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[webfact]

China says United States should 'brush up on' South China Sea history

REUTERS

 

A satellite image shows what CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative says appears to be anti-aircraft guns and what are likely to be close-in weapons systems (CIWS) on the artificial island Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea in this image released on December 13, 2016. CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe/Handout via REUTERS

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States needs to brush up on its history about the South China Sea, as World War Two-related agreements mandated that all Chinese territories taken by Japan had to be returned to China, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Australia.

 

China has been upset by previous comments from the new U.S. administration about the disputed waterway.

 

In his Senate confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said China should not be allowed access to islands it has built there. The White House also vowed to defend "international territories" in the strategic waterway.

 

However, last week U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis suggested that diplomacy should be the priority in the South China Sea.

 

In comments carried on the foreign ministry's website late on Tuesday, Wang said he had a "suggestion" for this American friends. "Brush up on the history of World War Two," Wang was quoted as saying during a visit to Canberra, Australia.

 

The 1943 Cairo Declaration and 1945 Potsdam Declaration clearly state that Japan had to return to China all Chinese territory taken by Japan, Wang said.

 

"This includes the Nansha Islands," he added, using China's name for the Spratly Islands.

 

"In 1946, the then-Chinese government with help from the United States openly and in accordance with the law took back the Nansha Islands and reefs that Japan had occupied, and resumed exercising sovereignty," Wang said.

 

"Afterwards, certain countries around China used illegal methods to occupy some of the Nansha islands and reefs, and it's this that created the so-called South China Sea dispute."

 

China is committed to having talks with the parties directly involved, and in accordance with historical facts and international law to peacefully resolve the issue, and that position will not change, Wang said.

 

Countries outside the region should support the efforts of China and others in the region to maintain the peace and stability of the South China Sea, and not do the opposite, he added.

 

China sets great store on Mattis' comments stressing diplomatic efforts in the South China Sea, as this is not only the position set by China and Southeast Asia but also the "correct choice" for countries outside the region, Wang said.

 

China claims most of the South China Sea, while Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei claim parts of the waters that command strategic sea lanes and have rich fishing grounds along with oil and gas deposits.

 

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-02-08

[Kasset Tak]

US that don't condemn Israel for building on occupied land and Israel claim "historical right" to the land, in the same time US blame China for their prescience in the South China Sea. China has more "historical right" of the South China Sea than Israel has to even exist... frankly that goes for US too!!!

[rabas]

56 minutes ago, webfact said:

The 1943 Cairo Declaration and 1945 Potsdam Declaration clearly state that Japan had to return to China all Chinese territory taken by Japan, Wang said.

Lol. That was to the Republic of China, which is now Taiwan, who also claim the territory.

Edited February 8, 2017 by rabas

[Ramen087]

31 minutes ago, rabas said:

Lol. That was to the Republic of China, which is now Taiwan, who also claim the territory.

Although some would refer to it as 'Chinese Taipei'.

[smedly]

39 minutes ago, Kasset Tak said:

US that don't condemn Israel for building on occupied land and Israel claim "historical right" to the land, in the same time US blame China for their prescience in the South China Sea. China has more "historical right" of the South China Sea than Israel has to even exist... frankly that goes for US too!!!

have you actually looked on a map - what China claims is so close to coasts of other regional countries you'd need to take a passport and go through China immigration to go for a swim off of some of the beaches , it is quite frankly shocking and only you seems think differently

[craigt3365]

43 minutes ago, Kasset Tak said:

US that don't condemn Israel for building on occupied land and Israel claim "historical right" to the land, in the same time US blame China for their prescience in the South China Sea. China has more "historical right" of the South China Sea than Israel has to even exist... frankly that goes for US too!!!

The US does condemn Israel for this.  Just read the news.  Here's one:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/05/house-votes-to-condemn-u-n-security-council-resolution-on-israeli-settlements/?utm_term=.77f693e6deac

 

It's  not just the US who's blaming China for this.  An international tribunal has ruled against China's claims and they are ignoring it.  No way to spin this any other way.  China is in the wrong.

[jacko45k]

4 hours ago, Kasset Tak said:

US that don't condemn Israel for building on occupied land and Israel claim "historical right" to the land, in the same time US blame China for their prescience in the South China Sea. China has more "historical right" of the South China Sea than Israel has to even exist... frankly that goes for US too!!!

Well don't they claim thosse lands were promised to them by God?

l depends how far one goes back in history rather than choosing selective times that suit the argument.

[elgordo38]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The United States needs to brush up on its history about the South China Sea

That being said it seems the Chinese have their brush at the ready as well as a can of RED paint to touch up all and any land masses in their area. Maybe Taiwan will wake up one day to find themselves bombarded by red paint from overhead as a gentle reminder as to who their country belongs to. I am sure China stands ready to make them the same promises of independence as they made to Hong Kong. 

[Baerboxer]

4 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

The US does condemn Israel for this.  Just read the news.  Here's one:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/05/house-votes-to-condemn-u-n-security-council-resolution-on-israeli-settlements/?utm_term=.77f693e6deac

 

It's  not just the US who's blaming China for this.  An international tribunal has ruled against China's claims and they are ignoring it.  No way to spin this any other way.  China is in the wrong.

 

Fair point. The tribunal did rule against China. But large powerful countries have a habit of not being members of or respecting International Tribunals, Courts and Committees.

 

 

[kamahele]

Actually China should brush up on its history of the South China sea which they hadn't dominated in many centuries. 

[craigt3365]

2 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Fair point. The tribunal did rule against China. But large powerful countries have a habit of not being members of or respecting International Tribunals, Courts and Committees.

