Here is my reading of China's deployment of that oil rig near the Paracel Islands. President Obama just a few days before finished up an Asian tour (Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines) were he reassured those countries and others that the US would standup to Chinese assertiveness in the region and on their behalf. Now China is putting that claim to the test. And since the US hasn't done anything about the current situation has helped to put some serious doubts in the minds of the regions leaders about Obama's and America's commitments and the promises made to them.
I understand that the oil rig that China deployed is a "floating oil rig" that would be removed when her mission is completed and won't be a permanent feature near the Paracels. It is said that the oil rig will leave in august. But by then China has achieved her political aims.
I think we (include many Chinese) are all know that Massive Rig went to that's not for oil, but political drilling (But we will never know what Chinese really want, except they break their brain for us to see).
And that was put Vietnam in this situation, play this game with China.
If Vietnamese government don't come with it, just sit there, and wait for Chinese leave, they will got dead-shoot on international field and in domestic.
Even if Vietnamese govt can believe PRC's goal was test this or that, can we believe that they will left after complete their operation with Rig !? What if their goal turn in next phase, or next plan with the Rig.
We saw example about Scarborough shoal, when Philippines retreat their ships. Chinese always like to play "de facto" (first) then come with explain (terra nullius, undisputed territory ...)
P/S: well, I went to some international forum, and almost Chinese never said like that. They all said their rightful actions with the Rig, that's their territorial water, Vietnamese was crying and make situation become complex ...
Lmao, why so touchy? Why would you so gleefully use negative diction such as 'threaten'?
That jet is on standby in case a Vietnamese captain gets overzealous and takes actions that might endanger the lives of Chinese sailors; if China really wanted to 'threaten' Vietnamese vessels, they can easily task half a dozen frigates to show what real ramming is. Either that or China can mobilise a few divisions on the Vietnamese border.
Why you so touchy !?
What would you want, when you send the strike fighter flying at low altitude over ships below in a very tension area !?
For greeting Vietnamese friend come up !?
We know using 4000 tons ships ram on 400 tons ship was not "threaten" with some Chinese, just a game. Hope you can think like that when you're on 400 tons ship...
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