By Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt, Special to CNN
Editor’s note: Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt is the Beijing-based China and Northeast Asia project director for the International Crisis Group. The views expressed are her own.
As tensions rise in the South China Sea, the gloves are coming off in Beijing. When it comes to exploiting the weaknesses of its rivals in Southeast Asia – smaller nations also laying claim to the South China Sea – China doesn’t pull any punches.
Until recently, it followed a line of “reactive assertiveness” – responding forcefully to perceived provocations in this disputed body of water. Now, there are signs that China has shed the “reactive” part of its approach.
Beijing took reactive assertiveness for a test drive during the Scarborough Shoal standoff with the Philippines that began in April. While faulting the Philippines for turning a typical fishing run-in into a crisis by sending in a warship, China took the opportunity to defend its claim over the disputed shoal by deploying non-military law enforcement vessels and allowing them to linger in the area. Beijing also didn’t hesitate to wield its clout over Manila’s perennially struggling economy, tightening regulations on imports of tropical fruit that resulted in an estimated $34 million in losses for the Philippines.
Beijing used reactive assertiveness again in response to a maritime law Vietnam passed last month that introduced new navigation regulations covering the disputed Spratly and Paracel islands. Before the ink on the law could dry, China announced the establishment of Sansha City, a sprawling administrative entity which incorporates some of the territory disputed by Vietnam and the Philippines. Earlier this week, Beijing authorized the Guangzhou Military Command of the People’s Liberation Army to form a garrison in the newly created city.
Also part of this more forceful approach was Beijing’s decision in late June to allow one of its state-run oil firms, the China National Offshore Oil Company, to invite foreign energy companies to bid for joint exploration in parts of the South China Sea that fall in Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone. These moves not only signal that Beijing won’t back down in the dispute, but they also show that Beijing will continue to reassert control over its once uncoordinated South China Sea policy. Coordination began to improve in mid-2011 when Beijing started to place greater emphasis on diplomacy in the sea. Previously, China’s assertiveness in the area had been an outgrowth of discordance and a lack of restraint among its legion of self-interested military, maritime, corporate and local government actors.
As China increasingly outdoes the Philippines and Vietnam in this dangerous game of tit-for-tat, one would expect ASEAN states to stand behind its members. But quite the opposite has been true. At the foreign ministers’ meeting held earlier this month in Phnom Penh, China pounced upon divisions already debilitating the organization. It used its sway over Cambodia, the organization’s chair, to prevent meaningful discussion on the South China Sea dispute, which made even a standard joint communiqué impossible for the first time in 45 years.
As the meeting in Phnom Penh fell apart, reports surfaced that a Chinese navy frigate had run aground near Half-Moon Shoal, a mere 110 kilometers from the Philippine island of Palawan. While an embarrassing blow to the Chinese military, the Ministry of Defense stated that the vessel was simply conducting routine naval patrols, albeit in an area squarely within the Philippines’ EEZ. This frigate was likely part of the patrols, described by a defense ministry spokesperson as “combat ready,” that Beijing started late last month in the South China Sea in response to Vietnamese air patrols over the Spratlys.
Sending military vessels to make rounds in disputed waters may well be an indication that China has shifted from using law enforcement vessels to respond to recent incidents like Scarborough. This is particularly troubling as a dispute involving an armed military vessel would undeniably be much more difficult for China to walk back.
China’s more brazen approach can be explained in part by the fact that it wasn’t satisfied by the gains from its tactical shift in 2011 to greater diplomacy, followed by reactive assertiveness. Domestic politics also contribute to China’s hardening stance on the South China Sea. Previously, as the Chinese public was left bewildered by the Bo Xilai scandal, the Scarborough Shoal incident offered a convenient distraction. Now, China is once again flexing its muscles in the sea, partly to dispel fears of fragility stemming from its fast approaching change in leadership.
Yet China’s leaders should be careful of what they wish for. A tough approach could easily backfire. It could give Washington’s Asian pivot an added boost by pushing Vietnam and the Philippines further into the arms of the United States. Moreover, as territorial disputes strike at the heart of nationalist sentiments, a riled public could pressure the government to up the diplomatic ante. The Chinese government could find itself trapped in a position where it’s forced to act aggressively, even if just for show. Being cornered, without a way to sidestep military confrontation, is the last thing Beijing wants.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
5000 years of china history was made by invading small and weak countries(china history).
china military superior took over the Spratly and Paracel islands from Philippines and Vietnam. To steal those Islands, first China killed fishermen of Philippine and Vietnam; then used military force.
