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China Deploys Artillery On "Sand Castles" In South China Sea

Tyler Durden's picture




 

When last we checked in on what has to this point been a war only of words (although that could change quickly) between the US and China over the latter’s island-building efforts in the South China Sea, Beijing had just issued its 2015 defense white paper which signaled a shift in focus from “offshore waters defense” to “open seas protection” and also indicated that the PLA Air Force would move towards “offensive” strategies. 

This was essentially a thinly-veiled reference to the country’s intention to set up what will effectively be a no-fly zone over the islands it’s built atop reefs in the Spratly archipelago. Earlier this month, a US spy plane had a close encounter of the PLA kind when a PA-8 Poseidon carrying a CNN crew was told to “Go Now!” by the Chinese Navy when the surveillance aircraft came too close to Fiery Cross Reef.

Washington has responded with all manner of amusing rhetoric including the characterization of China’s islands as “sand castles”. The US is also set to conduct war games with regional allies in a show of maritime force. 

Now, the US says it has detected artillery on one of the man-made islands. WSJ has more:

U.S. surveillance imagery shows China has positioned weaponry on one of the artificial islands it is developing in the South China Sea, American officials said, supporting their suspicions that Beijing has been building up reefs for military purposes.

 

The U.S. imagery detected two Chinese motorized artillery pieces on one of the artificial islands built by China about one month ago. While the artillery wouldn’t pose a threat to U.S. planes or ships, U.S. officials said it could reach neighboring islands and that its presence was at odds with China’s public statements that the reclaimed islands are mainly for civilian use…

 

American officials said that the equipment more recently has either been removed or purposely obscured from view by the Chinese. It was unclear how or why the equipment was no longer visible...

 

A Chinese Embassy spokesman in Washington wouldn’t comment specifically on the weaponry, but said its development work within the Spratly Islands—known by the Chinese as the Nansha Islands—was primarily civilian.

 

“It needs to be emphasized that the Nansha Islands is China’s territory, and China has every right to deploy on relevant islands and reefs necessary facilities for military defense,” said Zhu Haiquan, the spokesman for the Chinese embassy. “However, the facilities on relevant islands and reefs are primarily for civilian purposes.”

Of course, China isn’t the only country to have built “sand castles” in the region, but it is the only country to have done so that isn’t a US ally, which Beijing quite plausibly contends is the reason for Washington’s hostility:

Ms. Hua and other Chinese officials assert that Washington has a double standard, criticizing the U.S. for being “selectively mute” about construction activities carried out by other countries in the region.

 

She didn’t name those claimants, but Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Philippines have also engaged in reclamation and other work in areas they control.

 

“If it’s not a double standard, then there must be some hidden motives behind that,” Ms. Hua said at a daily media briefing.

Washington’s response: size matters.

U.S. officials said the reclamation efforts by those countries are on a far smaller scale than China.

In sum, China has created some 1,500 acres of new sovereign territory this year alone and has indicated it will defend that territory just as it would the mainland. That's a problem, says US Defense Secretary Ash Carter who told an audience in Hawaii that make "no mistake", the US intends to "fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as [it] does all around the world."

Clearly, Beijing's position cannot coexist peacefully with Washington's position which is why we continue to believe a shooting sand castle showdown may be in the cards.

 

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Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:32 | 6143419 Looney
Looney's picture

The Greeks could just roll-up their Teepees and move to the Spratly Islands. ;-)

Looney

 

King Leonidas – THIS… IS… SPRATLY!!!

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:39 | 6143437 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

What the USSA would say or do if the Russians or Chinese tried to overfly Diego Garcia?

Hypocrisy, anyone?

 

Problem is that  the USSA is used to destroying or threatening others, not creating by building new islands. This novel approach has them confused.

I have to give the Chinese credit for this move, they really outsmarted the USSA State Dept. Idiots.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:10 | 6143567 ThirteenthFloor
ThirteenthFloor's picture

+1. Agree. If you think about they did the same is economic markets too. The US argues China cannot play in IMF because they do not have enough 'debt instruments' to play with the 'big boys'. They flip the coin by telling IMF we are the ones that can actually contribute to the fund.

China is playing contrarian and frankly quite well.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:15 | 6143588 pods
pods's picture

They better not park them on the same side of the island!

#Tipover

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:57 | 6143717 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

"...make "no mistake", the US intends to "fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as [it] does all around the world."

We're all about "freedom," ya know.

When we confronted Japan with 11" naval rifles versus their pot-belly cannons more than a century ago, they came around to understanding "freedom."  Why can't China understand that we just want to bring them the benefits of JPM's advanced financial products?  Easy, they hate freedom.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:20 | 6143832 sushi
sushi's picture

I seem to remember a lot of dredging, land reclamation and infill work in Hawaii a few dozen years ago. This was immediately followed by the mounting of artillery, creation of barracks, military airfields, and naval bases. Cannot quite remember clearly but do not believe this was undertaken by the Chinese govt.

