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With US Warships En Route To Islands, China Asks: "What On Earth Makes Them Think We Will Tolerate This?"
The US is in a tough spot militarily.
In Syria, Russia and Iran have taken advantage of the fact that the plan hatched by the West and its regional allies to destabilize the Assad regime took far too long to develop. The idea was to foment discord and provide covert support for the various armed militias fighting to overthrow the government. But the effort is entering its fifth year and Assad is still there. Not only that, there have been a series of unintended (well, at least we hope they’re unintended) consequences. First, one of the rebel groups the West and its allies supported morphed into an insane band of white basketball shoe-wearing, black flag-waving, sword-wielding desert bandits. Second, the fighting created a horrific refugee crisis that now threatens to destabilize the whole of Europe. Sensing a historic geopolitical opportunity, Moscow and Tehran simply stepped in and outmaneuvered Washington. Now, the US basically has to decide whether it wants to go to war with Russia, because paradropping ammo into the middle of the desert isn’t going to be a viable strategy.
Meanwhile, the US faces another superpower confrontation in the South China Sea.
When Beijing began its land reclamation efforts in the Spratlys, we’re reasonably sure the Pentagon didn’t anticipate the extent to which the effort would quickly become a giant headache for Washington.
As a reminder, it’s not so much the dredging that has Washington’s regional allies in the South Pacific upset. Island building has been done before in the area. Rather, it’s the scope of the project that has everyone unnerved as Beijing has so far constructed over 3,000 acres of new sovereign territory atop which China has built everything from cement factories, to greenhouses, to runways.
Whether or not the US really cares about this is debatable although these shipping lanes are indeed critical for world trade. But with The Philippines and others crying foul, Washington is left with little choice but to put on a brave face lest the world should get the idea that China can just redraw maritime boundaries at will and establish a Sino-Monroe Doctrine in the process.
So finally, the US decided that it would sail some warships by the islands just to see if it can do so without getting shot at.
No, really. That’s the whole plan. “Let’s see how far we can push them.”
This is of course orchestrated under the guise of a freedom of navigation operation which, in a way, makes little sense because China has never threatened global trade. Then again, it’s fairly obvious that Beijing has some military role for the new islands in mind.
In any event, China hit back on Thursday, saying the PLA would “stand up and use force” if necessary should the US make a “mistake” with the whole warship plan.
So in short, Washington is now in a staring contest with both Moscow and Beijing and both Russia and China seem to have gotten the idea that the US has lost its resolve lately and will probably blink first in both standoffs.
It’s with all of that in mind that we bring you the following rather amusing op-ed from Beijing out Saturday on Xinhua, presented below with no further comment:
* * *
Via Xinhua
The United States' provocative attempts to infringe on China's South China Sea sovereignty are sabotaging regional peace and stability and militarizing the waters.
The U.S. Navy is reportedly preparing to conduct "freedom of navigation" operations, sending warships within 12 nautical miles of Chinese islands in the South China Sea. The U.S. operations may take place within days, according to reports.
Last month, in his response to China's claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said the United States "will fly, sail and operate wherever the international law allows, as we do around the world."
White House Spokesman Josh Earnest said on Oct. 8 that U.S. warships patrolling close to artificial islands built by China in the South China Sea "should not provoke significant reaction from the Chinese."
Let us not forget that in October 1962, when the Soviet Union was building missile sites in Cuba -- not even on U.S. soil -- U.S. President Kennedy made it clear in a televised speech that the United States would not "tolerate the existence of the missile sites currently in place."
What on earth makes the United States think China should and will tolerate it when U.S. surface ships trespass on Chinese territory in the South China Sea?
China will never tolerate any military provocation or infringement on sovereignty from the United States or any other country, just as the United States refused to 53 years ago.
China's stand on the South China Sea disputes is firm and clear. China's sovereignty and claims of rights over Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters in the South China Sea have been formed over the long course of history and upheld by successive Chinese governments, and have adequate and solid historical and legal basis.
Just as Article 15 of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea stipulates, delimiting the territorial seas of China and other countries in the South China Sea shall be in accordance with China's "historic title" to the region.
