China accuses US of serious military provocation

[rooster59]

China accuses US of serious military provocation

CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, Associated Press


BEIJING (AP) — China on Saturday accused the U.S. of committing a "serious military provocation" by flying an Air Force B-52 strategic bomber over a Chinese-controlled man-made island in the South China Sea.

China's Defense Ministry said in a statement that the U.S. is deliberately raising tensions in the disputed region where China has been aggressively asserting its claims to virtually all islands, reefs and their surrounding seas.

"The actions by the U.S. side constitute a serious military provocation and are rendering more complex and even militarizing conditions in the South China Sea.," the statement said. It demanded Washington immediately take measures to prevent such incidents and damage to relations between the two nations' militaries.

The statement said Chinese military personnel on the island went on high alert during the Dec. 10 overflight and issued warnings demanding the aircraft leave the area. As it has in past, the ministry also said it would take whatever necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and security.

The U.S. takes no official stance on sovereignty claims in the strategically crucial sea, through which $5 trillion in international trade passes each year. However, Washington insists on freedom of navigation and maintains that China's seven newly created islands do not enjoy traditional rights including a 12-nautical mile (22-kilometer) territorial limit.

There was no immediate Pentagon response to the latest Chinese protest. News reports quoted spokesman Cmdr. Bill Urban as saying in Washington that China had raised its complaints over the flight and the U.S. was investigating.

Urban said the flight was not a "freedom of navigation" operation, indicating that the plane may have strayed off course. The U.S. uses pre-planned freedom of navigation operations to assert its rights to "innocent passage" in other country's territorial waters.

Critics in the U.S. say freedom of navigation operations around the man-made islands appear to contradict Washington's assertions that they have no right to territorial waters in the first place.

China's latest protest comes amid a simmering dispute over Washington's approval of the first arms package offered to Beijing's self-governing rival Taiwan in four years.

Beijing, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory, demanded the deal be scrapped to avoid harming relations across the Taiwan Strait and between China and the U.S.

On Wednesday, Beijing filed a formal diplomatic complaint and its Foreign Ministry said it would take "necessary measures, including the imposition of sanctions against companies participating in the arms sale to Taiwan."

The main contractor behind the weaponry is Raytheon. U.S. defense firms are forbidden to sell arms to China.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-12-19

[craigt3365]

Great article about a BBC reporter flying over them. Very good graphics also:

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35031313

China is bound by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which it has ratified. The law states that sub-sea structures, such as reefs, cannot be claimed as sovereign coastline, and that building artificial structures on top of them does not turn them in to sovereign territory either.

A country that owns a natural island can claim a 12-nautical-mile territorial limit around it, both on the sea and in the air. But artificial structures do not confer any such right. In other words, we would be able to fly our aircraft right up to China's new islands without breaking any international laws, and China should not interfere with our flight.

Even Australia has gotten into the mix. China against the world.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-15/audio-captures-raaf-challenging-chinese-navy-in-south-china-sea/7030076

In the scratchy radio recording, an RAAF pilot is heard speaking to the Chinese Navy.

"China Navy, China Navy," the voice says.

"We are an Australian aircraft exercising international freedom of navigation rights, in international airspace in accordance with the international civil aviation convention, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea - over."

The BBC said it recorded the flight audio from a RAAF AP-3C Orion surveillance aircraft in the early afternoon on November 25.

[OMGImInPattaya]

"Personnel on the island issued warnings..."...American B-52 bomber pilots don't understand Chinese!

[OMGImInPattaya]

The Chinese are getting a little full of themselves...looks like we'll have to teach them a lesson.

[NeverSure]

*Removed posts Edited out*

No, sanctions would work. The US is the largest buyer of Chinese exports and China is an export economy. The US allows imports of Chinese products with no tariffs. Just put a 30% tariff on Chinese imports and send their economy back to the 17th century. That would also make US products competitive in the US and bring jobs home.

If you want to see a puzzie government allowing China to rip it off it's right there.

Cheers.

[oneday]

"...a Chinese-controlled man-made island in the South China Sea..."

Chinese controlled and man-made are the key words. Not Chinese sovereign territory and certainly not any sovereign territory recognized by the UN.

For everything the US may do that is wrong China does a 1000 things wrong or illegal such as supporting Chinese businesses in making counterfeit products and helping the businesses get them shipped to and sold in countries all around the world. The Chinese government is the greatest industrial thief in the world and this government never cooperates with any international investigation against any Chinese banks or businesses. China is nothing, but a den of thieves on the grandest scale ever.

All China has to do is dismantle these islands they have built, which have been intentionally provocative, and which are a threat to keeping international shipping lanes free from interference.

[Credo]

The question that needs to be answered is if they had the permission of the Philippines to navigate it what they consider to be their territorial waters. Even if they didn't have the explicit approval, the Philippines isn't the one complaining and they are the other party in the dispute.

[Scott]

Numerous off-topic posts and replies removed.

