Credit for Chart: “China Orders Foreign Fishing Vessels Out of Most of the South China Sea,” The Washington Free Beacon
China is again pushing for a “new norm” that would make the South China Sea essentially Chinese sovereign territory. In clear violation of the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea, the Province of Hainan has declared that, as of Jan. 1, all foreign vessels must get their permission to fish in approximately two thirds of the South China Sea including waters that are clearly within the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia, an area reportedly five times the size of the state of Texas.
In addition to the report credited below the illustration, here is a Wall Street Journal Report and Reuters reports the diplomatic sparing between the US and China.
Their likely instrument in this push is the newly organized Chinese Coast Guard. Naval War College professor James R. Holmes, offers some thoughts on “The Return of China’s Small Stick Diplomacy in South China Sea.”
Looks like China is asking for an International incident in the making.
Reblogged this on Brittius.com.
I wonder what the Chinese word for “bully” is?
The temperatures are rising in the South China Sea. Vietnam claims the Chinese rammed their vessels three time and the Philippines seizes a Chinese F/V: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27293314
More detail from a Vietnamese point of view here, including contact between Chinese and Vietnamese ships: http://thanhniennews.com/politics/chinese-ships-ram-vietnamese-vessels-in-latest-oil-rig-row-officials-26069.html
Some commentary here: http://thediplomat.com/2014/05/china-abandons-small-stick-diplomacy/
China manages to Upset Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam simultaneously. http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/Wrapup-Asian-Maritime-Spat-2014-05-23/
Report that a Chinese Coast Guard vessel rammed and sank a Vietnamese F/V.
http://tuoitrenews.vn/society/19897/chinese-ship-rams-and-sinks-vietnamese-fishing-boat-in-vietnams-waters
An overview of the situation here: http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140525/DEFREG03/305250014/China-Vietnam-Sea-Spat-Heats-Up?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p
Conflict on the diplomatic front: http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/06/asian-security?fsrc=scn%2Ftw_ec%2Fdust_up_at_the_shangri_la
A good summary of the situation although I disagree with his conclusion that US policy and Hagel’s recent speech are “unhelpful.” http://gcaptain.com/kemp-chinas-nine-dash-line-law-sea/
Appears both sides are continuing to escalate Vietnam vs China: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-11/vietnam-says-china-sends-six-warships-to-rig-in-disputed-waters.html
And now a second oil rig. Apparently the Chinese are overwhelming Vietnam’s ability to respond: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/06/19/china-says-it-is-moving-2nd-oil-rig-closer-to-vietnam-amid-confrontations-over/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fworld+%28Internal+-+World+Latest+-+Text%29
Another ramming, this time a Vietnamese government ship is boxed in and rammed, obviously intentional if this report is to be believed: http://www.chinatopix.com/articles/3419/20140625/china-vietnam-ships-clash-again-contested-territory.htm
Not a lot new here, but discusses how the Chinese apparently expect to deal with the US. http://gcaptain.com/china-seeks-great-maritime-power-status-after-centuries-of-retreat/
Ratchet up the tension a bit more as the Chinese seize a Vietnamese F/V http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28168447
This is the way these things should be resolved. http://www.marinelink.com/news/bangladesh-dispute-rules372529.aspx
At least for now, the Chinese have withdrawn their drill ship. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-16/chinese-oil-firm-moves-rig-away-from-disputed-waters-off-vietnam.html
China plans to build five lighthouses in the South China Sea. At least two of the sites are in waters claimed by Vietnam. This is a very clever approach. Aren’t light houses a good thing?
http://gcaptain.com/china-build-lighthouses-five-isles-defiance-us-call
An overview of the situation: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/10/world/asia/a-view-from-the-sea-as-china-flexes-muscle.html?_r=0 and a good chart of disputed areas. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/02/25/world/asia/claims-south-china-sea.html
Vietnam decides to arm its fisheries enforcement vessels, specifically 14.5mm (.57 cal.) machine guns. China objects.
“Chinese government-backed news agency ECNS has lashed out at reports of plans by the Vietnamese government to arm its fishery patrol vessels as “breaking international conventions”.”
“Vietnamese state-run newspapers reported in early August 2014 that the government has passed legislation, dubbed Decree No. 76, on 29 July authorising the use of handguns, machine guns, explosives, and supporting devices on board Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries vessels.”
http://www.janes.com/article/41690/china-slams-vietnam-s-decision-to-arm-fisheries-agency-s-vessels
DefenseNews talks about the Chinese use of fishing vessels as proxies for government purposes. http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140817/DEFREG03/308170013/Fishing-Vessels-China-Serve-Proxy-Enforcers
When commercial vessels are used by a government they effectively loose their civilian status and the protections that go along with that. If there is ever armed conflict with the Chinese, I think a large number of F/Vs will be destroyed.
