South China Sea Forum

[DaiViet]

For the whole time, South China Sea was not a part of China empire. Now they aggressively claim the whole China Sea belong to them. Anyone with common sense already see this is a ridiculous claim.

You come to other people house and you claim it is yours. Now you said you are on defense to protect your house? What is up with this Chinese journalist's common sense? Let not talk about who is on defensive and who is not.

 

[EastSea]

Listen compatriots, you can't beat China if you kept following behind them. For the entire Vietnamese history never once invade China because simply Vietnamese have been influenced by the Chinese and keep following them. The Chinese knew that therefore they keep forcing Vietnam to be like them, a mini China so they can easily control Vietnam. You need to come up with different strategies of economic and politic reforms if ever think of beat China.

See how Japan, Manchu, Mongol and Westerns were able to beat Chinese because these countries have different structure of government and economic systems.

The current Vietnam political system is an copy of China,therefore Vietnam economic and military will never surpass China, let not think about beat them in war, what I meant beat them in war is not the same as repel their invasions but to invade them like Mongol, Manchu, Japan and Westerns did in the past. You need to be like Japan or France, Germany which have different model of governmental system if you ever think of counter China.

I like to say that there is no "beat" but ready to "defend" our self first. Tự cứu trước khi trời cứu. and the model of politic system is both copied from Stalin model, not from China. Problem ís how to change it without riots and violations.

 

[Bienvenido]

Global Times | 2013-10-7
By Li Kaisheng

Common sense tells us that major powers usually predominate in the game of international politics. However, among the claimants in the South China Sea issue, the Philippines, a much smaller and less powerful nation than China, continues to provoke and seems to take the initiative in recent years by raising various complaints against China on this issue.

It did not only provoke the tension on Huangyan Island in April 2012, but repeatedly forced the South China Sea issue into the agendas of some meetings attended by ASEAN countries.

Earlier this year, Manila intentionally and unilaterally handed the issue to the UN arbitral tribunal, asking for a magnification of the issue, and the arbitration is still up in the air.

Recently its navy claimed that they were talking about the possibility of removing the concrete blocks on Huangyan Island, allegedly installed by China.

Similar cases, small but perennial, are too many to list. China has been upholding a much tougher attitude in the last couple of years, but its current position still seems on the defensive.

The current situation is partly caused by the two nations' foreign policies. China is still under the influence of its long-lasting policy of "hiding one's capacities and biding one's time," while the Philippines is becoming more provocative under the Benigno Aquino III administration.

In the political sphere of East and Southeast Asia, being "small and weak" is not a disadvantage, but an advantage for smaller powers under some special circumstances.

The reason why the Philippines can translate its small size and weak strength into an advantage comes from the particularity of the maritime disputes in East and Southeast Asia.

Although the South China Sea issue remains a traditional security issue whose solution largely depends on national strength and military power, often it is the power of rules instead of strength and force that plays an important role.

From the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea or the envisaged Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, whoever makes the rules and uses them well will take the initiative in the game.

As long as the smaller countries have a good command of diplomatic skills and a profound knowledge of the rules, they will be hardly outmatched by the major powers.

The Philippines has also been given a fail-safe mechanism by the US, so that when diplomacy does not work, the US will have its back.

Washington and Manila have a long-standing military alliance, and US President Barack Obama's "pivot to Asia" policy has also stimulated Manila's confidence to roll up its sleeves.

Manila knows that as long as Washington's core interests can be guaranteed, the US will never engage in a fight with China just for the sake of the Philippines.

Nonetheless, Manila has been aware that although military confrontation with China is doomed, it is very likely to occupy the high ground of public opinion and perceived morality.

When international disputes break out, the international community usually shows sympathy to the disadvantaged party, even to the extent that the rights and wrongs of the issue will be ignored. Major powers are often labeled as hegemonies and bullies, and the smaller ones as victims.

What's more, in the eyes of Westerners, the Philippines is a democracy while China is a so-called communist "autocracy." This disparity adds weight to Manila's claim.

The more sympathy the Philippines gets, the more accusations China will have to face.

Although China has started to resort to multiple strategies to deal with the Philippines' provocations, it still remains the disadvantageous side, and some of its decisive actions even backfired, making the Philippines acquire more sympathy and support from the international community.

Given such circumstances, how to make wise use of rules in the South China Sea and change the current disadvantageous position will be a direct challenge for Chinese diplomacy in the future.

The author is an associate research fellow at the Institute of International Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn

Time to use rules well in maritime disputes - OP-ED - Globaltimes.cn

Never in history of any civilized country in the world where a nation claimed to own an entire body of Sea, except now China.

 

[Soryu]

Our political system is different from Chinese's structure, although we both are communist.

Best way is improve yourself power, first is culture, education, and follow it will be economy, technology, military ...

Culture is very important, Chinese know it, they have a mighty culture and take it advantage to build up their power.

