United States Navy is preparing to make its most aggressive power play against China
THE United States Navy is preparing to make its most aggressive power play against China as tensions between the nations mount over a disputed swathe of sea.
Within days, the US could send a surface ship inside the 12-nautical-mile territorial limit China claims for its man-made island chain in the South China Sea, though the action awaits final approval from the Obama administration, according to Navy Times.
Sailing a Navy ship into the area would drive home Washington’s stance that it does not recognise Chinese territorial claims over the area and build a legal case under international law for the US position.
Beijing expressed “serious concern” about the reported US plan. Five other governments also claim the region in part or in total. The US doesn’t take a formal position on sovereignty but insists on freedom of navigation in the vital sea lanes and airspace above.
Earlier this week, the most powerful navy officer on earth, US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift, fired a broadside at China and other regional nations who are flouting international law in the South China Sea. He said their behaviour would lead to all-out conflict in the region.
The chance to obtain control of territory is being used by all sides across the world as empires grasp on to control... China, USA and Russia are all elbowing their way into regions.
The chance to obtain control of territory is being used by all sides across the world as empires grasp on to control... China, USA and Russia are all elbowing their way into regions.
China has sent a warning that appears directed at the United States to not engage in what it has called “provocative behavior” in the South China Sea.
The warning followed news reports Thursday that the U.S. military is planning to sail warships close to artificial islands Beijing has been aggressively building in hopes of bolstering its claims in the disputed waters.
According to the reports, U.S. officials have said they are considering sailing warships inside the 12-nautical-mile zones of the artificial islands that Beijing claims are a legitimate extension of its territory within the next two weeks.
Neither the Pentagon nor the White House confirmed the reports. Last month, when U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter was speaking about the situation in the South China Sea, he said the United States would, “fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as U.S. forces do all over the world.”
The United States does not recognize China’s territorial claims in the region, which also are contested by the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries.
Responding to a question on the possible U.S. patrols Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that Beijing “will never allow any country to violate China’s territorial waters and airspace in the Spratly Islands, in the name of protecting freedom of navigation and overflight.”
China has sent a warning that appears directed at the United States to not engage in what it has called “provocative behavior” in the South China Sea.
The warning followed news reports Thursday that the U.S. military is planning to sail warships close to artificial islands Beijing has been aggressively building in hopes of bolstering its claims in the disputed waters.
According to the reports, U.S. officials have said they are considering sailing warships inside the 12-nautical-mile zones of the artificial islands that Beijing claims are a legitimate extension of its territory within the next two weeks.
Neither the Pentagon nor the White House confirmed the reports. Last month, when U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter was speaking about the situation in the South China Sea, he said the United States would, “fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as U.S. forces do all over the world.”
The United States does not recognize China’s territorial claims in the region, which also are contested by the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries.
Responding to a question on the possible U.S. patrols Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that Beijing “will never allow any country to violate China’s territorial waters and airspace in the Spratly Islands, in the name of protecting freedom of navigation and overflight.”
Manufacturing an island off the PI isn't provocative? Stuff the Chinese.
Yes lets all start building Islands where ever we want then claim a 12 mile territory around it and a 200 mile exclusive economic zone.
The US and all nations in the region should breach the 12 mile limit around these man made islands as they are not sovereign territory under any international law.
Australian and Japan are talking about joining the US in these Patrols or soon after. I am sure many more will join in as well. The best outcome would be a regional fleet made of ASEAN nations with the US and Japan to sail with-in 12 miles on a regular basis. Let China make the choice if they wish to change international law they need to go to war to do it and fight most of the nations in the region who also have claims.
My opinion is do it, uphold international law and freedom of navigation. All the investment China puts into these islands will be for little gain. In time of war those islands will be easy targets for long range missiles.
The US and all nations in the region should breach the 12 mile limit around these man made islands as they are not sovereign territory under any international law.
Australian and Japan are talking about joining the US in these Patrols or soon after. I am sure many more will join in as well. The best outcome would be a regional fleet made of ASEAN nations with the US and Japan to sail with-in 12 miles on a regular basis. Let China make the choice if they wish to change international law they need to go to war to do it and fight most of the nations in the region who also have claims.
My opinion is do it, uphold international law and freedom of navigation. All the investment China puts into these islands will be for little gain. In time of war those islands will be easy targets for long range missiles.
They have no intention of doing this in the forseeable future. It's all posturing.
What you have suggested as the 'best outcome' is extremely irresponsible.
