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Chinese Warships Dock In Florida As Ash Carter Waves "Big Stick" Around In South Pacific

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Earlier this week, 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and eight other countries, including China and the US held a summit to discuss defense and security in the South Pacific. Officially, this was the result:

Unofficially, Beijing and Washington reportedly couldn’t get past China’s Spratly sandcastles, which a US destroyer visited late last month in a show of force thinly disguised as a “freedom of navigation” exercise. Here’s WSJ

High-level defense talks crumbled over growing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, as the U.S. sought to show strength and assert its role as a counterweight to China.

 

“We couldn’t reach a consensus,” said Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein at the conclusion of the Asean Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, which brings together 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and eight other countries, including China and the U.S.

 

Mr. Hishammuddin denied that the rivalry between the U.S. and China was disrupting regional diplomacy, but behind the scenes other officials said the U.S. and China had been the main obstacles to any agreement.

 

“The Chinese lobbied to keep any reference to the South China Sea out of the final joint declaration,” said a senior U.S. defense official accompanying Defense Secretary Ash Carter at the meeting here.

 

A senior Philippine defense official said China had opposed any declaration that included mention of the South China Sea disputes, while the U.S. had opposed any declaration that omitted it.

For anyone who somehow missed it, the US sent a guided missile destroyer to The South China Sea last month in an effort to prove to Beijing that America is serious about protecting its regional allies who are concerned that the construction of some 3,000 acres of new sovereign territory atop reefs in the Spratlys amounts to an attempt by China to redraw maritime boundaries on the way to establishing a kind of Sino-Monroe Doctrine.

Now, The Pentagon is trying to figure out whether appeasing The Philippines by conducting regular "patrols" around the man-made islands is worth starting World War III. 

Well, it appears as though Washington isn't set to back down and on Thursday, Ash Carter touched down on the American aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in true George Bush "mission accomplished" style before promptly delivering a ridiculous speech that invoked the ship's namesake. Here's WSJ again:

Asked about the symbolism of the Roosevelt and the man it was named after, Mr. Carter said he welcomed the military-to-military relationship with China. “TR’s motto was to speak softly but carry a big stick, but the ‘speak softly’ means talk to other people, see what we can do to reach agreement.”

 

He noted the stability that has existed in the region for decades, adding: “It would be a shame if people here ruined that.”

Yes, just like Teddy, Ash is packing a "big stick" and it would "be a shame" if he had to use it in order to bring about the kind of mass destruction needed to preserve peace and "stability" in the South Pacific. 

Anyway, just as The Pentagon ratchets up the rhetoric, China made a "goodwill" visit to Jacksonville, Florida. As we noted a few weeks ago, three Chinese vessels conducting an "around the world" tour, were set to dock in the US where sailors will engage in "ship tours and sporting events." Here's CNN:

Sailors from both navies are expected to participate in sporting events and ship tours during the Mayport visit.

 

"Goodwill visits by ships from foreign navies help build trust and foster shared understanding," according to a statement from the U.S. Navy.

 

"Foreign navy ships routinely conduct port visits to Mayport, as ships from Peru and Canada have stopped here in the last few months," U.S. Navy spokesman Cmdr. William Marks said. "Engagements like this and the July 2015 port visit to China by USS Stethem demonstrate a continuous navy-to-navy bilateral relationship between our two countries." 

Yes, "navy-to-navy bilateral relationships," like the type of "relationships" that involve shooting at one another over a group of artificially constructed islands. Here's the clip of China arriving in Florida:

So as you can see, there were plenty of paper mache dragons and other festivities to commemorate the occasion. 

Also note the speech by Rear Adm. Mary Jackson, commander of Navy Region Southeast. Here's a quote:

“No matter what difference exist between cultures, those who serve at sea share a common bond that can only be fully appreciated by sailors. Goodwill engagements such as this help to strengthen that spirit of friendship and understanding.”

