Mrs. M.
Man Feed Guest Writer
- Nov 2, 2015
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On May 17, 2016 two Chinese military aircraft intercepted a U.S. military reconnaissance plane flying over the South China Sea. Defense Department Spokeswoman Lt. Col. Michelle Baldazana stated that the aircraft was flying in a routine patrol in international airspace.
The two Chinese fighter jets flew approximately 50 feet from the U.S. aircraft.
On May 24, 2016 President Barack Obama told an audience in Hanoi that he is calling for territorial disputes in the South China Sea to be resolved peacefully. The President said that big nations should not bully smaller ones.
In a show of solidarity, President Obama announced that he is lifting the ban on weapon sales to Vietnam. The President told the audience in Hanoi which included over 2,000 delegates and top Vietnamese leaders that Vietnam will have greater access to military equipment to ensure their security. He also vowed that the US will continue to train Vietnamese Coastguard in order to enhance maritime capabilities.
Beijing's claims to ownership of more than 80 percent of the South China Sea is based upon what they call it's “nine-dash line.” Neighboring countries sharply dispute that claim and are deeply troubled by China's construction of artificial islands which now have airstrips and military radar (bases) installed on them.
Chinese controlled artificial reef constructed in disputed territory of South China Sea
The nine-dash line has no international standing and is not recognized by the United States. President Obama has used tactful diplomacy by refusing to take a position on the territorial claims while affirming that he supports the rights of all countries -including the United States – to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law permits.
Control of the Senkaku Islands would give China unlimited access to those waters as well as a strategic advantage to take over Taiwan - which has been their main agenda for decades now.
Two years ago a journalist with the Atlantic reported that a Vietnamese diplomat in Southeast Asia told him that India was prepared to fight China to the last Vietnamese - "meaning that it would bankroll Vietnam as proxy in any conflict with the Chinese and that Delhi had already agreed to train Vietnamese sailors in submarine warfare." He added that Delhi has offered a $100 million line of credit to Hanoi to purchase military equipment and maritime vessels.
Considering India's willingness to assist the Vietnamese it is apparent that America is not the only nation concerned over China's provocative moves against her neighbors in the South China Sea.
The United States conducts approximately 1.2 trillion dollars in bilateral trade each year - which requires use of those international waters in the South China Sea. The South China Sea serves as an entry point to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. More than half of the world's merchant fleet tonnage passes through these waters. Are the Chinese seeking to push the United States military out of the western Pacific?
Whatever the case may be, China is aggressively advancing her military interests throughout the region and it is happening at an accelerated pace now. The time line map on the link below reveals just how suddenly this escalation has taken place.
Every action has a motive. China is not constructing artificial islands, building air strips and military installations /radar inside disputed territory without one.
As one journalist noted, Control of the Senkakus (islands) would give China a base for striking American ships setting sail from bases in Okinawa. It would prevent the U.S. military from intervening in a conflict over Taiwan which is situated nearby.
The chief aim of the Chinese is the takeover of Taiwan. It always has been. The writing is on the wall and we do not need an interpreter to translate.
In July of 2013 China and Russia conducted a joint naval exercise in the Sea of Japan. Less than a year later, Chinese military aircraft flew within 100 feet of a Japanese military aircraft and in May of 2016 two Chinese jet fighters flew within 50 feet of a U.S. reconnaissance airplane.
China has become emboldened.
The dispute over the South China Seas is escalating.
It is time to pay attention and realize that China is prepared to go to war.
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News sources:
China’s Dangerous Game
TIMELINE: 1955-PRESENT
Obama calls for peaceful resolution of South China Sea disputes
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...een-building-in-the-south-china-sea-2016.html