China dreams has not stopped because they believe their military power can rule the world. They believe Genghish Khan is a chinese and they are the first discover America.
China now controls South East Asia. USA, India, and Russia ships in Asia should pay fee and tax to china. Nazi china must be stopped.
Too many wrongs and incoherent arguments especially the last sentence
You're too stupid to understan. Damm sick men of Asia.
Bob, people living in glasshouse shouldn't throw rocks.
Complete nonsense. 100% BS.
yes, I very hate CHINA
Let's never forget the US killed 1.3 million Filipiinos of which 0.03 million were regulars (the rest were civilians) and perhaps over 3 million Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. Comparatively, these disputes are minor and its best if we don't get involved. The chinese appear to be settling demarcation issues one at a time, and mostly peacefully. Of the 17 countries their territory borders (the most of any country) most are peaceful. These maritime disputes are serious but, again, comparatively speaking minor. Less bullets have been fired in border disputes for them in 30 years than we fire in ONE DAY with are war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Are you effin' kidding me????!! China wants the whole south china sea and it's a minor issue? are you awake???
Jerico, I am more concerned of the Philippines who started claiming most islands of the South China Sea only in the last few decades. Sorry Amigo but you started the recent Scarborough Shoal incident. As they say, you reap what you sowed.
China is a NAZI.. They are ruled by thugs propagandizing their people to believe what clearly not belonging to them. The oppress weak nation like Tibet, Ughur etc. They exploit nation like North Korea. They steal intellectual rights from the West and they don't follow any law. CHINA is not good for world peace. They produce products that are not safe for human consumptions just to make money. Now they want to steal resources from Vietnam and Philippines. CHINA is a NAZI..
100% accurate, I hate Chinese
You keep using that word... [Nazi]
but I don't think you know what it means.
Are you proposing that China be a nice guy and stop being clever ?
GODLESS CHINA IS THE COUNTRY TO BE WATCH. THE INTENTIONS ARE QUITE CLEAR, WHY WE SUPPORT THESE ACTS FOR WHAT? TO RULE THE WORLD BY GODLESS GOVERNMENT? VIETNAM AND PHILIPPINE ARE WEAK COUNTRY BUT NO ALL THE TIME.
Give me a godless govenment any day over the Taliban, Saudi Royal Family, Tea Party, or any government that claims to have a direct mandate from this or that deity.
BTW god hates ALL CAPS or random CAPITALIZATION. I read it in a book somewhere so it has to be true. Amen
China is not Nazi. How many Jews have they killed in concentration camps? Khan might have been Chinese, Asian, or Asian Mix. I don't think modern China has plans to conquer other countries or the world for that matter. China might want to be powerful so it can prevent its own country from being conquered. Usually, only the strong survive.
Right, China is not Nazi, not even a communist country, not a democracy country, not a socialist country, ... no idea what the hell it is.
It is an Oligarchy
Who has never conquered a neighbor over the past 5000 years kid? We're not talking about crossing an ocean to conquer continents and entirely different races here. These are outcrops in the sea many of which were discovered by China's far-reaching ancient navies centuries earlier.
so what exactly is your point here buddy?? according to you it is their right to flex their muscle over smaller countries??
Yeah, Rahul. Here in LA, if the neighborhood kid makes a wrong move to step on my garden, I'll show them who's the boss. It's better than spilling blood needlessly.
Centuries ago, China was a continental power–NOT a maritime power. They're living in a historical fiction. But then again, I would not be surprised if their information is fake in China.
you mean it is always fair when usa and western military power rule the world
Depends upon what situation you are in !
Your ignorance and arrogance is a prime example of American narrow mindedness. I bet you don't know anything about China's 5000 year history AT ALL! Everything that you're spewing is utter nonsense.
So pick up a real book, ignorant one!
SoWhat???
So what do you know about china's 5000 + years history?
Go ahead, enlighten us.
To nina,
China had claimed the Scarborough Shoal long before the Philippines. Just give you one example, kid. Hahaha. Even I know that.
supermario
??????????????????????????????????????????????????
