China says South China Sea land reclamation 'justified'

[Ray]

China says South China Sea land reclamation 'justified'

Manila released this photo in May appearing to show Chinese land reclamation at Johnson South reef

China says its land reclamation work in the South China Sea is "totally justifiable" as it has "sovereignty" over the area.

Its foreign affairs ministry spokesman Hua Chunying was responding to a BBC report which documented China's construction work in disputed waters.

The Philippines has accused China of illegal building in the area.

China is locked in a dispute with several countries over maritime claims in the South China Sea.

The BBC report by Rupert Wingfield-Hayes said China was building new islands on five different reefs.

He and his team documented Chinese work to dredge tonnes of rock and sand from the sea floor to pump into Johnson South reef in the Spratly islands, which are also claimed by Manila.

At a daily press briefing on Tuesday, Ms Hua was asked by the BBC why China was reclaiming land.

She responded: "We have answered this question many times before, and I suppose you must be fully aware of China's position."

Using the Chinese name for the Spratly islands, she added: "China asserts indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and the adjacent waters, and China's activities on relevant islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands fall entirely within China's sovereignty and are totally justifiable."

Asked whether the reclamation was for commercial or military use, Ms Hua replied that it was "mainly for the purpose of improving the working and living conditions of people stationed on these islands".

When the BBC pointed out that the land masses were new, Ms Hua declined to elaborate further, saying: "I have already answered your question."

The works appear to have been going on for months.

In May the Philippines released photos appearing to show Chinese land reclamation on Johnson South reef, saying China appeared to be building an airstrip.

Aside from the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan also have competing claims with China over various islands, reefs and shoals in the region.

Separately, relations between China and Japan are also currently under strain over a territorial row involving islands in the East China Sea.
BBC News - China says South China Sea land reclamation 'justified'

If one observes the 'claim lines and dots' of China, it will be observed that Scarborough Shoal,& Spratley Islands are closer to Philippines.

Likewise the Paracel is closer to Vietnam.

So, how come China claims them?

At that rate, they may even claim Sri Lanka. After all, the Hui Admiral who was an eunuch, Ma He, did visit Serendip.

And now they are reclaiming as if China owns the world!

It is time that the imperialist design of China is thwarted before they become a Peril.

 

[amoy]

At least 4 Diego Garcias in the making to safeguard navigation freedom through SCS

Spratlys

 

[Ray]

At least 4 Diego Garcias in the making to safeguard navigation freedom through SCS

Spratlys

Safe for Communist Chinese shipping?

 

[Srinivas_K]

Expansionist China is supporting itself . Barbaric acts are clearly visible and countries around china have clear cut idea what China is doing.

 

[amoy]

Safe for Communist Chinese shipping?

Sure. See the maritime traffic flow through SCS -

South China Sea Shipping Lanes

More than half of the world's annual merchant fleet tonnage passes through the Straits of Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok, with the majority continuing on into the South China Sea. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Malacca leading into the South China Sea is more than three times greater than Suez Canal traffic, and well over five times more than the Panama Canal. Virtually all shipping that passes through the Malacca and Sunda Straits must pass near the Spratly Islands. The large volume of shipping in the South China Sea/Strait of Malacca littoral has created opportunities for attacks on merchant shipping; in 1995, almost half of the world's reported cases of piracy occurred in this area.

As a responsible UNSC PM, China needs to protect free passage like US in the Indian Ocean.

Diego Garcia

 

[Srinivas_K]

At least 4 Diego Garcias in the making to safeguard navigation freedom through SCS

Spratlys

The only pirate in SCS is China. Regarding Diego Garcia India will claim this island is a right way.

 

[badguy2000]

If one observes the 'claim lines and dots' of China, it will be observed that Scarborough Shoal,& Spratley Islands are closer to Philippines.

Likewise the Paracel is closer to Vietnam.

So, how come China claims them?

At that rate, they may even claim Sri Lanka. After all, the Hui Admiral who was an eunuch, Ma He, did visit Serendip.

And now they are reclaiming as if China owns the world!

It is time that the imperialist design of China is thwarted before they become a Peril.

distance is never the persuasive factor,otherwise,many india's islands should have belonged to burma .

 

[Ray]

distance is never the persuasive factor,otherwise,many india's islands should have belonged to burma .

It is history and not making history as by China.

And there is no dispute.

Nor is there any hegemonic or imperialistic pursuit.

Not any fraud 'ancient' maps being whipped up!

 

[s002wjh]

If one observes the 'claim lines and dots' of China, it will be observed that Scarborough Shoal,& Spratley Islands are closer to Philippines.

Likewise the Paracel is closer to Vietnam.

So, how come China claims them?

At that rate, they may even claim Sri Lanka. After all, the Hui Admiral who was an eunuch, Ma He, did visit Serendip.

