South China Sea thoughts?

Ananda

The Bunker Group

I don't know whether to symphetises or laughing on this matter. With so much kissing Xi's b***m that Duterte already done, and Pinoy Dignity still being treated like this.

Now his foreign minister are talking that this kind of action from China that can bring US defense agreement to be call? Isn't Duterte himself that talking and want to kick the agreement away in the first place ?

If Pinoy still elected his 'allies' in next election, then I don't know whether the Pinoy still concerned on getting an administration that serious in keeping their dignity in the first place.
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member

I don't know whether to symphetises or laughing on this matter. With so much kissing Xi's b***m that Duterte already done, and Pinoy Dignity still being treated like this.

Now his foreign minister are talking that this kind of action from China that can bring US defense agreement to be call? Isn't Duterte himself that talking and want to kick the agreement away in the first place ?

If Pinoy still elected his 'allies' in next election, then I don't know whether the Pinoy still concerned on getting an administration that serious in keeping their dignity in the first place.
This is what the Philippines get after Duterte licked Xi's arse clean for many years.

This seems to be a video footage of the bullying chinese coast guard vessel. I think the Philippines should guard those supply vessels next time with their coast guard vessels.

 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
I think the Philippines should guard those supply vessels next time with their coast guard vessels.
If looking on some Philippines media or online forums, what you're suggesting already become hot Political debate. Right now the candidates from Duterte camp and opposition camp are engulfed in this topics, with Duterte camps on defense.

Don't want to involve much on Pinoy politics, but for me as outsiders, this's the time for Pinoys as a nation decide what they're going to move in future on the matter of their sovereignty in SCS. Whatever outside world think of Philippines, they have enough capabilities on their own to begin doing something on safe guarding their interest and dignity.
 

OPSSG

Super Moderator
Staff member
Part 1 of 2: Attempt at showing might is right at Ayungin Shoal

I think the Philippines should guard those supply vessels next time with their coast guard vessels.
1. This is not the first time China blocked resupply. In 2014, China blockaded the Sierra Madre for weeks, forcing the Philippines to resupply by air and eventually run the blockade — with the US just watching without intervention — which is a correct position to take.

2. Not matter how many vessels the Pinoys send, the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) can send more, if they wanted to. The CCG are just reminding the Pinoys, on who is boss.
(a) In fact, on 16 Nov 2021, the Pinoys were outnumbered 3:2, where three (3) Chinese vessels blocked and water cannoned two (2) Philippine supply boats en route to transport food supplies to Philippine military personnel in Ayungin Shoal.​
(b) EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Nabila Massrali reiterated the EU’s “strong opposition to unilateral actions that endanger peace, security, and stability” in the disputed waters. “Furthermore, the European Union emphasizes the importance for all parties to respect freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea,” Massrali said. She urged both China and the Philippines to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS.​
(c) “In this context, the EU recalls the Arbitration Award rendered under UNCLOS on 12 July 2016, which found that Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf,” Massrali said.​
(d) Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa said Tokyo “strongly opposes” unilateral attempt to change the current situation in the East and South China Seas and called on countries to comply with the 2016 arbitral award.​

3. The US Department of State warned Beijing that the US would intervene to defend Philippine ships in the event of an armed Chinese attack, following an incident in which Chinese naval vessels used water cannons against Philippine resupply boats in the South China Sea. Department spokesman Ned Price called the Chinese action “dangerous, provocative and unjustified.”
The US Department of State will make the appropriate noise which will be ignored by China but despite the above, I predict the CCG will back-down soon, because it’s a own goal by the Chinese leadership in the Pinoy-Chinese bilateral relationship (that can affect the local elections).
(a) On 22 Nov 2021, Lorenzana said the Philippine ships had resumed their operations: “Yes, they left Palawan for Ayungin this morning and will arrive tomorrow morning at the [BRP] Sierra Madre.”​
(b) Long criticized for his soft approach on China, even President Rodrigo Duterte issued a statement of condemnation at a summit between ASEAN and China. The Philippine leader, in prepared remarks, said: “We abhor the recent event in the Ayungin Shoal and view with grave concern other similar developments. This does not speak well of the relations between our nations and our partnership."​

4. The Pinoys have the capability to resupply, even when blocked by the CCG — they just need to get assets in place to resupply by air. What the CCG is doing is quite pointless.
 
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OPSSG

Super Moderator
Staff member
Part 2 of 2: Attempt at showing might is right at Ayungin Shoal

Indeed. The Chinese government doesn't see subservience as something to be rewarded, but as a sign that you are weak & can be bullied more.
5. Agreed and the Indonesians seem to think that working with the Russians, at the Dec 2021 ASEAN-Russia Naval Exercise, will give them more leverage in managing disputes in the South China Sea but I think they are wrong. IMO, there is no scenario where the Russians will take ASEAN’s side in any South China Sea dispute with China over EEZ claims by Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, or the Philippines.