FAKE. You're living in historical fiction. As late as A.D. 1887 the Chinese Emperor Guangxu had to ask a tiny, measly European Conquistadors of wretched sailors to protect Chinese fishermen from local pirates because China STILL didn't have a single warship. All this aggression over tiny islands owned by peaceful countries are just proof they have no shame and they are desperately trying to rewrite history.
If we base everything on their logic, then China belongs to Mongolia because they got raided by Genghis Khan. Sucker!
support this call! this is the only way we can fight China. If we cannot win by military action and diplomacy, we could try winning the heart of the world. USA and EU should realize by now that their economic woes was made by China. The cheap products produced by China through involuntary servitude made them very attractive for consumers and made companies from US and EU to outsource their production. The result was loss of jobs and income. Boycott China made products if you want to save your country and help small countries in Asia that are suffering from Communist Chinese aggression.
Yes I think you should boycott and not to buy anything that printed Made in China including your computer. Do you know that almost 90% of your computer parts comes from China? If you and everyone boycott there will be nobody in this post LOL.
No one takes your americant view seriously, with the exception of your fellow idiotic americants.
learn Chinese history before you talk on the subject.
Absolutely agree. One, the islands are obviously far from China and it makes sense that the islands belongs to the philippines and Vietnam. It's not right to intimidate these weaker countries.
Nazi China should be stopped!
-cherile
So whats wrong with that ... you mean Cows give up eating grass ?
China is painting itself into a corner. They may have gotten away with stealing Vietnamese island territory but China will come to regret any military action used against the Philippines.
China should realize that it plays a dangerous game that it can only lose as it is no match for the forces that now mobilize (which should not be construed in entirely military terms). China would also be wise to pay close attention to the military industrial complex that looks to China to ensure its continuing role as the dominant western policy maker.
Mike that stupidity! Monroe doctrine is when the world is less civilize yet. Now we're in 21st century with U.N and laws was established including UNCLOS and ITLOS which GODLESS CHINA is not only a signatory but also ratified it. Using imaginary line or a SCROTUM like line made by Koumintang government of then SunYat Sen in 1947 and later adopted by GODLESS GOVERNMENT of CHINA cannot hold water under the bridge.
Is that a Freudian slip on your part, Mr. fengsun811? Very ungodly.
Anoter falun gong crazie coming out of his energy-wheel hellucination...."godless"? Your want to run a government base on the Bible and then complain that the 'scrtum" line was an outdated boundary created by an extincted government? Do you know what the word "irony" means?
China had previously offered to jointly develop the whole area, but both the Vietnamese and the Philipines refused. Now can you blame China for using other methods? This whole area belongs to China, and if these countries dont want to play nice with the regional great power, then they are fools. I think the Americans should be familiar with something called the Monroe Doctrine? Think of this as China's version.
You're wrong Mike, Vietnam and the Philippines are open for the joint development of South China Sea resources. The problem is China insist that the whole South China Sea belongs to China. What's going to happen next, any foreign ship that passes through the South China Sea will then have to pay toll booth fees to China? Yeah right.
China and the Philippines did reach an agreement in 2004 for joint exploration of part of the South China Sea. Vietnam protested, then joined in 2005 for fear of being left out. THe Philippines backed out later due to domestic opposition, and the whole thing just unraveled.
that's right. PH even proposed a plan (ZOPFC)
There has never been a toll used or suggested for the area nor would it make sense for countries bordering the sea. This is an attempt by countries like the USA to confuse the situation. You'll be paying toll's in the Arctic which is being proposed by many members of the Arctic Council which includes the USA, Canada, Russia, etc. Many of the ASEAN countries do not see what is happening outside in the world and end up playing little games without seeing the bigger games they play.
China is the one prolonging this if you ask me. It is true that they have a claim, but China's answer is to use force? Why don't they settle this in court?
Almost every country in the world settles this by battles. It is ridiculous for a major power like China to go through this for decades using diplomacy. Guam, the Falklands, Hawaii, etc. were all taken by force.
Joe are you American?? cause if you are, then i understand why you keep taking about using force and stuff...you guys are in love with wars arent you, and guns!!
Guns are second Amendment rights. Hehehe. The right to have a militia against possible dictatorship.
rahul
Nothing like a bloodthirty muslim-in the name of allah of course!
