China-US naval confrontation imminent in South China seas

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China-US: Naval Confrontation Imminent In South China Sea? – Analysis


South China Sea. Source: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Wikipedia Commons.




By Eurasia Review

(October 23, 2015)

By D.S. Rajan*

Personalities, authorities and the media in the US have of late given indications on the possible dispatch soon under the country’s “freedom of navigation” (FON) operations, of one or more US surface ships to within 12 nautical miles of the artificial islands in South China Sea (SCS) created by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). China’s reaction to such indications so far remains mixed; officially it generally looks measured and conciliatory (e.g the latest speech in Beijing of Vice-Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, at the Xiangshan forum, conveying the PRC’s stand against ‘reckless use of force’, more details in the Annexure below). On the other hand, the state controlled media are full of high level rhetoric against the US with stress on Chinese ‘counter measures’. In such conditions, it will be crucial to watch for signs of any naval maneuver on the part of the two sides in the region. Given below in the Annexure, is a chronological compilation of US indicators and the Chinese responses which can help in correctly assessing the developing situation.

US researchers[1]have found that since March 2014, China is building artificial islands atop 7 reefs and atolls in the Spratly archipelago of the SCS, the sovereignty of which is being disputed by Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam. The seven identified by them are – Subi reef, Hughes reef, Garen islands, Jhonson South reef, Cuarteron reef, Fiery Cross reef and Mischief reef. The US analysts have further revealed that the PRC in this way could create about 3,000 acres of new sovereign territory[2] and felt that once these artificial islands become operational, China can assert its sovereignty over the territorial airspace and waters. On its part, China is denying that it is claiming such sovereignty. The PRC Foreign Minister Wang Yi said (ASEAN Regional Forum, Kuala Lampur, August 5, 2015) that “China’s construction of the islands, mainly to improve the working and living conditions of personnel there and for public good purposes, has already stopped.” Despite this, recent US satellite images taken on September 3 and 8, 2015, have shown that China is fast completing construction of an air strip each in Subi and Fiery Cross reefs and possibly a naval base in the Mischief reef.[3]

It has to be recognized that the Chinese and US perceptions of the freedom of navigation principle in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, not yet ratified by it, are different. Washington believes that the US ships can sail in both the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and the 12-nautical mile territorial seas without obtaining the permission of the coastal states. The PRC’s stand is that foreign navies will have to obey rules of “innocent passage” even in the 200-nautical mile EEZ, and require prior permission to enter the 12-nautical mile territorial sea. This being so, there seems to be no unanimity among the ASEAN nations on the freedom of navigation principle. Malaysia agrees with the Chinese view on the EEZ and Vietnam shares the PRC’s definition of the territorial sea.

Evaluating broadly the likely shape of the current China-US tussle on the artificial islands issue, it can be said, that the final picture may not be pessimistic one. It needs to be admitted at the same time that any misjudgment or miscalculation by the two powers may result in unexpected scenario. US scholars have assessed that President Xi Jumping’s visit to US in September 2015 was not only very smooth, but it also contributed to building by the two countries of a strong strategic framework, and that the two are now embarking on a path of cooperation instead of one of confrontation[4].Their Chinese counter parts seem to think on the same lines. The PRC State media opinions see Xi’s US visit as having contributed to a series of “early harvest” in many aspects, such as the expansion of pragmatic cooperation and effective control of divergences[5]. Thus becoming clear is the keenness of each side to sustain the improvement in bilateral relations; in such atmosphere, there are chances of China and the US agreeing on a face saving formula, in order to deescalate tensions on the islands issue. It may not come as surprise if the two reach an understanding on the ‘innocent passage’ of their naval vessels close to their respective territories; the PRC in particular may stop insisting on its condition that foreign vessels need prior permission to enter its perceived territories.

