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Dozens Of Protesters Swarm Disputed Island As China Demands Withdrawal Of Filipino Troops
Two days ago, an armed Chinese ship and two other vessels entered the waters north of Kuba Island and encroached on Japanese territorial waters starting at around 9:30 a.m. Kuba is part of the Senkakus which are at the center of a longstanding dispute between Beijing and Tokyo.
As BBC wrote last year, “the eight uninhabited islands and rocks in the East China Sea matter because they are close to important shipping lanes, offer rich fishing grounds and lie near potential oil and gas reserves.” Perhaps more importantly - especially in the context of what’s going on in the South China Sea - they are “in a strategically significant position, amid rising competition between the US and China for military primacy in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Some argue that Beijing’s move to encroach on what are supposed to be jointly developed oil and gas fields (“I drink your milkshake”) may stem from Japan’s purchase of three of the islands from a private owner in 2012. Saturday’s “incident” marks “the first time that an armed Chinese vessel has intruded into the areas [around the islands] that Japan’s claims as its territory,” Bloomberg writes, adding that although the former PLA vessel “is now operated by another department, the ship was armed with an auto-cannon.” Here’s more:
The Japanese government protested to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo and to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, according to the foreign affairs ministry official. The entry of the three ships on Saturday was the 139th time that Chinese government vessels have entered Japan’s waters since September 2012, the official said.
When Japan’s coast guard warned the Chinese to leave its territorial waters Saturday, they responded by saying that the Japanese vessel was in Chinese waters and should leave immediately, Kyodo reported.
This comes just ten days after Reuters, citing Japanese officials, reported that Tokyo is preparing a missile blockade along the First Island chain in an effort to, i) deter what the US and Japan say is a regional maritime powergrab by China, and ii) effectively split the ocean into spheres of Chinese and US influence.
All in all, the waters around China and Japan are becoming an increasingly dangerous place and in the latest kerfuffle, 50 Filipinos have occupied Pagasa in the Spratlys to protest Beijing's island building efforts. The protesters "reached Pagasa in the Spratly archipelago on Saturday, saying they planned to stay for three days [in a demonstration against] Chinese encroachment in a Philippine exclusive economic zone," BBC says.
The island is Philippine-held, but officials were wary of the trip. "The Philippines was also concerned about China's reaction to trip as Manila has been trying to calm tensions," The Sidney Morning Herald wrote, earlier today.
On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called on The Philippines to leave the Spratlys altogether. Here's the quote:
“We once again urge the Philippines to move out its troops and facilities from the illegally occupied islands and refrain from doing anything that would undermine regional peace and stability and also relations between our two countries."
You're reminded that three years ago next month, the Philippines asked the UN Arbitration Court to settle China's maritime claims over the South China Sea. For its part, Beijing wants nothing to do with the proceedings which China views as illegitimate.
Lu's declaration in the wake of the Pagasa occupation harkens back to comments made last month by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin. Beijing has actually shown “great restraint” in the South China Sea, Liu told the press ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit held in Manila.
China, Liu went on to explain, has tolerated the “occupation” of the disputed waters even as Beijing has “both the right and the ability to recover the islands and reefs illegally occupied by neighboring countries.” Essentially, Liu said China would be well within its rights to forcibly expel The Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam from the Spratlys.
And so, will a peaceful protest by a few dozen students be the indignity that causes China to demand, once and for all, the withdrawal of all non-Chinese military personnel from the Spratlys? Probably not, but Beijing clearly doesn't appreciate the fact that an island which China believes is sovereign territory is occupied by Filipino soldiers and now, by Filipino activists who are essentially calling the Chinese a belligerent occupying force in the archipelago.
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I read that the US government gave China eight destroyers in 1945 to reclaim these islands from the Japanese.
I wonder how much NED money was funnelled to the Fllipino occupiers...
I really don't care who has the islands. China or Japan.... let them work it out. U.S. stay out!
My grandfather fought the Japanese on the islands in WW2. Hated them ever since with a passion at what they did to him and his outfit. He said the only good jap was a dead one.
Why not just go to the store and buy a new outfit?
My grandfather has a similar story. Spent most of his time on the western front, eventually had some kind of involvement in the pacific (not sure on the details). Respects Germans, even shortly after the war, but still wont look Asians in the eye. To this day, Ive seen the man stand up and go right into fight-or-flight when a 'Jap' walks in the room. Dont know what they did to him but that hatred has survived for 70 years.
My Dad was at Okinawa in 1945 being attacked by Kamikaze's on his little WW1 destroyer. Both my parents were well trained to hate the Japanese. Oh, my Mom still does and no talking her out of it.
Millions upon millions, most of them Asian, loathe the Japanese.
Not surprising after you watched a few nowadays Chinese propaganda pieces, dressed up as serious movies.
Others say that everybody hates the Chinese. Then there are those who say that everybody hates the Russians. Makes the world look like Iraq and Syria, HELP!!!!