That would be a dangerous policy indeed. It would likely drag my country or even Russia into any conflict and could possibly start a World War from which no one on the planet would benefit. I would much prefer a peaceful solution. I don't think every side claiming every rock they ever sent a representative to or exercised control by some former government in their territories past will work out very well in the end. In fact my country has been in control of virtually every rock over there too at some point or other. Should we stake a claim too? That just does not make for a workable situation, but I am not sure if all of the parties will be reasonable. If they are not, then the end of the current status quo will be at hand as trade and commerce will be severely disrupted by any conflict.
whole area belongs to china!!! haha, must say you know a lot my friend... then according to you tibet must also belong to china?? and some north eastern parts of india also belong to china? if it was upto them they would play every game in the book to get their way...
America recognizes Tibet as part of China. As for South Tibet, that's for China and India to sort out.
mario – As one of China's main trading partners, the United States has a key role in ensuring that discussions about the situation in Tibet take place, and Free Tibet's US-based supporters can help persuade their political representatives to address the Tibet issue with their Chinese counterparts. http://www.freetibet.org/about/united-states-tibet
Nina, the US should play no role in other people's domestic business. Too much intervention only gets us into trouble, not to mention inherent moral difficulties. MYOB. Applies to families. Applies to countries. The governing laws of the international community is enshrined in the UN charter of respecting a country's sovereignty. How would you like the US, or China for that matter, intervene in Philippines domestic conflict buisness with the Moros?
Sometimes I wonder if Hillary Clinton realizes she is behaving just like the neocons that she so despised. PAX Americana here I come.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
So, you are saying that if you were walking down the street and a friend was being bullied, robbed, murdered, you would not help?
Wow, so cold hearted.
That's different from what we were talking about. I am saying I wouldn't interfere with how my friend conducts his own business at home. Like I wouldn't want nobody tell me how to do my business.
Yes, I know what you mean.
I do not want to interfere with anyone either. However, when and if needed, I would like to think that the civilized world would do something to right a wrong. For example, the stoning of women in the muslim world.
How do you propose to "right that wrong" then?
Why did China offer Joint development of SCS with smaller countries if they believe SCS belongs to them?
The real problem is the islands and territories are within the territorial waters of the 200 mile limit for Vietnam and the Philippines. Historically, China has fishing in the area for several hundred years and in some parts over a thousand years. Are the Asian countries required to recognize historical usage and claim or conform to more recently adopted international maritime law. If historical usage and claim is not the standard of management and ownership, then we can say Hawaii and the Falkland Islands are also up for grabs.
The reason why China had to take a more assertive approach than the “reactive assertiveness” strategy they tried in earlier years is quite simple. China has found through experience that Vietnam & PH actively took advantage of China's "reactiveness" by taking incrementally more provocative and bolder steps to encroaching further and further into South China Sea.
The only reason why China is now more greedingly assertive is because of the recent oil and gas discoveries in the South China Sea. They think the South China Sea belongs to them because the name china is associated with this marginal part of the sea of the Pacific Ocean. It's as stupid as saying that the whole Persian Gulf belongs to Iran, the Indian Ocean belongs to India or the whole Arabic Sea belongs to Saudi Arabia. Don't tell me the next thing they claim is that all Chinatowns around the world belongs to them also.
Do you realize these islands have been part of China's territory since before the United States was even a country? The Paracel Islands have been a part of China since the Tang Dynasty, over 1000 years ago, and there is archaeolgical evidence and historical records to prove this. Even a map from Vietnam (dated 1834) said the Paracel and Spratly Islands were a part of China called Wanli Changsha. Except for a few claims by colonial occupiers, like France in Vietnam, China was the only country claiming these islands for many centuries. Vietnam did make some claims to the Spratly Islands, not realizing that China had already made earlier claims. Once Vietnam realized China had already claimed these islands, they accepted them as part of China, and their maps even reflected this. Throughout most of the past thousand years, all of these islands were either uninhabited, or inhabited by Chinese fishermen. Nobody except China seemed interested in these islands, but that all changed when oil was discovered in the South China Seas. Now, the West is practicing historical revisionism in an attempt to contain China, and gain access to oil. This controversy is not about China becoming more assertive, it is about Western imperialism.
Well China has only existed as it is since 1949. I'm sure if we included all of the territories occupied by prior governments that existed on the territory that is now the United States we could probably put a claim in for all of the Americas, The Philippines, most of the rocks in question over there as well, but of course that would be equally unreasonable.