Looking beyond the current China-US tussle on the artificial islands issue, it can be said that though the region is getting benefits from multilateral efforts towards achieving economic integration , its instability seems certain as there may be no quick end to the territorial contest taking place in the SCS. The implications for the future shape of geopolitics in East Asia can thus be clearly understood.

*The writer, D.S. Rajan is Distinguished Fellow, Chennai Centre for China Studies, Chennai, India. Contributing date – October 23, 2015. Email: [email protected]

Annexure
Given below in chronological order are 9 notable indicators to the possible entry of US naval vessels within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands created by China:

  • The first was given by Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific. He said during congressional testimony (Washington, Sept. 17, 2015) that the U.S. should challenge China’s claim to territory in the South China Sea by patrolling close to the artificial islands[6].
  • As second, John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said at the Committee’s hearing on September 25, 2015 that “the U.S. needs to go within the 12-mile limit to make it clear that the U.S. does not recognize China’s claim that the islands are its territory. This is a dangerous mistake that grants de facto recognition of China’s man-made sovereignty claims,”
  • The third indication was from a top US naval commander Admiral Scott Shift (speech at Pacific 2015 Maritime Conference, Sydney, October 6,2015) who claimed that “some countries appeared to view freedom of the seas as up for grabs in the South China Sea, that they are behaving in a manner inconsistent with international law and that the US Navy is as committed as ever to protect freedom of navigation in the Pacific region”.[7]
  • The fourth was in a report of the US journal “Navy Times” (October 7, 2015). It quoted unnamed Pentagon officials of saying that the US Navy may soon receive approval to sail a ship inside the 12-nautical mile (21-kilometer) territorial limit surrounding China’s man-made islands and that action could take place within days but awaits final approval from the Obama administration. If approved, it would be the first time since 2012 that the U.S. Navy has directly challenged China’s claims to the islands’ territorial limits[8].
  • The fifth came from US spokesman Josh Earnest said (October 8, 2015) that U.S. warships patrolling close to artificial islands built by China in the South China Sea “should not provoke significant reaction from the Chinese.”
  • The sixth were observations made by the US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter (Boston, October 13, 2015) at the end of ministerial talks with Australia. He said that “the US and Australia share an interest in upholding basic international norms such as freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce. Together, our nations favor peaceful resolutions to disputes and oppose coercion and infringement on well-established international norms, especially in the face of rising tensions in the East and South China Sea. The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows. The South China Sea is not and will not be an exception.[9]”
  • The seventh was in a dispatch of the New York Times (October 13,2015) which quoted unnamed U.S. and Asian officials of telling that the US allies were being briefed on plans, which reportedly involve traveling near one or more of China’s recently constructed or expanded outposts.
  • The eighth indication (New York Times, October 13, 2015) was given by Daniel Kritenbrink, a senior official of the U.S. National Security Council, who told a closed-door meeting the decision to go ahead was already made.
  • The ninth and last indication was from Admiral Gary Roughead, retired US chief of naval operations (Xiangshan Forum, Beijing, October 16,2015), who remarked that “the rapid expansion of land features in the vital sea lanes of the South China Sea heightens suspicion and presents the potential for miscalculation and that the construction raises legitimate questions regarding militarization”. [10]
The following are responses from the PRC, listed chronologically:

