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Chinese ship spends an hour in disputed waters

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It was written in an Australian newspaper a while back that I read either as an opinion or an intention of Australia (I can no longer remember) that the world should rather than start a panic every time this happens simply accept this sort of behavior as an otherwise harmless act of saber rattling on the part of China roughly akin to an angry old neighbor who yells a lot but doesn't actually do anything. All in all perhaps a wise course of action.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I think Abe is going to do a lot of tolerating! In fact, I hope he does. These teeny islands are not worth a war. Not remotely. Not to you and me anyway. Beware those to whom it would have value though. They will fill your ears full whatever garbage they can dredge up to get their bloody war.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Just get used to it Japan! Abe just got to tolerate it because this is not even Japan's sovereign sea and land! Nope, POTUS Obama never whisper that to his ear when he came calling a couple of days ago. China has pushed as far as she can go ... at this time. Let's just call it a STALEMATE and be happy it don't get any worse. Now just go back to business and start the joint oil/gas exploration agreement made in 2008.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

These "islands" are not the real issue. They are everything to the China that has a declared intent to break the "firt island chain" and to the United States that does not want to give China open access to the pacific. This is why China continues to escalate this issue and may even start a shooting war over it.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

@OssanAmericaFeb. 24, 2013 - 11:15AM JST

These "islands" are not the real issue. They are everything to the China that has a declared intent to break the "firt island chain" and to the United States that does not want to give China open access to the pacific. This is why China continues to escalate this issue and may even start a shooting war over it.

This is the military and politicians of Washington DC and Tokyo doing the talking!

I don't know how many readers actually look at the map and see for themselves if Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands means THAT MUCH for access to the Pacific. The trade sea lanes are fine as is without having to go through the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands area.

As for the military aspect, what for? China A2/AD strategy does not need to incorporate the Senkaku/Diaoyu Island surrounding seas. China's strategy is all long range missiles, blinding/disabling US navigational system, to reduce risk of direct combat which is about an even match I think. That is why DF 21D missiles is giving US sleepless nights and this means the Super Carrier Group will be sitting duck if it stay around the disputed areas for long. China was not impressed when George Washington super carrier was sent there a few months ago.

Nope, I am not buying the 'open Pacific' intention of the Chinese. Economy and national pride is more important than wasting time and resources to get into a military confrontation with US/Japan. Simply put, China's intention is just national pride, defense of sovereignty, not expansionist and people should not be hoodwinked by lies cooked by Japan and the Pentagon to justify their presence there!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Mmmm those disputed waters feel so good! Let us Chinese savor in these exquisite water, too, for an hour, will ya?!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Jeez, right on the tail of Abe's big -- "We won't tolerate any dispute!" speech while hiding behind the legs of the US. So what's Abe going to do about this except tolerate it? :)

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@Tony Ew I agree actually that by themselves, the Senkakus are not that important. However, they do serve as a "forward outpost" for Okinawa, which China is starting its preliminary warmup to try and grab by letting their academics and "right-wing" generals make assertions (which will eventually graduate to the center and start to be the government position, and eventually rise to the position the Diaoyu islands have today in the Chinese heart - undisputedly Chinese...)

I was just about willing to suggest Japan give up the Senkakus for relations even though I think the Chinese claim is mostly BS by modern law interpretation, but when I heard about Okinawa ... well, that changes things.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Kazuaki ShimazakiFeb. 24, 2013 - 08:46PM JST

@Tony Ew I agree actually that by themselves, the Senkakus are not that important. However, they do serve as a "forward outpost" for Okinawa, which China is starting its preliminary warmup to try and grab by letting their academics and "right-wing" generals make assertions (which will eventually graduate to the center and start to be the government position, and eventually rise to the position the Diaoyu islands have today in the Chinese heart - undisputedly Chinese...)

I was just about willing to suggest Japan give up the Senkakus for relations even though I think the Chinese claim is mostly BS by modern law interpretation, but when I heard about Okinawa ... well, that changes things.

No Kazuaki, The Big American 'Dog' on Okinawa makes sure China cannot extend her military towards the Pacific, using the disputed islands as a base. The Chinese Liaoning and the accompany destroyers can sail through the waters near Senkaku/Diaoyu to the Pacific for exercises, as a projection of power under the watchful eyes of US/Japanese military in Okinawa. This is no different than US Super Carrier passing through the Taiwan Straits as a show of force with thousands of Chinese missiles nearby aiming at Taiwan which can be aimed at the US ships too of course.

As long as the game is well understood by both sides, China have zero reason to edge closer than dancing around the 12 miles limit off the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. It just make no sense to take over the islands and the seas around it when there is no current impediment to Chinese military ships coming and going off the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.

So I repeat: Abe hype these 'intrusions' to justify breaking Japan out of her pacifist Constitution. If US pulls out completely or is forced out of Okinawa, I can understand, but not under current US security protection.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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