WASHINGTON: Indian Navy on Thursday participated with the navies of the US, the Philippines and Japan in their first joint naval exercise in the disputed South China Sea, where China is flexing its muscle. The vessels included Indian destroyer INS Kolkata and tanker INS Shakti, a guided missile destroyer from the US Pacific Fleet, Japanese aircraft carrier Izumo and the Philippines patrol vessel Andres Bonifacio, the US Navy said in a statement. "Our team was really excited to take part in this multi-lateral event," Commander Andrew J Klug, commanding officer, USS William P Lawrence, said. "Professional engagements with our allies, partners and friends in the region are opportunities to build upon our existing, strong relationships, as well as learn from each other," Klug said. The ships conducted formation exercises, communication drills, passenger transfers and held a leadership exchange aboard JS Izumo. The six vessels gathered "to train together and promote maritime … [Read more...] about India joins Philippines, US, Japan in South China Sea drills
The south china sea
China sends four fighter jets to highly-contested island in the South China Sea, as tensions grow
Taken above the skies of Woody Island on Wednesday, the images mark a major military development in the disputed region. China has never before placed its sophisticated J-10 fighter jets on Woody or any Chinese-controlled islands before — and the move comes as tensions in the region are on the rise. Earlier this month, a Filipino fishing boat was hit by a Chinese vessel in the body of water, after which China was criticised for aggressive actions. Analysts say the placement of fighter jets in the open is significant and shows they were on the contested island for up to 10 days. Satellite images of four Chinese fighter jets on Woody Island in South China Sea. Picture: ImageSat InternationalSource:Supplied Former Royal Australian Air Force officer and Griffith Asia Institute fellow Peter Layton told CNN it was almost as if China wanted the world to see them. “They want you to notice them. Otherwise they would be parked in the hangars,” he said. “What message do … [Read more...] about China sends four fighter jets to highly-contested island in the South China Sea, as tensions grow
Chinese fishing vessels suspected of increasingly common laser attacks on Australian military
Email Exclusive by defence correspondent Andrew Greene Posted December 06, 2019 01:20:33 Photo: Australian pilots of MHR90 helicopters were targeted with lasers earlier this year. (Airbus Australia Pacific, file) Related Story: Chinese vessels believed responsible for laser attacks on Australian Navy pilots Related Story: Australian ships tailed by Chinese military in South China Sea Related Story: Australian warships challenged by Chinese military in South China Sea Map: China Hand-held lasers are increasingly being used against Australian Defence Force assets, with military insiders blaming small Chinese maritime militia vessels for the dangerous tactic. Key points:Pilots were targeted on a night-time flight over the South China Sea earlier this yearBut Defence said no "military-grade lasers" were used against Australian Navy or Air Force units in the past yearOne academic suspects fishing boats are being used to make things difficult for foreign militaries Earlier … [Read more...] about Chinese fishing vessels suspected of increasingly common laser attacks on Australian military
Scott Morrison takes veiled swipe at China during visit to Vietnam
At a business dinner in Vietnam last night, the Prime Minister took a thinly veiled swipe at China’s actions in the South China Sea. “We share a vision for an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific neighbourhood,” Mr Morrison told the audience of 100 business leaders and diplomats. “An Indo-Pacific where we respect each other’s sovereignty and independence because if we allow the sovereignty or independence of any of our neighbours to suffer coercion, then we are all diminished.” The key word there, coercion, had popped up earlier in the speech as well, as Mr Morrison described Australia and Vietnam as “partners for a stable, peaceful, prosperous and independent Indo-Pacific region”. “A region of sovereign, independent states, resistant to coercion but open to engagement on the basis of shared interests,” he said. The Prime Minister’s choice of words was a clear signal. Other nations, most notably the United States, … [Read more...] about Scott Morrison takes veiled swipe at China during visit to Vietnam
India-China: What’s cooking?
'The fact that Modi and Xi exuded confidence to accelerate the negotiations for a border settlement alone underscores that the Russia-India-China triangle has become very dynamic,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit 2019 in Bishkek. All Photographs: Kind courtesy Ministry of External Affairs/Flickr The Bishkek Declaration, issued after the summit meeting (June 14-15) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation devotes one sentence praising China's Belt and Road Initiative: 'The Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan reaffirm their support for China's Belt and Road Initiative and praise the results of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (which was held in April 26).' India kept aloof. Any surprises … [Read more...] about India-China: What’s cooking?