 

 

The same court did a ruling against the US.  They've ignored it. LOL

[rijb]

8 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

The US does condemn Israel for this.  Just read the news.  Here's one:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/05/house-votes-to-condemn-u-n-security-council-resolution-on-israeli-settlements/?utm_term=.77f693e6deac

 

It's  not just the US who's blaming China for this.  An international tribunal has ruled against China's claims and they are ignoring it.  No way to spin this any other way.  China is in the wrong.

Given the Asian mindset, do you think China is going to back down?

 

And given the Western mindset, do you think the U.S. is going to back down?

 

I don't have a good feeling about this.

[SiSePuede419]

"History is not an accepted legal basis under the law"

 

http://thediplomat.com/2013/08/history-the-weak-link-in-beijings-maritime-claims/

 

[hawker9000]

16 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

The US does condemn Israel for this.  Just read the news.  Here's one:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/05/house-votes-to-condemn-u-n-security-council-resolution-on-israeli-settlements/?utm_term=.77f693e6deac

 

It's  not just the US who's blaming China for this.  An international tribunal has ruled against China's claims and they are ignoring it.  No way to spin this any other way.  China is in the wrong.

You're wasting your breath.  Empty-headed sinophiles parrot their "facts" from the CCP playbook, and are going to ignore any but those when it comes to China's squatting in the S. China Sea.  China - and China alone - is bringing on war, no two ways about it.  'Might as well be ready for it; it's coming.

 

[bangon04]

1 hour ago, hawker9000 said:

You're wasting your breath.  Empty-headed sinophiles parrot their "facts" from the CCP playbook, and are going to ignore any but those when it comes to China's squatting in the S. China Sea.  China - and China alone - is bringing on war, no two ways about it.  'Might as well be ready for it; it's coming.

 

more likely several "incidents" in the area, close misses and lots of saber-rattling.

Nobody will actually stand up to China. China is determined to "punish" Japan for the second world war. China will get its way by attrition. Might as well be ready for it - learn Chinese if you are under 35 years old.

[tifino]

https://youtu.be/vMLrp8PyEWU?t=76

 

 

[ilostmypassword]

On 2/8/2017 at 11:28 AM, craigt3365 said:

The US does condemn Israel for this.  Just read the news.  Here's one:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/05/house-votes-to-condemn-u-n-security-council-resolution-on-israeli-settlements/?utm_term=.77f693e6deac

 

It's  not just the US who's blaming China for this.  An international tribunal has ruled against China's claims and they are ignoring it.  No way to spin this any other way.  China is in the wrong.

No that resolution is exactly opposite to your characterization..  That was a house resolution condemning the UN resolution that condemned Israeli settlement policy. 

[craigt3365]

1 minute ago, ilostmypassword said:

No that resolution is exactly opposite to your characterization..  That was a house resolution condemning the UN resolution that condemned Israeli settlement policy. 

Understood.  I was referring to the international tribunal that ruled against China's claim in the last paragraph.  China lost.  And just pointing out that the US does criticize Israel from time to time.  But that's another topic. 

[heybruce]

On 2/8/2017 at 4:13 AM, kamahele said:

Actually China should brush up on its history of the South China sea which they hadn't dominated in many centuries. 

Well they dominated the area at some point in the past, so now they get it back.

 

Also, Spain and Portugal get all of South America for the same reason.

[daveAustin]

On 2/9/2017 at 5:51 AM, bangon04 said:

more likely several "incidents" in the area, close misses and lots of saber-rattling.

Nobody will actually stand up to China. China is determined to "punish" Japan for the second world war. China will get its way by attrition. Might as well be ready for it - learn Chinese if you are under 35 years old.

Umm, okkaaay. Maybe if you wanted to live in China.

[boomerangutang]

If the islands off Fil's coast belong to any country, they belong to the Fils.

China is wrong, and deep down it knows it - but wants to assert domination because it's the biggest heaviest player in the mosh pit.

 

Fil's Duterte needs to grow a pair of balls and stand arm in arm with the US, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Indonesia against China territory grabs.  Concerted stand will be the quickest and least painful way to kick Chinese back to China.

 

Any bit of vacillating, like Fil's Duterte, will put wind in China's sails.  As for Tillerson:  he's unknown/untested at this time.   He may talk firmly, but his boss is a dilly-dallying dufus liar, so it paints the US as weak and unreliable.  SE Asia needs Uncle Sam to not only appear strong, but be strong and steadfast.    The US ship of state has a rudder made of Trump taffy.

[smedly]

3 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

If the islands off Fil's coast belong to any country, they belong to the Fils.

China is wrong, and deep down it knows it - but wants to assert domination because it's the biggest heaviest player in the mosh pit.

 

Fil's Duterte needs to grow a pair of balls and stand arm in arm with the US, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, and Indonesia against China territory grabs.  Concerted stand will be the quickest and least painful way to kick Chinese back to China.

 

Any bit of vacillating, like Fil's Duterte, will put wind in China's sails.  As for Tillerson:  he's unknown/untested at this time.   He may talk firmly, but his boss is a dilly-dallying dufus liar, so it paints the US as weak and unreliable.  SE Asia needs Uncle Sam to not only appear strong, but be strong and steadfast.    The US ship of state has a rudder made of Trump taffy.

China wants conflict, they have had their ass handed to them so many times in the past that they have a deep seeded  need to actually win something and mend their reputation, they are determined and IMO will stop at nothing - they are very obviously and blatantly arming and equipping the SCS, it will start with Taiwan or an incident in the SCS or both, either way it will start, they are not involved in any other conflict area in the world, unlike the US UK and Russia they don't have the reach either by sea or have land bases on foreign soil - their only reach is SCS - and they will get their asses handed to them again, the worrying element is N. Korea who might feel the need to take the opportunity and join in, it is IMO extremely dangerous and could escalate very quickly