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Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South China

Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

I think (hope) a war with China is extremely unlikely. It would no doubt be devastating to both nations.

Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South China Sea - Asia - World - The Independent

China has upped its military posturing, issuing a strategy paper saying Beijing would “surely counterattack if attacked” by an enemy amid concerns from the US and neighbouring countries over its developments in the South China Sea. The release of the document came shortly after Beijing lodged a complaint against the US for flying a surveillance jet over disputed territory in the South China Sea, where China is building artificial islands. Chinese state media reported that the white paper, issued by the state council, the country’s cabinet, underscored that Beijing was committed to world peace and believed that a world war was unlikely. But it added that “small-scale wars, conflicts and crises are recurrent in some regions”. The state-owned news agency Xinhua highlighted one particular phrase, which appeared in the “Strategic Guideline of Active Defence” section: “We will not attack unless attacked, but we will surely counterattack if attacked.”

Much to the concern of its neighbours and the US, China, the dominant powerhouse in the region, has been building artificial islands and buildings in the disputed South China Sea, where the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all have overlapping claims. In one area, the Spratly islands, the US says China has created 2,000 acres of land, with satellite images showing what appears to be an airstrip. The paper said that China’s armed forces would work to “resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty [and] security and development interests” and work towards “realising the Chinese dream of achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”. Announcing its release, the People’s Liberation Army spokesman Yang Yujun appeared to be referring to the US when he said that “outside powers” were attempting to “tarnish the Chinese military’s reputation and create an atmosphere of exaggerated tension.” He added: “We cannot eliminate the possibility that this is to create excuses for the actions that certain countries may be planning to take.”


This really means nothing because they say they will attack if they are attacked. WELL OF COURSE THEY WOULD!!! Any country has the right to attack another country if they are attacked by that country. I really don't understand what is so alarming about these words. However, what the US is doing is not attacking China, and it does not wish to attack china. It is only monitoring China, just as China monitors the US. They may not have the capability to fly close to the US boarder, but they do have satalites and other passive ways of spying on us. Russia continually flies thru international waters while measuring our reaction to it. Which is also a type of spying. Really none of this should alarm anyone. It is only when someone decides to get trigger happy that we need to begin to worry.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

In Hawaii, where he (Ashton Carter) called on all countries to halt land reclamation in disputed waters and asserted that the U.S. will continue to operate in international waters according to international law and protect freedom of navigation in the region.

Senior Colonel Xiaozhuo Zhao, an official in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, confronted Carter at the conference Saturday. Zhao completely rejected Carter’s premise and called his remarks about the South China Sea inaccurate and not constructive.

“Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is not at all an issue because the freedom has never been affected,” he said. “Also, it is wrong to criticize China for affecting regional peace and stability through its construction activities, since China has never taken any proactive measures.”

Which is what I keep saying. People are attempting to legitimize the US inserting itself into a regional dispute that involves six countries, none of which is the US on the merits of its rights to ply international waters. Colonel Zhao was quick to point out the US strawman argument failure because such navigation has not been threatened!
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Why do you always do this Jack? Of course "officially" at State we don't, but in practice and indeed, we very much support Taiwanese independence, and were prepared to go to their defence should the PRC threaten it. And the "West Philippines Sea" is certainly NOT appropriate, and was stated by Hillary Clinton while she was still smarting from China's rebuke on Syria. :roll:

As usual you're long on claims and short on facts. "One China" is US policy and it's quite real.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

As usual you're long on claims and short on facts. "One China" is US policy and it's quite real.

Yeah, "official" policy (wink wink, nod nod) which means nothing. We will go to war with the PLA to defend Taiwan's independence, as you quite well know. ;) and apparently they've been readying themselves.

China's PLA Military Ready To Fight A Modern War: State Report
China's PLA Military Ready To Fight A Modern War: State Report
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Yeah, "official" policy (wink wink, nod nod) which means nothing. We will go to war with the PLA to defend Taiwan's independence, as you quite well know. ;) and apparently they've been readying themselves.

China's PLA Military Ready To Fight A Modern War: State Report
China's PLA Military Ready To Fight A Modern War: State Report

Our position is that reunification should be peaceful and with the consent of the people of Taiwan.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Our position is that reunification should be peaceful and with the consent of the people of Taiwan.

Which everyone knows will never happen. At any rate, it's yet another subject that the US isn't the decider of.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Which everyone knows will never happen. At any rate, it's yet another subject that the US isn't the decider of.

On the contrary, most people expect it is inevitable.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

In Hawaii, where he (Ashton Carter) called on all countries to halt land reclamation in disputed waters and asserted that the U.S. will continue to operate in international waters according to international law and protect freedom of navigation in the region.

Senior Colonel Xiaozhuo Zhao, an official in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, confronted Carter at the conference Saturday. Zhao completely rejected Carter’s premise and called his remarks about the South China Sea inaccurate and not constructive.

“Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is not at all an issue because the freedom has never been affected,” he said. “Also, it is wrong to criticize China for affecting regional peace and stability through its construction activities, since China has never taken any proactive measures.”

Which is what I keep saying. People are attempting to legitimize the US inserting itself into a regional dispute that involves six countries, none of which is the US on the merits of its rights to ply international waters. Colonel Zhao was quick to point out the US strawman argument failure because such navigation has not been threatened!

