caption Satellite photo dated March 26, 2018 shows Chinese ships south of Hainan, China. source Planet Labs/Handout via REUTERS Beijing put on a massive show of force on Monday. More than 40 of its navy’s ships sailed in formation – but not a very practical formation. Experts say the US could wipe out almost the whole formation with a few bombers in a single pass. Beijing put on a massive show of force on Monday with more than 40 of its navy’s ships sailing in formation with is sole operational aircraft carrier for one of the first times ever in the South China Sea, but a close look at the exercise shows something way off. Satellite imagery of the event, provided by Planet Labs, shows the incredible scale of the exercise, which mostly consisted of rows of two ships lined up neatly. The formation makes a good photo opportunity, but it’s not practical for battle. China showed off … [Read more...] about Beijing just flexed its navy in the South China Sea, but in a ridiculous way that the US could quickly smoke
The south china sea
China and Vietnam reach pact on the South China Sea dispute
A senior Chinese diplomat has confirmed that China and Vietnam have reached an amicable solution regarding the South China Sea dispute, which was reached after friendly negotiations, aimed at lessening the maritime tension between the two communist countries in the region.The agreement was made after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Vietnamese officials this week. In September, a top Communist leader in China had hinted on these lines stating that both the communist parties in these countries have a shared destiny. It is believed that the relationship between the two countries will be strengthened more as Chinese President Xi Jinping is going to Vietnam next week on a state visit. He will also attend a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Vietnam."They reached an important consensus. Both sides will uphold the principle of fried consultations and dialogue to jointly manage and control maritime disputes, and protect the bigger picture of developing Sino-Vietnam relations and stability … [Read more...] about China and Vietnam reach pact on the South China Sea dispute
Why China acts aggressively in the South China Sea
GIL H. A. SANTOS MY international relations students asked last week: Why is China so sensitive and aggressively assertive in the South China Sea claiming almost all of it as its territory including what is supposedly international waters where some $5 trillion of commercial shipping ply annually? Although I have more than 60 years of professional experience as international wire service correspondent in the Asia-Pacific region, broadcast journalist, editor-in-chief and publisher for Manila and Bangkok newspaper groups, I compared notes with other geopolitical analysts, veteran national security advisers and experienced ambassadors/diplomats who prefer to remain unnamed. Our common conclusion: This ambition was launched by Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong after he won the civil war against Nationalist Party head Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang and his American-supported troops fled to Formosa (now known as Taiwan) across the Strait of Formosa and pushed for its … [Read more...] about Why China acts aggressively in the South China Sea
What lies below the South China Sea
Perhaps China and the Philippines are taking the right steps to ease tension in the contentious South China Sea, announcing last week they were considering joint surveys for valuable underwater resources. Beijing has long been at the loggerheads with several members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including the Philippines and Vietnam, over disputed islets in the sea. The conflict has led to immense tension and security risk in the region as China – and to a far lesser extent some Asean countries – establish and develop artificial islands that could conceivable be used as military launch areas. Attempts to settle the disputes have produced no tangible results, since all the countries involved reserve their right to sovereign territory, placing their own national interest above regional stability. Since 2013, there have been at least 38 reported small-scale incidents between vessels under the flags of claimant states. In November 2002 Beijing and … [Read more...] about What lies below the South China Sea
China wants to start testing drone ships in the South China Sea
China has started building a ‘test field’ for unmanned shipping The 225 square nautical miles site is in the South China sea, adjacent to Macau The project will be China’s main base for unmanned ship technology and could become the largest project of its kind. China completed its first test of unmanned surface vessels last week. China has begun building a test field for unmanned ships, according to the government-authorized site China Internet Information Center. The Wanshan Marine Test Field, which began construction on Saturday, is being built in the South China Sea off Zhuhai, which is adjacent to Macau, and not far from one of the world’s busiest shipping ports, Hong Kong. Ships will use the 225 square nautical miles to test technology including autonomous steering and obstacle avoidance. The project, which the center reported “will be the largest of its kind in [the] … [Read more...] about China wants to start testing drone ships in the South China Sea