China Fiery Cross island surpass TaiPing as 1st biggest island in SCS, 1 sq.km

[Edison Chen]

Guys, chill.

 

[hans]

I have money but no much free time..Work is quite busy...
Which part of Vietnam are you in? South or north?
Which part of Vietnam is best for touring?

Yes, he's angry so easy, so I feel boring a bit ...
And you can visit Vietnam anytime if you have time and money, tension's just in the sea, not in land. Incident with protest anti-Chinese are gone now, as well as HY-981, so many Chinese tourist returned Vietnam at recently.

Where is it !? any more detail ... ?

 

[Soryu]

I have money but no much free time..Work is quite busy...
Which part of Vietnam are you in? South or north?
Which part of Vietnam is best for touring?

Well, I reply to you in yesterday, but Mod deleted it ...
I'm South ...
It's depend on what time you go and how much money you want to spend.
Best is South Centre Coast regions like Da Nang, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa ... or North West (Dien Bien, Lai Chau ...) and Quang Ninh in the North, in this time.
If Spring time or Lunar new year, so the North has Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Ha Noi ..., Centre or South Centre Coast like above, South has Ha Tien, Dong Nai, Hochiminh city ...

These site can help you more, or google it:

World heritage in Vietnam

Vietnam travel tips and articles - Lonely Planet

 

[Sasquatch]

Stick to the topic, I have banned two chinese members for derailing the thread.

 

[henry he]

R.O.C. should cooperate well with Vietnam and Philippines in SCS for their own security.

as if you get together , so what?

 

[hans]

My budget about $1000 to $1500 each person, for around 4-5 days.
I am not sure if it is enough..
I would prefer coast cities with beach and seafood.
If you have historical site nearby, it will be better..
Coast cities in China is quite expensive. especially in winter time...

Well, I reply to you in yesterday, but Mod deleted it ...
I'm South ...
It's depend on what time you go and how much money you want to spend.
Best is South Centre Coast regions like Da Nang, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa ... or North West (Dien Bien, Lai Chau ...) and Quang Ninh in the North, in this time.
If Spring time or Lunar new year, so the North has Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Ha Noi ..., Centre or South Centre Coast like above, South has Ha Tien, Dong Nai, Hochiminh city ...

These site can help you more, or google it:

World heritage in Vietnam

Vietnam travel tips and articles - Lonely Planet

 

[cirr]

The Yongshudao continues to grow and grow：

Note the small white “blob” to the right：

opening a 2nd front。

 

[dichoi]

Expanding Johnson South Reef: What is China’s plot?
VietNamNet Bridge - Former Deputy Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh, confirmed that China’s construction activities on islands in Vietnam’s Truong Sa Archipelago (Spratly Islands) aim at military targets, laying the foundation for implementation of the "China dream".


China is building artificial islands in order to change the status quo of the Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef and some areas in the Spratly Islands of Vietnam. What do you think about China’s latest moves?

Former Deputy Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh: Johnson South is actually a reef of the Sinh Ton (Sin Cowe) Island in the Spratly Islands of Vietnam. This is a brown reef, surrounded by a white coral belt. Only a few stones float on the sea and most of the reef is underwater. The Johnson South Reef is over 3km southeast of Vietnam’s Co Lin (Collins) Reef and marks the southwestern tip of Sin Cowe Island. In 1988, China used force to illegally seize Johnson South Reef of Vietnam.

China’s declaration of improving the reef to serve people's lives is ridiculous because this is the new island, which is still under construction so it is it impossible to have civil activities there. According to satellite images, the building activities on the reef are on a large scale to form a floating island. In my opinion, the main goal of China still aims at military goals.

This is part of the long-term strategy: claiming Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands of China and laying the groundwork for the next steps, which is extremely dangerous to realize the "China Dream" and the U-shaped line claim.

Why does China choose Johnson South Reef to build a floating island and what threat will it pose?

Rinh: According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), countries cannot claim sovereignty over underwater reefs and "the reefs that do not sustain human settlements or do not have economic life will not have the exclusive economic zone or the continental shelf." China’s new moves in the East Sea aim to turn the Johnson South Reef into an inhabited island to claim sovereignty.

On the other hand, the position of Johnson South Reef is very important for defense and military. If a military base is built there, it will control the entire military operations in the Spratly Islands of Vietnam. It is a threat to peace and security not only in the East Sea but also the entire Asia - Pacific.

I must stress that the illegal construction activities of China to change the status quo of islands in the East Sea are reckless and blatant violation to Vietnam's sovereignty, serious violations of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

Many people believe that Johnson South Reef has a strategic location, the decisive role in the success or failure of the "Chinese dream" in the East Sea. Therefore, to achieve its ambitions, China will certainly find ways to make the illegal construction, despite the opposition of the world. What do you think?

Rinh: It’s correct. We must keep in mind that China's ambitions have been nurtured for a very long time. China deliberately renovates the reefs to realize its cow-tongue claims, although this claim does not meet any rule.

This is a long-term plot of China, and it will certainly find ways to implement it. Vietnam has sufficient evidence to prove its ownership of the Spratly Islands, the Paracel Islands so Vietnam needs to be patient to protect its interests.

Dr. Tran Cong Truc (former Head of the Government Frontier Committee): "Turning Johnson South Reef into an island is the strategic goal of China"

Firstly, it must be stressed that China's recent actions on the Johnson South Reef are not new acts of aggression. They are part of China’s long-term plan.

Previously, in 1988, China forcibly occupied six shoals and reefs in the northwest of the Spratly Islands. After that it continuously deployed activities to turn sunken reefs into floating islands, turning the area into a new bridge, far to the south to prepare a stronger act of turning the "U-shaped line" claims into reality.