I don't think so, Complete nonsense. I very hate CHINA
ChicagoRich,
Where did the present government of China get its territories if not from the past government of China, right? So that includes the South China Sea. How else would the world allow the present government of China to take the much coveted UN Security Council permanent member seat then? From lawful inheritance, of course.
Now about California being a part of Mexico... I won't go there. Mexico has recognized it as part of the US.
Jacob Chen, these islands were never under administrative governance of any provinces in China until just now. They were not even on China own map until recently. If you were right, why China did not take the case to International Court or UN to prove up? Why they have to lobby around to get a foot hold in the SCS and when things did not go their way, start using force and act like a thug.
All the Chinese did was pull their zipper down for American kwok zucking kwok zuckers like you and Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt, another kwok zucker employed as writer to badmouth China to zuck it.
Disagree only with your first sentence as the claims have been there all along. Remember Vietnam was the initiator of holding blocks of oil and gas drilling for the Indians after discoveries by China. This of course would cause other claimants to react.
When the time comes China will surely take back what belong to her..
Nah, they don't need to take anything. They can just build something fake.
What has to be kept in mind is that military thinking is different to the party leadership's. Two decades ago officers of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) spent as much time on political work and read party speeches as military training. Reforms introduced since the 1980s had made the armed forces much more professional, but they still have to declare their loyalty to party principles, By staying more professional, the PLA has lost influence over non-military affairs. It was forced to give up a vast business empire. It also seemed to be losing clout at the top of the party, where there is no PLA representative on the politburo's standing committee. The PLA generals are happy with this arrangement, as long as they retain influence over the areas which really matter to the military – the Taiwan issue and relations with America. Some senior military figures are thought to be far more wary of US intentions in the region. So now and then the PLA and the executive might follow different agenda.
Who ever said that tthere will be a "toll" if China has actual control of the Spratlys? The natural resources are the real reasons, and so long as China has sovereignty over their ownership, international shipping certainly will not be disrupted. There are plenty of historical evidence to prove that the islands and islets of the Spratlys belong to China, and so if reason and history can't convince the pinoy and the vietnaamese, then let's use muscle. It is ridiculous that two third rate countries can dictate to China where its historical boundaries lie.
The United States have always wanted China to "learn from us Americans"....so here it is. China should be a good student and take a page out of the famous Monroe Doctrine and apply it to its own backyard, much as the US have done with the Caribbean Sea.
If China has so much evidence China should settle it peacefully in court.
Well, that's one more thing that China has learned from the US: Don't subject your sovereignty claim to UNCLOS.
Mike, your bosses need to understand that this line of thinking would almost certainly result in conflict with the USA, something neither country wants. Both actually should want good relations.
No, your boss in Washington needs to realize two things.... first, the American deficit cannot sustain a third war in a little over a decade, especially with a great power ike China. Second, the South China Sea is far from the US but on China's doorstep, and the US should practice its Monroe Doctrine and stay in its own backyard. Chiese sovereignty should not be violated. It's that simple.
War is inevitable if any country use territory to contain China.
Not correct .. Man and woman can be equal but still need to mate
third rate countries!! very classy... your ignorance and arrogance is amusing my man... where do you get off calling other nations third rate buddy!!?
Depends upon how you look at things ...
1 2 3 ... 3 is a bigger number
Mike Liu, Monroe doctrine was obsolete and no longer a good strategy in this information age. What American capitalists wants you Chinese to do is stick to your factory floor and be a good slave for their globalization doctrine to work better. Period.
So, you admit China robbing from its neighbors and international water.
Let's bring down the Chinese now, this is an excellent moment before it is stronger; harder to contain.
It's already too late.China already is the world factory,world banker and becoming the world consuming market.
What after China is down ? .... The joy is in the journey my friend not the destination
Mr Chan, too late for you.
No, it is not too late. China is still developing country, its economy is not sustainable with a war occurred, China has no friend but enemies every where, beside too many internal pressures CCP has to deal with, CCP needs to bring in patriotic now to avoid being overthrown by its people.
Chan; you need to stop reading the Epoch Times junk news...it's clouding your "CCP hating" mind.
In the past 2 decades, no country has done more to combat poverty than China. There is still much to be done. Everyone work together, not against.
china only prospered because of the investments poured in by western countries. they made a mistake. they could invested in south east asian countries with a total population of 600 million people.