 

[Bienvenido]

China doesn't want the UN to interfere with its action because they knew then that they don't have any proof and they cannot support their claim.

Well the entire world will never ever recognize China's moronic and baseless nine-dash claim.

 

[bolo]

Ha then your threat to world peace so your finally shown your true selves!

funny how you talk tough but you dont live in the pilippines. Get it through your skull, there is no such thing as world peace. Never will never will be.

 

[HongWu]

LOL we took Scarborough Shoal from you like candy from a baby!

Still waiting for daddy to save you..... so you offer them naval bases together with young Pinoy ladies dancing on bar tables

 

[Bienvenido]

LOL we took Scarborough Shoal from you like candy from a baby!

Still waiting for daddy to save you..... so you offer them naval bases together with young Pinoy ladies dancing on bar tables

This is a case of a big bully with no brains and a trouble maker in this peaceful region.

I applaud Aquino for standing up to a bully.

 

[xunzi]

Ha in your F up dreams you stupid imperialist, It because your trying to make sense of a stupid concept that is long dead if you want imperialism 19th century make a time machine and go there! As if you have brains your just fool who knows how to type but with no brains on the subject just what he is told.

In scale on 1 to f how f are you?

Talk to me when your country becomes more significant because I ain't going to give you any more publicly. I'm sorry, my Filipino friend.

 

[Kolaps]

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday, October 9, echoed a common position among countries on the South China Sea disputes: “Follow the rule of law.”

...........................................

If Taiwan is not included in the meeting, it will be illegal!

I think, Taiwan will get a big chunk of South China Sea, as all these SE Asia countries didn't exist at the time.

This is a modern day, people can't claim based on temporary historical border. If that so, Indonesia can claim Malaysia and Philippine. Cambodia can claim South Vietnam. But that is not the way how it works.

Republic of China will get a huge chuck of South China Sea. All the recent illegal occupations and flag take down acts will go away.


Philippine will get nothing. Their border, was defined clearly during the colonial era and the independent day.

I just want to say, people should be responsible by his words. If he said, follow the rule of law, so be it. No protest after that!

 

[Kolaps]

I think the US is preparing for war against China in the future even if they are still trading and borrowing from them.

Was is always being prepared during peace.

China is always bad in PR. China actually can use US military power as an excuse for his own gain. Just like US use China military modernization as an excuse to expand their military projection to East Asia.

Btw, which country who don't modernize his military equipment to be always up to date, which country still using sword and arrow, or WW2 equipment. Excuse is just excuse, simple as that.

As usual, communist is always an idiot.

 

[gambit]

As to international law, those are laws not made by China, why should we obey them. Who ever made it obey it.

Then China should at least get off the UN Security Council if not out of the UN itself. But in being nominally a member of the UN, not talking about sitting on its top body, China is morally obligated to at least consider international laws.

 

[punjabiboy]

China came under heavy pressure Oct.10 as U.S. and Japan both geared up to take on the South China Sea dispute during summit rounds despite Beijing’s reluctance to address the issue in public forums.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will press China and Southeast Asian nations to discuss the South China Sea dispute at an Asian summit, a senior U.S. official said. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was also attending, said late on Oct. 9 that the South China Sea dispute was a matter of concern to the entire region. In pointed remarks, he said Tokyo would continue to cooperate with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in resolving the row, according to Reuters.

US Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters on the sidelines of an East Asia Summit in Brunei that such a code was needed, Agence France Presse reported.

“A code of conduct is a necessity for the long term, but nations can also reduce the risk of miscommunication and miscalculation by taking steps today,” Kerry said, according to a copy of his remarks to the summit.

Kerry did not single out any countries by name, but China has come under growing pressure over its claims to virtually all of the body of water, and acts interpreted by some of its neighbours as aggressive.
Kerry added “all claimants have a responsibility to clarify and align their claims with international law”.

US role

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, which itself is embroiled in a heated dispute with China over islands and waters between the two powers, told reporters he “looked forward to the early conclusion of a code of conduct which is legally binding.

“The sea should be ruled by law and not by force,” he added.

China has resisted discussing the territorial issue with the 10-member ASEAN, preferring to settle disputes in the South China Sea through negotiations with individual claimants. It has also frowned at what it sees as U.S. meddling in a regional issue.

China claims almost the entire oil- and gas-rich South China Sea, overlapping with claims from Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam, the last four are members of ASEAN.

The row is one of the region’s biggest flashpoints amid China’s military build-up and the U.S. strategic “pivot” back to Asia signaled by the Obama administration in 2011.

“The Chinese consistently indicate their view that ‘difficult issues’ that might fall outside the comfort zone of any member need not be discussed,” the U.S. official said.

“That is not a view that is held by the U.S., or, I believe, many if not most of the EAS member states, but we will find out,” the official added.

In a speech to ASEAN leaders reported by Kyodo news agency, Japan’s Abe came out squarely in favor of the Southeast Asian grouping.

