China on the South China Seas

[Randy W]

China is still on the war-path about the fender bender suffered by an American nuclear sub in the "Indo-Pacific waters".

【#HuSays】The US has been drip-feeding information about the collision. They must be up to something. There must be some hidden facts that Washington is afraid to tell the rest of the world: Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin

from the Global Times on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/globaltimesnews/posts/4623334581080739

Edited March 18, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

A US Air Force general said US F-35s recently had close contact with China’s J-20s over East China Sea. While China has not yet confirmed the incident, it has been revealed that J-20 has been carrying out routine maritime management & control missions. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202203/1255110.shtml

from the Global Times on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/globaltimesnews/posts/5087531214661071

J-20s' alleged close contact with F-35s over E.China Sea 'countermeasures against US activities'

Quote

 

If the incident is true, it is likely that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force sortied the J-20s to counter the possibly provocative activities by the US F-35s near China as part of routine maritime management and control missions, Chinese analysts said on Thursday.

"We recently had - I wouldn't call it an engagement - where we got relatively close to the J-20s along with our F-35s in the East China Sea, and we're relatively impressed with the command and control that was associated with the J-20," General Kenneth Wilsbach, Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces, said in an online discussion event on YouTube on Tuesday.

Noting that the Chinese pilots "are flying the J-20s pretty well," Wilsbach said that the US is still trying to figure out whether the J-20 is more like an F-35 that is capable of carrying out multiple types of missions, or more like an F-22 that is primarily an air superiority fighter that has an air-to-ground capability.

 

 

[Randy W]

Western govt's have been concerned over China establishing a military presence in the South Pacific nation.

from AL Jazeera English on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera/posts/10160727129683690

China says it has signed security pact with Solomon Islands
Western governments have been concerned over China establishing a military presence in the South Pacific nation.

National flags of the Solomon Islands and China are seen at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China [File: Reuters]

Quote

 

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday “the foreign ministers of China and the Solomon Islands officially signed the framework agreement on security cooperation recently”, without providing details on the final version of the agreement.

According to the leaked draft, armed Chinese police could be deployed at the Solomon Islands’ request to maintain “social order”, although Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has repeatedly said he does not intend to allow China to build a military base there.

The words have done little to allay US concerns.

“The broad nature of the security agreement leaves open the door for the deployment of PRC [People’s Republic of China] military forces to the Solomon Islands,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Monday.

The signing of the pact “could increase destabilisation within the Solomon Islands and will set a concerning precedent for the wider Pacific Island region”, he added.

 

 

[Randy W]

 

China confirms signing of Solomon Islands security pact, as US warns of regional instability

from the SCMP on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/383108017029784/

[Randy W]

China wants 10 Pacific nations to endorse sweeping agreement

from AP News via Yahoo

FILE - A woman crosses the street near a billboard commemorating the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Nov. 15, 2018. China wants 10 small Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping agreement covering everything from security to fisheries in what one leader warns is a “game-changing” bid by Beijing to wrest control of the region. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Quote

 

China wants 10 small Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping agreement covering everything from security to fisheries in what one leader warns is a “game-changing” bid by Beijing to wrest control of the region.

A draft of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press shows that China wants to train Pacific police officers, team up on “traditional and non-traditional security" and expand law enforcement cooperation.

China also wants to jointly develop a marine plan for fisheries — which would include the Pacific's lucrative tuna catch — increase cooperation on running the region's internet networks, and set up cultural Confucius Institutes and classrooms. China also mentions the possibility of setting up a free trade area with the Pacific nations.

China’s move comes as Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a 20-strong delegation begin a visit to the region this week.

 . . .

But Micronesia’s President David Panuelo has written an eight-page letter to the leaders of other Pacific nations saying his nation won't be endorsing the plan and warning of dire consequences if others do.

Panuelo said in his letter, which the AP has obtained, that behind attractive words in the agreement like “equity” and “justice” are many worrying details.

Among other concerns, he said, is that the agreement opens the door for China to own and control the region's fisheries and communications infrastructure. He said China could intercept emails and listen in on phone calls.

Panuelo said in his letter that the agreement is “an intent to shift those of us with diplomatic relations with China very close to Beijing’s orbit, intrinsically tying the whole of our economies and societies to them.”

He warns the agreement would needlessly heighten geopolitical tensions and threaten regional stability.

