China's SCS Strategy Thread

[AssassinsMace]

They would eventually jump to Vietnam's side. They just want Vietnam to take the brunt of the counterattack and hope China is softened by Vietnamese attacks for them to then jump to Vietnam's aid. It's always about getting other people to do their dirty work for them. Everyone in Asia wants to the US to take on China for them and Obama wants them to take on China for him. And how would Vietnam know what commercial ships to attack? How would they think Vietnam is going to significantly affect the Chinese economy by attacking commercial vessels. Most of the commercial ships coming in and out of China are foreign owned and in China for foreign corporations' outsourced products. The Vietnamese would have to hit the developed world's economy too.

What the article boils down to is it's a terrorist tactic hoping China will yield under terrorist threats.

 

[Blackstone]

What the article boils down to is it's a terrorist tactic hoping China will yield under terrorist threats.

I'll grant you Carl Thayer's article is pure fantasy and completely in keeping with his biased views, but "terrorist?" That's a bridge too far. Silly, yes, but criminal? Only to reason and common sense.

 

[AssassinsMace]

It's the same mentality as a terrorist. Taunt death and destruction to get their way. Like they haven't called China's ballistic missiles aimed towards Taiwan terrorism? I've heard plenty of times it being referred that way. Same thing. Besides the article suggest ballistic weapons that Vietnam doesn't have. Who's is going to give them the weapons without violating MTCR? So that means the article is meant for terrorizing hence terrorism.

 

[Jeff Head]

It's the same mentality as a terrorist. Taunt death and destruction to get their way.

Besides the article suggest ballistic weapons that Vietnam doesn't have. So that means the article is meant for terrorizing hence terrorism.

The article itself is not terrorism, Mace.

It's just a guy writing an article about his feelings regarding the use of non-existent missiles. Opinions are certainly not terrorism.

Now, if Vietnam carried out such operations unilaterally, attacking Chinese cities without any gross provocation by China, that could be construed as terrorism.

 

[AssassinsMace]

What he suggests is terrorism. He's not talking eliminating military targets that are a threat to Vietnam. He's talking destroying an economy through fear "to inflict sufficient damage and psychological uncertainty to cause Lloyd’s insurance rates to skyrocket and for foreign investors to panic and take flight." And why ballistic missiles aimed at Shanghai if it weren't to attack a large populous city to strike terror? If he enjoys the prospect of Vietnam doing that, it's a terrorist mentality. An oil rig out in the ocean isn't an act of aggression. Let's not forget who has actually committed to violence.

 

[Jeff Head]

What he suggests is terrorism. He's not talking eliminating military targets that are a threat to Vietnam. He's talking destroying an economy through fear "to inflict sufficient damage and psychological uncertainty to cause Lloyd’s insurance rates to skyrocket and for foreign investors to panic and take flight.

Mace, I think we all agree that the article is off the mark...and foolish.

But, people are entitled to have foolish opinions...and even publish them on the internet. That does not make them terrorists.

As I said, it Vietnam attacked China's cities in an unprovoked manner...THAT could be construed as terrorism.

Now if this man were to be shown materially helping plan it and make the decision to do it...well, then, he could be caught up in the accusation and repercussions if it actually happened...or could be shown to being actively planned and being prepared for. But some individual writing a foolish article about missiles that do not exist is just that. Foolish and not really worthy of all the attention we are giving it.

 

[AssassinsMace]

As they say the media in the US is the fourth branch of government. That's because they hold that much power equivalent to a branch of government. The past shows how the media abuses that power and have started wars with William Randolph Hearst as a primary example.

Thayer is a cowardly terrorist because he's trying to get someone else to do it. And I bet if it were to happen he wouldn't have a conscious to think twice about it, hence why he's suggesting it to Vietnam and not for anyone else. Japan is more capable than Vietnam. He's not suggesting Japan to do it. Because if Vietnam fails, it doesn't start World War III. Vietnam is Thayer's human shield.

 

[Blackstone]

Looks like recently inked military agreement with the US has emboldened the Filipinos to push their luck with China. I don't know if Manila understands the US wouldn't go to war with China over some rocks in the SCS that most Americans have never heard of, but it appears The Philippines is determined to test that theory.

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[PanAsian]

Looks like recently inked military agreement with the US has emboldened the Filipinos to push their luck with China. I don't know if Manila understands the US wouldn't go to war with China over some rocks in the SCS that most Americans have never heard of, but it appears The Philippines is determined to test that theory.

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That's a pretty fair and also multi-dimensional article as it touches on one of the deeper reasons why there is increased tension in the SCS. The populations of many Asian countries have been getting wealthier and the corresponding "footprint"/resources needed to support a higher standard of living is expanding for all of them. Hopefully they will pursue improving efficiency even more in providing a higher standard of living and change some habits that were previously sustainable but may no longer be, ironically, now that more people can afford it.

 

[solarz]

As they say the media in the US is the fourth branch of government. That's because they hold that much power equivalent to a branch of government. The past shows how the media abuses that power and have started wars with William Randolph Hearst as a primary example.

Thayer is a cowardly terrorist because he's trying to get someone else to do it. And I bet if it were to happen he wouldn't have a conscious to think twice about it, hence why he's suggesting it to Vietnam and not for anyone else. Japan is more capable than Vietnam. He's not suggesting Japan to do it. Because if Vietnam fails, it doesn't start World War III. Vietnam is Thayer's human shield.

It's a pipe dream really. If Vietnam ever inflicts any damage on a major Chinese city, the PLA will be fully mobilized to completely wipe out the Vietnamese military. The Vietnamese government knows this. Any actual conflict with China will be suicide for them.