The US has been provoking China ever since it decided upon its foreign policy 'pivot' to Asia, including the sales of arms to neighbouring nations, stacking troops on neighbouring and regional allies land and the facilitation and encouragement of defence agreements between the likes of Japan and Indonesia.
The US pivot itself was and is an act of aggression - they can be no denying that. And speaking of law, the US are acting like total hypocrites given they have not ratified UNCLOS.
I'm not supporting China's construction of these islands at all, however your idea of simply 'going in' is reckless, ham-fisted and doesn't take into account US provocation towards China.
They have no intention of doing this in the forseeable future. It's all posturing.
What you have suggested as the 'best outcome' is extremely irresponsible.
The US has been provoking China ever since it decided upon its foreign policy 'pivot' to Asia, including the sales of arms to neighbouring nations, stacking troops on neighbouring and regional allies land and the facilitation and encouragement of defence agreements between the likes of Japan and Indonesia.
The US pivot itself was and is an act of aggression - they can be no denying that. And speaking of law, the US are acting like total hypocrites given they have not ratified UNCLOS.
I'm not supporting China's construction of these islands at all, however your idea of simply 'going in' is reckless, ham-fisted and doesn't take into account US provocation towards China.
The nations of Asia would have no need to buy weapons from the US or to allow US forces to access bases in their nation. There would also be no need for increased friendly relations with the US if it were not for the aggressive and expansionist actions of China at the expense of its many smaller neighbours.
All China needs to do to prevent the US from containing it is to stop with the intimidation, ramming and sinking other nations fishing ships or exploration vessels. Stop trying to claim an entire ocean that they have no right to claim.
China could avoid all of this by negotiating with the UN and settling its territory disputes peacefully. However China will not do this, as its claims do not stand up under international law, hence why it refuses to do it. Chinese believes might makes right and is intend on forcing each of its far smaller neighbours to cede territory to China or face the consequences.
The US has not had to do much to get many of these nations to move closer to them, China has kicked a lot of own goals over the past 7-8 years since the GFC. It was after the GFC that Chinese sensed its moment (prematurely) it switched from being passive towards it neighbours to hide its true intentions until it was strong to force its demands. Prior to the GFC many Asian nations had moved closer to China for the benefit of their own economy and China seemed friendly at the time, while the US was still recovering from one of the worst strategic mistakes in its history with Iraq. China thought along with many around the world the US was finished, that it would not recover and slip away like the USSR did.
China seized the moment and began intimidating its neighbours and forcing its demands to take the territory it claims regardless of international law.
The response to this was Obama's pivot to Asia by increasing US forces in the region which is a direct response to Chinas aggressive actions against its neighbours. Without Chinese aggression, there would be no pivot to Asia. The US could instead focus on the Middle East and Europe.
It is the nations of Asian who are demanding a US response to the Chinese creating artificial islands in the middle of oceans to then claim the said oceans as sovereign territory.
That cannot be allowed. In my opinion it is a Sudetenland moment, if the world allows China to claim an entire ocean to the detriment of its neighbours who have valid claims under international law then why have any law at all. If international law will not be enforced then we go back to the days of the might makes right, and the strong prey on the weak.
If a war needs to be fought to uphold the international order, then that is what needs to happen. Some times peace can only be found on the other side of war. It would be a disaster for the region but I doubt it will get to that point. The Chinese know they cannot fight the US and win let alone the combined forces of the US and its regional Allies.
In fact all the US needs to do to win any war with China is sit a few ships off the Persian Gulf and intercept and detain all Oil Tankers headed to China. Within two months the entire Chinese economy will collapse closely followed by its society and likely the Communist Party. Let alone interdict all exports from China, blockade it from a distance, far outside the range of its land based missiles. The Chinese Navy if it dares ventures out would not last long on the open seas. A Chinese General recently made a comment that in the event of War with the US at present the PLA Navy would be at the bottom of the ocean with in 48 hours. Why? The Chinese have no way to counter long range US weapons, while the US can counter long range Chinese weapons. Chinese ships can be sunk easily in port or close to the Chinese coast as it has along exposed coast line.
Now the tables are turning, China has its own economic trouble which may result in a GFC like moment China, while the US is ascending once again with its economy performing well. The US can call on some 47 treaty Allies in the event of War with China to not only offer Military support but economic, sanctions, blockades, seize Chinese assets globally.
This is why China will not fire on US ships or ram US ships as its knows it cannot defeat the US. By losing to the US risks the very stability of China and the communist party.
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