China says U.S. military in South China Sea not good for peace

By Cate Cadell

 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian attends a news conference in Beijing, China September 10, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States often sends ships and aircraft into the South China Sea to "flex its muscles" and this is not good for peace, China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday, after a U.S. aircraft carrier group sailed into the disputed waterway.

 

The strategic South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade flows each year, has long been a focus of contention between Beijing and Washington, with China particularly angered by U.S. military activity there.

 

The U.S. carrier group led by the USS Theodore Roosevelt and accompanied by three warships, entered the waterway on Saturday to promote "freedom of the seas", the U.S. military said, just days after Joe Biden became U.S. president.

 

"The United States frequently sends aircraft and vessels into the South China Sea to flex its muscles," the foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, told reporters, responding to the U.S. mission.

 

"This is not conducive to peace and stability in the region."

 

China has repeatedly complained about U.S. Navy ships getting close to islands it occupies in the South China Sea, where Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan all have competing claims.

 

The carrier group entered the South China Sea at the same time as Chinese-claimed Taiwan reported incursions by Chinese air force jets into the southwestern part of its air defence identification zone, prompting concern from Washington.

 

China has not commented on what its air force was doing, and Zhao referred questions to the defence ministry.

 

He reiterated China's position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and that the United States should abide by the "one China" principle.

 

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited a radar base in the north of the island on Monday, and praised its ability to track Chinese forces, her office said.

 

"From last year until now, our radar station has detected nearly 2,000 communist aircraft and more than 400 communist ships, allowing us to quickly monitor and drive them away, and fully guard the sea and airspace," she told officers.

 

Biden's new administration says the U.S. commitment to Taiwan is "rock-solid".

 

The United States, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is the democratic island's most important international backer and main arms supplier, to China's anger.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-01-25

 

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2 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

"This is not conducive to peace and stability in the region."

 

But building military bases on islands/building islands for military bases in water that doesn't belong to you or flying military aircraft into airspace you don't have jurisdiction over is?

Pots calling 'tea cups' black.

The US  (and others) are not even in the same league as dictatorial China invades the South China Seas.

Ask Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia etc what they think of this Chinese invasion.

38 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

"This is not conducive to peace and stability in the region."

 

Let me guess, China's little sojourns (both military and economic) into the waters of nearby countries is?

46 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

after a U.S. aircraft carrier group sailed into the disputed waterway.

Yes, there we have it! Chinese understanding must not be at top. Disputed, is the magic word!

11 hours ago, Dagfinnur Traustason said:

Yes, there we have it! Chinese understanding must not be at top. Disputed, is the magic word!

It's not disputed unless you only listen to the Chinese.  The world court ruled and China is ignoring the ruling.  The islands do NOT belong to them.

 

You should read this to get up to speed on what this legal ruling is:

 

https://www.lawfareblog.com/tribunal-issues-landmark-ruling-south-china-sea-arbitration

 

Bottom line: A nearly across-the-board win for the Philippines, and a searing verdict on the lawfulness of China’s artificial island construction and other actions in the South China Sea.

Steady on ship mate!damm the torpedoes full speed ahead lol no China it’s you trying to push the smaller country’s around I hope we ( the United States) with our nato allies definitely and with great strength make our presence known 

China Should Not take over Something that isn’t theirs , they are the ones that are provoking the rest of the world !

Deflection 101 from the " Art of War " 

Of course you all seem to think it's just fine and dandy for the US of A and it's military industrial complex to have a heap of bases crowding out areas they have no real legitimacy to be in..... It's the Western Pacific in the Asian Sphere of Influence

Just saw Xi's Davos speech ... I swear his nose was growing with every word he spoke.

 

Quote

To engage in cliques, a new Cold War, exclusion, threats and intimidation against others, to warn of decoupling, cutting off supplies, sanctions at every turn … can only drive the world to division and even conflict.

 

Just after sending eight nuclear-capable H-6K bombers with a fighter escort to threaten and intimidate Taiwan?

 

Quote

We should advocate fair competition, like competing with each other for excellence in a racing field, not beating each other on a wrestling arena.

 

After blocking Australian wine, coal, timber, barley, lobsters etc. for daring to call for an independent investigation into the origin of covid-19?

 

When he gets voted out ... oh, wait a minute ... OK, as a sideline, perhaps he can write fairy tales.

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-26/xi-jinping-calls-for-open-world-econony-coronavirus-fight-davos/13090730

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Jeffr2 said:

It's not disputed unless you only listen to the Chinese.  The world court ruled and China is ignoring the ruling.  The islands do NOT belong to them.

 

You should read this to get up to speed on what this legal ruling is:

 

https://www.lawfareblog.com/tribunal-issues-landmark-ruling-south-china-sea-arbitration

 

Bottom line: A nearly across-the-board win for the Philippines, and a searing verdict on the lawfulness of China’s artificial island construction and other actions in the South China Sea.

Thank you for you sincere will to educate me, Sir! I am well aware of the ruling, and that China does not recognize the verdict. The question is if you are aware of the meaning of the word "dispute/disputed"? Below, I have provided the meaning:

argue about (something). For example: "the point has been much disputed"
Similarities with: debate, dicuss, argue, disagree, quarrel and clash etc.

So, when we have that out of the way, disputed suddenly seems like a perfect description of the situation. ????

Of course the countries of the world should accept the world courts rulings. However, there is no power at all behind them and they are only, according to law in most countries, to be seen as a strong advice.

