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China is actively building artificial islands in the South China Sea, turning them into military and logistical bases. Beijing already has at least seven such bases, equipped with access channels, helipads, radar facilities, gun and missile emplacements, piers, military facilities and other objects of strategic importance. China’s government had started its land reclamation and construction efforts on the reefs in early 2014. The main reason for such actions by China, is the US intention of controlling international trade in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific or even monopoly of trade control in those waters. - See more at: southfront.org...
If the international community rolls over, Beijing may insist on—backed by warships and planes—exclusive economic rights around these new islands, despite going against international law. That could mean that the natural resources for 200 miles around these “instant islands” would be Chinese; no fishing or exploration or drilling for oil and gas without Beijing’s say-so. Second, the building of military bases on these man-made islands would push Chinese influence far into the Pacific Ocean, projecting Beijing’s military might, especially if airstrips are built. These new defense outposts could be used to control the area, including trade and air/sea traffic (e.g., U.S. warship movement) in and through the region.
During his last term, U.S. President Barack Obama did not allow the Navy to engage in FONOPS, part of his policy of caution and avoidance of extra confrontation with Beijing.
In recent years, while the Navy suspended the operations, China began to aggressively build in the Spratly Islands, installing military-grade runways and deploying surface-to-air weaponry, according to satellite images.
“China respects and upholds the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, which countries enjoy under international law, but firmly opposes any country’s attempt to undermine China’s sovereignty and security in the name of the freedom of navigation and overflight,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said
originally posted by: Dem0nc1eaner
Couldn't you just take a couple of subs over there and poke them into the sea?
If war does break out you can thank the Chinese for not abiding by international law.
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: shawmanfromny
They've already performed exercises and freedom of navigation through the area in the last year or two.
originally posted by: JIMC5499
a reply to: odzeandennz
That made me laugh so hard I think I hurt something. China has an old Russian cast off that they rebuilt. They have come a long way, but, they are still far from having a blue water Navy.
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Kukri
The huge difference is that they're claiming an ADIZ around the islands, and are grabbing territory that isn't theirs to grab. A carrier moves through and doesn't take resources. This is pretty much a straight resource grab.
Their current state is illustrated by the incident on January 9, when a group of six Chinese bombers accompanied by two support planes crossed the South Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea and Sea of Japan in the Tsushima Strait area. We remember that the country that introduces the ADIZ zone (usually extending for hundreds of kilometers from the national airspace) has no right to prevent the flight of a foreign aircraft, but may require a notice from the crew on the intention to enter it.
Military aircrafts often ignore this requirement (as obviously in this case), which nevertheless does not violate international law. But at the same time, as a rule, Air Defense fighters of ADIZ “hostess” country inspect the intruding “guest.” On January 9, Japan’s Air Defense aircrafts were also lifted for an inspection mission, however what the Republic of Korea did was unprecedented. For the interception of the Chinese group, ten F-15 and F-16 fighter jets of the South Korean Air Force were lifted.
Two weeks ago, in a similar incident over the Miyako Strait of the Ryukyu archipelago, to intercept a group of six Chinese bombers and support aircrafts, the Japanese Air Force lifted only two F-15’s. So far, one of the major regional players, i.e. the US, has not participated in these “muscle-flexing games” and political “shows”, again due to being absorbed in solving complex internal problems. It is difficult to say, whether this is good or bad from the standpoint of maintaining stability in Northeast Asia. journal-neo.org...