China has always been, in a constructive and effective manner, a firm upholder of the freedom of navigation as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea. And China has vowed to continue to do so in the future.
China's construction of civilian and public facilities on the Nansha Islands and reefs, which fall within the scope of China's sovereignty, serves not only China but also coastal nations in the South China Sea.
For instance, two lighthouses recently built on reefs in the region have helped guide passing vessels from around the world and significantly improved navigation safety.
Contrary to U.S. claims, it will be the United States, as an outsider, that further provokes tensions in the South China Sea by sending soldiers and warships to Chinese territory in the name of "freedom of navigation."
This is not the first move by the United States to undermine the regional peace and stability that China has worked so hard for.
Over the past several years, the United States has held frequent large-scale drills with its allies in the South China Sea, flexing their military muscles.
According to the website of the U.S. Department of Defense, the country has deployed thousands of civilian and military officials, as well as a huge number of weapons, to the Pacific region.
To destabilize the region and contain China, the United States has deliberately involved non-party nations, such as Japan, in the South China Sea issue and stirred disputes between China and other parties, including the Philippines.
By no means will China let the provocateurs make waves in waters that should be characterized by peace, friendship and cooperation.
Last year, the bilateral trade volume between China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) exceeded 480 billion U.S. dollars.
Concerned nations have no alternative but to jointly deal with disputes in the South China Sea that pose a threat to the development and prosperity of parties in the region.
On Sept. 18, in response to remarks made by the commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific on patrolling the South China Sea, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said China, like the United States, upholds freedom of navigation in the waters.
However, the spokesman stressed, China opposes any country's challenge, in the name of freedom of navigation, to China's sovereignty and security in the South China Sea.
During a visit to Europe in March 2014, Chinese president Xi Jinping stressed that his country will "never stir up any trouble, but will resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights" when it comes to sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Even though enhancing mutual trust and managing disputes through high-level visits and talks still remains the first option for China, the country will, without any doubt, adopt countermeasures against the United States if it doesn't stop military provocations that infringe upon China.
People with vision in Washington should and must see clearly China's determination in safeguarding national sovereignty and regional security.
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I'm sure the 10.000.000 plus brown people in the ME will share a tear with you. And in one or two years the western europeans will have empathy for your contribution.
Tell me, Americans - why do you have guns? Did your forefathers envisioned a time where the free and brave american people (what a joke!) would stockpile for the revolution. And yet, never fire a shot?
Pathetic, despicable assholes. Why don't you whimper into the dustbin of history, where you belong. You fucks are really exceptional.
im beginning to think at this point the reason americans are buying so many guns is to give law enforcement a hard time cataloging them when they come to confiscate them. They will likely whine and say "this is my 2nd amendment" as they hand over their guns and the law enforcement will say..."i completely understand sir" as he takes said guns and tags and bags it and then leaves a nice thank you for your support letter in their mail box and off to the next house.
Surely americans need to be aware they have been caught asleep on this issue. The time to prepare for a tsunammi isnt as the crushing 50 feet waves are by your feet.
I'm sure you and the other "blokes" are sharpening your knives and garden tools....set for revolution!
Yeah. You're a fuckin subject too. Quit bitching here and go down to Merry ol Parliament and start waving that cleaver tough guy.
you missing the point - as you said, I only have knives (officially, of course). YOU exceptionalists have guns, more guns and tons of guns. The only thing you are doing with them is going to the firing range, and spam entire threads with what you believe to be the best caliber, gun etc. Pathetic.
Only good thing is, at some point in time you will kill each other off, and the rest of the world will sigh in relief.
Go, grab a burger.
as bad as it is, im sure its better than the shithole you call home.
agree with others .. the Spratlys DON'T beloing to China, probably DO belong to the Philippines. But the Filipinos had it right ... these "islands" are a bunch of ROCKS. And what's the proof? Simple ... there are NO filipinos living there. Because if these atolls had been permenently habitable, Filipinos would have been living there for centuries. And they aren't. Why? Because the entire island chain gets washed over by 10-foot waves every time there is a Super-Typhoon out there.