Something similar took place in Guam, Wake, Okinawa, Dijibouti and several other locations around the globe.

Dastardly Chinese attempting to take over the world by disguising themselves as employees of Uncle Sugar. Nefarious!

 

 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 12:38 | 6144120 Handful of Dust
Handful of Dust's picture

The Chinese already own most of the prime RE in Kornifornia. I guess they want those tiny islands also, just for fun ... and to antagonize the Japanese and Merikans..

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:06 | 6144221 BaBaBouy
BaBaBouy's picture

Chinee Building "Sand Castles" In South China Sea...
AND
USa Is Building "Mud Huts" In Iraq And Afghan...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:14 | 6144237 Gaius Frakkin' ...
Gaius Frakkin' Baltar's picture

China should offer to build new islands for the decedents whose ancestors were forcibly removed from Bikini Atoll and Diego Garcia. At least the Chinese have the decency to build their own islands instead of stealing them from others.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:34 | 6144305 Comte de Saint ...
Comte de Saint Germain's picture

...And so castles made of sand, melts into the sea eventually...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMGYAkUtKQw

 

Sat, 05/30/2015 - 09:19 | 6146596 TwoShortPlanks
TwoShortPlanks's picture

It's all about employment.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:35 | 6144310 RafterManFMJ
RafterManFMJ's picture

 

...instead of stealing them from others.

.....

So I'm reading about Diego Garcia and thought you'd like this:

 

The key component in obtaining Diego Garcia, was the lack of Native persons on the island. Prior to setting up a Military base, the United States Government was informed by the British Government-the "owners" of Diego Garcia- that Diego Garcia only had a population within the hundreds, this was in fact proven to be false; the Chagossians numbered within the two thousands. Regardless of population numbers, the Chagossians simply had to go. In 1968, the first sets of tactics were implemented to decrease the population of Diego Garcia. Those that left- either for vacation or medical purposes-were not allowed to return and those who stayed were restricted to food and medical supplies. This tactic was utilized in hopes that those that stayed would leave willingly[citation needed]. One of the more gruesome tactics utilized was that of the killings of Chagossian pets. Dogs were carried into sheds where they were gassed in front of their owners[citation needed].

From Wiki, so it's suspect ... but believable to me.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 23:45 | 6146124 sun tzu
sun tzu's picture

It would be more believable if they gave the Chagossians blankets infected with the plague

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:13 | 6144236 froze25
froze25's picture

Those Chinese are just using the real estate as a means of getting their wealth out of the country.  China doesn't allow more than 50,000 dollars worth of the peoples money to be taken abroad.  The wealthy people of China know that the bubble there is about to pop so they are desperately trying to get themselves and their money out of the country.  They can use the "real Estate" purchase excuse as a means of offshoring their cash.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:13 | 6143583 Pliskin
Pliskin's picture

You're giving the Chinese too much credit LL.  Deputy Dawg could outsmart the U.S. state department.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:50 | 6143705 Babalooee
Babalooee's picture

I thought Deputy Dawg was Chinese

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:03 | 6143759 gatorengineer
gatorengineer's picture

No Deputy Dawg was eaten by the Chinese....

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:15 | 6143590 Oh regional Indian
Oh regional Indian's picture

THe US government and all it's positions, especially and since the 1907 crisis, when ole JP really got everyone's nuts in a vice, is nothing but a (actually literally) a Corporation pretending to be a givernment of a now irrelevant but once functioning constitutional republic.

Every leader since the first war of indi but cleary in the last 150 years has been be-holden ONLY to money masters.

People who wax lyrical on Kennedy really ought to read up on the man, he was a figurehead too, who won based on vote-rigging and mafia assistance through his fathers bootlegging empire days (where the Bronfmans made their money from the other side of the lakes).

And the same is true for probably all Centrally Banked nations. Especially the Commonwealth countries, boy will we be angry when we realize that all of our independences were fake.

Sooooo, yup, the US is playing out it's masonically/esoterically decided future and it looks more and more like you have a draft coming.

This one makes most american's angry, but Trafficant and before him Lindburgh (Pa and son), and a few others rose up and spoke and each paid a heavy heavy price...

https://aadivaahan.wordpress.com/2011/02/16/truth-about-america-truth-ab...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:34 | 6143648 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

The US is merely perpetuating it's "Manifest Destiny" policy, but on a global scale.  

King fiat lets them do that: Free Money out of thin air (that the rest of the planet is supporting), enabling bottomless financing of its MIC and Surveillance state, which blackmail world leaders to maintain US hegemony, FBO its Primary Beneficiaries*.

* Fed owners, Deep State, Oligarchs and Zi'Borgs.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:38 | 6144325 Anusocracy
Anusocracy's picture

Any water molecule, having once been in the Caribbean Sea and now present throughout the oceans and seas of the world, subjects those oceans and seas to the Monroe Doctrine.