  • The PRC Foreign Ministry spokesperson said (September 18, 2015) that China opposes any country’s challenge in name of freedom of navigation to its sovereignty and security in South China Sea. China will adopt counter measures against the US.
  • The spokesperson Hua Chunying again said (October 9, 2015) that “We 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 over flight, We urge the related parties not to take any provocative actions, and genuinely take a responsible stance on regional peace and stability”.
  • The Global Times (October 15, 2015) in its editorial entitled “China Says Military Will Stand up and Use Force If US Sends Warships to Islands” blamed the US for “ceaseless provocations” in the South China Sea. It pointed out that “China has not made any statement about the expansion of its sovereignty due to the construction work, and that it has no intention of claiming more sovereignty.
  • China mustn’t tolerate rampant US violations of China’s adjacent waters and the skies over these expanding islands. The Chinese military should be ready to launch countermeasures according to Washington’s level of provocation. The US must have known that China’s reclamation work does not contravene international law, so Washington has no sufficient reason to stop China. Despite the legitimacy of China’s construction work and the public good it can provide, if the US adopts an aggressive approach, it will be a breach of China’s bottom line, and China will not sit idly by. China has remained calm with self-restraint even in the face of Washington’s escalating provocations, but if the US encroaches on China’s core interests, the Chinese military will stand up and use force to stop it[11].
  • A Xinhua commentary (October 15, 2015) said that the US could shoot itself in the foot if it patrols the islands, risking creating miscalculation and destabilization of the region.
  • Rear Admiral Yang Yi (Global Times, October 16,2015) warned the US that the People’s Liberation Army would deliver a “head-on blow” to any foreign forces “violating” China’s sovereignty. Safeguarding maritime rights calls for force and power.”
  • At an informal meeting of ASEAN defense ministers , China’s Defence minister Chang Wanquan said (Beijing, October 16,2015) that the aim of the meeting is to “promote strategic trust and pragmatic cooperation China wants stability and good ties with Southeast Asia”. He added that “forces from outside the region are using the internet, social media and other means to carry out incitements against countries in this region, threatening social stability. All needed to work hard to maintain peace and stability against such threats. Chang stressed that the biggest common need is to maintain stability and expressed his country’s willingness to work with ASEAN to boost military cooperation and jointly maintain regional peace and stability[12]. He further stated that at present the regional situation is generally stable, but there are obvious downward economic pressures and non-traditional security challenges are increasing, During the meeting, the Chinese officials submitted a series of proposals, including a joint exercise with ASEAN nations in the South China Sea in 2016. [13]
  • A Xinhua (October 17.2015) dispatch entitled “Planned US provocative move in S.China sea risks destabilizing region”, commented that “the US provocations threaten to militarise the South China Sea. China’s sovereignty claims over Nansha (Spratlys) and adjacent waters in the South China Sea are formed over long course of history and has adequate and solid historical legal basis. China’s construction of islands not only serves it, but also the coastal nations in the South China Sea.
  • Speaking at the Xiangshan regional defense forum in Beijing, Fan Changlong, Vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, pledged ( October 17,2015) that the country would “never recklessly resort to the use of force, even on issues bearing on sovereignty[14].” He added that the projects were mainly intended for civilian use and “will not affect freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Instead, they will enable us to provide better public services to aid navigation and production in the South China Sea.” Fan said that China would accelerate the establishment of an 8,000-member standby force for UN peacekeeping missions as promised by the PRC President Xi Jinping at the United Nations in September 2015 besides expressing China’s commitment to train 2,000 foreign peacekeepers over the next five years.
  • Global Times (Chinese, huanqiu shi bao,October 18,2015) in its commentary captioned “China will not submit to threats[15]”, quoted Major General Luo Yuan of the PLA Aademy of Military Science as saying that the US has betrayed China’s faith in a New Type of Major Country relations and violated its promise to the PRC that it will not take a stand on Spratlys; he described as a US military blackmail of China.
http://www.eurasiareview.com/231020...ntation-imminent-in-south-china-sea-analysis/
 

roma

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this topic deserves to be highlighted as a critical development and an area of critical developments of strategic importance in the near future - within 5 years and so forth

the usa is gonna find loopholes in their defence equipment, systems and manpower and indeed other areas including doctrine and they will realise that it is gonna be near impossible to go it alone

without doubt a coalition will have to be formed out of necessity and not a name-sake one like the Desert storm coalitions formed to handle saddam in the past

i am going to use the @ facility to elicit comments from a lot of people because of the importance of this topic and i am including the Slavic folks ( plus a couple of others who comment on russian affairs ) on this forum because their input should be especially interesting as my opinion is that they are usually great strategic thinkers