Jackson may want to explain that to Ash Carter before he ends up sparking a global conflict by waving his "big stick" around on the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

 

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Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:20 | 6753801 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

It's all theater for the masses. The MIC for both countries need a boogie man for funding, but in the end the globalists are all in on the game. There is no nation vs nation, it's the elites VS the proles.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:42 | 6753865 Baby Bladeface
Baby Bladeface's picture

Big stick best suited to shoving up Arsch Carter.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:12 | 6754226 Deathrips
Deathrips's picture

How much gold are they picking up?

 

RIPS

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 19:14 | 6755541 espirit
espirit's picture

No doubt Chinese armament can reach the North Merican continent from where they're parked.

Jeez... 

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:05 | 6753936 Perimetr
Perimetr's picture

The US "Big Stick" is a dead stick once China or Russia decide to launch their hypersonic anti-ship missiles and blow the floating targets out of the water.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:17 | 6753981 Eahudimac
Eahudimac's picture

Exactly. 

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:21 | 6753805 CHoward
CHoward's picture

Today is the 5th of November.  Anyone remember the cover of the Economist?  Oh oh. 

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:28 | 6753832 RadioFlyer
RadioFlyer's picture

Remember, Remember the fifth of November.  - Guy Fawkes

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:43 | 6753868 lakecity55
lakecity55's picture

Whoops! There goes Mayport!

"Mr Bath House, The ChiComs have wiped out Mayport!"
"Excellent! Have they lost any ships?"
"Not at this point."
"Great! Have them move up the coast to our sub base at King's Bay!"
"Yessir!"

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:01 | 6753922 HoserF16
HoserF16's picture

That arrow thingy....

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:09 | 6753950 trulz4lulz
trulz4lulz's picture

What better time for a sneak cruise missle attack? Both norad balloons are out of comission and grounded. My bet is nothing happens. But you never know.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:30 | 6753806 hedgeless_horseman
hedgeless_horseman's picture

 

 

USS Stethem Visits Qingdao to Promote Cooperation with PLA(N)

QINGDAO, China - The Arleigh-Burke class destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) conducted a port visit in Qingdao, July 28-30, to promote maritime cooperation and reinforce a positive naval relationship with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA(N)).

 

 

And Hong Kong still a frequent port-of-call for the USN.

The amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), with embarked elements of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, conducted a five day quality-of-life port visit to the Chinese territory.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:22 | 6753813 JustObserving
JustObserving's picture

If China does not send some troops to Syria to show its opposition to illegal American support of terrorists, it means it has rolled over and played dead for the hegemon.

Putin will be left alone to face the combined power of US, UK, Israel, France, Turkey and the Gulf States.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:33 | 6753824 E.F. Mutton
E.F. Mutton's picture

The Chinese recognize a Paper Tiger like Carter when they see one.  He should stick to LGBT issues and redecorating the Pentagon.

He reminds me of this guy....  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5hkrdYno2E

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:31 | 6753829 Fahque Imuhnutjahb
Fahque Imuhnutjahb's picture

  https://youtu.be/paMulmvrlbc       We Ka Bu Ki!!

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:30 | 6753834 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

Strange place to let them dock considering the close proximity of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

Just sayin'...

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:30 | 6753835 Mr. Schmilkies
Mr. Schmilkies's picture

Chinese warships dock in Florida to let Uncle Sam know who's his daddy.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:34 | 6753845 Fahque Imuhnutjahb
Fahque Imuhnutjahb's picture

....and to take delivery of mass quantities of shiny,  thanks!!  comrade Maduro!!

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:35 | 6753846 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

So there's going to be a lot of half-Cuban/half-Chinese kids running around that port in 10 years?  You know what they say about letting Seamen come ashore...

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:35 | 6753847 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Maybe it's the repo man coming to collect on their debt. All you cheap trinkets bewrong to us.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:38 | 6753853 SethDealer
SethDealer's picture

top ramin

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:38 | 6753855 Lucky Leprachaun
Lucky Leprachaun's picture

" Rear Adm. Mary Jackson"

The Chinks must be quaking in their boots.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:39 | 6754348 Amy G. Dala
Amy G. Dala's picture

Check out her commendations, Lucky.  One step above a coffee mug and a plaque.