Upcoming decision of the US Supreme Court.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:49 | 6143692 tony wilson and...
tony wilson and saturn zion devils's picture

listen here fella
der dago garcia island is for freedum and
rendering kids
so lonseome folks like david funishings elton jons and gorge clone e can have kids without incu bating
and parking malay planes from indonisia in china.
it not military it for wet works water sports water boarding
human re sauces
it just different ok

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:05 | 6143763 'argar the 'orrible
'argar the 'orrible's picture

Completely agree with you LL,  'Whose the king of the (sand) castle ' and whose 'The dirty rascal'  (old english nursery rhyme, just couldn't resist it).

It seems the 'expletive deleted, mob' in Washington are beside themselves and they cannot see the irony of it. They will fight to the last drop of your blood to maintain their opulent lifestyle, unless of course the people wake up and 'do something'.

Beware the ides of March and the pitchforks.

Disclaimer: I am not American although I do have an  great Aunt of Dearborne whom had two children, Faith and Allen, whom I expect have progeny of their own.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:42 | 6143912 aurum4040
aurum4040's picture

Exactly, the USSA neocons are hypocritical pieces of arrogant exceptional shit. Sun Tzu would be proud, the Chinese have played the US for 30 plus years ssteadily urning the USD and the White House into a house of cards. Funny thing is, the true sand castle is the USD an American fantasy reality that's about to be washed away. 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 12:04 | 6144003 ali-ali-al-qomfri
ali-ali-al-qomfri's picture

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually - JH

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:54 | 6143948 RangerJack
RangerJack's picture

C'mon. You all have got to be smarter than that. Diego Garcia is a British Indian Ocean Territory that leases it's land to the US. As it is still a British territory it has it's own territorial boundries that are subject to international law. You can't overfly it any more than you can Spain or any other country. You know that. You also know that beyond a certain area around Diego Garcia are international waters, subject to those laws. Any nation can overfly those ares.

 

Knowing all this, you are clearly aware (yet refuse to acknowledge) that the Spratly islands are NOT Chinese territory. They are disputed by several nations including China, Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

 

So China building military bases on those islands despite these disputes shows who the aggressor is. It is NOT Chinese territory and until any disputes are settled, they are in INTERNATIONAL waters. You know but choose to disregard the fact that China overflying Diego Garcia is not even close to the US flying over the Spratly islands. You are just being naive and just want to put the US down (in this instance since there are a ton of areas where they are deserving) and by extension Obama because that's what you are supposed to do here, or something. I know, facts are tough. It's easier to just blame Obama.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:00 | 6144200 TungstenBars
TungstenBars's picture

Diego Garcia are disuted lands as well...not British, athough angl-americans would obviously falsly claim they are British.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:40 | 6144332 qomolangma
qomolangma's picture

@RJ, applying your logic, the Malvinas Island (or Falkland as the British call it) should have maintained its status quo since Argentina has been laying down its claim over the island since long...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 22:35 | 6145979 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

Without disputing any of that I have a simple question:

Why is it our problem?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:38 | 6143443 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

The USA is being very foolish.  Its stating publicly it will basically confront China.  If it backs out of this its going to look really weak to the rest of the world.  Increasing the free fall of the dollar as a reserve currency.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:41 | 6143452 buzzsaw99
buzzsaw99's picture

i feel sorry for all the sea creatures

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:46 | 6143479 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

Agreed.  More loss of reefs and habitat.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:36 | 6143652 SoilMyselfRotten
SoilMyselfRotten's picture

 If it backs out of this its going to look really weak to the rest of the world.

 

And if not, it will look like a pack of hypocritical vermin to the rest of the world

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:18 | 6143821 'argar the 'orrible
'argar the 'orrible's picture

Hypocritical vermin, What we need is the exterminator, give Arnie a call.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:42 | 6143459 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

When you are used to bullying everyone, it's hard to back down until your face meets someone else's fist.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:50 | 6143497 813kml
813kml's picture

The USSA's playground bully rep already took a major beating in Syria and with failed Russian sanctions, it needs to steal some lunch money in order to restore status quo.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:04 | 6143551 Bokkenrijder
Bokkenrijder's picture

Those images look like screen shots from that game Total Annihilation.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:55 | 6143725 Uchtdorf
Uchtdorf's picture

Used to play that! Lots of fun. Defense first and then offense. Win every time.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 15:48 | 6144815 Alvin Fernald
Alvin Fernald's picture

+1

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:51 | 6143712 NoVa
NoVa's picture

Oblamo takes delight at getting sand kicked in our face.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 12:09 | 6144009 ali-ali-al-qomfri
ali-ali-al-qomfri's picture

time to bring out the sand wedge......

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:54 | 6144379 mt paul
mt paul's picture

" every one has a plan

until they get punched in the face "

 

mike tyson ...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 14:58 | 6144648 Nobody Important
Nobody Important's picture

Which is exactly what needs to happen to the US.