If the USA was serious about this ... we needed a multi-national force. Boats and aircraft - from America, Philippines, Vietnam. That would have made a real point.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the US have a military base in the Philippines which the US has sovereignty over. What the fuck was the US navy doing when China built these islands, busy getting high and fucking the local hookers?
yeah, asswipes - blink first. It's a beauty contest, nothing more. Asshole weekend Tyler.
Looking at the globe, the Spratley is adjacent to the Philippines and Borneo and more so to the Philippines. So for anyone who has a claim to the Sprstley's it's the Philippines. China's claim is meaningless. Now they've built up in Islands and making territorial claim just because they've made up in richness from American stupidity in economic and trade. What's to stop China from making claim of the Philippines; afterall, Philippines was populated by Chinese long before Spain made claim to the "Islas de las Filipinas".
Thanks for the geography lesson.
Now look closely, and tell us idiots where the US of Asswipes is. And why - apart from obvious geographical obstacles - is this business of the Asswipe of the US?
Dont be daft, this isnt about where the islands are in proximity in( who drew up those national borders away) This is about contesting US imperial power, plain and simple. This is geo-political game theory. If US does not contest this forcefully it will mean China can now go about setting policy for all of Asia
Put china still needs a huge military presense near these islands and so far i dont see that.
All planned and orchestrated. They will take us to the brink of nuclear war.
I live in China, am married into a Chinese family and work with Chinese men, young through old.
After 5 years I can tell you "Face" is everything. If Beijing has made these statements in the Xinhua press, then they mean business and won't back down.
Jeez are our American "leaders" stupid. This is bad news folks.
USA in game theory mode is trying to access whether China has the balls or not. China has not sent any aircraft to syria even for training purposes, where do they hope to get such valuable experience from god only knows. So anyway USA says right...you dont even want to send one or two shitty fighter jets into syria to help out your bro, probably you are a weak ass bitch aka a paper tiger.
Dragon, not Tiger.
Confucius might say:
Dragon made of paper will burn from his own flame.
Tiger's role is to balance the ways of the dragon.
Why the Tiger Challenges the DragonIn the metaphor of dragon energy belonging to the emperors, the tiger challenges what it perceives to be a long-held power. With this adversity, the emperors' hold on the world loosens and the tiger helps to level the playing ground and restore a balance to a world held hostage by one group - the emperors.
The tiger's goal is to take away part of the dragon's power and force the order of the world back into a perfect balance of yin and yang energies. The goal of feng shui is the same. The idea is to restore and maintain the balance of power between yin and yang energies in and around your home.
Underlying IronyAny student of feng shui will immediately see the irony of the Chinese emperor holding such an imbalance of power when the doctrines of feng shui teach the necessity of balance in all life. In the face of feng shui applications, it then seems that the thousands of years of dynasties should have been in direct opposition to feng shui principles.
If you examine the culture, it's clear to see that the dynasties in fact did create an imbalance of power and riches. In addition, the emperors were the only people in the country allowed to use feng shui principles. The knowledge was closely guarded because it was deemed powerful and only an emperor should hold such power. The only feng shui masters and practitioners in the country were part of the emperor's court. The dragon truly remained all powerful.
Yin and YangThe martial arts were a way to challenge this ideology in a symbolic way that was non-threatening to the emperor. Martial arts masters created this role-playing by depicting the tiger and dragon in combat using opposite techniques. The opposing techniques were also symbolic of the opposite energies of chi and yin and yang.
All this fucking mucho American bravado. Hope you've already signed up to the navy of cause keep us posted on ZH when you stop we can only guess you went down with the good ship USofAholes.
US war ships are being sent to a place safe from retribution, most probably (hiding from our #1 ally with a hellish plan to destroy everything and everyone but them).
So the US should back down, toss over its allies in the Phillipines, Japan, Taiwan, plus the improving relationship with Vietnam, because China has declared it owns the waters near those countries and will act to save "face". If that's the principle the US is to work on in relation to China then it has thrown all of Asia as subjects to China.
