I agree that the Mainland Chinese will interpret it as such.
I do not, however, agree with the Mainland Chinese interpretation.
PLAN SCS Bases/Islands/Vessels (Not a Strategy Page)
- Thread starter lilzz
- Start date
I agree that the Mainland Chinese will interpret it as such.
I do not, however, agree with the Mainland Chinese interpretation.
Think of these islands as giant ships of PLAN. If any PLAN ships get bombed, do you consider that as an attack against China?
Nobody would contest that a commissioned PLAN vessel is Chinese territory. But for some of these reefs that have been improved into islands in the SCS, that may not be the case.
That's the difference and I believe has something to do with nfcg's statement.
Despite any potential dispute over them, it is very, very unlikely that anyone would seek to resolve such a dispute by militarily attacking any of them.
Hi Jeff, are you saying if China bombs improved islands occupied by Vietnam or Phillipines, no one will consider that as an act of war?
Uh...please re-read
Please re-read my post and tell me where you could possibly infer such a thing. (Here's a hint...you can't).
My statement was that there is a huge difference between a commissioned PLAN naval vessel and a disputed reef in the South China Sea. That should be fairly obvious.
Also, if you read my entire post, I made the following statement that should put the entire issue of military attacks on the Chinese improvements to rest:
Jeff Head said:
Nothing was said about Vietnam or the Philippines.
Right now,Philippines is in the court for arbitration.
Philippines argument's China claim violated Philippines EEZ.
Court will ask Philippines does Vietnam's claim also violated philippines's EEZ?
If Vietnam 's claim also violated Philippines's EEZ. then Court will ask How come Philippines didn't ask for arbitration against Vietnam!
Because of that, the court will ask Philippines's arbitration only against China, is that politically motivated?
Philippines argument's China claim violated Philippines EEZ.
Court will ask Philippines does Vietnam's claim also violated philippines's EEZ?
If Vietnam 's claim also violated Philippines's EEZ. then Court will ask How come Philippines didn't ask for arbitration against Vietnam!
Because of that, the court will ask Philippines's arbitration only against China, is that politically motivated?
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Unfortunately what you agree or not doesn't really matter.
The issue at the heart of the original question is how China would react to an attack against one of those newly constructed island.
In that respect, the only one who's opinion matters is China.
Just because you do not agree with China's interpretation and position will not stop China's inevitable reaction if you bombed any of those islands because you don't think they are sovereign Chinese territory.
Since China has alienated all of their non-Western neighbours in this matter - Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia - it seems that what others think really does matter a great deal.
Just because China states something, and you agree, does not make it so.
China is only 19% of the planet. They are outnumbered greater than 4:1 on this matter, and since they appear to be alienating *literally* every nation that borders the SCS, what others think is quite relevant.
Since they are not giants ships of PLAN, your hypothetical question is irrelevant.
How about a question based in facts of known events?
If the PLAN shot another nation's sailors with 37mm naval guns, would that count as an attack?
Guys, arguments about whose opinion matters, or matters most are meaningless. stop such meaningless arguments.
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nfgc, you are new to SD. Welcome aboard.
We try and maintain a level of decorum and respect here. We have members...as you are seeing...from all sides of almost any issue. As a result, we try and stick to the purely military matters and factual news to report and stay away from ideology/politics/and personal opinions, particularly when they will be met by equally ardent counter opinions. That invariably leads to arguments, bad feeling, flame bating, high emotion...and ultimately moderation, warning and suspensions.
Please Read SD's Rules of Behavior.
Thanks.
DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS MODERATION.