Japan has its own territorial dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea and Abe said there were “moves aimed at changing the status quo by force” in the South China Sea.
China under international pressure over islands dispute, 10 October 2013

Japan sends big patrol ship to Diaoyus
Japan sends big patrol ship to Diaoyus | South China Morning Post

Japan Increases Security Around Disputed Islands

Japanese Deputy Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Wednesday that Tokyo will stand firm in its position on the islands, but hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the tensions.

"We will take all measures necessary to protect our sovereignty, territory and airspace as necessary while also looking to react in a calm manner," her said. "We do not want to escalate the situation from the Japanese side. We look to continue to talk with the Chinese side and improve the situation."

A government spokesman on Tuesday said Japan has not ruled out deploying officials to the uninhabited island chain, a comment that drew a sharp rebuke by Beijing.

China's foreign ministry said Beijing was "gravely concerned" by the remarks and warned that Japan will have to "accept the consequences" if it "recklessly makes provocative moves."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for high-level talks to resolve the dispute. But China has rejected his offer as insincere, saying Tokyo must first make concessions to reduce tensions.

At sea, meanwhile, government patrols ships and airplanes from both countries continued to engage in minor standoffs and confrontations, raising fears of a military clash.

On Tuesday, Japan formally complained to Beijing over the presence of eight Chinese government ships in the area. The Japanese coastguard says the flotilla was the biggest of its kind since April.

On Monday, Japan scrambled fighter jets in the East China Sea after it spotted what it said was an unmanned aircraft flying toward Japan.

The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are uninhabited, but surrounded by rich fishing ground and potential energy deposits.

Japan annexed the islets in the late 19th century. China claimed sovereignty over the archipelago in 1971, saying ancient maps show it has been Chinese territory for centuries.

 

[punjabiboy]

Japan Increases Security Around Disputed Islands
necessary to protect our sovereignty, territory and airspace as necessary while also looking to react in a calm manner," her said. "We do not want to escalate the situation from the Japanese side. We look to continue to talk with the Chinese side and improve the situation."

A government spokesman on Tuesday said Japan has not ruled out deploying officials to the uninhabited island chain, a comment that drew a sharp rebuke by Beijing.

China's foreign ministry said Beijing was "gravely concerned" by the remarks and warned that Japan will have to "accept the consequences" if it "recklessly makes provocative moves."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for high-level talks to resolve the dispute. But China has rejected his offer as insincere, saying Tokyo must first make concessions to reduce tensions.

At sea, meanwhile, government patrols ships and airplanes from both countries continued to engage in minor standoffs and confrontations, raising fears of a military clash.

On Tuesday, Japan formally complained to Beijing over the presence of eight Chinese government ships in the area. The Japanese coastguard says the flotilla was the biggest of its kind since April.

On Monday, Japan scrambled fighter jets in the East China Sea after it spotted what it said was an unmanned aircraft flying toward Japan.

The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are uninhabited, but surrounded by rich fishing ground and potential energy deposits.

Japan annexed the islets in the late 19th century. China claimed sovereignty over the archipelago in 1971, saying ancient maps show it has been Chinese territory for centuries.
Japan Increases Security Around Disputed Islands

 

[punjabiboy]

China military tells U.S. not to encourage Japan over isles

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's military told the United States this week not to support Japan, nor let it do as it pleased, over a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Friday.

Ties between the world's second- and third-biggest economies have been strained over the uninhabited islands, controlled by Japan but claimed by both countries. The isles are known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China.

A year ago on Wednesday, the Japanese government bought three of the islands from a private owner, inflaming anger, and setting off big anti-Japan protests, in China.

Aircraft and ships from the two countries have played cat-and-mouse in the vicinity of the islands ever since, raising fears of conflict, perhaps sparked by an accident.

Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Chief of General Staff of China's People's Liberation Army, said during scheduled talks with U.S. counterparts in Beijing that China was determined to defend its territory, but had all along exercised restraint.

"This issue should not become a problem between China and the United States, and China hopes that the United States does not become a third party in this issue," the Defence Ministry quoted Wang as telling U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy James Miller.

"The United States should maintain a consistent stance and policy, not send wrong signals nor support and connive with the relevant country to do as they please," Wang added.

He said China hoped the United States would handle the issue appropriately to ensure it did not affect mutual strategic trust.

The ministry cited Miller as saying in response that the United States did not take a position on the sovereignty issue, called for all sides to exercise restraint and supported China to use diplomatic means to resolve the matter.

China has long harbored suspicions about U.S. interest in the dispute as the U.S.-Japan security treaty commits the United States to intervene in defence of Japan if there is an attack on Japanese-administered territory.

The United States also has a hefty military presence in Japan, including on the southern island of Okinawa, which is close to the disputed islands.
http://news.**********/china-military-tells-u-not-encourage-japan-over-041422796.html