 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:46 | 6143469 SmedleyButlersGhost
SmedleyButlersGhost's picture

".......GOING to look really weak..."

You're too funny!

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:44 | 6143470 Payne
Payne's picture

Aircraft roulette, how many aircraft can overfly before one has a missle up its exhaust ?  I had a friend how flew through anti aircraft fire in 1987 left a deep impression in his soul and pants.  He was still nervous on missions we flew years later.  Course I had another friend who had to evade a missle in the Gulf fired at him from a friendly ship.  Accidents happen, they just don't make the news.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:16 | 6143591 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

"Course I had another friend who had to evade a missle in the Gulf fired at him from a friendly ship.  Accidents happen, they just don't make the news."

 

Was it an Israeli ship?   If so, the surviving crew of the USS Liberty might disagree:

http://www.b-29s-over-korea.com/The-USS-Liberty-incident/The-USS-Liberty...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:36 | 6143653 Payne
Payne's picture

I don't think so,  I remember it as French or UK.  Gulf was crowded with ships in 1990s everyone was trigger happy.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:33 | 6143644 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Well ZH sadly has some ex-US Navy semen who still love MIC and will tell you how wonderful Obola's Pacific Fleet is.  A navy filled with fatties, gaybo's, Trayvons and other retards.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:47 | 6143691 Payne
Payne's picture

Military forces have not changed in hundreds of years, read your history.  Same complaints by force commanders throughout history.

Same percentages of gays, fatties etc., gang bangers, drug addicts.  What has changed is the publics perception and acceptance.

Zerohedge is filled with people that have never fought a war or lost a friend in combat but know all the specs on weapons.  War is messy

with uncertain outcomes at the best of times.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 12:21 | 6144055 malek
malek's picture

Yawn.
You mean eveybody needs to have fought a war or lost a friend in combat before he/she is allowed to voice an opinion?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:28 | 6144290 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Lost a friend or relative in a bankster war for the benefit of banksters.  

Just like how the banksters/elites have been doing recent genocides in Syria, Iraq and the Ukraine.  Using mercenaries, proxy armies and the bad old ISIS that the US created and controls.  Like the Viet Minh.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 16:05 | 6144890 Alvin Fernald
Alvin Fernald's picture

"You mean eveybody needs to have fought a war or lost a friend in combat before he/she is allowed to voice an opinion?"

Much like criticizing murder if you never committed it.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 22:45 | 6146004 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

They fought for our freedom, except speech.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:51 | 6143713 Budnacho
Budnacho's picture

The confrontation won't happen over this little island....America will simply recognize Taiwan as an independant country. 

 

Want to see China Spaz out?....that oughta do it...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:29 | 6143862 Payne
Payne's picture

There is a story floating around where a guy in living on a man made island in Britain.  An old off shore platform for military and he has had it accepted as a separate nation.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:20 | 6144264 Tom Servo
Tom Servo's picture

Sealand, and it was hardly accepted as a separate nation...

 

 

 

 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:55 | 6143960 RangerJack
RangerJack's picture

Why do you support China in this? It's not their territory.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 12:21 | 6144058 Budnacho
Budnacho's picture

It's not a question of supporting them. What they made isnt going away, that time has passed. So instead of fighting them about an island thousands of miles away from their territory, it's far simpler for us to just to support the Island thats right off their coast. 

It would be a fun game of one-upsmanship from the US in that China's entire long-range naval strategy would instanlty collapse to counter the threat right on their doorstep. It would also show China as being weak in terms of they can build an island thousands of miles away but can't project-power their own backyard. 

If we did this, or even hinted at it...the reconsideration of their island strategy would have to do would be immediate. In a war Taiwan is already a smoking hole, whats a few more more craters added to it to get their focus off what they are doing in the Spratleys?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 14:53 | 6144625 Nobody Important
Nobody Important's picture

It's NOT the fucking US's either. So none of their business!

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 16:06 | 6144895 Real Estate Geek
Real Estate Geek's picture

It could be the US's if they landed a shitload of troops on it. The US can easily project power to the Spratley Islands at will. Despite its relative proximity I doubt China can do the same. But that's just one-dimensional thinking, and the Chinese have other vectors available for retaliation.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:43 | 6143915 rubiconsolutions
rubiconsolutions's picture

I sense that another Robin Sparkles song is in the works.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:48 | 6144358 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

Chillax, USA!  It's not real artillery.  Chinese workers need to play in the sand castles, using toy artillery.