This position is very important and very close to the coast and continental shelf of Vietnam, near the area where Vietnam explores oil and gas and conducts its economic activities.

China builds artificial "floating islands" to expand its waters to form the overlapping waters in order to turn the waters of no dispute into disputed areas. In particular, China wants to expand all entities in the Spratly, Paracel Islands out to the most remote locations.

International military experts worry that China wants to turn the Johnson South Reef into an air force outpost on the East Sea. China can use this as the base for paramilitary operations such as imposing its unilateral fishing ban or prohibiting foreign vessels in the area. What do you think about this idea?

Truc: China's aim is to build airways, establish a military base and use this place as a bridge to control the entire southern area, directly threatening national security of Vietnam and other countries in the region.

In the past, China conducted a series of aggressive actions such as illegally deploying HD-981 oil rig in the exclusive economic zone of Vietnam and now they are promoting construction on Johnson South Reef. These actions are closely related to each other but in my opinion, the renovation and construction on Johnson South Reef is the main objective in the strategy to "monopolize the East Sea" of this country. This is very dangerous. Everyone knows about the important position of Johnson South Reef for defense and military. If there is a military base on the reef, it will control the entire military activities in the Spratly region of Vietnam.

Do you think that China’s plot can easily be realized? What should Vietnam and world opinion do to cope with this conspiracy?

Truc: I think history has proven that a lot of absurd claims and ambitions going against the will, aspirations and international law will sooner or later fail. We understand that, the determination and solidarity of the country and the strength of the truth and the right way can win any conspiracy that wants to trample justice. The fight for justice can be difficult but in the long term the unlawful act will not survive.

So far, Vietnam has always tried to maintain a stable situation. We object the illegal actions of China and do not accept the aggression of this country.

Ha Trang/Dan Tri

 

[Zsari]

You lie.

France _ Sino aggreement 1887 is related to Tonkin gulf only. So Bạch Lng Vỹ island belong to Vietnam.

after WW II, claim òf ROC over Islands òf Vietnam is protested by Trần Văn Hữu, PM of Bảo Đại Govt of Vietnam, who is presented for Vietnam in San Francisco conference for peace treasty with Japan after WW II, and by general voting, claim of ROC is also rejected.

Again, you need to read the actual text of the treaty. Tonkin there is not referring to the Tonkin gulf but the state of Tonkin, which was one of 3 states at the time that make up today's Vietnam. And BaiLongWei island was given to Vietnam by PRC under Mao in 1957 to help the N.Vietnam in its civil war. We all know how terrible that decision was.

And one more time, you need to read the San Francisco treaty, the actual text instead of making more claims.

 

[terranMarine]

Again, you need to read the actual text of the treaty. Tonkin there is not referring to the Tonkin gulf but the state of Tonkin, which was one of 3 states at the time that make up today's Vietnam. And BaiLongWei island was given to Vietnam by PRC under Mao in 1957 to help the N.Vietnam in its civil war. We all know how terrible that decision was.

And one more time, you need to read the San Francisco treaty, the actual text instead of making more claims.

WTF? What was Mao thinking?

 

[terranMarine]

Because Mao was assisting another communist country not realizing that these backstabbing monkeys are unreliable.

Let this be a lesson to all Chinese generations from now on

 

[Jlaw]

Let this be a lesson to all Chinese generations from now on

We have. Every move is based on national interest, nothing more. Not sure about the new generation brainwashed by western media.

 

[Rechoice]

Again, you need to read the actual text of the treaty. Tonkin there is not referring to the Tonkin gulf but the state of Tonkin, which was one of 3 states at the time that make up today's Vietnam. And BaiLongWei island was given to Vietnam by PRC under Mao in 1957 to help the N.Vietnam in its civil war. We all know how terrible that decision was.

And one more time, you need to read the San Francisco treaty, the actual text instead of making more claims.

Dont lie kid, Mao is not stupid.

France - Man Qing China 1887 agreement in tokin gulf.

and where is Bach Long Vy island of Vietnam ?

 

[Carlosa]

Very interesting article, quite a surprise. I've tried to find those pictures online, but could not. If somebody find them, please post them.

Satellite photo shows Vietnam's land reclamation in South China Sea｜Politics｜News｜WantChinaTimes.com

Satellite images captured by Taiwan indicate that Vietnam is pushing for land reclamation much harder than China in the disputed South China Sea, the Christian Science Monitor reported on Sept. 23.

Wang Cheng-gi from the Satellite Surveying Center of the Department of Land Administration under Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior, who is in charge of a US$3 million project to produce high-resolution satellite images of the disputed South China Sea, said he was surprised to find out that Vietnam is developing reefs and artificial islands in the disputed Spratlys. He also said that one Vietnamese landfill project spans 11 football fields.

"Everyone is talking about mainland China, but Vietnam is going all out," Wang said.

The Spratly islands are variously claimed in whole or in part by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia. Taiping, also referred to as Itu Aba, was the largest island in the group before the large scale land reclamation projects got underway and is the only island currently under Taiwan's control. An armed conflict between Taipei and Hanoi could potentially take place in the future if Vietnam continues to expand its influence in the region.

Alexander Huang, professor of strategic studies at Tamkang University in New Taipei, said the high-resolution satellite images will give Taiwan could be a valuable intelligence asset to scholars in Washington in assessing the basis of China's claim to the islands.

Tensions in the region have been high over the past year, with China and Vietnam getting into a standoff over the deployment of an oil rig to waters near the disputed Paracels–claimed variously by China, Vietnam and Taiwan–in May, leading to widespread protests in Vietnam and several factories run (or perceived to be run by) Chinese being looted and burned.

According to the article, the US has offered defense aid to the Philippines in an effort to counter China's expansion in the region.

References:

Wang Cheng-gi 王成機

 

[dichoi]

our work is just beginning.