Some food for thought here, that China may be pushing the issue in the S. China Sea because of its desire to keep US recon aircraft and ships away from their naval base in Hainan. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-28/china-seeks-to-better-protect-south-china-sea-submarine-gateway.html
More here: http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140831/DEFREG03/308310014/China-Incident-US-P-8-Sparks-Debate-Pacifc-Posture
Excellent piece here on China’s misuse of language and why it must be consistently opposed: http://thediplomat.com/2014/09/chinas-war-on-maritime-law/
Another Chinese Military School Professor predicting war at sea. Somewhat surprisingly in addition to the Pacific and Indian Oceans, he talks about the Arctic as a likely scene of conflict: http://www.businessinsider.com/michelle-florcruz-maritime-disputes-will-lead-to-world-war-iii-2014-9
Obviously, purchasing power can translate into military power. http://www.businessinsider.com/china-overtakes-us-as-worlds-largest-economy-2014-10?utm_content=buffer95a8b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
But there is a rebuttal: http://qz.com/278012/nope-chinas-economy-hasnt-yet-surpassed-americas/
Taiwan enters the game: http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/asia-report/south-china-sea/story/taiwan-considers-permanent-armed-ships-disputed-sout
Vietnam getting help from India: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/vietnam-to-buy-naval-vessels-from-india-to-patrol-disputed-waters/
USNI has made available a Dept of State analysis of China’s Claims: http://news.usni.org/2014/12/09/document-u-s-state-department-report-chinas-claims-south-china-sea
A look at how to deal with China’s war short of war: http://cimsec.org/challenge-non-lethal-force-sea/14036
Legal background. http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/asia%E2%80%99s-maritime-disputes-101-legal-primer-12004
China bills an airfield and port on Fiery Cross Reef. See the diagram here: http://cimsec.org/another-unsinkable-aircraft-carrier/14349
This puts the straits of Malacca, within range. Flanks Vietnam. Threatens the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia.
An interesting series of maps that explain interconnections and conflicts in this region.
tensions-in-the-south-china-sea-explained-in-18-maps-2015-1
Vietnam and Philippines moving closer together. http://www.thanhniennews.com/politics/vietnam-joins-philippines-in-war-of-words-against-china-island-building-37955.html
This is about the Philippine, Malaysian, and particularly Vietnamese reaction to Chinese aggressiveness in South China Sea in terms of Naval weapons procurement: http://thediplomat.com/2015/01/the-philippines-malaysia-and-vietnam-race-to-south-china-sea-defense-modernization/
Also interesting to see how Vietnam is networking.
Expect a Chinese LHD class is coming: http://focustaiwan.tw/news/acs/201501250010.aspx
“China’s dockyards are scrambling to build its own home-grown amphibious assault craft, with a displacement of 50,000 long tons,…Of note, diagrams released by Xinhuanet (新華網) revealed a design for China’s amphibious assault vessel that stands 265 meters in length (869 feet) and is capable of launching jet fighters, helicopters, and LCACs.”
I wonder if this means they will try to get the Russians to sell them the plans to the yak-141
The article says they will be making a STOVL version of their J-10, but reportedly they already have the plans for the F-35. They are still having problems making jet engines that last.
ASEAN looks like they are showing more solidarity with regard to opposing Chinese reclamation efforts in the South China Sea. http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/quick-resolution-south-china-sea-disputes-sought
An analysis questioning if Chinese culture makes them less offensive minded: http://cimsec.org/can-china-rise-peacefully-history-suggest/15429http://cimsec.org/can-china-rise-peacefully-history-suggest/15429
This is on land, and it looks like right now the Chinese are victims, but will be interesting to see how this plays out. http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/China-talks-tough-to-Myanmar-as-death-toll-rises
Until recently Myanmar (Burma) was an ally of China, but lately they have moved closer to the West.
This area was where the Flying Tigers operated early in WWII.
Japan seeks to extend influence as counter to China into the South China Sea. Previous efforts with Vietnam and Philippines, now talking to Indonesia. http://www.marinelink.com/news/indonesia-agreement388053.aspx
I suspect it isn’t a coincidence that the USN leadership recently said increased Japanese presence in the South China Sea could be helpful.
Abe and the JMSDF had obviously cleared the Indonesian deal with Washington prior to this announcement, and likely asked the US to leak its approval of this kind of deal.
It is also, if you can make life difficult for us, we can make life difficult for you.
A French perspective on Vietnam’s conflicting claims with China, http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2015/03/28/france/70447536/
Indonesia also takes a stand against the Chinese claim to the most of the South China Sea. http://www.bairdmaritime.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16587:indonesia-slams-chinas-claims-in-south-china-sea&catid=111:general-shipping-news&Itemid=205
Nice diagram of where the Chinese are building new islands. Apparently in the process they are killing living coral reefs. http://www.marinelink.com/news/artificial-concerns388624.aspx
The President specifically takes notice. http://gcaptain.com/obama-concerned-china-bullying-others-south-china-sea/
G-7 expresses concern about China’s action. China says mind your own business; http://www.marinelink.com/news/declaration-snubs-china389539.aspx
An examination of Chinese behavior, http://thediplomat.com/2015/04/beijings-fait-accompli-in-the-south-china-sea/
A Chinese view of how war might develop between the US and China. http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1101&MainCatID=11&id=20150503000027
Another overview of the current situation in the South China Sea, but with a bit of emphasis on the environmental consequences. http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21650122-disputed-sea-growing-security-nightmareand-increasingly-ecological-one-sea-troubles?frsc=dg%7Cd
Vietnam has reportedly bought 78 land attack cruise missiles to equip its planned fleet of six submarines. Some subs are operation. All six should be next year. http://thediplomat.com/2015/04/vietnam-buys-deadly-new-missiles-capable-of-hitting-china/
Vietnam is also doing some “reclamation” on a much smaller scale. China is telling them to stop. http://www.marinelink.com/news/reclaims-vietnam-south390960.aspx