Self-Fulfilled Prophecy? China deploys fighter jets to disputed South China Sea Island

[Jlaw]

Thanks for the pivotal to Asia policy. This gave China solid reasons to establish military base chains in South China Sea. US foreign policy has become more and more short sighted. Strategically US is over extended while China is expanding. The reckless US expansion policy just brought about Chinese expansion. Just several years ago China needed to explain to neighbors every year about increasing military budgets. Now no need at all to be understood to most neighbors.

True. When the next military budget is announce I truly hope the increase is signficant and the reasoning the ministry should come out be frank and blunt. "The US intrusion in SCS is the main cause for our defense increase of XX%"

The funny thing is, the US speeds up China's development and security efforts in SCS; which result in tangible and permanent assets. The US, on the other hand, stages some stunts and then buzzes off. As if there is a conspiracy going on between Beijing and Washington.

Actual there is my friend. I think behind close doors top US officials are talking/sleeping with top Chinese officials to discuss the next WWE angle. A stage in the real theater.

 

[Dungeness]

The blinking game between China and U.S in South China Sea will continue. China's SCS strategy is a well thought out plot that has been in making for years. I will not be surprised if China lands their jets on Fiery Cross air strip right after U.S conducts a new FON mission.

 

[Desertfalcon]

The blinking game between China and U.S in South China Sea will continue. China's SCS strategy is a well thought out plot that has been in making for years. I will not be surprised if China lands their jets on Fiery Cross air strip right after U.S conducts a new FON mission.

I think many here are missing that it is less a "game" between China and America than between China and Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, with America added into it. Frankly, the USA has much less direct interest in the South China Sea, as do those other countries. They are making military deployments and increasing procurements, accordingly.

 

[Dungeness]

I think many here are missing that it is less a "game" between China and America than between China and Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, with America added into it. Frankly, the USA has much less direct interest in the South China Sea, as do those other countries. They are making military deployments and increasing procurements, accordingly.

But without U.S, there will be No game whatsoever. China is the late comer when it comes to land reclamation in SCS, and everyone starts crying fault because of China's sheer might. China should take initiative and "guarantee" the freedom of navigation in SCS to the US, and US then stops provocative actions there. Everyone is happy.

 

[Desertfalcon]

But without U.S, there will be No game whatsoever.

Oh, I disagree. One need only read many of the comments on PDF from Vietnamese posters on this topic, for example, to understand their deep concerns with China's actions and they have very little to do with the USA.

 

[TaiShang]

But without U.S, there will be No game whatsoever. China is the late comer when it comes to land reclamation in SCS, and everyone starts crying fault because of China's sheer might. China should take initiative and "guarantee" the freedom of navigation in SCS to the US, and US then stops provocative actions there. Everyone is happy.

Obviously, China's freedom and safety of maritime navigation measures are creating discomfort among the US establishment because it takes away a practical excuse to keep the US Navy relevant in Asian waters.

If the US is 2X concerned about freedom and safety of navigation; China is 10X concerned.

Hence, island build up and development activities will continue.

 

[cnleio]

It's just like U.S deploying military aircrafts in current Guam, Hawaii, Diego Garcia etc islands ... the only problem is ppl still don't get used to China doing the same way. Don't worry, ppl will accept the fact in SCS.

 

[dichoi]

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U.S. mulls selling weapons to Vietnam to stave off Chinese ‘hegemony’

By Guy Taylor - The Washington Times - Tuesday, February 23, 2016
The top admiral in charge of U.S. military operations in Asia says Washington should drop its remaining restrictions on weapons sales to Vietnam in order to better defend against China’s military buildup in the South China Sea.

Navy Adm. Harry Harris Jr., the head of U.S. Pacific Command, told lawmakers on the Senate ArmedServices Committee Tuesday that they’d have to believe the world was flat to think Beijing is not trying to militarily dominate the region.

“I believe China seeks hegemony in East Asia — simple as that,” he said in remarks likely to further inflame tensions that have risen between Washington and Beijing during recent days.

The two powers have traded rhetorical barbs since last week when reports emerged that Beijing had deployed anti-aircraft missiles on the Paracels Islands chain. The chain has been under Chinese control for decades but is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.