 

 

[Randy W]

China’s proposed security deal with Pacific islands falls short as Wang Yi tours region

Foreign ministers of 10 Pacific island nations have failed to endorse a proposed security cooperation deal with China after a meeting with Beijing’s top diplomat in Fiji.

from the SCMP on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/344058467813737/

[Randy W]

U.S. vs. China: What Aircraft Carriers Reveal About the Military Tech Race | WSJ

 

The U.S. has by far the largest aircraft-carrier fleet in the world, but China is catching up on technology and design with its new vessel–the Fujian. WSJ compares the two superpowers’ best military ships to understand their strategic goals.

[Randy W]

Chinese fighter jets intercept foreign warplanes

Two Chinese military planes undertook an emergency mission days ago, after detecting unknown warplanes over the South China Sea.

from the SCMP on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/2257689931085776/

 

 

Chinese fighter jets intercept foreign warplanes

Two Chinese military planes undertook an emergency mission days ago, after detecting unknown warplanes over the South China Sea.

Posted by South China Morning Post on Wednesday, January 25, 2023

 

[Randy W]

The US has accused China of 'provocative and unsafe' behaviour after the Philippines reported the Chinese coast guard had used a laser.

from Al Jazeera English on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera/posts/pfbid0uDPT9zjwE89WzFTWr8X3VWgnRm6paPhqhbpR1xcQX4RU3x4uz27GtBacDSaR3rTyl

 

Edited February 14, 2023 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Wednesday expressed China's grave concern and strong disapproval of the joint statement released by the United States and the Philippines regarding the South China Sea xhtxs.cn/GLu

from China Xinhua News on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/XinhuaNewsAgency/posts/pfbid02aiDFNbB2ZA35Zu4KTPMWEE4BS5AkH7S3EcQXY78uzfDZv4mQuKhEdSnLQ8L8mFWAl

 

China strongly disapproves U.S.-Philippine joint statement concerning South China Sea: spokesperson

Quote

 

Noting that China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and the adjacent waters, Wang said the joint statement of the U.S. and the Philippines misrepresents and discredits the legitimate and lawful maritime law enforcement activities of the Chinese side and even makes false accusations against China, which China strongly opposes.

The spokesperson said the so-called arbitral award on the South China Sea gravely violates international laws, including UNCLOS. The award is illegal, null and void, and China's position of not accepting or recognizing it is clear and firm.

China stands ready to work with relevant countries to handle maritime disputes in a proper manner through negotiation and consultation, while resolutely protecting its territory, sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Wang added.

"With regard to the new military base sites to which the Philippines gives the U.S. access, we have stated China's position several times. Facts speak louder than words," Wang said.

He said that judging from the locations of the new military bases, the intention behind those sites is more than obvious. The U.S. and the Philippines have just added a footnote to their intention by stressing in the joint statement that they will "support swift operationalization of the four new sites."

 

 

[Randy W]

South China Sea: Beijing opens hotpot restaurant on Woody Island in disputed Paracels chain

• The restaurant opened for business last week and can seat 120 at one go, the local government says
• Move marks latest soft push from Beijing to consolidate its claims in strategically important waters

from the SCMP

The Kuanzhai Xiangzi hotpot restaurant on Woody Island in the Paracels archipelago. Photo: Weibo
 

Quote

 

Woody Island, known as Yongxing in China, is the largest outcrop in the group of about 30 islands making up the Paracels. Called Xisha in Chinese, the archipelago is controlled by Beijing but also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.

The Kuanzhai Xiangzi hotpot restaurant – capable of seating 120 diners at one go – opened for business last week, the Sansha city government said. The government, headquartered on Woody Island, administers both the Paracels and the also hotly contested Spratly island chain, which China calls the Nansha Islands.

 . . .

Woody had about 1,000 civilian residents when China moved to establish the city of Sansha in 2012 to assert its claims to the resource-rich waters.

Since then, China has upgraded facilities for Sansha’s increasing population, which, by 2020, had expanded to about 2,300 – apart from military personnel.

 . . .

Apart from stationing military facilities such as missile systems and airstrips on the reefs, China recently also opened supermarkets to cater to People’s Liberation Army troops who earlier had to wait for monthly supply vessels.

In February, China said it had launched an underwater archaeology centre in the southern island province of Hainan, which has jurisdiction over Sansha city.

 

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Eyes on China? Why some Asian nations ‘privately welcome’ Nato’s regional move

• Nato is upgrading ties with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea to share information rather than deploy military resources, observers say
• While some nations have voiced concerns, experts say most are ‘generally happy’ to see increased Western support to help balance China’s influence

from the SCMP

Nato has said it will upgrade ties and deepen collaboration with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. Photo: AFP
 

Quote

 

Nato said last month it would deepen collaboration with its four major partners in the Indo-Pacific region by upgrading ties with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea under what it calls the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP).