I went to Google to sort it all out:
Everyone hates the British - 34,800 results
Everyone hates the Chinese - 16,800 results
Everyone hates the Japanese - 15,500 results
Everyone hates the Americans - 12,500 results
Everyone hates the Russians - 7,230 results
Everyone hates the Muslims - 6,740 results
Everyone hates the French - 5,620 results
Everyone hates the Jews - 3,700 results
Everyone hates the Swedes - 10 results
Everyone hates the Mexicans - 9 results
Everyone hates the Canadians - 9 results
Everyone hates the Arabs - 4 results
Everyone in this article is a pussy! Either get to killin' or bend over, enough words!
"everyone hate me" --- 11,700,000.
Me scared
65,700 when I do it. I should check "everyone love me", but I too scared.
I'm reminded of a certain Kingston Trio song ...
A lot.
http://hedgeaccordingly.com/2015/03/chinese-interest-in-islands-a-shore-...
"
Arises a definite stench of US NGOs, smell of Soros...
This is where an actual war may break out first.
What actual war? The whole world has been at war, somewhere, since recorded history. Asia, China Sea, Near East, Eastern Europe, South America, Africa, Pacific, Eaurope, Vietnam , Korea, it has been ongoing! War is part of human history. To blame the MIC or bankers or JEWS is to be short sighted. It part of humanity. Humanity has two sides, the human kindness and human animal.
I played in the rubble of Berlin, a relative of mine spent 2 years on the road as a displaced person when he was a toddler. Please not again.
Is the suffering through wars really humankind's fate?
The Japanese hate everyone who's not Japanese and everyone else in asia hates the Chinese: the Vietnamese, the Phillipinos, obviously the Japanese and the Koreans. China's evil is just as deep as the US only arranged differently. Instead of a 2 polar world, stability would be far better with a 300 polar world.
I gather you've never been to Japan? The Japanese have remarkably little ill will toward Western countries, amazing since the US nuked them. They also get along great with neighboring countries, except the ones that have active propaganda campaigns against them. It's also the most civilized country in the world.
Yes, I'm a Japan booster, but not a paid one.
Me too, ever since I discovered Akira kurosawa
Here's another reason to like Japan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tujpaaF8yPU
.
Yes but do they have diversity?
we jews are on the way to bring diversety to japan
until now there was no diversity in japan because of the threat from sovitets and china to take over japan
now sovites and chine cant no longer influence japan and it will fall
new generation of japanese people is to stupid to protect japan from foreigners
Miss Japan, Japan's entry in last week's Miss Universe contest, is half African American.
I'm not saying all Japanese were comfortable with that, but it's something.
I'm of the same Nationality/Ethnic mix as her; and think She'll be the first and last one for awhile. Since the difference in the Nationalities/Ethnicities are significant (not readily regional or blended for centuries), it's almost like giving your Seat in the Pageant to the USA.
They'll expect USA to reciprocate and send over a Half-JPN Contestant sometime during the Asia_Pivot_Push_and_Cultural_Brainwashing_Push. Cynical? They're shoveling it heavily now that CHN's Economy and Military are growing in peculiar ways - JPN/CHN and USA/CHN Trade Volumes are greater than USA/JPN Volumes. Despite TWN and KOR's interference, JPN and CHN are engaging more and more. Team USA probably won't send in a Half-JPN Contestant, so JPN will stick to "purebreds", or possibly other "mixed" Dames thrown in sporadically.
Due to the tensions involved, there probably will not be a Half Korean, Half Taiwanese, or Half Chinese Contestants.
We go to Japan often. We know many Indians that immigrated to Japan, most having taken permanent citizenship and some former Indians with Japanese nationality. There are many such cases today. Intermarriage in Japan is quite high. Japan is today one of the most open countries in Asia, and far, far better than the fascist-ruled PRC goontown.
Yes, I am also a Japan supporter and not a paid one!
"The Japanese hate everyone who's not Japanese"
uh oh... I guess that means my wife hates me.
What a way to find out. Damn... now what do I do?
I hope China hits those cunts and makes an example out of them. Nuke those fuckin islands!
And the Humanitarian of the Year Award goes to....
Leave his alone!
Stupid cunt
China is showing with its belligerence what a dangerous player it will become over the next few decades. So much for "peaceful development"!
The Flips would do a lot better if they scrapped their relations with the US and extended a hand to China. The Flips have been dirt poor for ever under this arrangement with the US. Dirt poor. I be been there. It's a disgrace
I been to the Philippines-a lot. Been to China, been to Japan. The Philippines are poor because of Filipino corruption, they have done it to themselves. Does not matter who they have relations with, they will shoot themselves in the foot every time. It is a shame.
Japan struck me as one of the most civil places I have ever experienced. They may be aloof but they are fabulously polite people. I love it there.
In China I ran into the "arrogant Chinese bastard" all too frequently. Belligerent, uncouth, untrained and ill mannered assholes abound. Chinese leadership reflects those same traits, as this and many other situations expose to the world.
Relations with arrogant Chinese bastards will NOT help the Filipinos, nor anyone else.
