Confrontation over the South China Sea 'doomed', China tells claimants

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Countries with territorial claims in the South China Sea that look for help from third parties will find their efforts "futile", China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Thursday, adding that the path of confrontation would be "doomed".

Beijing's assertion of sovereignty over a vast stretch of the South China Sea has set it directly against Vietnam and the Philippines, while Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia also lay claim to other parts of the sea, making it Asia's biggest potential military troublespot.

At stake are potentially massive offshore oil reserves. The seas also lie on shipping lanes and fishing grounds.

Wang didn't name any third countries, but the United States is a close ally of Taiwan and the Philippines, and has good or improving relations with the other nations laying claim to all or part of the South China Sea.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/27/us-china-asean-southchinasea-idUSBRE95Q0CR20130627

---

Manila plans air, naval bases at Subic with access for U.S., officials say.

(Reuters) - The Philippine military has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base that American forces could use to counter China's creeping presence in the disputed South China Sea, senior navy officials said.

The proposed bases in the Philippines, a close U.S. ally, coincides with a resurgence of U.S. warships, planes and personnel in the region as Washington turns its attention to a newly assertive China and shifts its foreign, economic and security policy towards Asia.

The bases would allow the Philippines to station warships and fighter jets just 124 nautical miles from Scarborough Shoal, a contentious area of the South China Sea now controlled by China after a tense standoff last year.

The Philippine navy, whose resources and battle capabilities are no match for China's growing naval might, has yet to formally present its 10-billion-peso ($230 million) base development plan to President Benigno Aquino.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/27/us-philippines-usa-idUSBRE95Q0C120130627

[MADem]

1. First they came for the South China Sea..... nt

[newfie11]

2. I guess we just need another war

It seems the war machine is now running America.
Their going to keep on until someone goes nuclear.

[heaven05]

12. ya think!

[newfie11]

13. I didn't think I needed to put the sarcasm thing on here

[heaven05]

14. you

didn't. I'm feeling very sarcastic this morning. And I think another huge war is being planned, so you are not too far off in your surmising.

[newfie11]

16. I really wish you were being sarcastic

And I am terrified your right.

[Democracyinkind]

3. 1912.

[roamer65]

19. Yup, there is certainly a pre-1914'ish odor in the air.

[okaawhatever]

4. China has been sabre rattling over those islands off and on for the last

couple of years. Both China and Russia have violated air space or waters near disputed islands. The Japanese have had to scramble jets and have ships in a defensive position off one of the disputed islands. We are under treaty, btw, to protect Japan if China goes after them or that Senkaku, the island in dispute.
With the island now claimed by either Thailand or Vietnam, can't remember which, China remade their passports to include the island on the map inside. That's revisionist history a neo con could love.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

18. All disputed areas are part of Chinese map

Go to baidu.com. Go to the map function and look at the borders of China.

I get into this discussion with my wife all the time. She swallowed the horseshit about Diaoyu and Xizha Islands for years. . .then holds the logical idea that "China doesn't need to follow international law because no one else does."

There is the logic I have to deal with with her everyday. Luckily, she is finally changing and beginning to whittle out the brainwashing she has been pounded with since birth.

http://www.echinacities.com/news/10-Ridiculous-Reports-Published-by-Chinese-Media-Recently

Read #5 and #6 (for a laugh).

Welcome to China!

[David__77]

5. China should not put this on par with Taiwan or or Hong Kong.

Accommodation with its neighbors would be helpful, possibly with the exception of Japan which still should atone for its crimes by apologizing.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

6. The paper tiger roars! The world yawns!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

7. and so it begins......WWIII

[newfie11]

8. Exactly. nt

[dipsydoodle]

9. No need for that.

The combined actions of certain countries will eventually end the petrodollar recycling program which will srcrew the US royally. The issue of fighting wars will become one of affordability.

[DCBob]

10. I think this is more bark than bite.

Its good what the Philippines is doing. They need to stand up to them. China's claims are outrageous.

[gordianot]

11. The Phillipines seemed really glad to get rid of American bases, oh well times change.

[L0oniX]

15. Before you know it there will be floating Wal-Marts all over the South China Sea.

[Dash87]

17. My dad can beat up your dad!

What I find funny is, just like sheltered US politicians, these Chinese politicians have no clue or concept of how horrific wars really are.