@angeldude13@Abhijat@Ancient Indian@anupamsurey@aliyah@bose @Bornubus @brational@blueblood@Blackwater@Blood+@Bangalorean@bengalraider@cobra commando@Chirag@DingDong@ersakthivel@guru-dutt@Hari Sud@hit&run
@indiandefencefan@I_PLAY_BAD@Indibomber@jackprince
@Kunal Biswas@LETHALFORCE@laughingbuddha@mhk99 @maomao @Neil@OneGrimPilgrim@pmaitra@PaliwalWarrior@Pulkit
@Rowdy@Razor@Rashna@[email protected]
@Sakal Gharelu Ustad@Srinivas_K@sgarg@sabari@Sameet2@saik@sorcerer@TejasMK3@The enlightened
@tejas warrior@tharun@thethinker@tsunami@Screambowl@Sylex21@VIP@Yusuf@Yumdoot@Zebra
@Nicky G@FRYCRY@Aravind Sanjeev@A chauhan @Chinmoy @Vishwarupa

@Akim @gadeshi @Gabriel92 @jouni

simple suggestion ---- any new member doesnt get to post direct ....their first 10 posts have to be vetted first and then if approved, it can be let through ....after they have completed 10 posts , they are deemed to be genuine and can be allowed to post directly .....this will help avoid the spamming we get from time to time and it occupies our bandwidth

If USA gets attacked in the South China sea,i hope we won't follow them,because this doesn't councern us what's happening there,and i don't think one will be enough fool to attack the Chinese or US navy.
awwww....geeee so much for my hopes for strategic thinking ...... SCS is vital sea route for global trade ????
 
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Gabriel92

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If USA gets attacked in the South China sea,i hope we won't follow them,because this doesn't councern us what's happening there,and i don't think one will be enough fool to attack the Chinese or US navy.
 

Kshatriya87

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http://www.business-standard.com/ar...h-china-sea-ashton-carter-115102800082_1.html

Notwithstanding the Chinese allegations of a provocative behaviour after a US warship entered the disputed South China Sea despite warnings, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has said they will continue with its naval operations in the region.

"There have been naval operations in that region in recent days, and there will be in the weeks and months," Carter told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing yesterday when asked about news reports that US warship entered the 12 mile zone of an island in South China Sea which is claimed by China as its territory.

We will fly, sail and operate wherever international law permits, and whenever our operation needs require it ," Carter said in response to a question.

"We have made a commitment as part of our rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, which is so important to America's future. We're doing more at sea. We're doing more in the way of presence," he said.

"We have said and we are acting on the basis of saying that we will fly, sail and operate wherever international law permits", he added.

Without going into the specifics of the movement of the US naval war ship in South China Sea, the White House reiterated its call for freedom of navigation.

"Freedom of navigation operations serve to protect the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all nations under international law. Our freedom of navigation operations do not assert any special US-specific rights," White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schulz told reporters.

"I'm not going to comment or confirm any specific military activity, but I will tell you that the US conducts routine operations in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, as we do around the globe," he said.

Reiterating that freedom of navigation is a right, it's a principle, and that regardless of this or any other specific operation, it's a responsibility that the US Navy takes seriously, State Department Spokesman John Kirby said.

"It is a relationship that we want to see continue to improve and to grow for the benefit of both our countries, not to mention the region. So again, without speaking to specific operations, it's the Secretary's desire that our relationship with China will continue to deepen," Kirby said.

Kirby refused to respond to the Chinese allegations of a provocative behaviour from the US.

"I can't speak for China and what they interpreted it as or not. I can just tell you that this is a fundamental principle, and regardless of - and again, I'm not going to speak about details here, operational details - it's a fundamental principle," he said.

"And you've heard me say before that freedom of the seas is not just for whales and icebergs, right? And this is about freedom of the seas," he added.
 