[impulse]

What's amusing about China's stance in the 9 line controversy is that they'd all be speaking Japanese had the USA behaved 80 years ago how the CCP is demanding they behave today.

They want the USA (and all international bodies) to stand aside so they can "settle any dispute" through bilateral negotiations with their tiny little adversaries. And they're refusing to abide by any international mediation.

Just like the Japanese demanded. As I recall, it didn't work out so well back then...

Edited December 19, 2015 by impulse

[klauskunkel]

Fictitious US commander:

Them China boys been a bit heavy on the Rhino horn powder again and now they are randy for a fight...that powder must've put the lead right into their collective communist gun, who'da thunk?

[razer]

Hey ... this is just good business ... Taiwan already bought another $1.8 billion in military equipment from the USA.

[AlexRRR]

The Chinese are getting a little full of themselves...looks like we'll have to teach them a lesson.

Yep good idea, next time that B52 flys over you can do a Rambo all on your lonesome parachute down and fix them all up.

[Thorgal]

US is a military power, and China is an economic power.

Transition of main power shift will happen through conflicts provoked like in OP.

Most people are not aware that Chinese domestic banks have more USD's than the US domestic banks.

[Thaidream]

The Chinese are a clear and present danger to the US and the World. They must be checked and stopped everywhere. There sole goal is to expand their influence everywhere to attain natural resources to keep their citizens happy and the Communist elite in power. They are the most predatory country in the World and they will be stopped.

[seedy]

one Troll / Flaming post removed

[Doc46]

So what? and who is making the rules? If the Us or Any other country built Islands ARE they not going to Claim the Same ?Ok if they are going to far and intrude /Threatening other countries Fair enough Bomb the <deleted> Island back into the Ocean.

[ddavidovsky]

Nothing will get China out of these islands now. It's too late, just as it's too late for Tibet and Xinjiang. The Philippines et al have done nothing to exert control over this territory - everyone has been asleep while China has been frantically working. The region is now de facto part of China. This is a massive machiavellian victory for them.

But it's also a truly terrifying development right out of the 1930s. China is a fascist superpower pumped up by nationalism and is clearly utterly oblivious to international law or decency.

What to do when a superpower starts running rampage with ludicrous territorial claims which they are powerful enough to actually bring about? The rest of the world has got no idea how to respond.

[Dumbastheycome]

The Chinese are a clear and present danger to the US and the World. They must be checked and stopped everywhere. There sole goal is to expand their influence everywhere to attain natural resources to keep their citizens happy and the Communist elite in power. They are the most predatory country in the World and they will be stopped.

Predatory? Examples? It is not China that a has military boot print in many many global locations.....expanding their influence to attain natural resources to keep their citizens happy and the elite in power.

The Great Wall was built as a defence against invasion.....

The recent economic explosion in China was funded primarily from where?

Those that shoot themselves in the foot should take care about where next to point the gun.

[Credo]

The Chinese are a clear and present danger to the US and the World. They must be checked and stopped everywhere. There sole goal is to expand their influence everywhere to attain natural resources to keep their citizens happy and the Communist elite in power. They are the most predatory country in the World and they will be stopped.

Predatory? Examples? It is not China that a has military boot print in many many global locations.....expanding their influence to attain natural resources to keep their citizens happy and the elite in power.

The Great Wall was built as a defence against invasion.....

The recent economic explosion in China was funded primarily from where?

Those that shoot themselves in the foot should take care about where next to point the gun.

So, it is perfectly OK for China to encroach on what is considered as part of the Philippines and not only encroach on it, but build islands on it and damage the ecosystem in the area?

The Philippines has a military pact with the US. There were several military bases in the Philippines and when they wanted them back, they were returned. When they again asked for military assistance and cooperation, it was given, but somehow it is the US's fault that China feels free to do what they want well out of their territorial limits.

[Dumbastheycome]

The Chinese are a clear and present danger to the US and the World. They must be checked and stopped everywhere. There sole goal is to expand their influence everywhere to attain natural resources to keep their citizens happy and the Communist elite in power. They are the most predatory country in the World and they will be stopped.

Predatory? Examples? It is not China that a has military boot print in many many global locations.....expanding their influence to attain natural resources to keep their citizens happy and the elite in power.

The Great Wall was built as a defence against invasion.....

The recent economic explosion in China was funded primarily from where?

Those that shoot themselves in the foot should take care about where next to point the gun.

So, it is perfectly OK for China to encroach on what is considered as part of the Philippines and not only encroach on it, but build islands on it and damage the ecosystem in the area?

The Philippines has a military pact with the US. There were several military bases in the Philippines and when they wanted them back, they were returned. When they again asked for military assistance and cooperation, it was given, but somehow it is the US's fault that China feels free to do what they want well out of their territorial limits.

Only the Phillippines? Or is it that the Phillippines feel empowered to challenge because of the mentioned pact?

Is the issue about debatable encroachment or .. a challenge to prior assumed right by virtue of the backing ( and territorial control interest ) of a remote power backer?