No we didn't make a mistake. Americans have long salivated at the prospect of 700 million Chinese each grabbing a coca cola. Now that dream has become a reality. Just look at the Apple ipad and iphones flying off the shelf in China. All the McDonalds and Kentuckys, the Disneyland in Shanghai, the Boeing jumbo planes, and of course all the gadggets that we consume everyday which could have cost so much more if they were made elsewhere. China just has the best roads and bridges and less bureaucratic red tapes for foreign firms than a country such as the Philippines (sorry) and India.
Money will go to where more money can be earned. Multinational enterprises are much more smarter than we are.Even Indian with population of about 1.2 billions is not a good place to invest. Washington DC mayor Vincent C. Gray said after returned from China's trip,China is the best place for US companies to invest.
I have no problem with China's or anyone's success as long as they earn it honestly through hard work; not by stealing, robbing or cheating.
I like this opinion piece very much. “reactive assertiveness” describes China's reaction precisely.
It is obvious to me that the Philippines and Vietnam miscalculated and provoked China based on their belief that America will come to their aid. This may very well be the case. Otherwise it is hard to imagine the sequence of events. But it seems that they have crossed the baseline perceived by Beijing.
It appears to me that China has made a strategic decision based on a belief that she is cornered. Such strategic decision, once made, will not avert itself so easily.
Conflicts are on their way.
Are you stupid or retard or something? ... now, you blame the one who provoked being the one who got robbed? Are you going to provoke a guy 10 times bigger than you are for him to find an excuse to beat and rob you?
China is a NAZI.. They are ruled by thugs propagandizing their people to believe what clearly not belonging to them. The oppress weak nation like Tibet, Ughur etc. They exploit nation like North Korea. They steal intellectual rights from the West and they don't follow any law. CHINA is not good for world peace. They produce products that are not safe for human consumptions just to make money. Now they want to steal resources from Vietnam and Philippines. CHINA is a NAZI...
Get your facts right first.Mr.Deng.Nazis and occupiers we are not,those terms should be used for other more qualified nations(colonisers).
China factories manufacture things with different quality for different price.It is Korean companies purposefully buy the cheap price with low quality products to make more profit.Korean companies selling low quality products are to be blame.
Don't you know there is " ONE PRICE ONE QUALITY ". I am a purchasing manager,Chinese company use to say what price do you want to buy ? Cos we have different quality for different price.Just like Toyota and Lexus the price and quality are not the same.
China factories manufacture things with different quality for different price.It is Korean companies purposefully buy the cheap price with low quality products to make more profit.Korean companies selling low quality products are to be blame.
if prc thinks that the people of the philippines will listen and agree to their mad and delusional rantings they better think again. we will do everything to get them off our lands and seas. we are not cowards like them hiding behind false pronouncements. All talk yet no action.
Yap, China talked too much, while others just fish, drill, and occupy. It's action time.
Foreigners don't understand how we the Filipino masses feel about Chinese aggression. We are ready to go to war to slay the dragon. Just give us the weapons.
Just give us the weapons???????
Beggers's dreaming of wars? Beg and maybe China will send food or buy more bananas.
yeah you can use our bananas and shove them up your stinking yellow ass!!!
War or no war, my advice to the Philippine president is this: Activate your blood thirsty reserve forces now.
Sorry, Mike, has the blood in the reserves been sucked dry dry by his corrupt cronies?
Mike need to read before post .
The conflict with China is a dream come true. I have always dreamed at parachuting at the heart of Tiananmen square and shoot every walking communist there, and now, I realize that I will have a chance after all. I despise them. Most native Filipinos do.
China is a peace-loving nation. China will never wage war against another nation especially a neighbor. For China, within the four seas, all people of the world are brothers and sisters. This is the culture of the Chinese and has been learnt by every Chinese in primary school and every Chinese in every corner of the world since the existence of mankind.
ibao, you should be completely wrong. How about the invasion of tibet? And how many time china invaded vietnam in history? Did you study China history in foreign (not published in china) history book?
To "china"; it seems your history, contrary to your post sake, comes from the mouths of the rabid free Tibet bambinos that protest prefessionally along the streets of NYC begging for tax money to fund their cause. Forget about it, Tibet is part of China. Dont like it, go jump off something high while screaming the head lama's name...maybe you can come back as a yak for some poor tibetan herder and do some real good for once.
ibao is still in elementary in a communist China, where everything the government says must be 1 million percent correct.
