joshuatree
Captain
Please expound.
PLAN SCS Bases/Islands/Vessels (Not a Strategy Page)
- Thread starter lilzz
- Start date
Please expound.
solarz
Brigadier
They left out the Philippines. View attachment 20035
But yeah I think the above map is a bit too crazy even for me, there you go I'm not that unreasonable.
No, nfgc is simply being dishonest in his sources. Look at the small print. The map is a "Map of National Shame".
What does that mean? The tiny legends seem to indicate that it shows areas of foreign occupation. So what does the thick red line mean? It's not explained anywhere on the map. Just as likely, it indicates Qing dynasty's former sphere of influence.
2015-10-15 09:22 | Xinhua | Editor: Wang Fan
China on Wednesday denied its island building in the South China Sea would "militarize" the area, after U.S. and Australian defense and foreign ministers expressed concern during their annual meeting.
"China's construction on the Nansha Islands serves mostly civilian purposes, helping deliver our international responsibilities and obligations and providing more public good," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing.
The lighthouses on Huayang and Chigua reefs went into operation on Oct. 10 and have significantly improved navigation safety in the South China Sea.
"Some countries flex their military muscles and hold frequent large-scale drills with their allies in the South China Sea, which is the most important factor militarizing the waters. China expresses serious concern over this," she said.
China's military deployment is "necessary, limited and defense-oriented," Hua said.
Hehehe...including China.
Remember this exercise in the South China Sea?
And in June of this year, China itself announced this:
Now, I believe such exercises in international waters are fine. Bt if China wants to say that such exercises are the basis for the militarization, then it must also conclude that its own exercises in that regard add to the issue.
My own belief is that China doing the reclamation on those reefs and shoals is, in itself, not an issue. As long as they do not use them to interfere with international waters, there should be no issue.
Other nations exercising freedom of navigation through the international waters there should also not be an issue.
I do believe that there is a question on whether such constructs warrant a 12-mile territorial limit around them afforded to mainland and natural land masses. I personally believe such constructs should have no more than a three mile limit and that there is precedence for it. That is something that the international community should come to grips with at the negotiation table. Until it is resolved, both parties should allow for the other without conflict.
IOW, China can issue its warnings, and the US can sail within 12 miles without some kind of military conflict. That would be my advise.
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I just saw over local TV that China is inviting some ASEAN countries to participate in naval exercises. No mentioned of countries invited, and when it would take place. No problem, as naval exercises/patrols could also deter piracy (becoming quite common in recent times) in the South China Sea. Anyway, let's subscribe to the notion of "Brothers of the Sea" (if possible). We need peace and stability in the region for progress and prosperity.