Vietnam and Thailand disagree.
Waters were shared by all, and now China is arbitrarirly taking internationally recognized territory. The attacks on Vietnames boats by China are very real!
They have already backed down many times.
You are correct, the Chinese will not directly provoke, but will respond if DIRECTLY provoked; like shot at.
WOW - before reading this I was worried only about central bankers' insanity crushing interest rates with ZIRP and QE and devastating retirement income from savings.
Why don't the countries who claim these reefs defend them from the fascist communist expansionist militarist chinks ?
Because they can't? Their neighbors don't have the military to force them back.
Someone please message me if they hear first about ICBMs in the air. I'm going out banging the neighbors wife like a screen door in a wind storm.
Dead in sin and trespasses by your own words; fear God for He is the strongest and has perfect moral standards He judges by.
I wish you were my neighbor; you would not be around for very long - self defense you know.
when the Malabar exercises are over on the 19th wonder how the Japanese warships are getting back but past the Spratly(Nansha) islands? These are "freedom of navigation" exercises after all. wonder if they sail around around Australia to get back to Japan. Or maybe China will be OK with Japanese warships sailing by the Spratly cause they are fellow Asian partners and all that? I mean Japans economy is doing so great too
Boy, how would you like to be on one of those US ships? Not me!
Our entire economy rotates around trade with China. WTF is the US thinking? Seems we move on from one disaster to the next. The only thing flawless about is we have no problems getting to the next horrible situation.
I don't know, I have military friends that swear up and done it's not if but when. I'm tired of this BS.
Gee it'd be terrible if the US had to make things at home, rather than getting it all from China. Might even create a few decent jobs in the US. Of course it could be a hardship for Apple and the 1%ers who make obscene profits by using cheap overseas labor instead of employing Americans, but may be the rest of the US could live with it.
Be careful what you wish for. If manufacturing returns to the US, most Americans would not be able to afford the products.
The Invisible Hand provides, praise God.
It's not Chinese territory... its international waters no matter how much China pretends its not.
'They can turn blue all they want. No one recognizes their land grab asside from Russia and Syria. The countries in that region all support the US in this conflict, not China.
Troll Alert WARNING - Troll ALert.
Agreed, International and look at the map too, in dispute.
Definately closer to the smaller countries.
Tricks up our sleeves?
We shall see.
...besides, I am pretty sure not a fuck is given by the US Navy, their troops are pros and will execute their orders diligently and bravely.
If you consider that the 'Tianjin' explosion was actually a nuclear attack on China by the Zionist/US !! The Chinese would be pissed off right ? Russia have shown that you CAN say FUCK YOU to the USA and get away with it ! The times they are a changin !!
America is not interested in your tollerence levels... you will be forced to anyway, because of economics.
America should send China dis memo; Ok China, settle way down. Ya we know ya' likes t'talk some big game but if ya' keep rappin' smack, we'll gots'ta crush ya'.
BTW - Obama is cutting back on food stamps, Obamacare, Obama Phone, and other freebies by a minimum of 35% beginning in 2016. Plan accordingly.
Link?
China's actions now look a lot like Japan's actions in the 1930's.
Damn it..Mr. Lame Duck President can't we just hold off for a few months..I don't think that anything is yet in crisis mode...can we have some peace and quiet for the World Series.. college and professional football, Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years. Work on something productive like your golf game, or getting an early start on your post presidency book. Don't stir up another hornets nest..as a Nobel Peace prize holder...you have done enough already.
China will only provide more rhetoric; only if we mistakenly shoot will they have a real reaction. China may have a large military and plenty of hardware, but they are untested in the real world where it counts. They will react for real only if they are directly provoked.
And that matches their patterns in recent history. Unlike the US, China isn't trying to take on the world.
The ID complex and the 5-sided wind tunnel in DC hae to keep the money coming in. Navies aren’t cheap.
. . . and you can't stay on tops in world's arms sales without staying on top.
WELL one thing is for sure ...
the US military needs clear rules of engagement laid out. And the Administration needs to spell out the options in black and white ahead of time ... Clear policy and Clear ROE.