China has done a lot of good to Philippines but some stupid Asians insisted to be rooted by US or whites. Beyond
believe how stupid they are. China had always the protectors in Asia against western powers from exploiting them but they turned around to be the western running dogs and caused so much miserable life for most Asians except a few
who become part of US or western powers big scheme (enslaved). Like it or not China is not scared of US and its so called allies. China has right now have more than enough firepower and manpower to take on US in South China Seas and Pacific. Those who do not like China doing what China does legitimately fair enough but if you are a bloody Asians and help the US and the whites to root your own country you deserve to fear of China! US and Western powers are welcome as trade partners but not their military and political trouble they tend to bring to these regions.
The Philippines were never really Asians nor have they considered themselves to be such. Their surnames and language don't even suggest it.
We consider ourselves as asians, sir. We were colonized by the spaniards for 300 years, fyi, that is why we have spanish surnames.
For those who cannot carry a sound and respectful conversation, but has to revert to the base practice of racist name calling like "yellow ar$se", I have nothing worthwhile to respond. How funny and ironic that dark colored people like the filipinos would use racist terms against the lighter Chinese.
For those who wish war and parachuting down to Tiananman square, I applaud your "bravery". But given the sorry state of the filipino military. I highly doubt that any of its military branches can leave the 12 mile exclusive zone before being shot down or sunk by any one of the Chinese weapon systems. Manila will always revert to crying and cringing onto the leg of uncle sam and beging for help. It's your typical slave-gilr mentality, really,,,what do you expect.
The islands belong to China. Both vietnam and the filipines were given plenty of chance to work with China, but they both refused. Vietnam has a land border with China and both will also provide nice real time training practice for the untested PLA. Part of being a truly great power is to frequently hone and refine one's fighting skills and weaponry. The US has been at war continuously for the last decade, and its weapon systems and doctrines are well tested, and so China should also learn from this American practice. It's time to move beyond parades and war grame and do some live exercises for China.
Mike, you criticize people who "revert to the base practice of racist name", but you are no different in the way you speak about the Philippines in the second paragraph. Note also that your "racist mind" naturally reflected in the way you write Vietnam and the Philippines without capital initials in your text. So shut your mouth up! I don't need to pretend to be nice with you.
The lack of capital letters is a common islamic mistake because Arabic languages do not capitalize.
Actually, I am not Muslim nor am I Arabic. But I do not feel the need to show respect toward those whose adjectives "vietnamese" or "filipino" would be referring to on this board. It was deliberate. Racism cuts in many ways, and I am playing with the irony that even dark skinned people, like the vietnamese and the filipinos who are traditionally disparaged by others, would demonstrate their own racism. How funny. You do not need to pretend to play nice with me.
The fact remains that China should follow the American Monroe doctrine in the South CHINA sea. It's that simple.
The Monroe Doctrine is the best known U.S. policy toward the Western Hemisphere. Buried in a routine annual message delivered to Congress by President James Monroe in December 1823, the doctrine warns European nations that the United States would not tolerate further colonization or puppet monarchs. The doctrine was conceived to meet major concerns of the moment, but it soon became a watchword of U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere.
Mike, how does this apply to China?
The Monroe Doctrine was far more of a feel-good bluff than substance. The United States as it was at that time, did not have the power to prevent Europeans from doing whatever they wished in most of this hemisphere. The Monroe doctrine did not lead to a wholesale evacuation of the Americas by Europeans or abandonment of their existing military bases. A cynic could ask, when did all of the many peoples living in all of the Americas at that time agree to accept White Americans' control of their internal and territorial affairs?
PEASEHEAD you are wrong. The Monroe Doctrine was declared in a few paragraphs of President James Monroe's seventh annual message to Congress on December 2, 1823. Monroe warned European countries not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere, stating "that the American continents . . . are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers." The Monroe Doctrine became a cornerstone of future U.S. foreign policy.
Both nina and Peasehead are right. The Monroe Doctrine was declared even when the US did not have enough military power to evict the European colonialists from other parts of the Americas, but it eventually became the rule that has kept the continent free from outside domination. Mike probably meant to say that China will do the same to carve out its own sphere of influence in Asia as the US has done to the Americas with its Monroe Doctrine. The US won't like that. But it can certainly understand and can relate to that from own experience. Southeast Asia has already started on its way to trade and monetary integration with East Asia, and provided China becomes more open and democratic, which it will, the Asian bloc would emerge as one strong voice. India might carve out its own sphere. Europe will be one as well. And Russia will carve out its sphere of influence one day too. It's going to be a multipolar world, senora.