Zhao gave Carter China's view. The U.S. and China have a difference when it comes to land reclamation. While land reclamation might be seen as little for than China unilaterally imposing its terms despite disputes with various other countries, militarization of those disputed territories could give China a capacity to block shipping. That China reportedly has placed a mobile artillery unit on one of the reclaimed islands is a development that can be seen a posing a potential threat to free passage of shipping.

Fortunately, at this point in time, the differences are not insurmountable. An accommodation may yet be found. Whether the parties will ultimately do so remains to be seen.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

this is pretty slik stuff by the Chinese. Extending their international territorial sea reach by man made islands and militarization.
It's a nefarious South China Sea grab - but it's very effective.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Zhao gave Carter China's view. The U.S. and China have a difference when it comes to land reclamation. While land reclamation might be seen as little for than China unilaterally imposing its terms despite disputes with various other countries, militarization of those disputed territories could give China a capacity to block shipping. That China reportedly has placed a mobile artillery unit on one of the reclaimed islands is a development that can be seen a posing a potential threat to free passage of shipping.

Fortunately, at this point in time, the differences are not insurmountable. An accommodation may yet be found. Whether the parties will ultimately do so remains to be seen.

And Carter gave Zhao the US's view. I don't think that the US is seeking any green lights from China when determined to place artillery units on our territory. And this pre-emptive approach that we've been on since George W Bush came along is not useful whatsoever. Do you really think that China's preparing to interrupt the shipping lanes coming through there, really? And if so, they're going to do it with an artillery piece, that's it. Seems to me any number of nations around it would sink that little island directly. Furthermore, if you'd actually look at the documentation substantiating China's claims, with that of the others, you'd see why China rejects the notion that their claims are disputable.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

And Carter gave Zhao the US's view. I don't think that the US is seeking any green lights from China when determined to place artillery units on our territory. And this pre-emptive approach that we've been on since George W Bush came along is not useful whatsoever. Do you really think that China's preparing to interrupt the shipping lanes coming through there, really? And if so, they're going to do it with an artillery piece, that's it. Seems to me any number of nations around it would sink that little island directly. Furthermore, if you'd actually look at the documentation substantiating China's claims, with that of the others, you'd see why China rejects the notion that their claims are disputable.

What China is presently doing is largely symbolic. But in the medium- and longer-term, it would be reckless to assume only the best-case scenario will prevail. No one can be sure that a future Chinese government with the framework in place to impose its will on the South China Sea would, in fact, act benignly. That's why diplomacy in the near-term is so important. It can mitigate the risks in a mutually beneficial fashion.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

What China is presently doing is largely symbolic. But in the medium- and longer-term, it would be reckless to assume only the best-case scenario will prevail. No one can be sure that a future Chinese government with the framework in place to impose its will on the South China Sea would, in fact, act benignly. That's why diplomacy in the near-term is so important. It can mitigate the risks in a mutually beneficial fashion.

I can't agree with you that China is simply engaged in symbolism. Too many people ignore China's (and Russia's) continuos complaints about the global insecurity potentials presented by a uni-polar world. From China's perspective, there's nothing mutually beneficial to US efforts at containment of their rise to power!
 
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Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Freedom of navigation.

Nah its freedom of the US to provoke in this instance. China has not threatened to close any sea lanes
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Nah its freedom of the US to provoke in this instance. China has not threatened to close any sea lanes




To the bolded, it doesn't matter, they MIGHT
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

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To the bolded, it doesn't matter, they MIGHT

The US simply wants a new arms race and China is the first decent contender since the fall of the USSR. Without creating a new existential military threat they cannot justify their colossal arms budgets forever

Just to illustrate relative arms expenditures ......

4A8078449E794DFB8CC33ADD00A6F1AF.jpg

Without a credible enemy whats this all supposed to be for ?
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

The US simply wants a new arms race and China is the first decent contender since the fall of the USSR. Without creating a new existential military threat they cannot justify their colossal arms budgets forever

Just to illustrate relative arms expenditures ......

View attachment 67185048

Without a credible enemy whats this all supposed to be for ?

Oh I'm all up on that and agree that that's as much of the agenda as containment of China is.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

I don't know what further to say to you bud. I've pointed you to China's historic title to the Spratly archipelago, I've shown you a list of of international recognition to China's title to the islands, if I was making the decisions in China, it would look very much as it does now.
Then they should have taken it to the courts or settled under he convention.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Then they should have taken it to the courts or settled under he convention.

Like I said, I'd be doing the same thing China's doing, with one caveat, I'd tell America to defend its annexation of the Hawaiian islands to a board that I have veto power in. ;)
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Nah its freedom of the US to provoke in this instance. China has not threatened to close any sea lanes

Then why have they placed artillery on their new "island?"
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Then why have they placed artillery on their new "island?"

Perhaps its to defend it from further US provocations
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Perhaps its to defend it from further US provocations

What provocation would that be? Flying in international air space?
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

What provocation would that be? Flying in international air space?

Well I seriously doubt its for shelling Japanese and South Korean container ships ! :lol:
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Well I seriously doubt its for shelling Japanese and South Korean container ships ! :lol:

On the contrary, that's probably its precise intended use.
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

On the contrary, that's probably its precise intended use.

Absolute nonsense, and I'm pretty sure you already know that :roll:
 
Re: Beijing warns US: 'We will fight back' as battle of words escalates over South Ch

Absolute nonsense, and I'm pretty sure you already know that :roll:

Militarily the artillery is of no value. It could be erased in the first half-hour of any engagement with US forces. Its only conceivable role is to threaten merchant shipping.
 
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