"Mattel Cannons -- Made in China"

;-)

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:53 | 6144374 sgorem
sgorem's picture

WTF(AGAIN) China is just trying to "outshoot" the North Koreans in their executions..........nothing to clean up?...........100 yards?...........artillery?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:34 | 6143427 buzzsaw99
buzzsaw99's picture

hahahahahaha, artillery, for real?

wi tu lo

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:40 | 6143454 kowalli
kowalli's picture

artillery can shot for 2000km with nuclear warheads nowdays...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:43 | 6143467 buzzsaw99
buzzsaw99's picture

While the artillery wouldn’t pose a threat to U.S. planes or ships...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:45 | 6143473 kowalli
kowalli's picture

What about USA lapdogs - Japan and Philippines, or usa ships...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:23 | 6143614 NotGrokkingIt
NotGrokkingIt's picture

Is it even possible to hit a ship at 2000km?  What is in-flight time for ballistic projectile at that range?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:32 | 6143872 'argar the 'orrible
'argar the 'orrible's picture

Hardly time to get your pants up when the klaxon goes,,,, incomiiiing !!

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:03 | 6144211 kowalli
kowalli's picture

art can shots guided missiles

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:25 | 6144277 b4real
b4real's picture

1243 miles in 2000 kilometers

Chinese DF 21D travels at Mach 10,  7612 mph

A little under 10 minutes.

Accuracy, I don't know.  Chinese claim to be able to hit an aircraft carrier with it.

This was five years ago.

Should be interesting

 

 

 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:08 | 6143564 Keyser
Keyser's picture

You might want to lookup the definition of "artillery shell"...  

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:41 | 6143456 HonkyShogun
HonkyShogun's picture

Maybe it's for executions like the Norks do.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:43 | 6143457 giovanni_f
giovanni_f's picture

The slow and bulky F-35 can be brought down with artillery. Chinese are smart.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:09 | 6143565 Utah_Get_Me_2
Utah_Get_Me_2's picture

The F-35 is a boondoggle windfall for the MIC. In case you haven't noticed they've decided unmanned is the future.. in-craft pilots are vestigial. The aircraft we don't know about.. you know the type that can leave earths atmosphere.. thats where the real war will be fought. 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:37 | 6143658 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Is it the F-35 or F-22 that has skin so sensitive that it cannot fly in the rain because it will catch on fire?  I know Pierre Sprey said one or both of them will catch on fire if they are hit by something as small as a .22.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:28 | 6143847 angel_of_joy
angel_of_joy's picture

Both of them + B2. Same technology... Won't "catch fire", but it would seriously degrade (as in wash out) their much advertised "stealth" capabilities.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 17:53 | 6145255 Parrotile
Parrotile's picture

A fact that the Russian Defence Forces are fully aware of.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:09 | 6143775 vornash
vornash's picture

What aircraft can leave the atmosphere?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 13:36 | 6144314 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777's.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 16:09 | 6144910 Alvin Fernald
Alvin Fernald's picture

X37-B

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 16:14 | 6144933 Real Estate Geek
Real Estate Geek's picture

The ones built at the Skunk Works. Think about it: the SR-71 is 1960's technology and stealth is 1980's technology.
I haven't heard of anything else made at Skunk Works since then and I bet they have come up with some pretty cool stuff in the last ~25 years.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 22:58 | 6146027 Freddie
Freddie's picture

YF-117 aka stealth fight was make by Lockheed.  The reality is stealth is BS. 

Pierre Sprey - stealth is a scam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxDSiwqM2nw

Sprey worked with Colonel John Boyd and Col. Eugene Riccioni on the F-15, F-16 and A-10.  Search for videos and info on Colonel Boyd was a really bright and talented man plus a fighter pilot.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:45 | 6143472 sheikurbootie
sheikurbootie's picture

ADA- Air Defense ARTILLERY

Most likely Mobile SAM's

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 14:24 | 6144494 Consuelo
Consuelo's picture

American's with Disabilities Act...?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 17:58 | 6145275 Parrotile
Parrotile's picture

Certainly this - http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/strike/2015/04/18/china-taiwan-russia-s400-air-defense-adiz-east-china-sea-yellow-sea/25810495/

There are enough rumours circulating around that China will also be getting the S500 system, which would certainly "stoke the flames of US discord" somewhat! :-)

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:36 | 6143435 NoDecaf
NoDecaf's picture

p-8a poseidon aka p-8a scapegoat

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:40 | 6143450 Space Animatoltipap
Space Animatoltipap's picture

The US is very much engaged with ... words, money and high flying planes. But that's it, and the world knows it. 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:11 | 6143571 Keyser
Keyser's picture

The US has become a petulant bully with a nuclear stick that has worn out it's welcome around the world...  

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:40 | 6143453 giovanni_f
giovanni_f's picture

US vs. China. Asshole meets asshole.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:29 | 6143632 NeverForgetSilver
NeverForgetSilver's picture

Agreed. Both are playing dirty now. US might have met its equal. We Canadians can only watch with strong interest. Please don't drag us into this. It's going to be ugly.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 12:31 | 6144100 Socratic Dog
Socratic Dog's picture

Australia is already getting ready for it.  The media is beating the drums of war.  Morons or malevolents?  I favor a nice frothy mixture of both.

