China's SCS Strategy Thread

[Jura The idiot]

did China say anything yet about
USS John S. McCain Conducts South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation Past Mischief Reef; 3rd South China Sea FONOp This Year

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A U.S. guided-missile destroyer came within 12 nautical miles of the contested Chinese installation built on an artificial island off the coast of the Philippines on Thursday, a defense official confirmed to USNI News.

USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) maneuvered past the Chinese-held installation on Mischief Reef on Thursday.

The FONOp

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morning and is the third under a new schedule the Office of the Secretary of Defense and U.S. Pacific Command gave to the Trump White House earlier this year.

A Pentagon official would not confirm to USNI News that the operation took place but issued a statement saying that freedom of navigation operations were a standard part of the U.S. tool kit.

“U.S. forces operate in the Asia-Pacific region on a daily basis, including in the South China Sea. All operations are conducted in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows,“ Marine Lt. Col. Christopher Logan said in a statement.
“We are continuing regular FONOps, as we have routinely done in the past and will continue to do in the future. Summaries of these operations will be released publicly in the annual FONOps report, and not sooner.”

Unlike other freedom of navigation operations, a U.S. passage past Mischief Reef is the least ambiguous challenge to China’s artificial island campaign. While China has expanded other points in the South China Sea, the majority of those holdings are above the waterline at high tide, commanding a territorial sea requiring warships to ascribe to a certain operating procedure known as an innocent passage.

Mischief Reef is a low-tide elevation feature, which means that at high tide the original reef had been underwater. Under the United Nations Law of the Sea Conventions, the feature does not command a territorial sea that requires innocent passage conduct inside the 12 nautical mile ring around the feature.

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in which guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105) came with in six nautical miles of the base on Mischief Reef and stayed in the 12 nautical mile ring for about 90 minutes, cruising in a zigzag pattern and at one point conducting a man-overboard drill, USNI News reported at the time.

“This is in my view the most significant of these [FONOps]. Not only does it challenge China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea, it shoehorns in a challenge to China’s claim of the feature,” James Kraska, a professor of international law, oceans law and policy at the U.S. Naval War College’s Stockton Center for the Study of International Law, told USNI News in May.
“The rationale is if the U.S. doesn’t recognize innocent passage there’s no territorial sea, and if there is no territorial sea there is no ownership by China.”

A defense official told USNI News on Thursday that the most recent operation was much less aggressive than the FONOp in May.

In addition to the two Mischief operations, the destroyer USS Stethem (DDG-63) came past Triton Island in the Paracel Island chain to test excessive claims by China, Vietnam and Taiwan in July.

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with pressure from the Senate – specifically from Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

USNI News understands that in April, Pentagon leadership presented the White House a schedule of FONOps the U.S. could execute in coordination with planned deployments.

Destroyer McCain is part of the U.S. forward-deployed naval forces based in Japan. The ship is named for the former U.S. Pacific Command Commander Adm. John S. McCain Jr.

 

[Jura The idiot]

Yesterday at 8:28 PM

did China say anything yet about
USS John S. McCain Conducts South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation Past Mischief Reef; 3rd South China Sea FONOp This Year

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now
China protests U.S. warship approaching reef of Nansha Islands
Xinhua| 2017-08-11 01:46:29

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China on Thursday voiced strong protest against a U.S. Navy warship passing close to the Meiji Reef of the Nansha Islands in the

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.

The USS John S. McCain illegally entered the waters near the reef and conducted a so-called "freedom of navigation operation" on Thursday without permission of the Chinese government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, adding the Chinese Navy identified the U.S. warship, warned and expelled it.

"Such a move severely undermines China's sovereignty and security, and severely endangers the safety of frontline personnel of both sides," he said.

"China has indisputable sovereignty of the Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters," Geng said.

With joint efforts of China and

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members, the current situation in the South China Sea has stabilized and maintains a sound development momentum, he said, noting the recent China-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting adopted the framework of the Code of Conduct (COC).