On Monday, the Center for Strategic International Studies, a Washington think-tank, reported that China has also built new radar facilities in the Spratly Islands, another disputed chain further south than the Paracels in the South China Sea.

Some analysts have argued that Beijing is engaged in a yearslong strategy known as “salami-slicing” — effectively conducting a steady stream of small military actions that when compiled over time will amount to a major reorganization of the military power structure in the region.

During his testimony on Tuesday, Adm. Harris confirmed the new CSIS report about Chinese radar facilities. But he also asserted that the overall situation presents a “strategic opportunity” for the U.S. to beef up its alliances with nations on China’s periphery, including Vietnam, whose leaders have increasingly called on Washington to take a more aggressive posture.

The Obama administration has pushed for warmer relations with Hanoi during recent years. In 2014, the administration announced the partial lifting of the U.S. ban on weapons sales to Vietnam. The move was historic in that it came some 40 years after the end of the Vietnam war.

However, some restrictions were left in place. Administration officials have said only the sale of lethal maritime security and surveillance capabilities would be allowed and, to date, no weapons sales toVietnam have been reported.

Sen. John McCain, a Vietnam veteran, who has long pushed for reconciliation between Washingtonand Hanoi despite the communist government in power in there, brought the weapons issue up during Tuesday’s hearing.

“Do you think it’s important for us to lift restrictions on the sale of weapons to Vietnam?” the Arizona Republican and Armed Services Committee chairman asked.

“Yes, senator, I believe that we should improve our relationship with Vietnam,” Adm. Harrisresponded. “I think it’s a great strategic opportunity for us, and I think the Vietnamese people would welcome the opportunity to work closer with us as their security partner of choice.”

U.S. mulls selling weapons to Vietnam to stave off China military buildup in region - Washington Times

 

[SEAISI]

good work china. bit by bit, sqeeze those viets out of scs

i can't wait to see the landscape next year

 

[Oldman1]

Thanks for the pivotal to Asia policy. This gave China solid reasons to establish military base chains in South China Sea. US foreign policy has become more and more short sighted. Strategically US is over extended while China is expanding. The reckless US expansion policy just brought about Chinese expansion. Just several years ago China needed to explain to neighbors every year about increasing military budgets. Now no need at all to be understood to most neighbors.

Actually China's action gave the Asia Pivot by shifting many warships to Asia instead of other places. And this response forces China to speed up their timing for expansion into the Pacific which was their aim. And China's actions are pushing Asian neighbors further into U.S. camp. Thanks!

 

[Abacin]

Actually China's action gave the Asia Pivot by shifting many warships to Asia instead of other places. And this response forces China to speed up their timing for expansion into the Pacific which was their aim. And China's actions are pushing Asian neighbors further into U.S. camp. Thanks!

If US was in the phase of expanding, this might be true. But now United States are over extended with the burgeoning deficits and limited military to cover the whole world. If you want to put more warships to Asia, you need to prove that it is strong enough to protect your so called alliances. If not, they will get chickened since China is their forever neighbor.

By now, it proves that it is not since US is behaving like a free labor to your alliances. If your alliances do not pay you or take actions, this will waste more of your budgets, narrow your technology lead over China and have your servicemen under danger.

There is a Chinese saying: take bricks from East walls to cover West walls. This is exactly what United States is doing. But your interests in Latin America, Europe and Mid-East is way much higher than SCS and Taiwan. With more warships pivoted to Asia, US has to surrender more interests to Iran, Russia and Europe.

 

[Oldman1]

If US was in the phase of expanding, this might be true. But now United States are over extended with the burgeoning deficits and limited military to cover the whole world. If you want to put more warships to Asia, you need to prove that it is strong enough to protect your so called alliances. If not, they will get chickened since China is their forever neighbor.

By now, it proves that it is not since US is behaving like a free labor to your alliances. If your alliances do not pay you or take actions, this will waste more of your budgets, narrow your technology lead over China and have your servicemen under danger.

The U.S. is strong enough to protect our allies. North Korea has not invaded South Korea with China's approval since the Korean War. China has yet to take Taiwan nor has it taken Senkakku Islands from Japan even though Japan doesn't have nukes. China is not yet strong enough to take on the Filipinos nor Vietnam since that fiasco when it invaded Vietnam in 1979.