I agree with other readers who have pointed out that China has stated a very clear public position and they will not 'lose face'. Therefore, if they believe that "their waters" have been crossed, they will respond with force. ALL the more reason - why the US needs a very clear set of plans now.
We know what China wants.
ARE THE SPRATLYS WORTH THE COST - FOR AMERICA?
We have "face" too on this one, it's a diversion I hope.
Does China's leadership want to risk cutting themselves off from all the real estate they've recently purchased in Flushing Meadows?
It didn't have to be this way.
How childish is China .... acting more like North Korea .... they are intimidated by Japan .... then they pull this stunt .... which is going to piss off everyone .... I don't get it .... ghost cities .... now, "The Great Sand Grab" ... have they been drinking their own anti-freeze laced dessert wines ?
Monetas is spanish for Ignoramus.
At least they're basically doing it in their backyard. The amateurs you bow down to are spending how much money to go all the fucking way to the ME to wreck everything and everyone is sight?
A weak fool of a President .... invites aggression !
America will deliver Democracy and Freedom to the Spratly Islands, to keep the world free of Red fascists, to keep the International shipping lanes free and open for commerce, to keep the World order, it is American power and our exceptional-ism that make us the greatest power for good in the world. Keeping the Spratly Islands free of red fascism is the most pressing issue of our time! /sarc
What's wrong with that fool, Obama? What China "threat" is he talking about?
Is he really that stupid to believe China will start firing on civilian cargo ships?
Nevermind. He really is.
What is stopping the Chinese SWF from selling treasuries and crashing the moneylender ponzi scheme????
The Chinese still have $1.3 trillion in Treasury debt and little consumer debt.
They could pull it off and stop send that Yenta Yellen into a tailspin.
We are their customers.
They have their own, debtless, consumer base of 2 billion customers
Short selling their treasury holdings would cripple the petrodollar.
They could expose the weakness of the system and promote Chinese hegemony.
The dollar is going down anyway they might as well play on it! They are in protracted discussions with LaGarde about joining SDR; she is stalling. China might get on fast track status.
If I could push the FRBNY around I certainly would not miss that opportunity, get the tee shirt etc.
Obama's not going to do anything......except go South to play golf. Did you see where he played through on someones wedding????? Guy has no respect!
And neither do you!- for your own country-move on out of this one and move into China!
Here's a thought!
The US government should start worrying about its increasingly broke & jobless population 1st. The US has $60 trillion+ of unfunded liabilities, yet it somehow can attempt to invade every country in the Middle East.
The people in DC are obviously insane. Invading countries that haven't attacked them while their own country's economy rots away.
What can not be paid, will not. It's math.
So how about a backup plan for the rest of us?
(Other than what's spoon fed to us for once)
USA fucking with the wrong bull.
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/asia/china/AJ201510180022
General says Beijing will never recklessly resort to force in South China Sea
Honestly, some of you guys are losing your minds. Yes to hate USSA is one thing, but to dismiss every action they do as a crime against humanity is a joke. It shows your iq level of that of a loyal dog.
China has no right to those lands, as people have stated, they belong to the Philppines most likely. Thailand and Vietnam support that notion. But the Chinese fucks now have a 12 inch dick in the region and want to stick it all of their asses. Well maybe they aren't in the business of getting raped, so they called a friend not to let it happen.
The USA will take their boats through those waters and the Chinese will do nothing. All the while, Japan and India are going to beef up their navies to combat the Chinese in the coming years.
And FYI, the Chinese believe a strong navy is its utmost military objective in the coming years and there own government thinks there 30 years away from being on par with the USSA.
Excellent Comment. The Chinese are playing the "bigger dick" game not only with the US but also their neighbors. All a distraction for their people, for the financial woes to be unleashed on China by their system.
Hey, look, Einstein came back from the dead to lecture us.
But the USSA had every right to depose the Hawaiian monarch at the end of the 19th century and proclaim those islands to be an American territory.
And in 1959 it offered the peoples of Hawaii a referendum in which they could vote for statehood or for remaining a territory, but they couldn't vote for anything which allowed them independence.