Kshatriya87

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http://www.firstpost.com/politics/c...ip-sails-by-chinese-built-island-2485360.html

Pekin, China: The United States defied China Tuesday by sending a warship close to artificial islands the rising Asian power is building in disputed waters, prompting Beijing to summon the US ambassador and denounce what it called a threat to its sovereignty.

The USS Lassen passed within 12 nautical miles -- the normal limit of territorial waters around natural land -- of at least one of the formations Beijing claims in the South China Sea.

China's defence ministry said a destroyer-class ship and another frigate were dispatched to "warn" the US vessel, which Beijing said it had "shadowed".

Washington's long-awaited move appeared to escalate tensions over the strategically vital waters, where Beijing has rapidly transformed reefs and outcrops into artificial islands with potential military use.



There is more in the article, didn't paste it all because most of the information is repeated.
 

amoy

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everbody is doing a good posturing to impress different audiences. there had been no US warship interrupting during years of Chinese reclamation and build-up of the artificial islands. yet the warship came up cruising when all the facilities _airstrips, ports, radars... are about to complete. [emoji38]

America to SCS claimants: that's a show of my commitment I'm here to stay for
your security in defiance of…

American lobbyists for military industrial complex: no budget cut for the navy.

China protesting: I shall never budge....... budget increase for PLA...

what's to follow in the drama will be just like the dust is off after China's declaration of ADIZ over E. China Sea.

~Tapa talks: Orange is the new black.~
 

The enlightened

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everbody is doing a good posturing to impress different audiences. there had been no US warship interrupting during years of Chinese reclamation and build-up of the artificial islands. yet the warship came up cruising when all the facilities _airstrips, ports, radars... are about to complete. [emoji38]

America to SCS claimants: that's a show of my commitment I'm here to stay for
your security in defiance of…

American lobbyists for military industrial complex: no budget cut for the navy.

China protesting: I shall never budge....... budget increase for PLA...

what's to follow in the drama will be just like the dust is off after China's declaration of ADIZ over E. China Sea.

~Tapa talks: Orange is the new black.~
America is not just posturing for the SCS claimants, it is re-enforcing a globally accepted position that Chinese islands do not constitute Chinese sovereign territory and other countries have no reason to accept Chinese jurisdiction in the seas that surround them by way of 12NM sovereign waters, or 200NM EEZ, or even the airspace directly above. China can huff and puff and even declare ADIZ for all it wants, but every one else will continue to ignore it.
 

amoy

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America is not just posturing for the SCS claimants, it is re-enforcing a globally accepted position that Chinese islands do not constitute Chinese sovereign territory and other countries have no reason to accept Chinese jurisdiction in the seas that surround them by way of 12NM sovereign waters, or 200NM EEZ, or even the airspace directly above. China can huff and puff and even declare ADIZ for all it wants, but every one else will continue to ignore it.
Globally accepted position? :biggrin2: Or replace it with India?

So America came reinforcing after China finished all this -



Mature powers know how to act soberly with good calculation rather than talk big.

China completes runway on Fiery Cross Reef
  • China has completed the runway on Fiery Cross Reef, its largest base in the Spratly Islands, Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery dated 20 September has shown
  • The completion of the runway could enable China to accelerate construction on the new island and to start patrols over the disputed islands
 

no smoking

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America is not just posturing for the SCS claimants, it is re-enforcing a globally accepted position that Chinese islands do not constitute Chinese sovereign territory and other countries have no reason to accept Chinese jurisdiction in the seas that surround them by way of 12NM sovereign waters, or 200NM EEZ, or even the airspace directly above. China can huff and puff and even declare ADIZ for all it wants, but every one else will continue to ignore it.
Well, if every one else is ignoring it, you won't need Americans' boats there.
The key here is not how many Chinese fighters can be deployed here but these islands will provide supports to those Chinese maritime police. In the past, these boats had to come and go back to their base thousands miles away. But today, their base will be lots closer.
 