Involvement of malevolent media means this must be good for the tribe.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 16:32 | 6144984 giovanni_f
giovanni_f's picture

The abject stupidity of the Australian sheeple to vote the brainless reptile T. Abbott into office leaves one speechless.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 18:08 | 6145315 Parrotile
Parrotile's picture

The problem is most Aussies really ARE as thick as the proverbial brick; combine this with the "It's Different Here Mate" and our entrenched "I've got Rights, Mate" entitlement mindset, and the outcome is predictable.

I didn't realise how bad things are here, until I spent a few years working overseas (UK and Europe). For me it was a case of whilst I worked here, I was fully immersed in the "National Dogmatism", and believed the "We're the Best Mate" along with everyone else. Working overseas was a MAJOR eye-opener, and those lessons, once learned, are never forgotten.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:42 | 6143460 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Oh brother, two artillery pieces that "could"potentially hit another island. Fuck, push the red button, push it now, China might lob a grenade over to the next island. For fuck's sake, these people are retarded. 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:12 | 6143574 fallout11
fallout11's picture

Word within US defense circles is that the "artillery" is actually Hongqi-9 (HQ-9) surface-to-air missiles.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 12:26 | 6144076 I Write Code
I Write Code's picture

They have anti-honkey missiles?

Sat, 05/30/2015 - 00:07 | 6146169 Abbie Normal
Abbie Normal's picture

Hong Qi translates to red flag, FWIW.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:42 | 6143461 Abitdodgie
Abitdodgie's picture

They built the sandcastle so they can put whatever they want on it , If Amerca wants a sandcastle they should build there own , its like dealing with kids.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:43 | 6143466 cuttlefish
cuttlefish's picture

Foolish is an understatment they are basically painting themselves into a corner, almost on purpose which is very alarming. A war with China would be very very ugly but perhaps that what they need to hide the failed currencies on both sides..

 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:58 | 6143533 813kml
813kml's picture

China could strike fatal blow by preemptively blowing up its iPhone factory.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:20 | 6143606 Oh regional Indian
Oh regional Indian's picture

NEVAH happen 813...

The Spice must flow...wars, shmars...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:33 | 6143874 sushi
sushi's picture

The corporate lobbyists will meet the inside-the-beltway crowd and explain that in the event of a conflict with China:

 

1) The cost of everything in Walmart will more than double

2) China will likley expropriate several trillion in us dollar investment in China

3) The loss of JIT MfG and low wage production facilities will crater US equity valuations and likely plunge USSA into despression.

4) Noboby will vote for the dickheads pushing these dumbass policies

5) The Dept of homeland Security will need every single one of its 3 trillion inventory of hollowpoint rounds and then still be unable to control a populace who are no longer able to obtain an iPhone 7.

 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 16:20 | 6144948 Real Estate Geek
Real Estate Geek's picture

The Chinese could EMP us and refuse to build the thousands of big transformers that we'd need to replace. We sure can't build them anymore . . .

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:47 | 6143690 Freddie
Freddie's picture

God - that would mean no iPhone 7.  What would the iCrap sheep do?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 18:13 | 6145334 Parrotile
Parrotile's picture

It's not the iPhone 7 - it's the "shortage" of "much in demand" Apple Watches!

How are the "Look at ME, I'm Special" set going to be able to flaunt their "technical superiority"?? :-)

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:11 | 6143572 Farmer Joe in B...
Farmer Joe in Brooklyn's picture

Awfully convenient that both parties are desperately in need of a distraction.

Makes the sandcastle reference even more apropos. I am sure I am not the only one to ever build a sandcastle as a kid and then tear it down.

A little shootout in the SCS with modest casualties and a few destroyed ships and planes would provide good cover for at least another year.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 19:25 | 6145513 August
August's picture

>>>A little shootout in the SCS with modest casualties and a few destroyed ships and planes would provide good cover for at least another year.

And a great opportunity to restore America's community spirit through Mandatory National Service.

America's disadvantaged urban youth are in particular need of training and organization.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:45 | 6143471 Reaper
Reaper's picture

What were Obozo's grades in affirmative bullying?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:45 | 6143474 GoldSilverBitcoinBug
GoldSilverBitcoinBug's picture

Time for Chinese to dump treasuries, buy phyzz then back even if it's partially Yuan with it, then observe XAUUSD and CNYUSD going parabolic, case closed.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:59 | 6143536 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

1) Dumping Treasuries achieves nothing, other than making the Chinese look weak by blowing an impotent load for world to see (and laugh at)... there is collateral shortage and a printer in the Marriner Eccles building, so the new supply would be absorbed to minimize the price impact.

2) What China can do is shut down exports of physical goods to the US, which the US cannot counteract with a printing press or domestic substitution (see #1 above, prices refers to nominal bond prices, not currency prices).

