China to set up new military base in south China sea

[beijingwalker]

China to set up new military base in south China sea
Sutirtho Patranobis, Hindustan Times
Beijing, June 28, 2012

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is likely to create a base in the newly established city of Sansha in the South China Sea, set up last week to administer a group of islands locked in dispute with Vietnam and other countries.
Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said at a press
conference that China may set up local military command organs in the city according to relevant regulations.

Last week, the State Council, China's cabinet, approved the establishment of the prefectural-level city of Sansha to administer the Xisha (Paracel), Zhongsha and Nansha (Spratly) island groups - all three are under dispute -- and their surrounding waters in the South China Sea.

The islands are said to be located in potentially resource-rich area of the region.

The government seat will be stationed on Yongxing Island, part of the Xisha Islands, according to a statement from the ministry of civil affairs.

China's move to set up a city and then have a military base there could be seen as a response to Vietnam introducing a new law last week claiming sovereignty
over the Spratly and Paracel islands.

It was also announced Thursday that China had begun combat-ready patrols in the waters around the disputed islands in the region..

Asked about what China would do in response to Vietnamese air patrols over the Spratly islands, Geng said Beijing would "resolutely oppose any militarily provocative behavior,"

"In order to protect national sovereignty and our security and development interests, the Chinese military has already set up a normal, combat-ready patrol system in seas under our control," he said.

Agencies quoted Geng as saying: "The Chinese military's resolve and will to defend territorial sovereignty and protect our maritime rights and interests is firm and unshakeable."

According to the state-run Global Times, the idea of establishing Sansha city had emerged as early as 2007, but was shelved due to protests by Vietnam. "Now China has taken a concrete step, signaling its determination to administer the Nansha Islands and related sea areas. The new level of management carries more weight than the law of Vietnam."

It added: "China's actions concerning South China Sea disputes have been forced by Vietnam and the Philippines. Their provocations will meet with strong reactions from China, and push China to systematically strengthen related management."

 

[beijingwalker]

Ministry: China will react to provocation

Published: June 28, 2012 at 1:01 PM

BEIJING, June 28 (UPI) -- The Chinese military would defend the country's territorial sovereignty, sea rights and interests if challenged, a Defense Ministry spokesman said Thursday.

Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said China opposes any provocation by Vietnam resulting from air patrols over the Nansha Islands, which China has claimed, government-sponsored news agency Xinhua reported.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters, and opposes any military provocation," Geng said during a routine news conference. "The armed forces have the steady resolution and will to safeguard our territorial sovereignty, sea rights and interests."

Asked how China might respond if Vietnamese aircraft pass over the Chinese city of Sansha in the South China Sea, Geng said the military would react in accordance with relevant regulations if it faced a situation that could impact the country's security.

Several countries have conflicting claims of oil and gas reserves in the South China Sea. China and Taiwan claim nearly all of the sea while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have claims on parts near their shores.

China's Cabinet approved establishing the prefectural-level city of Sansha to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha island groups and surrounding waters.

 

[Sonyuke_Songpaisan]

I have endured enough.

 

[Rechoice]

China set up new military base in south China sea is idiot provocation.

 

[ahfatzia]

Fourteen Vietnamese sailors have been rescued from a sinking ship by Chinese fishermen in Hainan province, according the provincial foreign affairs office.

The crew of Vietnamese ship Nanlong 01-9570503, which sank near a port in Dongfang city, were rescued on June 20 by two Chinese fishing boats that happened to pass by. The sailors are staying in a hotel and are in good health, the office said in a statement.

The office has notified the Vietnamese Embassy in China to prepare documents and arrange a return home for the crew.

14 Vietnamese sailors rescued in Chinese waters - Globaltimes.cn

 

[OrionHunter]

China should start constructing floating military bases that can accommodate ports and airfields which can then be moved all over the South China Sea!! After all they need to defend their sovereign territory bequeathed to them by the ancient Chinese of the 14th century!