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USA has made it clear that man made islands by China do not make the waters Chinese territory. A warship has been sent .now it is up to the
Chinese has to do something if it is really their territory. US will not let China rule the South China seas.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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The enlightened

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Globally accepted position? :biggrin2: Or replace it with India?

So America came reinforcing after China finished all this -
Heard of UNCLOS?

Chinese island construction in SCS possesses no threat to America. They don't have any reason to act against that. But one reason they will act for is preserving the sanctity of international waters ala Freedom of Navigation, which they just did by walking in your so claimed territorial waters and you couldn't even lift a finger in protest.
Well, if every one else is ignoring it, you won't need Americans' boats there.
The key here is not how many Chinese fighters can be deployed here but these islands will provide supports to those Chinese maritime police. In the past, these boats had to come and go back to their base thousands miles away. But today, their base will be lots closer.
Chinese maritime police will have no jurisdiction in these waters. Best they can do is support anti-piracy ops. If you had any doubts about that, USS Lassen just cleared them for you.
 

amoy

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Heard of UNCLOS?

Chinese island construction in SCS possesses no threat to America. They don't have any reason to act against that. But one reason they will act for is preserving the sanctity of international waters ala Freedom of Navigation, which they just did by walking in your so claimed territorial waters and you couldn't even lift a finger in protest.
Heard of the fact that America even hasn't rarified UNCLOS?

Your mindset remains USA is the sole guarantor of so called Freedom of Navigation. But gone are the days that is the case. Now the buildup on SCS enables China to safeguard the sanctity of internarional waters too and alleviate the burden on US as a result. That's what we call a multipolar world.

Also for your info
Chinese Warships Spotted Off Alaskan Coast

(WSJ) – Five Chinese navy ships are currently operating in the Bering Sea, off the coast of Alaska, the first time the U.S. military has seen such activity in the area, Pentagon officials said Wednesday.

The officials said they have been aware in recent days that three Chinese combat ships, a replenishment vessel and an amphibious ship were in the vicinity after observing them moving toward the Aleutian Islands, which are split between U.S. and Russian control.

They said the Chinese ships were still in the area, but declined to specify when the vessels were first spotted or how far they were from the coast of Alaska, where President Barack Obama is winding up a three-day visit.

“This would be a first in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands,” one defense official said of the Chinese ships. “I don’t think we’d characterize anything they’re doing as threatening.” The Pentagon official confirmed that the five ships were operating in international waters.

Pentagon officials also said there was no information suggesting the Chinese ships had gone through the Bering Strait, a narrow waterway north of the sea that abuts Alaska.

China’s defense ministry couldn’t be reached to comment.

The presence of the Chinese ships so close to U.S. shores is the latest demonstration of how China’s military is rapidly expanding its operations far from its own coast to protect the nation’s growing global interests.

The Chinese naval activity comes as Mr. Obama visits Alaska and the Arctic region to highlight climate change. The naval operation also comes just before Chinese President Xi Jinping presides over a World War II Victory Day parade on Thursday that the U.S. and its allies fear is being used to showcase China’s new military strength and ambition.

- See more at: http://www.teaparty.org/chinese-warships-spotted-alaskan-coast-116933/#sthash.8cCMNP2m.dpuf

Rules of engagement will be worked out btwn the two navies to avoid misunderstanding and mishaps.

~Tapa talks: Orange is the new black.~
 

Sakal Gharelu Ustad

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I do not think US will go into direct confrontation with China in this case and neither will China. I expect both sides to make statements without much changing on the ground. Fact of the matter is that US power will remain stagnant while China will increase in stature. So it will depend on what coalition US builds and how it helps its proxies in SCS.
 

The enlightened

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Heard of the fact that America even hasn't rarified UNCLOS?