Details of the ITPP are still being worked out, but are likely to include cooperation in areas such as cyberspace, countering disinformation and new and emerging technologies.

 . . .

“Rather, it has the potential to create more stability within the region by fostering collaboration, education, information sharing and strategies to push back against areas such as cyberattacks, the challenges of new technologies such as AI and countering disinformation,” he said.

China has let it be known that it opposes Nato’s outreach into Asia, with defence minister Li Shangfu saying last month at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that attempts to establish such alliances were “a way of kidnapping regional countries and exaggerating conflicts and confrontations”.

But Nagy said Nato’s discussions were currently focused on “cooperation in technical areas that will boost information sharing and strategising how to deal with challenges facing the region”, rather than the deployment of military resources.

While some Southeast Asian countries have voiced their concerns about the alliance’s presence in the region, Nagy said this was to ensure that “China is not offended”.

 

 

[Randy W]

Germany will, for the first time, send troops to Australia as part of joint drills with some 30,000 service members from 12 other nations, underlining Berlin's increased focus on the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions with China in the region 

from Reuters on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/Reuters/posts/pfbid02WURs9fU2BhXFYRthmndQexQB43XLBK9357CsEPQWNToAzSbGtVxT98jfvDVtXyJyl

Germany sends troops to Australia in a first as Berlin shifts focus to Indo-Pacific

Quote

 

"It is a region of extremely high importance for us in Germany as well as for the European Union due to the economic interdependencies", Army Chief Alfons Mais told Reuters in an interview published on Monday, hours before the first German troops were to leave for Australia.

China is Berlin's most important trading partner, and 40% of Europe's foreign trade flows through the South China Sea, a waterway that is a focal point for territorial disputes in the Indo-Pacific.

In 2021, a German warship sailed into the South China Sea for the first time in almost 20 years. Last year, Berlin sent 13 military aircraft to joint exercises in Australia, the air force's largest peacetime deployment.

Mais said up to 240 German soldiers, among them 170 paratroopers and 40 marines, will take part in the Talisman Sabre exercise from July 22 to August 4, the largest drills between Australia and the U.S., held bi-annually.

 

 

[Randy W]

South China Sea: China warns of external influence in lead-up to code of conduct talks

• Chinese foreign minister tells Thai counterpart that Beijing is willing to speed up discussions on regional rules
• Negotiations start this week, overshadowed by a clash over the Second Thomas Shoal

from the SCMP

A Chinese Coast Guard ship aims a water cannon at a Philippine vessel earlier this month. Photo: China Coast Guard via Reuters
 

Quote

 

“China is willing to work with Asean countries to ... make effective and meaningful regional rules that can make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation,” Wang Yi told his Thai counterpart, Don Pramudwinai, in Beijing on Saturday.

A new round of talks is scheduled to get under way in the Philippine capital Manila on Tuesday.
The Chinese foreign ministry quoted Don as saying he supported a peaceful and stable South China Sea.

 . . .

hina has long backed the idea of “Asean centrality” to challenge the presence of other powers, especially the United States, in Southeast Asia.

But Asean members do not agree among themselves or with China on the right degree of cooperation in the region with Western powers.

Don said Thailand would continue its dialogue with China as international and regional uncertainty grew, according to the Chinese ministry.

Wang also called for more tangible results from connectivity between Thailand, Laos and China.

Wang added that China and Thailand needed to work together to fight cross-border phone and online scams, and speed up construction of railway links.

Human trafficking syndicates have used the internet to scam many across Asia with false promises of jobs, investment and relationships.

 

 

[Randy W]

US drone ships deployed near China for first time

BY ELLEN MITCHELL - 09/21/23 12:39 PM ET

from the Hill

China’s national flag is displayed next to the Pentagon logo at the Pentagon, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Pentagon will load up on advanced missiles, space defense and modern jets in its largest defense request in decades in order to meet the threat it perceives from China. The Defense Department’s chief financial officer says the spending path will have the military’s annual budget cross the $1 trillion threshold in just a matter of years. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
 

Quote

 

Two U.S. drone ships have been sent to Japan, the first time such vessels have been deployed near China.

The unmanned surface vessels (USVs) Ranger and Mariner arrived Sept. 18 in Yokosuka “as part of a scheduled port visit during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2,” a drone exercise, according to a Navy statement on the event.  

 . . .

“Unmanned and autonomous technologies are key to growing our distributed maritime operations framework,” said Rear Adm. Blake Converse, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet. “By proliferating our presence in the Pacific and increasing the fleet’s situational awareness and lethality, we give ourselves more options to make better decisions at all levels of leadership.”