China's recent increased military presence in the South China Sea

[sygn]

I was just watching Ben Shapiro's -justified- rant about China (which also put the Brett Crozier case into a better perspective for me)

China Destroyed The World Economy. Meanwhile, China is getting aggressive militarily.
"According to Asia Times, China seizes COVID19 to seek advantage in South China Sea.
In recent weeks, China has been executing military drills and deployed large scale military assets in the South China Sea. While some see China's nationalistic message as a bid rally it's people as a bid to rally it's people against covid, others view the increasingly aggressive naval maneuvers as a bid to explore America's weakened conditions, to ensure an advantage in the hot-spot theatre."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1vyU5qVPTE&feature=emb_logo

But is China the one who's exploiting the weakness caused by covid, or is it just preparing itself against Southeast Asian nations attempts to reclaim their maritime waters previously used by China, and the US backing ?

 

[sygn]

A bit of background re the South Sea contentious hotspot

(For those like me):


Pre-2016

The South China Sea is an important maritime trading corridor. $5.3 trillion in trade pass through it's waters every year.
It is also one of the world's biggest potential flashpoints, since China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim territory in the South China Sea.

Nevertheless, up till 2016, China was the boss. As a regional superpower, it exploited, unchallenged, many resources of the South China Sea.

2016 as a landmark in challenging the Status quo

In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague ruled in favor of Philipines, who'd filed a suit for it's right to exploit the waters near it's islands and reefs in the South Sea. The Court ruled that China had no legal basis for their "nine-dash line" of ownership, and it violated the Philippine's sovereign rights.
China has rejected the court's ruling.

However, other Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam and Malaysia distanced themselves from Philippines, and were also reluctant to openly confront China over its territorial claims oveer THEIR territories.

2019: Things may be beginning to change.

"Late last year, Vietnam’s foreign minister warned he was considering “arbitration and litigation measures” after a prolonged standoff with Chinese vessels during oil exploration efforts on the Vanguard Bank.
Malaysia’s foreign minister followed, also threatening embarrassing international arbitration moves.

Malaysia, Vietnam and China are all posturing to stake their claim on these valuable patches of water. The result is what AMTI describes as “the new normal in the South China Sea”: A tense standoff.
Malaysia has, in recent months, been exercising what it sees as its right to explore for oil and gas in its territorial waters."

https://www.news.com.au/technology/...r/news-story/11e3943389f73d7fd2e7baf8d2594cba

Increase China warship activity in the South Sea since the outbreak

Several countries reported "frenetic shipping movements" around several South China Sea resource claims.

 

[sygn]

Bump.

See, Rob?
Nobody posted

 

[hogjack]

The Obamas are using a real estate agent to find the best beach property there.

The Hamptons will remain the home base. Moving house staff is bothersome.

 

[bellisarius]

China lost the battle for their outrageous claims in the International Court, which clearly shows their respect for the rule of law. So now they've resorted to bullying their neighbors.

The worst of it is that there is a segment of their military that believes that if they managed to sink, or severely incapacitate, one of our carriers that we'd back down and negotiate. The Japanese tried that tactic once.

 

[Rightguide]

China lost the battle for their outrageous claims in the International Court, which clearly shows their respect for the rule of law. So now they've resorted to bullying their neighbors.

The worst of it is that there is a segment of their military that believes that if they managed to sink, or severely incapacitate, one of our carriers that we'd back down and negotiate. The Japanese tried that tactic once.

Thanks to the ship's commander for insinuating to the enemy his ship and therefore a big part of mobile airpower in the Pacific was crippled and unable to complete its mission.

 

[bellisarius]

Thanks to the ship's commander for insinuating to the enemy his ship and therefore a big part of mobile airpower in the Pacific was crippled and unable to complete its mission.

The discussion in China over the tactic of doing in one of our carriers goes back over a year. The captain fucked up and is paying for it BUT The Lincoln and the Reagan are on the scene as well.

 

[Rightguide]

The discussion in China over the tactic of doing in one of our carriers goes back over a year. The captain fucked up and is paying for it BUT The Lincoln and the Reagan are on the scene as well.

Last I heard the Reagan was in Maintenance in Yokosuka, the Lincoln was transiting the Strait of Malacca but the direction wasn't posted.

 

[hogjack]

The Obamas have secured a real estate agent to find the best beachfront property in the region.

The house staff will remain in The Hamptons according to a spokesperson.