And guess what? American service men stationed in Hawaii got to vote in the referendum.
The US is so honorable.
If the Chinese sink a fleet or two of the better American warships with their Yakhont ship-to-ship and surface-to-ship missiles they can reduce those 30 years to a couple of weeks.
Thank you.
I am no citizen of the USA and surely do not support its recent foreign policy but the dissing going on this blog is bordeline psychotic. China is the new Imperial Japan in Asia. I've lived in China for a few years and have only good things to say about the common Chinese but Fcuk the CCP !
Maybe we should think about sending the country back to the middle age by cutting all ties with them, if it is the only way of getting rid of the autocrats running the country.
Sure we'll take a hit but we were fine before and we will be fine again eventually.
I agree, there are trends on our side too, but we must change ourselves and policy.
You see this is how it always starts. Posturing turns to pointing, pointing turns to shoving and shoving turns to punch throwing. There is a progression. Yes it is mostly caused by fear, lack of economic opportunity and Poverty. When it envelops the world as it has I am afraid that this nasty process (like a virus) simply runs its course. I hope I am wrong.
Pssst China
Satan America wants to sanction China at the earliest
America may freeze US treasuries that China holds and other assets
Better sell all the paper NOW.
Shall we cut the crap?
This isn't about the Chinese creating islands in the South China Sea and proclaiming that body of water to be Chinese territory.
It is about the reserves of crude oil which lie beneath the South China Sea and how the dying American Empire wants, NOT to make sure that it's "allies" Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, etc. etc. get their fair share of those reserves.....
I agree, the Artic region is methaphor.
Technology marches on.
There is oil - deep.
The Chinese want to be able to act one way, and not allow others the same.
The issue is far bigger than China vs. USA.
It is China and The Rest of Humanity.
The Chinese have alienated all of their SCS neighbours. All.
During the week of Sept 3...“The five PLAN ships transited expeditiously and continuously through the Aleutian Island chain in a manner consistent with international law,” according to a Thursday statement provided to USNI News by U.S. Northern Command."
Note the professional and mature tone of the USA statement.
Now compare to China when the USNavy announces they are going to perform an identical transit within 12 nm.
"China mustn't tolerate rampant US violations of China's adjacent waters and the skies over those expanding islands," it said, adding that its military should "be ready to launch countermeasures according to Washington's level of provocation," it added."
When China does something, that is normal and their Right.
When the USA does something, that is provocation.
"China Asks: "What On Earth Makes Them Think We Will Tolerate This?""
"What on earth makes the United States think China should and will tolerate it when U.S. surface ships trespass on Chinese territory in the South China Sea?"
What? The fact that the USA tolerated China doing the same thing 7 weeks ago, that is what makes them think so.
If not the USA, someone, somewhere, is going to have to put the People's Republic of Children in their place. Better sooner than later.
Funny how the Chinese speak about the US in a similar fashion to how the US speaks about Russia.
Good point. Unfortunately it doesn't change how the Chinese are likely to react.
Freedom of navigation in international waters is everyones right.
I wonder if the USA has actually thought throught the possible outcomea of entering the 12 mile zone of these 'islands'?
Did they learn anything from Russia's sudden bold involvement in Syria/ME.
China is in a position with these 'islands' where MUST treat them as mainland China and protect them the same way, else it is a total failure to them and big loss of face to them as well.
The big problem and unknown is what Reactions will be.
1. USA sail in and out, no problems
2. they sail in or try to and are shepparded by Chinese vessels.
3. there is a collision between vessels
4. China rams US vessel
5. China sinks US vessel
6. US fires on Chinese vessel.....
7. China fires on US vessel.
8. they get into a shooting match
Only a fucking idiot will assume that China will do nothing because USA is so big and powerful. Assumptions lead you to world wars before you know WTF happened.
I would like to know what would the USA do if China ended up sinking a US naval vessel inside the 12 mile zone? Is the US ready for the follow ups, the dumping of all Chinese held USD, military escalation, sinking of Japanese vessels. Will the US send an entire fleet to the area, to be met with a battle field tactical nuke?