[connda]

It's really comical until the first nuke flies, then all bets are off. And Australia thinks it's out of 'The Splatter Zone' Rotflmao. Hopefully Beijing, Moscow, and Washington DC don't have nukes trained on Thailand. There needs to be a relatively radiation-free place for the survivors to vacation.

[Credo]

There is no 'remote' power broker. If the Philippines doesn't care, then the US would have little interest in the situation. Who is trying to take it to the International Court? It's not the US.

[willyumiii]

*Removed posts Edited out*

No, sanctions would work. The US is the largest buyer of Chinese exports and China is an export economy. The US allows imports of Chinese products with no tariffs. Just put a 30% tariff on Chinese imports and send their economy back to the 17th century. That would also make US products competitive in the US and bring jobs home.

If you want to see a puzzie government allowing China to rip it off it's right there.

Cheers.

I like it!

Why not just ban Chinese exports in the US...

and Wal-Mart would go bankrupt with nothing to sell!

[willyumiii]

Hey ... this is just good business ... Taiwan already bought another $1.8 billion in military equipment from the USA.

Did they get bullets with that gun?

[slipperylobster]

Just wait until we start closing down all their chinese food restaurants in the USA.

Fuk-Wu Noodle would be a good start. Then, in brooklyn..Phat Phuc Noodle Shop...

closely followed by Puu-Puu Hot Pot.

Seriously....they can't even spell right.

Sick and tired of those people.

Edited December 19, 2015 by slipperylobster

[waldroj]

A year ago countries were arguing about sovereignty of the North Pole (see http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30481309).

However, there was nothing artificial in that dispute.

[Lopchan]

Singapore has for many years been growing itself by importing dirt from it's very close neighbour Malaysia as well as dredging the sea floor. They then dump it at the end of the main harbour and ship building yards in Jurong. So far it has probably extended it's land mass by a couple of kilometres at least, inching closer to Malaysia. The extension is claimed as Singaporean sovereign territory.

So my question is: Are all the rambo-esque warmongers going to decry Singapore for this and recommend doing a "Hiroshima" on their #ss? After all Singapore has a lot of Chinese people so they must be evil right?

[Credo]

Singapore has for many years been growing itself by importing dirt from it's very close neighbour Malaysia as well as dredging the sea floor. They then dump it at the end of the main harbour and ship building yards in Jurong. So far it has probably extended it's land mass by a couple of kilometres at least, inching closer to Malaysia. The extension is claimed as Singaporean sovereign territory.

So my question is: Are all the rambo-esque warmongers going to decry Singapore for this and recommend doing a "Hiroshima" on their #ss? After all Singapore has a lot of Chinese people so they must be evil right?

Is Malaysia complaining? Are they concerned?

[ggt]

China, pick an number and take a seat...the US will deal with you shortly when they return from lunch...

There is a long line of countries accusing the US of both economic and military provocation...

Problem is...as we have seen for the past number of years...no one in the US is listening...

[Publicus]

Singapore has for many years been growing itself by importing dirt from it's very close neighbour Malaysia as well as dredging the sea floor. They then dump it at the end of the main harbour and ship building yards in Jurong. So far it has probably extended it's land mass by a couple of kilometres at least, inching closer to Malaysia. The extension is claimed as Singaporean sovereign territory.

So my question is: Are all the rambo-esque warmongers going to decry Singapore for this and recommend doing a "Hiroshima" on their #ss? After all Singapore has a lot of Chinese people so they must be evil right?

US several years ago called on all parties to stop construction of new artificial islands in the South China Sea and to stop building military facilities on all existing natural islands.

This means not only the CCP Dictators in Beijing, it includes Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Phils, Taiwan, all of which are doing it. CCP simply is by far the most serious and pervasive initiator and belligerent.

Taiwan has territorial claims north and south of it that conflict with Beijing, the Phils, Japan, which has become a prominent issue in the coming Taiwan presidential election January 16. The good news is that Taiwan and Japan are making excellent progress in resolving their claims. (Washington is not idle in this process either, albeit very quietly and invisibly.)

The Taiwan-Japan progress has the CCP bent out of shape because they pathetically consider Taiwan a prodical province and maliciously teach the sheeple 24/7 in school and in its mass media war drama programming that Japan is the detested country and the number one enemy tagged for eventual extinction -- the sooner the better. (Watching CCP television programming daily, one would be convinced China demolished the Japanese armies during WW 2...except for Nanjing which still must be avenged.)

SecDef Carter who prevailed on Prez Obama to send the US Navy and the USAF B-52s to the SCS reiterated the US's everyone stop the construction policy several months ago at the US sponsored regional annual military exchange seminars in Australia attended by defense ministers and military top brass throughout the region.

No matter who is constructing artificial islands or are militarising existing natural islands, it creates new and unnecessary international and global problems, led by and provoked by the CCP, which has a determined design to take full control of the SCS, enforced by a pervasive proliferation of its military presence on numereous artificial and natural islands that belong to the many countries.

People who btw talk about nuclear anywhere at any time need to be fitted for a straight jacket.