Your mindset remains USA is the sole guarantor of so called Freedom of Navigation. But gone are the days that is the case. Now the buildup on SCS enables China to safeguard the sanctity of internarional waters too and alleviate the burden on US as a result. That's what we call a multipolar world.
I hate getting into arguments with your lot. Always shifting goal posts and never responding to the points and if you do that again, this will be my last response.

So the US hasn't ratified UNCLOS? Does that tender the rest of the world or China's acceptance void? FYI the United States does accept all but one provision of UNCLOS as part of customary law. At any rate, no country accepts Chinese position on these islands being part of Chinese territory. They are Chinese property alright but that won't grant you territorial rights. The US simply reminded you of the same.

As long as we have actors obstructing Free Navigation by frivolous activities of creating fake islands and then asking for their jurisdiction on such basis, the US shall remain the sole enforcer.
You aren't safeguarding anyone's but China's interest buddy. Go fool someone else.


Also for your info
Chinese Warships Spotted Off Alaskan Coast

(WSJ) – Five Chinese navy ships are currently operating in the Bering Sea, off the coast of Alaska, the first time the U.S. military has seen such activity in the area, Pentagon officials said Wednesday.

The officials said they have been aware in recent days that three Chinese combat ships, a replenishment vessel and an amphibious ship were in the vicinity after observing them moving toward the Aleutian Islands, which are split between U.S. and Russian control.

They said the Chinese ships were still in the area, but declined to specify when the vessels were first spotted or how far they were from the coast of Alaska, where President Barack Obama is winding up a three-day visit.

“This would be a first in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands,” one defense official said of the Chinese ships. “I don’t think we’d characterize anything they’re doing as threatening.” The Pentagon official confirmed that the five ships were operating in international waters.

Pentagon officials also said there was no information suggesting the Chinese ships had gone through the Bering Strait, a narrow waterway north of the sea that abuts Alaska.

China’s defense ministry couldn’t be reached to comment.

The presence of the Chinese ships so close to U.S. shores is the latest demonstration of how China’s military is rapidly expanding its operations far from its own coast to protect the nation’s growing global interests.

The Chinese naval activity comes as Mr. Obama visits Alaska and the Arctic region to highlight climate change. The naval operation also comes just before Chinese President Xi Jinping presides over a World War II Victory Day parade on Thursday that the U.S. and its allies fear is being used to showcase China’s new military strength and ambition.

- See more at: http://www.teaparty.org/chinese-warships-spotted-alaskan-coast-116933/#sthash.8cCMNP2m.dpuf

Rules of engagement will be worked out btwn the two navies to avoid misunderstanding and mishaps.
For your info
______________________________________________________________________________

The different is China is not disputing the sovereignty of Aleutian Island. While the Sea in SCS is disputed. Also, the Chinese transit thru Aleutian strait through Innocent Passage, while the US transit thru planned bearing.

Under International Law of the Sea, Innocent Passage would be granted if a country transit thru another country territorial water given the bearing is for a simple transfer. For example. If one want to pass thru Panama Canal (Which is international water DOES NOT belong to Panama, as it was neutralized international waterway), one have to pass thru Panama Territorial water to be able to access the canal, thus an innocent bearing is granted.

International Waterway works in 3 levels.

Strait - Such as Aleutian/Bearing Strait
Canal - Such as Suez Canal and Panama Canal
Rivers - Some River also designated International waterway

International Waterways legal definition of International Waterways

What Chinese did in Aleutian is completely different than what the US ship did in SCS, the Chinese have the international right to access the Aleutian strait, which mean even if they are to enter US territorial water without notified and granted permission of the American, as long as they are to transit from Aleutian to the other end and enter Russia Water, US cannot do anything to them, if US fire on Chinese ship entering Aleutian Water under innocent passage, US would have committed war crime.