The USA's foreign policy, geopolitical activities over the past 50 years have been all total failures, ending up in huges messes because they posses the arrogace and power but never the intelligence. They make one fuck up after another. Got totally outplayed in Ukraina and Syria.
Exactly. Deliberately provoking the Chinese is good in only one circumstance: if you are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that they will back down. Anyone who is absolutely certain of that in THIS circumstance, should be relieved of duty and treated to a round of anti-psychotics.
Bullshit
...has anyone been listening underwater, hmm?
Seriously now, who doubts that the US regime the pawns of the Citi of London are destroying America on purpose?
Why is everyone thinking about a military confrontation? The Chinese have not been violent like the US.
What about economic pressure? The Chinese are already allied with with Russia and Iran.
Maybe they can sell some more treasuries.
So Obombo's great plan to create terrorist group and do his work for him has come back to bite him in the ... But his great NEW plan is to create another Terrorist group that will do his work for him so they can destabilize the syrian government so Obombo's new Government in Syria will cut-off the Oil supply from Russia and forced to take Obombo's mates oil from Saudia Arabia.
You know it sounds like this whole thing with Syria and a Dictator is a pile of whoey, the real reason is about oil.
It is a real problem but it is so easy to solve without a single shot being fired. We need to get together with our allies in the region and simply embargo China 100%. NO MORE IMPORTS FROM CHINA.
Companies can easily organize replacement sources from other vendors; all except for of course Apple computer and Walmart which are 100% dependent on China slave labor. Most of the current labor is set to be outsourced to robots in the next 5 years anyway so those jobs were gone no matter what. This would just speed up the process and bring robotic manufacturing back to the US to save the freight.
So how long do you think we will last without the latest piece of crap Iphone or Walmart not having enough junk to stock its shelves vs. how long the Chinese Communist Government will last with the unrest of 100's millions of their slave labors having no jobs and in a year or so losing them permanently.
They can always sell their TBills but hey, if I owe $20,000 to the bank I have a problem but if you have $1.3 trillion in worthless tbills you have a problem.
Can't be done overnight, but should certainly be started. We could "tighten up" on food imports due to safety concerns; then expand those concerns to childrens' toys and housewares. Extend the issue to lack of "fairness" due to their disdain for environmental regulations, and we would take in the entire computer production problem. Of course, you DO realize that if we took computer production domestic, WE would have to deal with the toxic byproducts, don't you?
Still, the increase in costs would force the average American consumer to think a little about whether they REALLY NEED the latest whiz-bang gadget that does nothing you couldn't do before but costs three times as much to do it with blinking lights and irritating noises. It would be amusing at least.
Many of us who work in the Think-Tank sphere, have no idea where many of our policies are leading, as they are routinely devoid of logic. Trying to understand geostrategic policy from a perspective or right vs wrong, good vs bad, moral vs immoral, is also wasting their time as these are of no concern. Simply put it is all about national interests. Now we at ZH can debate where national interests start and where they end, but to the real decision makers the views of Joe Schmoes' like me and you is of little consequence or concern. Their philosophy is to deal with repercussions after the event. If you don't believe me try and make sense of
Good luck trying to make sense of these Bi-polar policies and fucking with the Chinese in their own sphere over these islands is another one. We've had the nasty Nazi's, the crazy Japs, the commies, the muslim extremist and I wonder how we'll frame the Chinese??????? Everybody is bad or wrong except us?
Right. The links between these policies are the interests of the Neocon establishment, who are composed of Eastern European Jews whose families emigrated to America during and after World War II. They have four fundamental policy interests: 1) hatred of the Soviet Union/communism, 2) the desire to control all supplies of oil worldwide, 3) protection of Israel at all costs, and 4) personal ambition. Interestingly enough, the people controlling foreign policy are not, for the most part, the truly wealthy oligarchs, who tend to purchase politicians in order to control domestic policy. Foreign policy they leave to the insider "professionals", who have therefore been allowed to develop a clique of self-referring friends and family with similar interests.