6. If might is right, only the powerful like the JMSDF and the USN have a say in the South China Sea disputes in the face of Chinese Coast Guard water cannons. Both countries spoke out for the Pinoys while ASEAN under Indonesian leadership was impotent.

7. Thankfully, that is not the case and international opinion matters — with a large number of countries speaking out for the Pinoys, who were previously all wet from water cannons. As US National Security Council Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific Kurt Campbell said: “The chief characteristic of US-China relations right now is competition, and we are competing across the board everywhere… We believe it’s possible to compete responsibly in a healthy way, but at the same time, the president ... recognizes that it will be important to try to establish some guardrails ... that will keep the relationship from veering into dangerous arenas of confrontation,” Campbell said at the US Institute for Peace.

8. Increasingly the norm is ship ramming or water cannons — with a Vietnamese coast guard vessel ramming an Indonesian Navy ship. Both Vietnam and China will use their maritime militia to assert their respective claims on South China Sea. Composed of purpose-built militia vessels and commercial fishing fleets, China’s maritime militia has “exploded” in tandem with its increasingly assertive claim to almost the entire sea.
 
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spoz

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Nice reaction by the Indons. Interestingly, from that video, the Vietnamese ship looks to in the wrong from a COLREGs point of view; normally ships intending to do that sort of thing are very careful not to be.
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Apparently Canada is in process adjusting foreign policy wrt China. Long overdue but we will have to wait and see how serious the government is.

The 'penny has dropped': Liberal government throne speech signals new direction on China, analysts say (msn.com)
Your Foreign Minister just had a visit from our Foreign Minister and I believe that the Indo-Pacific was on the agenda, but all that has been released by MFAT is about closer cooperation between the two countries on indigenous nations matters.

 

Ananda

The Bunker Group


According to CNBC Indonesia, the exploration on that particular area (North Natuna Sea, Near Vietnam border and intersect with CCP nine dash line), do indeed find Hydrocarbon reserve for oil and gas (link from Sandhi post).

This's going to be interesting. It will be down to present administration how to safe guard Oil and Gas operation in that area. China and Indonesia relation will be tested more. China and Vietnam already have skirmish on area where hydrocarbon exploration do exists. Indonesia and China has not been get to this dispute. Most of the dispute related to fishing.
 
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ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro


According to CNBC Indonesia, the exploration on that particular area (North Natuna Sea, Near Vietnam border and intersect with CCP nine dash line), do indeed find Hydrocarbon reserve for oil and gas (link from Sandhi post).

This's going to be interesting. It will be down to present administration how to safe guard Oil and Gas operation in that area. China and Indonesia relation will be tested more. China and Vietnam already have skirmish on area where hydrocarbon exploration do exists. Indonesia and China has not been get to this dispute. Most of the dispute related to fishing.
Nothing a minefield wouldn't cure ;)
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
The Chinese protested it seems...
(from Reuters)
China protested Indonesian drilling, military exercises
Thank you for sharing.

|"Farhan said that China, in a separate letter, also protested against the predominantly land-based Garuda Shield military exercises in August, which took place during the standoff."|

Together with the order to stop drilling we can categorize these demands as pathetic and shameless.

I hope that even our china-fanboy Minister of Everything will accept that following china's demands is treasonous.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Nothing a minefield wouldn't cure ;)
Better not yet, at this moment it's still only diplomatic row. Putting minefield in North Natuna Sea (which's in SCS doorstep), will only give CCP International Diplomatic win they're looking for ;).

Besides China at this moment try to push on Investment and Trade cards. The Operator Premier Oil Tuna BV control by UK company with minority Project by Indonesian State Oil company Pertamina and smaller ones Malaysian Petronas.

Rumours in the market China want to push for CNOOC also got shares in Natuna oil and gas operation. We call it in Indonesian term: " China minta jatah preman" or China want 'security' money shares :rolleyes:.

Well China try to talk all ASEAN bordering SCS to develop resources together. So seems this is part of the move. Seems their thinking to the neighborhood; 'hey why you give business to those western white guys, and not includes me" ?

Can see how the CCP media going to pictures this kind of row; 'this is the reason why US and UK and other Western power want to involve in SCS. They are the ones that want to exploit SCS natural resources' :D.
 
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InterestedParty

Active Member
That finger is pointing at an area a very, very long way from China!
I'm expecting President Xi to announce finding of ancient Chinese artifacts in the Pilbara next, then claiming sovereignty over much of Western Australia.
I am more worried about Wedding Cake Island off Coogee Beach being found to be part of a new line of islands, then FBE would come under PRC claims
 

Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
I wonder what china's reaction will be if other countries will perform similar exercises in international waters just 13 nm from the coast of Hainan.

Edit:
I add here some links with a little bit more information, they both use information provided by Global Times, but sadly no much additional details.


 
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ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Because the article is paywalled, it's not clear just where the exercises were carried out. Your comment would infer it is near another country's coast.
I once looked at a Janes subscription. After the massive shock to the system and the bank manager's coronary, I decided that I wanted a subscription, not acquire the whole publishing company and half of the UK.
 
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