On 1/26/2021 at 8:44 AM, UncleMhee said:

Of course you all seem to think it's just fine and dandy for the US of A and it's military industrial complex to have a heap of bases crowding out areas they have no real legitimacy to be in..... It's the Western Pacific in the Asian Sphere of Influence

Err, have you forgotten that the British HMS Albion etc. is in the same area.?

19 minutes ago, Dagfinnur Traustason said:

Thank you for you sincere will to educate me, Sir! I am well aware of the ruling, and that China does not recognize the verdict. The question is if you are aware of the meaning of the word "dispute/disputed"? Below, I have provided the meaning:

argue about (something). For example: "the point has been much disputed"
Similarities with: debate, dicuss, argue, disagree, quarrel and clash etc.

So, when we have that out of the way, disputed suddenly seems like a perfect description of the situation. ????

Of course the countries of the world should accept the world courts rulings. However, there is no power at all behind them and they are only, according to law in most countries, to be seen as a strong advice.

But it's not disputed.  The court ruled.  China should respect the ruling and the rights of these other countries. Sadly, it's not.

13 hours ago, Salerno said:

 

But building military bases on islands/building islands for military bases in water that doesn't belong to you or flying military aircraft into airspace you don't have jurisdiction over is?

There is much difference in building on unclaimed reefs and connect them to made an artificial island. It is a concern but within the legal context. 

On 1/26/2021 at 8:44 AM, UncleMhee said:

Of course you all seem to think it's just fine and dandy for the US of A and it's military industrial complex to have a heap of bases crowding out areas they have no real legitimacy to be in..... It's the Western Pacific in the Asian Sphere of Influence

Who would you rather see as the world’s policeman? America, which has semi transparency or China which has no transparency at all – up to you????????‍♂️????????????????????

In the 1930's and 1940's Japan was expansionist minded and wanted to show the world the might of Asia. Sometimes I wonder if today's China is Japan 2.0, and Xi believes he's the reincarnated Emperor of the Sun. Massive tragedy in the making, no matter who eventually comes out on top.

On 1/26/2021 at 8:44 AM, UncleMhee said:

Of course you all seem to think it's just fine and dandy for the US of A and it's military industrial complex to have a heap of bases crowding out areas they have no real legitimacy to be in..... It's the Western Pacific in the Asian Sphere of Influence

Having agreements with countries to operate bases in their territory is a little different to rocking up and building an island in someone else back yard and saying its now yours.

31 minutes ago, sungod said:

Having agreements with countries to operate bases in their territory is a little different to rocking up and building an island in someone else back yard and saying its now yours.

Not to mention the massive environmental damage China did to these previously pristine reefs.  Horrible people to do that.

When even Communist Vietnam opposes China's grab of sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, you know China is behaving like a militant aggressor. Reminds me of the USSR's land grabs in the 50's. 

So much for China's new economic mantra to promote its trade expansion by showing its actions benefit all affected nations. 

1 hour ago, jack7106 said:

Who would you rather see as the world’s policeman? America, which has semi transparency or China which has no transparency at all – up to you????????‍♂️????????????????????

Rather opaque on why America invaded Iraq. 

14 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Rather opaque on why America invaded Iraq. 

Iraq 1 made sense, Iraq 2 was terrible and changed the world for the worse.

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

There is much difference in building on unclaimed reefs and connect them to made an artificial island. It is a concern but within the legal context. 

 

Sounds like a line straight from the politburo 555

 

Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and China claimed the Spratly islands. The UNCLOS ruling that the 9-dash line claim is <deleted> was shrugged off by China as "nothing more than a piece of waste paper" which is basically what you are saying. 

 

 

On 1/26/2021 at 8:44 AM, UncleMhee said:

Of course you all seem to think it's just fine and dandy for the US of A and it's military industrial complex to have a heap of bases crowding out areas they have no real legitimacy to be in..... It's the Western Pacific in the Asian Sphere of Influence

If you wish to make a case, do it by citing the unilateral claim to territory, not trade or other alliances.

1 hour ago, jack7106 said:

Who would you rather see as the world’s policeman? America, which has semi transparency or China which has no transparency at all – up to you????????‍♂️????????????????????

Trump emphatically said and set policies to detached America as the world policeman. With their unique electoral system, can the world trust America to act selflessly and intervene in other countries not for their self-interest. I don't trust America's foreign policies as much as I don't trust China. 

4 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Trump emphatically said and set policies to detached America as the world policeman.

 

Trump was an anomaly, a failed experiment. I have no doubt that relations will get back to a "more normal footing" fairly quickly and for the foreseeable future regardless of who is POTUS. On the plus side, under his "leadership" (or in spite of) we are starting to see other alliances solidify in the region such as the Quad Alliance.

47 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

When even Communist Vietnam opposes China's grab of sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, you know China is behaving like a militant aggressor. Reminds me of the USSR's land grabs in the 50's. 

So much for China's new economic mantra to promote its trade expansion by showing its actions benefit all affected nations. 

Most of the world missed the war between China and Vietnam in 1979 when China invaded Vietnam. It is no surprise that China's expansion is opposed.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Vietnamese_War

 

2 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

But it's not disputed.  The court ruled.  China should respect the ruling and the rights of these other countries. Sadly, it's not.

Again you fail to understand the meaning of the word. i give up! Have a good day, Sir.

2 hours ago, Jeffr2 said:

But it's not disputed.  The court ruled.  China should respect the ruling and the rights of these other countries. Sadly, it's not.

 

China? Respect rights? Not in a million Uighurs years

Well boo hoo China stay away from Taiwan air space. Quit threatening the pilots

who fly out from Vietnam to your supposed Chines Island.  Stay in your country, okay?

   Oh and never expect me or my family to visit your Covid 19 country ever again.

Geezer