chinese interests. Understanding and taking into account the perspectives of others is enlightened self-interest. It is precisely those who act without regard for how others perceive their actions who are surprised when events unfold in ways they did not anticipate and which threaten their interests.

 

[Equation]

Following Trump's report, China urges US to accept its rise

Asia-Analytica's Loong on Trump's Rivalry With China

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government on Tuesday criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to label Beijing a strategic rival and called on Washington to "abandon a Cold War mentality" and accept China's rise.

Trump's decision reflects a "victory of hardliners" in his administration, the official Xinhua News Agency said. It warned U.S.-Chinese economic relations were likely to face "even more pressure and challenges."

"We urge the United States to stop deliberately distorting China's strategic intentions and abandon a Cold War mentality," said a foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying. "Otherwise it will injure others and damage itself."

Trump's report Monday hit a series of sore spots for Beijing. It affirmed ties with Taiwan, the self-ruled island the mainland government claims as its territory, and pledged to "re-energize our alliances" with Southeast Asian governments, some of which have conflicts with China over claims to portions of the South China Sea.

The United States and China share one of the world's biggest trading relationships and cooperate in areas from clean energy to public health. But Beijing sees Washington as an obstacle to its ambitions to be East Asia's dominant power, and strains over Taiwan, trade, technology policy and the South China Sea are growing.

"It is selfish to put your national interest above other countries' interest and the mutual interest of the international community," said the Chinese Embassy in Washington in a statement.

"The Chinese side is willing to have peaceful coexistence with all countries," said the embassy statement. "The United States should also adapt and accept China's development."

U.S. officials are uneasy about Beijing's rising military spending — already the second-highest behind Washington. They see President Xi Jinping's "Belt and Road Initiative," a project to build railways and other infrastructure across countries from Asia to Europe and Africa, as part of efforts to erode American influence and nurture a China-centered political structure.

Especially sensitive is Taiwan, the democratic island Beijing has declared a "core interest" over which it will go to war, if necessary.

Trump's report promises to "maintain our strong ties with Taiwan" and provide for its "legitimate defense needs."

China has taken a tougher stance toward Taiwan since last year's election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to endorse Beijing's contention that Taiwan is part of the Chinese nation. Chinese commentators speculate on the possible need for military steps to put pressure on Tsai.

After Trump signed a law this month that opened the way for U.S. Navy ships to visit Taiwan, a Chinese diplomat quoted by state media said the mainland would attack the day that happened.

Trump's report doesn't change Washington's official stance but might aggravate tensions if Taiwanese who want formal independence see it as sign of U.S. support and "want to take advantage of it," said Xiong Zhiyong, a U.S. relations expert at China Foreign Affairs University.

"The Chinese government is also anxious," said Xiong. He said the Chinese diplomat's remark is a "warning out of real worry that something may happen unexpectedly."

Hua, the foreign ministry spokeswoman, urged Washington to stick to diplomatic commitments on how to handle Taiwan.

On Monday, Chinese warplanes flew around Taiwan in what the military said was a test of their "ocean combat ability." Taiwan's defense ministry said Japan launched fighter planes to track the Chinese aircraft, but the Japanese government would not confirm that.

Trump's report promises to "re-energize our alliances" with governments including the Philippines and Vietnam, which have conflicting territorial claims with Beijing in the South China Sea. It also pledges to expand military cooperation with India, a country Beijing sees as a rival.

The report emphasized economic security and repeated complaints that China steals technology and uses "economic inducements" to persuade other governments to serve its strategic interests.

It proposes restricting visas to prevent intellectual property theft by foreigners, particularly Chinese, who travel to the United States to study science, engineering, math and technology.


Foreign business groups in China report that companies are increasingly frustrated with market barriers and other restrictions they say violate Beijing's free-trade promises.

The report is another abrupt turn in Trump's stance toward Beijing, which has veered between blistering criticism on trade and currency and optimism about cooperation on North Korea and other problems.

"China seeks to displace the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, expand the reaches of its state-driven economic model, and reorder the region in its favor," the report says.

In April, Trump announced that he was setting aside complaints about trade and currency in hopes of winning Chinese cooperation on North Korea. U.S. officials resumed criticizing Beijing in July.

Trump switched back to friendly overtures during a visit to Beijing in November. He said the two sides could solve most of the world's problems if they cooperated.

The Global Times, a newspaper published by the ruling Communist Party, said the report "reflects Washington's reluctance to accept the reality of China's rise."

"It is impossible for the United States to restrain China," said the newspaper, known for its nationalistic tone. "As China continues to grow and its influence continues to spill over, this is the root cause of Washington's anxiety."

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[Deino]

Guys ... Australia and Thai culture, ethnics and political debates are OFF-TOPIC to China's SCS strategy.