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U.S. brands China claims in South China Sea illegal

31 Comments
By Shaun TANDON

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"The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire."

China is expanding its empire as the 'west's' various empires fade. The Pacific, Indian and Arctic Ocean regions will see more battles ahead over claims for shipping rights, territory and resources.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I greatly appreciate the tough stance of the US on China's expansion. Without its intervention and without the invaluable supports by Japan, India, and Australia, it is a matter of time before China will occupy the whole Southeast Asia Sea (this is a correction of the so called "South China Sea").

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Few around the world care what the US says today. And that is the real cost of the modern Republican party.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

As it takes attention away from Vietnam's expansion, I bet you are. The crazy, overlapping territory claims of Taiwan and China may take the top spot, but Vietnam's crazy claims are a solid second place.

@Opinionator,

Any nation in the Southeast Asia Sea can claim its territory as long as it can provide concrete evidence and adhere to the international rules. To date, China's ‘nine-dash line’ claim was strongly rejected by tribunal's rulings in 2016. Yet, China has disregarded these rulings and would not hesitant to use force to overtake any islands included in its ridiculous claim.

By the sound of your argument, it looks as if you are a supporter of Beijing's bullying tactics to force the outcome.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

*south China sea

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Can you imagine what the South China Sea would look like if China was calling all of the shots there?

Frightening. Kneel & follow.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I sense a fight coming....

Actually, this development aligns USA's position with that of the international tribunal's ruling in 2016. IMHO, where there's any consensus, particularly with an international body, conflict is less likely.

Unless China put up a middle finger to everybody.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Opinionator, Sources, sure:

https://gtv1.org/web/#/VideoPlay_UI

Recently we had Dr Li-Meng Yan being interviewed about the CCP "Cover-up"

https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/accusing-beijing-of-covid-19-cover-up-chinese-virologist-flees-hong-kong-claims-who-advisor-knew-about-virus/619731

Have a read of the following too:

https://www.fbi.gov/news/speeches/the-threat-posed-by-the-chinese-government-and-the-chinese-communist-party-to-the-economic-and-national-security-of-the-united-states

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Allegedly, and there’s no definitive proof that he said that.

ROFL, die-hard racists want proof before making allegations!!!

Not only was trump ready to accept all of China's claims, he was even ready to ignore the Uighyur genocide, as long as Xi helped him win an election.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"But it will be interesting to see what will come out of the Biden camp. He's already said he will reverse the WHO membership decision by Trump, first day in óffice! - speaks volume about his priorities for the American people."

The US leaving WHO abandoned Taiwan in its efforts to join WHO. The Us basically cut its ally Taiwan off at the knees.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Remember the 'pivot', whikst Obama was pivoting China was building islands, sinking Filipino (a treatied ally of USA) fishing boats, harassing Japanese aircrafts .....

Despite the abhorrent divisions inside USA, internationally, the Trump administration has done more to push back against China, Iran etc. than any other administration."

The current administration has the military forces, new weapons and base improvements in places like Guam, Saipan and Okinawa in place to challenge China because of the planning and resources committed by the prior administration.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The absurdity of China's territorial claims was revealed by a July 2011 encounter between INS Airavat, a Landing Ship Tank or LST departing Nha Trang en route to Hai Phong for a pair of courtesy visits to Vietnam and an unidentified PLAN warship just 45 nautical miles off the Vietnamese coast. The Chinese warship demanded INS Airavat identify itself and explain why it was in what the Chinese called their territorial waters. The Airavat was called on an open radio frequency and told they were entering "Chinese waters". One needs only to look at a chart (map) to see how ridiculous such claims are.

Under international maritime law, man made objects, which describes China's man made islands, have no territorial waters or airspace associated with them. International waters cannot be converted to territorial waters by creating an island where there were formerly a shoals or shallow spot on the ocean floor. If it was international waters and airspace before the Chinese starting building, it forever remains international waters and airspace. If nations yield to Chinese territorial claims then their claims become fait accompli. The world looked the other way when Hitler took Sudetenland followed by Czechoslovakia. China is using Hitler's play book in a way, chipping away chunks of small less powerful and less influential states. How long before they try to enforce their claims on Taiwan and Okinawa?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Any nation in the Southeast Asia Sea can claim its territory as long as it can provide concrete evidence and adhere to the international rules. To date, China's ‘nine-dash line’ claim was strongly rejected by tribunal's rulings in 2016. Yet, China has disregarded these rulings and would not hesitant to use force to overtake any islands included in its ridiculous claim."

Staking a claim doesn't imply it is legal under international law. Nations with a maritime boundary are granted an Economic Enforcement Zone or EEZ that extends 200 nautical miles from their coast. Inside that EEZ the coastal nation has the right to control resources, meaning the fishing, seaweed harvesting, mineral and any other resource extraction within their EEZ. There is a provision under international law where a nation can claim a broader EEZ, out to 300 nm if they can show their continental shelf extends that far. I don't think any kind of reasonable argument can be made to suggest China's continental shelf extends all the way down the coast of Vietnam to Malaysia and Indonesia.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

You get Democrats in power and that will definitely happen and will greatly expand.

trump took both knees to Xi promising him South China and Taiwan for re-election support.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

There can be little doubt to the Governments intentions in controlling and subsequently enforcing their claims in the South China Sea. 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo must refrain from making statement and acting

In there is any doubt, then view The Government of China huge financial commitment/investment in Fixed and Floating Platform Deployment……

Exploring China’s unmanned Ocean Network.

https://amti.csis.org/exploring-chinas-unmanned-ocean-network/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

including the democrats BTW

No, this is an unprecedented position by the US. Under the Democrats, it was never declared 'illegal', it was all piss weak freedom of navigation whilst China was aggressively constructing military installations.