However, some parties from outside continue to meddle in the region under the guise of "free navigation," Geng said. "It is clear who is not willing to see stability in the South China Sea and who is the major factor pushing for militarization in the South China Sea."

"China has the firm determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests," Geng said, reiterating that the U.S. provocation will force China to take further measures to strengthen homeland defense capacity.

 

[Dizasta1]

This freedom of navigation tactic is just to stir up China and to reassure American allies that American Navy is present there. It's more of an International Political tactic than a military one. All China needs to do, is study the international laws regarding freedom of navigation, exclusive economic zones and come up with the best way to render this tactic sterile. There are many ways China can do this, some of them are by populating the area in concern with establishing commercial ferry terminal. By increasing domestic civilian traffic, the navies of other countries would be forced to avoid those water ways.

China need to not get all huffy puffy about these so called Freedom of Navigation excursions. They just need to be smart about this. Exercizing their right to establish ferry terminals for Chinese citizens to travel between islands and main land makes the case from a military matter, to one of protecting civilians. And that, America would not mess with.

Remember, tactics likes these, as used by America, are only to make China commit a mistake. You have to be smarter than that and show it by restraint and counter tactics (non-military).

 

[Hendrik_2000]

Guess it is not just idle talk they actually put money where there mouth is . It will improve the living condition on those big 3 island for Electricity, desalination plant, oil and gas exploration, production and even tourism. Advance the research in small nuclear reactor that can be used in Nuclear Carrier
Securing power in the South China Sea: Beijing’s plans for floating nuclear reactors get US$150 million boost

Joint venture company is expected to develop new technologies to boost China’s maritime nuclear capabilities

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PUBLISHED : Friday, 11 August, 2017, 7:10pm

11 Aug 2017
China has announced plans to bolster its maritime nuclear capabilities with the creation of a major new joint venture project, which could also provide the catalyst for the development of floating reactors in the South China Sea and beyond.

State-owned China National Nuclear Power announced on Thursday it was establishing the new company – with registered capital of one billion yuan (US$150 million) – in cooperation with Zhejiang Zheneng Electric Power, Shanghai Guosheng Group, Jiangnan Shipyard and Shanghai Electric.

The joint venture will seek to strengthen China’s nuclear power capabilities in line with its ambitions to “become a strong maritime power”, the company said in a statement.

It will also support China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”, which aims to boost trade and infrastructure links with nations across Asia and Africa.

The statement did not say how or where the technologies will be used, but observers said it is likely they will be deployed in areas such as the South China Sea.

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In a separate notice the state power giant said the new company will also seek to promote the development of nuclear-powered vessels.

Wang Yiren, vice-director of the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence, said earlier this year that the expansion of China’s nuclear energy capabilities was a vital part of its five-year plan. The country will prioritise the development of a floating nuclear power platform in order to support its offshore oil and gas activities, and its presence in the Paracel and Spratly Islands, he told state media.

Wang’s comments came after Beijing said in a white paper last year that it was developing floating nuclear power plants to facilitate the exploration of maritime resources.

China Securities Journal reported last year that China could build up to 20 floating nuclear plants in the region to “speed up the commercial development” of the South China Sea.

Beijing has increasingly been flexing its muscles in the South China Sea, with the development of artificial islands and more frequent naval patrols. It has declared sovereignty over 85 per cent of the region and is engaged in multiple territorial disputes with its neighbours.

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Collin Koh, a military expert from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Singapore's Nanyang Technology University, said maritime nuclear power plants have a wide range of uses, and their presence would have both symbolic and practical purposes.

As well as producing electricity for Chinese infrastructure in the disputed waters, they could offer a long-term solution to the country’s water supply problems with the provision of desalination facilities, and support China’s status as a maritime power, he said.

Such facilities will also enable China’s military to take a step closer to developing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, he said.

