Chinese paper says UK trying to grab attention with South China Sea mission

[webfact]

Chinese paper says UK trying to grab attention with South China Sea mission

 

FILE PHOTO - An officer stands on the deck as the White Ensign flies from the stern of the ship during the Commissioning Ceremony of the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, in Portsmouth, Britain December 7, 2017. REUTERS/Richard Pohle/Pool

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - Britain's Defence Ministry is trying to justify its existence and grab attention with a planned mission by a British warship to the disputed South China Sea next month, a Chinese newspaper said on Wednesday.

 

A British warship will sail through the South China Sea to assert freedom-of-navigation rights, British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said in remarks published on Tuesday during a visit to Australia.

 

British officials first flagged the voyage six months ago and the journey is likely to stoke tensions with China, who claim control of most of the area and have built military facilities on land features in the sea.

 

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to the energy-rich sea through which billions of dollars in trade pass each year.

 

The widely read state-run tabloid the Global Times said Williamson needed to state clearly the purpose of the mission.

 

"If not provocation, the Royal Navy should behave modestly when passing through the South China Sea," it said in editorials published in its English and Chinese-language editions.

 

"By acting tough against China, Britain's Ministry of Defence is trying to validate its existence and grab attention," it said.

 

The paper wondered whether the Royal Navy could actually complete the trip, considering budget cuts and problems with a new aircraft carrier that has a leak.

 

"As the Royal Navy has been hit by news such as a leaky aircraft carrier and the UK government has a tight budget, it appears a difficult mission for the Royal Navy to come all this way to provoke China," it wrote.

 

China has repeatedly accused countries outside the region - generally a reference to the United States and Japan - of trying to provoke trouble in the South China Sea while China and its neighbours are trying to resolve the matter through diplomacy.

 

Speaking of Britain's plan, China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday it hoped "relevant sides don't try to create trouble out of nothing".

 

Britain, which will be leaving the European Union next year, has looked to China as one of the countries it wants to sign a free trade deal with once it leaves the bloc. British Prime Minister Theresa May ended a largely successful trip to China earlier this month.

 

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Paul Tait)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-02-14

[wwest5829]

The People’s Republic of China, in their unilateral claim to the South China Sea has but me, as a left of center American citizen, in a challenged position through their actions. Ha! Forced into a rather nationalist or more exactly an international position. I demand that international Law of the Sea be be enforced through action of free sailing. My preference on this is that, all nations capable, make a point of sailing through any waters recognized as international waters. Either individual nations or my preference an international floatilla sailing to directly demonstrate to China that her unilateral claims will not be recognized. As an American, I would prefer the lead be taken by all nations using the trade routes or having conflicting claims in the area. But, damn! As the USA is one of those trading nations using the international waters, I have no problem having the US Navy sailing in these waters in direct confrontation with Chin’s unilateral claim. The PRC has overstepped. I have no problem with finding a means to allow her to “ save face” but...

[peterpop]

The real point is that they are flexing their muscles and flouting international law.  This may not actually affect trading nations such as USA and Britain.  Indeed in military terms the acquired islands may be a soft target.  None the less China should be made aware that they have overstepped the mark.  Local countries would also be reassured by the international community condemning China.  Unfortunately real politics means that the UN, ASEAN and UK will continue in their pathetic sycophantic way in the hope of a few crumbs of trade.  Who or what is next?  Singapore, the Andaman Islands, Seychelles........interesting

[phantomfiddler]

China, now the world,s major bully ! 

[Sir Dude]

Chinese are full of it. Secondly, they are basically locusts when it comes to money/trade and resources.

[Scott]

Troll post removed.

[tonbridgebrit]

The South China Sea must be open to ships carrying cargo. The cheap Chinese goods that we see in Britain and Europe flow through the South China Sea, and so, nobody should be allowed to block the South China Sea.

Who is trying or threatening, to block the South China Sea ?  Who is threatening to stop the flow of cheap Chinese goods being transported from China to Europe and Britain ?

Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, don't you dare stop this flow of goods. You will regret it if you try.

Edited February 16, 2018 by tonbridgebrit