And now they are reclaiming as if China owns the world!

It is time that the imperialist design of China is thwarted before they become a Peril.

falkland is claim by UK, hawii is part of US, so does guam. daiyu island is part of japan, yet its closer to taiwan. distance is never really a factor here.

by history daiyu island should be part of taiwan or china. and china has ScS record in 1500's

 

[t_co]

It is history and not making history as by China.

Right, it was making history by Britain

And there is no dispute.

Really?

Nor is there any hegemonic or imperialistic pursuit.

As recently as the 1990s, ASEAN was worried about India pursuing hegemony in the IOR. It is only Indian weakness that keeps worry of that far from the minds of ASEAN policymakers today.

Not any fraud 'ancient' maps being whipped up!

India's sole claim to the islands is on the basis of being granted them by Britain. That is not any better than an ancient map.

 

[Ray]

falkland is claim by UK, hawii is part of US, so does guam. daiyu island is part of japan, yet its closer to taiwan. distance is never really a factor here.

by history daiyu island should be part of taiwan or china. and china has ScS record in 1500's

A valid observation.

The difference is that they were in occupation during the imperialist days, when the rule was decided by the imperialists and the colonialist.

The same is applicable to the Chinese occupation of Inner Mongolia and area South of the Yangtse Kiang and Hwang Ho, which are the original homeland of the Han.

The areas China now claims was not in occupation by the Chinese and hence the claim is, in modern days, is termed as aggression and violates of the Law of the Seas.

 

[Ray]

Right, it was making history by Britain



Really?



As recently as the 1990s, ASEAN was worried about India pursuing hegemony in the IOR. It is only Indian weakness that keeps worry of that far from the minds of ASEAN policymakers today.



India's sole claim to the islands is on the basis of being granted them by Britain. That is not any better than an ancient map.

Reply As above.

No issue of Indian hegemony since there is no issue of occupying any island or territory.

So, what the worry about?

 

[t_co]

Reply As above.

No issue of Indian hegemony since there is no issue of occupying any island or territory.

So, what the worry about?

Pakistan would beg to differ. So would Sri Lanka.
@Neo @HeinzGud

 

[Ray]

Pakistan would beg to differ. So would Sri Lanka.
@Neo @HeinzGud

Pakistan and Ceylon are not ASEAN Countries to the best of my knowledge.

As recently as the 1990s, ASEAN was worried about India pursuing hegemony in the IOR. It is only Indian weakness that keeps worry of that far from the minds of ASEAN policymakers today.

The Chinese media is reporting them as ASEAN?

 

[t_co]

Pakistan and Ceylon are not ASEAN Countries to the best of my knowledge.


The Chinese media is reporting them as ASEAN?

If you're referring to ASEAN (and not general Indian attempts at regional domination), you should see what their secretary-generals had to say in the aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War...

 

[Ray]

If you're referring to ASEAN (and not general Indian attempts at regional domination), you should see what their secretary-generals had to say in the aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War...

I was replying to your contention about ASEAN concerned about hegemonic intentions of India.

I have no idea what the Secy Gen of ASEAN said after the 1971 War.

But suffice it to say, if they were alarmed by India assisting the Bengali Muslims of East Pakistan in liberating Bangladesh, their misconceptions of hegemony was soon dispelled since the Indian Army left as soon as the Bengalis established themselves.

Therefore. your attempt to twist it to appear as hegemony is most mischievous.

 

[tramp]

Learn some history, my friend. Pakistan came into being as the 'OTHER STATE'.... which is other than India and its existence is in the anti-India rhetoric, without which Pakistan has no existence as a nation. So, the Pak Army has to continue to cry wolf to get its abnormally high budgetary allocation.
Similarly, raising the India bogey is Sri Lankan politicians' shortcut to electoral nirvana!
And a Chinese should say all this considering what you are doing to terrorise the states in SCS.

Pakistan would beg to differ. So would Sri Lanka.
@Neo @HeinzGud

 

[Neo]

Pakistan would beg to differ. So would Sri Lanka.
@Neo @HeinzGud

Obviously Pakistan and Sri Lanka won't surrender to growing IN presence in Indian Ocean. Unable to match her strength in size and numbers both countries are looking towards China and building facilities that will eventually pave way for Chinese naval bases in the region.

 

[ladder]

Obviously Pakistan and Sri Lanka won't surrender to growing IN presence in Indian Ocean. Unable to match her strength in size and numbers both countries are looking towards China and building facilities that will eventually pave way for Chinese naval bases in the region.

Yeah Sri Lanka would definitely won't surrender ( not that we want her to) and going by Pakistani logic would use the Indian supplied vessels against India, isn't it?

 

[ladder]

BTW, Sri Lanka is supporting Japan over ECS dispute. Is the sorority of Island nations more stronger than the relationship between China -Sri Lanka?