If US was in the phase of expanding, this might be true. But now United States are over extended with the burgeoning deficits and limited military to cover the whole world. If you want to put more warships to Asia, you need to prove that it is strong enough to protect your so called alliances. If not, they will get chickened since China is their forever neighbor.

By now, it proves that it is not since US is behaving like a free labor to your alliances. If your alliances do not pay you or take actions, this will waste more of your budgets, narrow your technology lead over China and have your servicemen under danger.

There is a Chinese saying: take bricks from East walls to cover West walls. This is exactly what United States is doing. But your interests in Latin America, Europe and Mid-East is way much higher than SCS and Taiwan. With more warships pivoted to Asia, US has to surrender more interests to Iran, Russia and Europe.

I believe the Sino-Vietnam War forced China to avoid another major war since it failed in Vietnam.

We can surrender some role to other countries like Saudi Arabia led coalition on ME since they are busy with Iran. And the Europeans are doing fine since Russia has changed their minds about invading Eastern Europe since being bogged down in Ukraine and Syria.

 

[Abacin]

You may get a few alliances in ASEAN who wants to use United States as a free labor, but you will lose alliances elsewhere such as Mid-East with decent payments.

 

[Oldman1]

If US was in the phase of expanding, this might be true. But now United States are over extended with the burgeoning deficits and limited military to cover the whole world. If you want to put more warships to Asia, you need to prove that it is strong enough to protect your so called alliances. If not, they will get chickened since China is their forever neighbor.

By now, it proves that it is not since US is behaving like a free labor to your alliances. If your alliances do not pay you or take actions, this will waste more of your budgets, narrow your technology lead over China and have your servicemen under danger.

There is a Chinese saying: take bricks from East walls to cover West walls. This is exactly what United States is doing. But your interests in Latin America, Europe and Mid-East is way much higher than SCS and Taiwan. With more warships pivoted to Asia, US has to surrender more interests to Iran, Russia and Europe.

Russia will cut defense budget by 5 percent in 2016, RIA reports| Reuters

Russia will cut defense budget by 5 percent in 2016, RIA reports

The 5 percent cut, if approved by Putin, would be the biggest reduction in defense spending since he took office in 2000.

Russia had to reduce spending because of its economy in shambles.

You may get a few alliances in ASEAN who wants to use United States as a free labor, but you will lose alliances elsewhere such as Mid-East with decent payments.

You can thank Iran to make sure our alliances will still stick with American camp. No matter how it looks. Not to mention Russia too.

 

[Abacin]

The U.S. is strong enough to protect our allies. North Korea has not invaded South Korea with China's approval since the Korean War. China has yet to take Taiwan nor has it taken Senkakku Islands from Japan even though Japan doesn't have nukes. China is not yet strong enough to take on the Filipinos nor Vietnam since that fiasco when it invaded Vietnam in 1979.



I believe the Sino-Vietnam War forced China to avoid another major war since it failed in Vietnam.

We can surrender some role to other countries like Saudi Arabia led coalition on ME since they are busy with Iran. And the Europeans are doing fine since Russia has changed their minds about invading Eastern Europe since being bogged down in Ukraine and Syria.

It was because of the pressure of Sovient Union. China never wanted a war with United States unless United States forced us. At that time, Soviet Union controlled significant parts of Northern China due to WW II legacy. China was only able to clear those control in 1960s.

Deng used Sino-Vietnam war to solidify war and prove to United States that China had switched the sides. The importance to deter Vietnam to unify Indo-china was just the third reason. China achieved all political reasons. PRC has never interested in taking on Filipinos and Vietnam. We do not want to feed an lowly-educated population of nearly 200 millions, just as United States was not interested in feeding Filipinos.

Russia will cut defense budget by 5 percent in 2016, RIA reports| Reuters

Russia will cut defense budget by 5 percent in 2016, RIA reports

The 5 percent cut, if approved by Putin, would be the biggest reduction in defense spending since he took office in 2000.

Russia had to reduce spending because of its economy in shambles.



You can thank Iran to make sure our alliances will still stick with American camp. No matter how it looks. Not to mention Russia too.

You get nearly no payments from Vietnam and Philippines. They even do not want to pay the bills for Navigation. But mid-east countries pay you billions of dollars every year for protection. If they divert some business to Russia and China, you will lose billions of dollars every year.