Equation
Lieutenant General
In other words China can't just do whatever it wants without careful consideration of the fallout. Because that would be stupid.
The same can be said about the US right?
In other words China can't just do whatever it wants without careful consideration of the fallout. Because that would be stupid.
You need to accept the fact that the American people will not accept another war or conflict just for a bunch of rocks in the middle of the sea, regardless of the fire power it has. You can't possibly think society can stomach another round of casualties and PTSD veterans coming home with no employment and suffering from various social issues with the economy as it is today. China is not some Iraq or Afghanistan either easily being pushed around.
So it had come in sense, when it was tiny rock, why should we care, but when you can change it to big ISLANDS, has its own sovereignty, along with its benefits, surely it worth so much efforts to take it, historical record could be trash paper.![]()
Nobody is talking about actual armed conflict. Like Blitzo said, you have to factor in all players' angle in relation to each other to get ahead in the game with the least possible cost. That's all.You need to accept the fact that the American people will not accept another war or conflict just for a bunch of rocks in the middle of the sea, regardless of the fire power it has. You can't possibly think society can stomach another round of casualties and PTSD veterans coming home with no employment and suffering from various social issues with the economy as it is today. China is not some Iraq or Afghanistan either easily being pushed around.
Guys...we need to settlee down.
A lot of emotion coming out on this thread.
The fact is, there are major SLOCs through the South China Sea that are important to all of the players, including the US.
China wants to lay claim to the whole of it and that, I do not believe, is going to be able to fly.
I believe China knows this...and they are using very wise actions (from their perspective) in making these massive reclamation efforts which will bolster the claims they do have and allow them to better secure them and allow for their mutual support.
Guys...we need to settlee down.
A lot of emotion coming out on this thread.
The fact is, there are major SLOCs through the South China Sea that are important to all of the players, including the US.
China wants to lay claim to the whole of it and that, I do not believe, is going to be able to fly.
I believe China knows this...and they are using very wise actions (from their perspective) in making these massive reclamation efforts which will bolster the claims they do have and allow them to better secure them and allow for their mutual support.
The US is going to simply ensure, for its own interests that the free passage and navigation through the SLOCs is maintained for itself and its allies.
Those two things (China strengthening its position in the SCS) and the US and others doing what they can to secure free passage of the SLOCs are not mutually exclusive.
I believe China claiming everything in the SCS based on the dashed lines would prove to be mutually exclusive. Such a claim implies control over the SLOCs and [passage through them.
THAT is what has to be hammered out, and as Bltizo said earlier, that is really the underlying factor here.
If china will convince the other players that its reclamation efforts are aimed at strengthening their own actual possessions and the claims associated with them, as opposed to taking control of the whole of the SCS...I believe the situation can be diffused, because it would allow the others to maintain their principle interests and the US to continue with the free passage for commerce and resources for itself and its allies.
Go big or go home. No one stopping you from doing the same right? Oh...it's the budget.."dem it Jim..I'm a doctor not a contradiction". Sorry I have to do my Dr. McCoy Star Trek impersonation there.![]()
Guys...we need to settlee down.
China wants to lay claim to the whole of it and that, I do not believe, is going to be able to fly.
That's a common misconception.
This book came out after Philippines' case for arbitration.
you can find some excerpts online.
It is the unofficial Chinese response to the legal arguments presented by the Filipino case. In the book, the authors analyzed Chinese domestic laws and came to the conclusion that China is claiming the island groups within the nine dash line and 12nm territorial zone around the island groups. The open ocean in between are considered international water by the Chinese government.
I also agree that is probably the Chinese official stance as well, given they have not challenged any ships that enter any open ocean in the 9 dash line as entering "chinese territory" -- but rather seem to have used the 12nm zone around islands instead.
So the question is why China hasn't directly clarified this to everyone, and why the media and relevant govts around the world have not pointed this out clearly and directly and sought clarification.