But it will be interesting to see what will come out of the Biden camp. He's already said he will reverse the WHO membership decision by Trump, first day in óffice! - speaks volume about his priorities for the American people.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

U.S. brands China claims in South China Sea illegal

See President Xi....this is what happens when you don't do the QPQ with The Donald...

I got on my knees to beg you for campaign help, but you said "no deal"....

Keep stiffing me on re-election help and I'll move my clothing manufacturing from China to Vietnam....

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I sense a fight coming....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Where did you get that nonsense?

History.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_War

Japan invaded, and controlled all territories in Asia Pacific that borders the SCS. Japan surrendered to USA, making USA the conqueror. All territories were formally dealt with, Russia got Kurils, Brits got HK back etc. the SCS were considered international waters, nothing formally dealt with.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_conquest

If China wants to treat the SCS as territory rather than international waters, then USA being the victor, still owns the SCS, still. Like the Russian with the Kurils. China was defeated by the Japanese and liberated.

Yes, we all should heed the Tribunal's ruling and treat the SCS as international waters. I'm just saying, IF, China wants to regard the SCS as territory, then it belongs to the victor = USA.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

because of the planning and resources committed by the prior administration.

I'm not convinced this ^ is the case in reality. Obama couldn't even get enough land for the marines to train on the Marianas (ie thwarted by Chinese casino).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The US leaving WHO abandoned Taiwan in its efforts to join WHO. The Us basically cut its ally Taiwan off at the knees.

The WHO had already sidelined Taiwan, and reduced its participation even further at the start of the outbreak. The WHO is tainted, and no longer a trustworthy multilateral body.

If anything the US lead 'may' deliver a new WHO where Taiwan will be welcomed, formally, and good 'untainted' WHO staff will be able to perform their good work without political meddling from Beijing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

China is expanding its empire as the 'west's' various empires fade. The Pacific, Indian and Arctic Ocean regions will see more battles ahead over claims for shipping rights, territory and resources.

You get Democrats in power and that will definitely happen and will greatly expand.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Few around the world care what the US says today. And that is the real cost of the modern Republican party.

Ahemmm, it was under two Obama terms that words from USA came to mean nothing, no action.

Remember the 'pivot', whikst Obama was pivoting China was building islands, sinking Filipino (a treatied ally of USA) fishing boats, harassing Japanese aircrafts .....

Despite the abhorrent divisions inside USA, internationally, the Trump administration has done more to push back against China, Iran etc. than any other administration.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Sh1mon M4sada - totally agree with you, however China didnt adhere to that ruling, and has essentially already started the war with the Corona virus release, which, we will shortly hear, was released from a Lab in China - that rumor has been circulating now for sometime, saying that the source of the information was from some Scientists who'd escaped from China... now only this week, do we see those said Scientists being briefly interviewed by the Media... it's started. Just where will it finish ?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

USA conquered the entire western pacific, right of conquest means it all belongs to USA

Where did you get that nonsense?

trump took both knees to Xi promising him South China ( Sea ) and Taiwan for re-election support.

Where did you get that nonsense?

Why is U.S. influence waning? No sense being partisan about this. It may have begun with Bush, but Obama carried the ball for 8 years and now Trump nearly 4. Everyone needs to wake up and see that our leaders are all worse than useless.

Trump has done amazingly well despite all the opposition from the Democrats, RINOS and the media.

Not only was trump ready to accept all of China's claims, he was even ready to ignore the Uighyur genocide, as long as Xi helped him win an election.

Where did you get that nonsense?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

*south China sea

*Indian ocean...

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

trump took both knees to Xi promising him South China and Taiwan for re-election support.

Allegedly, and there’s no definitive proof that he said that.

Can you imagine what the South China Sea would look like if China was calling all of the shots there?

This definitely a serious prospect, but we won’t know how this will play out, we’ll know more next year if this will come to fruition or not.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

China can't have its cake and eat it as well. USA conquered the entire western pacific, right of conquest means it all belongs to USA, unless otherwise formally handed over/back to various nations. The SCS wasn't handed back to anyone because it was supposed to be international waters.

If China treats it as territories (rather than international waters) then it's trespassing on US territory. This could get interesting...Putin is right behind 'right of conquest' mantra when he's dealing with Japan on the Kuril islands.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The United States, however, is one of the few countries that is not part of the convention, with conservatives opposing any loss of autonomy to a global body.

That is key number one to comprehending this joke from the Trump admin properly. They reject the law for themselves while insisting that China obey.

Key number two is the simple fact that U.S. ally Taiwan claims the exact same sea territory down the last mile and degree but not a peep about that.

Why is U.S. influence waning? No sense being partisan about this. It may have begun with Bush, but Obama carried the ball for 8 years and now Trump nearly 4. Everyone needs to wake up and see that our leaders are all worse than useless. The U.S. government needs an enema.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

that rumor has been circulating now for sometime, saying that the source of the information was from some Scientists who'd escaped from China.

@mmwkdw - With no names and no source all you did was stack the stinking rumor pile even higher. Hard pass on your "info".

This is is about the South China dispute BTW.

I greatly appreciate the tough stance of the US on China's expansion

@Hung Nguyen - As it takes attention away from Vietnam's expansion, I bet you are. The crazy, overlapping territory claims of Taiwan and China may take the top spot, but Vietnam's crazy claims are a solid second place.

The world is run by greedy, squabbling children.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

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