“China sees securing the ability to develop marine nuclear tech as a manifestation of its maritime power status,” Koh said. “It will enhance Beijing’s staying power and assert its claims, as military garrisons and civilian personnel living on those remote outposts would be able to sustain themselves better [and therefore stay longer].”

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Carlyle Thayer, a regional security expert at the Australian Defence Force Academy, said that if nuclear power plants were built in the South China Sea, Beijing would have to provide security for them.

“It makes living conditions and life there much improved, and it’s a sign of Chinese permanence,” he said. “The more infrastructure China puts on there ... they can say, we’re only doing necessary defence to protect our people and our facilities.”

Although the nuclear power plants would have both military and civilian uses, it would “raise the cost of the conflict” in the region, he said.

Kai Ji-jung, chair professor of nuclear engineering at City University of Hong Kong, said that while the technology for floating nuclear plants is not yet mature, countries such as China and the US are putting “tremendous amounts of effort” into developing it.

Floating plants are typically much smaller than onshore ones, with no more than a quarter of the electricity production capability, he said.

“Their purpose is to be mobile, so they can float to any harbour or any island, so you have remote electricity,” he said.

 

[Jura The idiot]

here's USNI News
New U.S., Chinese MIlitary Communications Agreement Follows Years of Naval Engagement
August 16, 2017 2:32 PM

Creating a means for quickly de-escalating tense operations is the goal of a recently signed communications agreement between military leaders from the United States and China.

Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the

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, and Gen. Fang Fenghui of the Chinese army, chief of China’s joint staff, signed a joint strategic dialogue mechanism at the Ba Yi, the People’s Liberation Army headquarters in Beijing on Tuesday.

Dunford,

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to further military-to-military ties between the two

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powers, was formalizing what had been an idea discussed by leaders from the U.S. and Chinese navies for several years.

These communications are especially crucial now, as the region and world are facing the dangers of a nuclear-armed North Korea, said a statement released by the Joint Staff, the Pentagon said.

Maintaining high-level lines of communication with regional powers has become something of a practice for Dunford. Similar to this week’s meeting in China, Dunford traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan, in February to meet with his Russian counterpart, Gen. Valery Gerasimov. The two military leaders discussed improving communications between the two nations’ militaries.

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, saying its purpose was “to make sure we mitigate the risk of miscommunication” that could create an international incident.
The U.S. and Chinese joint strategic dialogue mechanism is the result of several years of high-level discussions between officials from both navies. Diplomatic and security talks in Washington earlier this year helped finalize the agreement.

The agreement is intended for crisis mitigation, said a statement released by U.S. Joint Staff officials. Direct communication at the three-star level in the Pentagon and the Ba Yi will “enable us to communicate to reduce the risk of miscalculation.”

In 2017, the U.S. Navy has conducted three freedom of navigation operations past artificial islands China has created with the goal of extending the nation’s territorial waters, and any claims to fishing and mineral rights.

Meanwhile, in recent years a spate of incidents involving aircraft from U.S. Navy and Chinese Liberation Army Airforce occurring international airspace have created the type of fast-moving situations the new joint strategic dialogue mechanism is supposed to quickly diffuse.

China instituted a so-called Air Defense Identification Zone over the East China Sea, insisting aircraft operating in the zone declare their intentions to Chinese air traffic controllers and the military. The U.S. views this area as unrestricted international airspace and does not comply with Beijing’s directive.

Perhaps the most notorious recent incident occurred in 2014, between a Shenyang J-11BH fighter and a P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance aircraft. The fighter allegedly flew a barrel roll over the Poseidon to show the U.S. crew its weapons loadout. The Chinese said afterward the U.S. aircraft provoked the incident by operating so close to the Chinese shore – albeit in international airspace.

The incident between the P-8A and the J-11 is so famous in China that a painting of the encounter was widely circulated on the Chinese microblog site, Weibo.

The idea of formalizing a communications agreement, though, has been worked on even while such incidents have occurred.