Grimaldus
What you describe as 'Chinese bastard' existed long ago as 'ugly American'. When somebody thinks he's the king of the castle it gets to their head. I worked for a Jap company in Frankfurt Germany and found they considered themselves better than us. That was 1982, when they were on a roll.
Look, I have no axe to grind with the Filipinos. But you're right; no matter who they side with, we can't expect any miracles out of that country.
And it's for the same reason as Sub-Saharan Africa. People who develop in tropical climates all tend to be prone to not-so-good decision making. Unfortunately the science behind this remains taboo to discuss.
Well, they presently have one of the highest economic growth rates in the world - about 6 times that of Europe, Japan or the US, along with a young population, so the Koreans, Japanese and Chinese seem to be investing pretty heavily in the country. A future of growth looks pretty good compared to just about everywhere else.
Even here in Singapore, which is over three quarters Chinese heritage, those arrogant Chinese bastards, as you putit so well,are hated the most. They really are arrogant, rude, and look down on the locals here. They assume that all those of Chinese heritage can speak mandarin fluently and scream as those that can't. They also take it upon themselves to relieve themselves whenever and wherever they choose, despite the fact that there are public toilets everywhere.
Years back Singporeans looked forward to a rising China. Today, most refuse to call themselves anything but Singaporeans. Gone are the days when they would say they were "Chinese."
Mischief and Fiery Cross, nothing going on there. Just offer free 10 x 10 meter plots to Phil squatters and a one way boat trip, they'll never be dislodged.
I work with a Filipino and he told me that some of his countrymen are digging up the island they live on and selling it to the Chinese.
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!What has the Philippines got out of this relationship with the US all these years ?
They weren't invaded by Russia!
But the US alliances are not about what the other countries get out of it. When you listen carefully to the Washington guys it's always about 'our interests'. Never specified, but in my observation it is about privatisations, education, transport, water, electricity - what we used to call the utilities. They want to dominate these industries because you cannot avoid buying these products and services delivering reliable profits for them.
There's a great book about what these Countries get out of it;
Confesions of an economic Hitman pdf
Your sister's twat, no?
I'm living in Philippines now most of the year and going to nearby Palawan next week. Should be interesting. Wanna to see it before need a Chinese VISA...
China pushing the envelope - hungry for war or seeing if the West will blink - now that China controls manufacturing?
Are iPhones worth it? Career employment? The Dollar? Treasuries?
If history is a guide U.S. Command will "sell out"!
Bullshit. The US sets the rules in their favour and then calls it freedom of navigation. The Chinese are not insane. There is a reason why they are doing this
Right, that is what I was saying, U.S. will roll over for China.
The rest of Asia should take notice; Hawaii next...
US is only 4 point something % of global population, China 16/17 %. Oh, I forgot, Russia is going to overrun us all, they are 2 % of global population.
They have all failed to get along and now they are telling Iraqis, Syrians, Libyans 'why don't you settle your disputes peacefully and get along?'
I think China will prevail unless we think the Spratlys and associated issues are worth WWIII. Not sure that I really care who owns these islands. They all play their power games and fleece the little guy, which I experienced in more than one country. There's definitely no guarantee of justice from the western democracies, the others is for others to decide.
Ask not for whom the Jingo-bells toll.
great place for china to test it's new missiles... roasted students
stupidents
Amazing how far they've come with those islands given they can barely open their eyes.
They're more focused? Squinting your eyes eliminates bright lights and surrounding distractions.
Their days are very long. It is still morning there.
Lu Kang may tell the Philippinos to GTFO but Lord Raiden would have something different to say.
The Vietnamese started with the artificial island building. Where was the outrage back then?
Interesting that Taiwan is ceded to the Chinese side of the line!
That's just the Chinese claim, they still hold that Taiwan is a part of China. It's temporarily ruled by fascists, but sooner or later the PRC will liberate it and bring peace.
There is a large Italian population in Taiwan Do ?
It's good to be big and powerful. Good-bye PI, hello China.
All the socialists are still fighting the cold war .... life has passed them by .... how pathetic ?
Dividing disputed water .... should be done with a ruler and compass .... Google maps would be helpful .... it appears the Chinese are using the new .... nigger math ?
They are just having a beach party. Right? China should just keep on building islands, then build beach resorts, discos and bars. Look at those Spanish holiday places.
Fuck the Chinese FUCKS. FUCK THEM
I've never seen a thorough article that lays out all the history and so-called/fictional "international law" related to these disputes. Anyone know of such an article?
My general impression is that China is being absurd in at least some of these claims (maybe all of them, but I have no way to know).
But... it seems like everyone has an opinion, but do any of them base their opinion on anything real, or just emotions, or "choose sides and root for your side"?
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Of course the bottom line is the following. So-called "nations" are fictions, as are "laws" (including so-called "international law"). So the factually correct answer to these disputes is "anyone who wants to be there, can be there". Humans are not lower on the ladder than seagulls, and seagulls go wherever they wish without claims of violation. Gads, what silly creatures humans are.
I cannot speak for seagulls, but there are lots of animals that are territorial.
By choice, not by force.