If you want to get promoted at work, develop a pretext by which Israel can be "legally" granted the right to absorb the rest of the Palestinian territories and Lebanon. You will go far.
Sorry bud, nothing personal.
Downvoted you for...
1) hatred of the Soviet Union/communism,
No, they invented communism, and it is not "hate" but unremorseful greed.
3) protection of Israel at all costs (not so sure, globalists do not care for any "nation")
4) personal ambition. Interestingly enough, the people controlling foreign policy are not, for the most part, the truly wealthy oligarchs, who tend to purchase politicians in order to control domestic policy. Foreign policy they leave to the insider "professionals", who have therefore been allowed to develop a clique of self-referring friends and family with similar interests.
Bullshit, this is chess for them.
Did China opine on the invasion of the Falkland Islands ?
I believe there has been something like that.
Russia to Lease Bomber Jets to Argentina. Deal Spooks UKhttp://russia-insider.com/en/2014/12/28/2166
Hopefully they smash gold and silver down on all of this feel good news! Becase nothing sez stability like MOAR WAR and ECONOMIC COLLAPSE.
What are the Chinks gonna do stop sending us their crap.
That has to be hands down the most asinine comment I've ever seen on this website.
The first thing the people of the US need to do is strip the president from having the power to do so much as fire a BB gun...Then keep our ships and planes within our airspace and territorial waters...I would feel SO much safer if this was the case....
It is difficult to know how this incident will turn out. Although everybody blames politicians, this is really a clash of power between two Admirals. The person is China who started this "island building" was a chinese naval admiral. He realized that if he could get equipment and airplanes onto the Spratlys, then he would have a tremendous advantage to project airpower across the China Sea. Yes, China wants the oil on the sea floor. But they also want the military bases to control the vast area of the South China Sea. This is their move.
Very likely this incident could be the "trigger" that changes US-China relations. Less friendly, more "cold war". If that's true, then the economic relationship between the USA and China will change profoundly. And as people have said, it is very likely that China will sell many more US Treasuries. The economic battle will intensify - that is probably the real outcome for the incident from the Spratly Islands.
Well, SOMEBODY owns the Spratleys and whoever it is has a say about their terrirorial waters. The shipping lanes in that part of the world should already be established. Part of the Straiits of Hormuz, for example, are in the terrirorial waters of Iran who keep it open to all traffic in accordance with international agreements they have signed.
The world is not quite big enough for 3 empires. China has staked their claim, now will they defend it? What is the ultimate pay back result if they do? These are questions that we will soon unfortunately find an answer to. It's a bit of over-reach hubris on both sides. It's how wars get started.
All China needs to do is openning a Chinese Buffet on a ship outside 12 miles away from disputed islands.
with free 'Plate O' Shrimp"!
The only rational reason for taking such a provocative step at this time is if military analysts are confident that it is too early for China to win the encounter, thus allowing the U.S. to bloody their nose and delay the day when they CAN effectively control the space they have claimed.
The only problem is, that aging empires such as the U.S. inevitably overestimate their probability of winning such battles, and underestimate the readiness/abilities of their adversaries. Meaning that there is a very good chance that the military analysts are dead wrong, and it will blow up in our faces.
Will someone please explain these paradoxes :
1 The US wants to protect "these shipping lanes (which) are indeed critical for world trade".
a) But the biggest maritime trade through the South China Sea goes to and comes from Chinese ports. So why would China jeopardize freedom of navigations in the SCS?
b) China is building a multi-billion dollar 'Maritime Silk Road' to link China to South East Asia, India, Pakistan, Oman, Iran, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece, Turkey and the European Union to create untold wealth in these regions. So why would China jeopardize freedom of navigations in the SCS?
2 "the United States "will fly, sail and operate wherever the international law allows, as we do around the world."
So when can we expect the US Senate to ratify the 'UN Convention on the Law of the Sea' (Unclos)?
3 "So finally, the US decided that it would sail some warships by the islands just to see if it can do so without getting shot at."
What will happen if China were to sail warships to within the 12 n mile limits of Guam? Will they be shot at? You bet.