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, the purpose was discussing ways to increase beneficial meetings, port calls, and improving the cooperation when the two navies operate in international waters.

Former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert met with Shengli several times to also discuss ways of improving communication between the two navies.

Former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert met with Shengli several times to also discuss ways of improving communication between the two navies.

“The key to a peaceful maritime future between China and the U.S. will be rooted in additional engagement between the countries’ navies,” said Greenert in 2014, speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and U.S. Naval Institute’s Maritime Security Dialogue.

“The key to a peaceful maritime future between China and the U.S. will be rooted in additional engagement between the countries’ navies,” said Greenert in 2014, speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and U.S. Naval Institute’s Maritime Security Dialogue.

Army Lt. Gen.

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, the Joint Staff’s director for strategic plans and policy, will lead the effort for the American military. The first meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials to set up the framework is expected to occur in November.

source:

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[Jura The idiot]

now I read
China calls on U.S., Japan to stop remarks on Diaoyu Islands, South China Sea
Xinhua| 2017-08-18 22:08:53

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A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on the United States and Japan to stop making incorrect remarks on the Diaoyu Islands and the South China Sea on Friday.

Media reported that the United States and Japan on Thursday reaffirmed that Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan security treaty applies to China's Diaoyu Islands and expressed grave concerns about the situation in the South China Sea.

In response, spokesperson Hua Chunying said China's position on the Diaoyu Islands and the South China Sea remains consistent and clear, and the Chinese government and its people have unswerving determination and will to safeguard its territorial sovereignty.

The U.S.-Japan security treaty is a product of the Cold War, which should not be used as an excuse for Japan's illegal claims and to harm China's territorial sovereignty and related rights, she said.

Currently, the situation in the South China Sea is stable, she said, and dialogue and coordination between China and ASEAN countries have enjoyed positive progress.

Hua said the United States and Japan, which are not parties in the South China Sea issue, should respect the efforts made by countries in the region to peacefully resolve the issue through coordination and negotiation.

"China calls on the United States and Japan to do more that is conducive to regional peace and stability," the spokesperson said.

 

[Janiz]

US chose a few years ago to keep Senkaku Islands under the treaty with Japanese government and it will be like this forever after that. It's nothing new to the fact that US will stand up in case of PRC trying to take over Senkakus so it shouldn't be even be posted here. The first news few years ago was, now it's a standard.

 

[sanblvd]

And every time Japan feels insecure they would ask US to say that over and over again, and of course US got nothing to lose by paying lip service. But whatever it will actually happen or down down the line is another matter, US is not stupid, everything for them is a trade off, Japan, Korea everyone not US is just another pawn for sacrifice depends on the prize.

 

[Janiz]

[delete]

 

[Hendrik_2000]

Soon a month of amphibious exercise in front of the gate of Vietnam

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BY

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Since the beginning of August, the corps of marines of the Chinese navy seems to be maneuvering in the northern Gulf of Tonkin, near the Sino-Vietnamese border, conducting a series of amphibious exercise with real shots .

If one believes in the maritime warning notifications that indicate the restricted areas reserved for the military, this amphibious exercise should have started on 1 August and it is still ongoing, until Wednesday 23 at least.

It should be noted that the firing zones progressively shift towards the West, in the direction of Vietnam, as the exercise progresses, before returning more towards the East. The nearest area was only about fifty kilometers from the Vietnamese coast.

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The areas of maneuver of the Chinese marines since August 1 (Images: East Pendulum)

According to the official photos and publications of the Chinese army, who did not want to reveal the exact location of the site, the Chinese marines deployed anti-aircraft units, heavy artillery and Armored vehicles, such as the PLZ-07B howitzer , the amphibious assault tank ZTD-05 or the amphibious infantry combat vehicle ZBD-05 .

According to a CCTV-7 television commentary, an "amphibious training campaign" around thirty different subjects, including underwater demolition, amphibious assault, Strikes against targets at sea and on the ground ... etc.

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