On the other hand, there are no restriction on SCS as they are not Canal nor Strait that was internationalized waterway, the claim, is that they are sole territorial water of China, but by allowing the US ship to transit under constant bearing, the Chinese could be seen as relief on duty of care to their alleged border. That is not the same as entering someone else water for innocent passage to the canal or strait. It was a challenge to disputed territories.

Courtesy: jhungary
 

BATTLE FIELD

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now its time the chinis have to find underground tunnels for hiding their @$$.
 

Kshatriya87

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/29/us-southchinasea-usa-china-idUSKCN0SM2ER20151029

U.S., Chinese navy chiefs to discuss South China Sea on Thursday

The Chinese and U.S. navies are set to hold high-level talks over tensions in the South China Sea after a U.S. warship challenged Beijing's territorial assertiveness in the disputed waterway this week.

The U.S. chief of naval operations Admiral John Richardson and his Chinese counterpart Admiral Wu Shengli would hold an hourlong video teleconference on Thursday, a U.S. official said.

Both officers initiated the meeting to discuss recent operations in the South China Sea as well as naval ties, the official said. It will be the third such video teleconference between naval chiefs from the United States and China.

Beijing rebuked Washington for sending a guided-missile destroyer within 12 nautical miles of one of China's man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago on Tuesday, saying it had tracked and warned the USS Lassen and called in the U.S. ambassador to protest.

The patrol was the most significant U.S. challenge yet to territorial limits China claims around its artificial islands in one of the world's busiest sea lanes.

"Neither the U.S. nor China desires a military conflict, but the key problem is that the core interests of both sides collide in the South China Sea," said Ni Lexiong, a naval expert at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law. "It's hard to see either side backing down."

Separately, the English-language China Daily newspaper reported that Admiral Harry Harris, commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, would visit Beijing next week. It cited an unnamed source and gave no further details.

A U.S. embassy spokesman declined to comment.

Harris has been highly critical of China's island building in the Spratlys. Earlier this year he said China was using dredges and bulldozers to create a "great wall of sand" in the South China Sea.

China rotates a large number of naval and coastguard vessels through the South China Sea, both for patrols and training missions, security experts say.

Chinese state media on Thursday said a "guided-missile destroyer flotilla" under the navy's South China Sea Fleet carried out a "realistic confrontation training exercise" involving anti-aircraft firing and firing at shore at night.

A state-owned news website carried photos from the drills, saying they took place recently in the South China Sea. One photo showed three warships sailing one after the other.



MILITARY EXERCISES

Despite criticism of China's actions in the South China Sea, foreign navies from the United States to Europe have sought to build ties with their Chinese counterparts.

A French frigate docked at China's main South China Sea base of Zhanjiang in the southern province of Guangdong on Wednesday on a four-day visit. It will participate in a maritime exercise about accidental encounters at sea.

Two Australian warships will also hold exercises with the Chinese navy in the South China Sea early next week, Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne said on Thursday.

"There have been no changes or delays to the schedule of the HMAS Arunta and HMAS Stuart since the United States activity in the South China Sea on 27 October 2015," Payne said in a statement that gave no details on the precise location for the exercise.

Australian media said it would include live-fire drills.

Canberra, a key U.S. ally in the region, expressed its strong support for freedom of navigation this week, while stopping short of welcoming the USS Lassen's patrol.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of world trade passes every year. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan have rival claims.
 

BATTLE FIELD

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Globally accepted position? :biggrin2: Or replace it with India?

So America came reinforcing after China finished all this -



Mature powers know how to act soberly with good calculation rather than talk big.

China completes runway on Fiery Cross Reef
  • China has completed the runway on Fiery Cross Reef, its largest base in the Spratly Islands, Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery dated 20 September has shown
  • The completion of the runway could enable China to accelerate construction on the new island and to start patrols over the disputed islands
this island is a easy target

this island is nothing compared to the u.s carrier group

if u.s sends 5 super carrier then china is in great trouble.
sorry even a single carrier group is enough for you.

cheers...
long live U.S (daddy of you all.)
 

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