3) In a nationalistic fervor, Chinese excess production capacity can be retooled to manufacture moar "artillery", whereas the US has no comparably significant excess capacity and would have to retool parts of the MIC to make up for lost Chinese goods.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:12 | 6143575 Citxmech
Citxmech's picture

Which would help hide/conceal our failing consumer/service economy and stimulate at least a few real manufacturing jobs here while adding to China's problems.  

Intentional?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:53 | 6143720 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

I think the US would face more problems than the Chinese.  The gimmick with the US prohibiting the sale of Intel microprocessors to China doesn't bode well.  If the dispute over the islands (among others) escalates to an overt trade war, the Chinese have lots options short of official embargo-- from restricting the supply of rare earth minerals to "selected" producers or selectively retooling factories.  If the PLA needs a couple million radios and orders Foxconn to produce them, then AAPL's earnings go to zero and the chimps have no iCrap.  

Morover, the Chinese are growing their Customer base beyond the US/EU and have a hole slew of massive shovel ready projects on deck.  The US can't even build a single oil pipeline because of oligarchs with conflicting profit interests.  The full blown Fourth Reich approach in the USSA isn't likely to go down well among them.  So while I can see certain factions and ideological elements in the USSA establishment intentionally pushing things in that direction... I don't think an actual fascist police state is wise, practical or broadly supported amng them.  

One problem to even figuring out what could happen is that there are simply too many pieces in play and too many fronts and vectors... when everything isn't constrained by the use of proxies.  Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, North Korea... at least in vacuum each one is intellectually manageable.  For US v China, US v Russia, or US v Russia & China, one needs and entire non-aligned bureaucracy just to process and analyze the publicly available data.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:13 | 6143799 eclectic syncretist
eclectic syncretist's picture

Perhaps they will dump treasuries slowly, like Chinese water torture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_water_torture

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 21:06 | 6145797 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

I've been saying for years of this forum that the Chinese no longer hold any UST's

anyway.Maybe some short dated bills, but otherwise nothing.

They will not dispute the TIC figure provided they can still get phyz gold.

The Govt. lies about everything,why not the TIC report ?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:56 | 6143475 GoldSilverBitcoinBug
GoldSilverBitcoinBug's picture

Double post deleted.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:46 | 6143476 youngman
youngman's picture

I would buy the franchise for the whorehouse on the island..is that a missle in your pocket or are you just glad to see mee...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:47 | 6143484 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

"The Ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah..."

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:53 | 6143485 Chuck Knoblauch
Chuck Knoblauch's picture

Why use a spy plane when you supposedly have satellites?

Creating land is a great public works project.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:06 | 6143765 smacker
smacker's picture

"Why use a spy plane when you supposedly have satellites?"

To make a provocative point, very publicly? Satellites cannot generally be seen, spyplanes can be.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:50 | 6143495 Dre4dwolf
Dre4dwolf's picture

i dont get why they would waste man power building sand castles instead of aircraft carriers or battleships...

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:58 | 6143531 plongka10
plongka10's picture

Because it is very difficut to claim you "accidentally" sank an Island.... Carriers, etc., not so much.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:00 | 6143532 Chuck Knoblauch
Chuck Knoblauch's picture

Buffers

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:56 | 6143731 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

UNCLOS

ICJ

The outcome of wars are decided by bankers and lawyers more often than by generals and admirals.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:39 | 6143900 goldhedge
goldhedge's picture

Guess which country has not signed UNCLOS ?

;)

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:52 | 6143937 Urban Redneck
Urban Redneck's picture

One that doesn't have an actual claim in the neighborhood, only proxies who are signatories.  

(Taiwan's claim will be moot when it is reunited with China, and in the interim the US doesn't even officially recognize Taiwan)

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:16 | 6143812 eclectic syncretist
eclectic syncretist's picture

Secure advance supply lines, obviously.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:53 | 6143511 q99x2
q99x2's picture

China should build another island to put NWO banksters on.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:57 | 6143527 unplugged
unplugged's picture

some are already in an undersea prison off San Diego until they squeal

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 14:41 | 6144559 Nobody Important
Nobody Important's picture

Then use it to test one of their nukes on.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:54 | 6143512 bigrooster
bigrooster's picture

Who gives a shit.  We have military bases in over half the countries in the world.  The US is the arrogant asshole of the world.  The fall is going to be really hard.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 09:57 | 6143521 joego1
joego1's picture

Looks like a great place for a hurricane. Good luck with that. Next we will be hearing about China's ghost islands.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:00 | 6143540 JoeTurner
JoeTurner's picture

There will come a point when the 'Shi' energy will shift in China's favor, if it hasn't already. Our American neo-con overloards may do well to read some history of the Warring States Period including the 36 Strategems.

 

"What is at a peak is certain to decline. He who shows his hand will surely be defeated. He who can prevail in battle by taking advantage of his enemy's doubts is invincible." - Cao Cao

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 14:26 | 6144505 qomolangma
qomolangma's picture

@ JoeTurner, Qi = vital energy,,,,nonethless a cool quotation

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:03 | 6143547 Debugas
Debugas's picture

then where will china export its crap to ?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:13 | 6143577 JoeTurner
JoeTurner's picture

This is an excellent point.  What worries me most is what happens if China says fuck it let's just turn inward and consume the fruits of our own labor rather then send it to America and get worthless paper in return.