All the adults in this organization have been purged.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:02 | 6753923 HoserF16
HoserF16's picture

I smell Gold Bullion, sniff, sniff...

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:05 | 6753933 Raymond_K._Hessel
Raymond_K._Hessel's picture

... for fuck's sake.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:06 | 6753942 Hannibal
Hannibal's picture

Another dog and pony show.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:10 | 6753952 Nexus789
Nexus789's picture

Reminds me of the exchanges between the royal navy and the german imperial navy prior to WW1.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 16:20 | 6754807 Chia-Pet
Chia-Pet's picture

Damn, you old.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:15 | 6753962 Morbid
Morbid's picture

i wonder what bankers think of this idea..

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:13 | 6753964 Pumpkin
Pumpkin's picture

It is hard to keep lies straight when it's all you do.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:19 | 6753987 lesterbegood
lesterbegood's picture

Interesting analysis and theorem regarding this subject: http://redefininggod.com/2015/10/globalist-agenda-watch-2015-update-84-2...

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:23 | 6754003 Archive_file
Archive_file's picture

What do you do when those to whom one "speaks softly" also carry a big stick? Last time I checked, the Sunburn and Silkworm missiles are pretty FUCKING BIG STICKS!

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 13:31 | 6754035 NYPoke
NYPoke's picture

Peru has a Navy?

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:01 | 6754176 DearLeaderMaobama
DearLeaderMaobama's picture

Funny that they quote him about carrying a "big stick" but use a picture of him making a hand gesture indicating he has a small penis. I see what you did there. Good stuff.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:13 | 6754239 cordial savage
cordial savage's picture

The invasion is now imminent!

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:44 | 6754370 Amy G. Dala
Amy G. Dala's picture

What a great photo op.  Never let a hot war get in the way of a good photo op, Ash!

The Chinese have yet to fully exploit our idiocy.  If I were Xi, I would make up some bullshit about cultural competence and inclusiveness, and celebrating diversity, and tell Ass Carter that ancient chinese customs dictate that foreign parties dress in clown suits when discussing military matters.  It helps "deconflict" tense situations.

Red wig and rubber nose.  Big floppy boots.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 14:55 | 6754433 trueFacts
trueFacts's picture

I think the chinese sailors are now legally US ciizens and dreamers, and if they have photo-ID they are allowed to vote using the florida hanging chad system.  Jeb! should hurry on over to secure their votes, before Marco gets there.  Si, Si, puede in chinese.

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:01 | 6754465 Obamamerica
Obamamerica's picture

??????

Shì de, n? k?y?

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:02 | 6754467 Obamamerica
Obamamerica's picture
?????? Shì de, n? k?y?
Thu, 11/05/2015 - 15:00 | 6754456 Obamamerica
Obamamerica's picture

Im confused. The Chinese are all upset because our warships are aroung their fake islands, but they have warships docked in Florida?

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 00:49 | 6756709 onmail1
onmail1's picture

A big stick is useless before a sword 

Satan America should realize that China is not Syria or Libya

But these foolish Americans are as unpredictable as a junkie on afghan heroin

Fri, 11/06/2015 - 11:49 | 6758021 Matt0515
Matt0515's picture

Read "The Khazarian mob is on the run as US military takes over Federal Reserve Board" by Ben Fulford.

http://geopolitics.co/vital-issues/ben-fulford/the-khazarian-mob-is-on-t...

Meanwhile, a military revolt is taking place in the US as the troops won't fight for Al Qaeda who killed so many of their mates in Afghanistan. That's why Ash Carter is taking a cruise on the TR carrier with a walking stick.

http://consciouslyenlightened.com/us-military-revolt-against-obamas-deci...

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