Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Washington Plans to Send More Warships to South China Sea

Washington caused a row when USS Lassen sailed close to the artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago but it apparently plans to send more despite a clear warning from Beijing, who claims sovereignty over the area.

"We will do it again. We sail in international waters at a time and place of our choosing," an unnamed US official told AFP.

Defense expert Boris Podoprigora maintains that the warship deployment of warships is a common practice for Washington.

"The United States has often made similar moves under the pretense of a routine patrol mission. In reality this is an element of Washington's foreign policy strategy, better known as the 'show of flag.' It is meant as a reminder," Podoprigora told Radio Sputnik.

Nevertheless, the analyst believes, that the USS Lassen's patrol should not be a matter of concern for China or the international community. But there might be more to it, he admitted.

In recent months "the Chinese made several statements, which the Americans did not like. Primarily with regard to the Middle East and the US stance on the [contested] Diaoyu Islands (known as the Senkakus in Japan)," Podoprigora noted.

Washington usually maintains that Beijing and Tokyo have to settle the territorial dispute on their own.

"I've looked at reports in US media and, as far as I can tell, US officials have refrained from making similar statements lately. So the game is on and the guided missile destroyer is a part of it," the analyst observed.

Podoprigora doubts that the move will spark a major conflict.

"The USS Lassen's deployment does not mean that the US will turn to decisive actions. I do not think that the move will affect the whole complex of the Sino-American relations. Americans have no interest in escalating tensions, the Chinese will not provoke the Americans," the expert concluded.

 [Sputnik]
28/10/15
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4 comments:

  1. US Official: More South China Sea Patrols Likely ...

    China lashed out at the United States for sending a warship near disputed South China Sea islets and reefs claimed by Beijing, while Washington promised to conduct more such patrol missions.

    Beijing's foreign ministry said Wednesday it summoned U.S. Ambassador Max Baucus to deliver a formal protest over the Tuesday incident, which represents the U.S.' boldest challenge yet to China's controversial territorial claims.

    "This action by the United States threatens China's sovereignty and security interests and endangers the safety of personnel and facilities on the reef, which is a serious provocation" said Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui.

    An editorial in the Communist Party-run Global Times said the U.S. patrol mission amounted to "harassment," and urged the Chinese government to take steps to show the U.S. it is "not frightened to fight a war with the U.S."

    "We should first track the U.S. warships. If they, instead of passing by, stop for further actions, it is necessary for us to launch electronic interventions, and even sound out warships, lock them by fire-control radar and fly over the U.S. vessels," said the paper, whose opinions generally reflect the views of the government................http://www.voanews.com/content/us-official-more-south-china-sea-patrols-likely/3026017.html
    28/10/15

    ReplyDelete
  2. U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson and his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Wu Shengli, will hold an hour-long video teleconference Thursday, days after China was angered by a U.S. warship's patrol within a 12-mile limit around a man-made island in the South China Sea, according to a U.S. official...

    The meeting was initiated by both officers to discuss recent operations in the South China Sea and the naval relationship between the two countries, the official said.

    This will be the third video teleconference held between a U.S. naval operations chief and the Chinese equivalent.
    REUTERS

    ReplyDelete
  3. South China Sea: China warns US over 'provocative acts'...

    China's naval commander has warned his US counterpart against "dangerous and provocative acts", days after a US warship sailed close to contested islands in the South China Sea.

    Admiral Wu Shengli said in a video conference that there was a risk that such minor incidents could spark war, according to a Navy statement.

    The US said the talks were productive and that dialogue would be maintained.

    China's claims in the South China Sea are contested by its Asian neighbours.

    On Thursday, an international arbitration panel ruled that it is entitled to hear a case brought by the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China, involving one group of islands in the South China Sea.............http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34674375
    30/10/15

    ReplyDelete
  4. China’s Naval Commander, Admiral Wu Shengli, has warned the US Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, that any “dangerous, provocative acts” of the US Navy could spark war in the South China Sea...

    "If the United States continues with these kinds of dangerous, provocative acts, there could well be a seriously pressing situation between frontline forces from both sides on the sea and in the air, or even a minor incident that sparks war," Reuters quoted a Chinese naval statement as saying following a video teleconference between the admirals on Thursday.

    "I hope the US side cherishes the good situation between the Chinese and US navies that has not come easily and avoids these kinds of incidents from happening again," Wu said............Read more: http://sputniknews.com/asia/20151030/1029319544/south-china-sea-incident-war.html#ixzz3q2TbivrM
    30/10/15

    ReplyDelete

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