When China annouces its Gold holdings in the Fall, as a precondition to joining the SDR, they may decide to back the Yuan by Gold which makes the previous statement all the more likely as the Yuan skyrockets and the Dollar crashes.

When shopping at Walmart is more expensive than Tiffany's shit will get real !

 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:42 | 6143672 GoldSilverBitcoinBug
GoldSilverBitcoinBug's picture

I've always asked myself if a country consume everything internally what it produce, does that country lose money or stay neutral ?

I've my hint about trade balance that must be positive (to win money) but I would like to know.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:26 | 6143849 eclectic syncretist
eclectic syncretist's picture

"When shopping at Walmart is more expensive than Tiffany's shit will get real!"

Sometimes keeping it real can go horribly wrong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SMWJ9yj9cY

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:30 | 6143867 Max Steel
Max Steel's picture

EU is China biggest trading partner btw .

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:03 | 6143548 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

  They should put that douche Clapper on a one way mission to lay siege on the CSC's (Chinese Sand Castles)... He can be in charge of the crew that runs the battering ram.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:04 | 6143553 Dominus Ludificatio
Dominus Ludificatio's picture

Let them play and kill each other over the sand castles and the world will rid itself of two diseases that are eating away the rest of us..

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:07 | 6143554 JustObserving
JustObserving's picture

The US used China as an ally against the Soviet Union.  Now China is challenging US economic and military hegemony while the US is trying to keep China boxed in - put the genie back in the bottle

The chances for conflict between China and US increase everyday as US blocks sales of common Intel chips for China's supercomputers.  Trade tensions will lead to economic friction and rapidly rising chances of a military conflict.

China has just a few hundred nuclear warheads compared to 7000 for the US.  Recently revealed revelations that the US almost launched nuclear weapons against China from Japan on Oct. 28, 1962 are sure to make the Chinese nervous and rethink their nuclear strategy.  Chinese missiles surely have to be on alert raising the risk of an accidental war.  Russia uses radar to monitor missiles and not satellites - so its missiles have to be ready to launch on very short notice.  It ia nearly a perfect scenario for an accidental nuclear war.

With a slowing world economy, many wars all over the globe, tensions between USA and Russia, USA's policy of pivot to Asia, USA's blocking of chip sales to China, we are looking as heightened chances of war between US and China or US and Russia.  The doomsday clock now stands at 3 minutes to midnight, about the closest it has been to midnight.  We live in interesting times - not far from the end of times.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:58 | 6143736 Tzanchan
Tzanchan's picture

China will implose all by itself; negative birth rate, everybody with money getting it out as fast as possible before they go bust, Happy Baby travel for US Citizen anchor babies, ageing population. It will topple under it's own weight if we just let it. Maybe all that southern "undocumented" immigration ain't so bad for us.

Russia will topple too, same demographic problems as Japan and China, rampant TB, AIDS drug use (kinda same as in Baraboo WI or Belle Glade FL?), etc. Demography is destiny.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:12 | 6143789 NeverForgetSilver
NeverForgetSilver's picture

Wishful thinking. China has been there for 5,000 years and Russia 700 years. Both compare  favourably to US. 

Sat, 05/30/2015 - 07:19 | 6146461 Max Steel
Max Steel's picture

ok wishful thinker 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:58 | 6143738 smacker
smacker's picture

Meanwhile, while a war is going on the Big Reset will be slipped through in the name of "patriotism".

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:13 | 6143579 great_scot
great_scot's picture

That's some nice hi-res imaging. If the US had that technology in Europe they might finally spot a Russian tank.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:55 | 6143724 smacker
smacker's picture

Yeahbut, the ones in the Ukraine can only photographed on dry days because they're made of cardboard and aren't even Russian.

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 11:23 | 6143842 great_scot
great_scot's picture

Is everything blamed on the weather these days?

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:15 | 6143589 Hubbs
Hubbs's picture

China dumping US treasuries? Hell, they are way beyond that. I am sure as part of the "deal" ( you know, a deal deal John Rickles Kelley's Heroes maybe he's a Republican) they agree  NOT to dump US treasuries as long as the West agrees to keep  suppressing  the price of gold. So by being able to buy up gold on the cheap, China has already recouped the losses for it's soon to be worthless US Treasuries. Besides the US consumer is soon to be broke if it is not already so can't b uy anymore of China's crap.  China will find the rest of the world to sell to...hence the new partnerships with Africa, Russia, the Silk Road development, the new South China Sea shipping lanes, etc. 

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 10:21 | 6143609 Consuelo
Consuelo's picture

Gold and S-400's.

 

 

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