I suggest the India Doctrine....
Bizarre child-burying Hindu ceremony in India
CNN:
Indian police have charged 80 people for burying children alive in an ancient Hindu ceremony known as "the festival of pits."
The ceremony, in which children - some less than a year old - are buried alive briefly and then dug up, happened on Monday in southern Tamil Nadu state, The Asian Age reported on Thursday.
Every two years, parents who have vowed to bury their first-born if they are blessed with a child, take part in the Kuzhimattru Thiru Vizha ceremony.
The children are drugged to make them unconscious and placed in shallow "graves" in temple courtyards.
The pits are covered with leaves and dirt and the children are pulled out after Hindu priests chant a brief prayer - lasting up to a minute.
To Ibao:
It's your kind of weak-kneed apologist rote-speech that get China into trouble. Its the same stupidity that got China to send its Olympic torch around the world so that ill-willed people like the poster after you can try to grab it and humiliate China. How stupid can you and the Chinese government be? Do you see the British sending their Olympic torch around the world? They are smart and keep their torch relay AT HOME, knowing fully that many around the world would try to humiliate Britain too. Stupid China, smart Britain. Learn!
China is a great power since the beginning of its history. It has its territorial interests, which at this point include the Tibetan and Xinjoang regions, as well as the East Sea and the South Seas. China will enforce its territorial integrityn whereever necessary. This is all that you need to say. All this BS about China being a "peace loving nation since the beginning of time" sounds ridiculous. Do you really believe it? And you wonder why westerners always try to "interfere" in China's business and "hurt the feelings of the Chinese people? It's idiots like you with pointless slogans giving them the opportunity to humiliate you. China needs to learn to eat "meat", not graze on grass. Do you get it?
When someone questions Tibet, why dont you ask about the Sioux indians? or the Cherokees? Or the Aborigine of the Outback in Australia? Or even the Irish? Use your head and learn to "eat meat".
Mike I can follow your diatribe up to "Use your head and learn to "eat meat"."
Could you kindly explain what you meant?
It looks to me that Mike even hates vegetarians.
These small eyed chinese commies can't even see the multiple strategic weaknesses of their position, may it be military of economic. Morons
Stay in your cave and never come out again please. I doubt America need more racist fools like you to speed up the downward spiral!
Small eyed chinese don't see things with eyes they see things with 5000 years wisdom.
I can't believe anti-china sentiment in the Philippines is rising at an alarming rate. I was at the National Bookstore few days ago and student's there were asking each other if the items they took were made in China. I only realized what they were up to when one returned to the shelf an item marked made in china, and she remarked, 'cheap trash.' I also asked a group of young people at my internet cafe if they agree with a possible military confrontation with China, and they replied, "definitely, their weapons are made in china anyway."
How funny but in a sad way. Pray they don't go to find out how deadly those Chinese weapons are. They think the retired US coast guard cutters will hold up better?
Killery has been running around foaming in her mouth, to gain a leverage against China. not gonna happen, Woman.
We wait till China is at War with EVERYBODY and then drop a nuke on Beijing. Boom. Done.
Only America has nuke ?
The South China Sea is not one of the Great Lakes. It is not the North Sea, the Baltic, nor is it the Mediterranean. Americans and Europeans and their Asian allies should be aware that the world is not the private property of the West, and just like Westerners would not tolerate Asian or African dominance in their waters, they should not be surprised that China is not about to accept their dictates in the waters which are located in its part of the world.
Last time sick men of Asia got a bloody nose when they invaded Vietnam, this time they'll get kicked in the nuts by the Philliipines. Stupid sick men of Asia, we will kick retarded bullies in the nuts, bring it on sick men of Asia.
The Sick Man of Asia...Isn't that a label for the Philippines now? Your president just said something about it in his latest speech. Guess you need to catch up with the happenings in your own den.
Seriously, "sick men'? China just won 4 gold medals in just the first day of the Olympics....The US got only one, and both the filipinos and the viets would be praying to their god/deities/tet or whatever if they win just one gold in anything during the next FIFTY olympics. China wins 4 in just ONE day...who are the sick, stupid dirty mud puppies again? By the way, just FYI the medals were in shooting, weight lifting, and in men's 400 meter freestyle swimming and women's 400 medley swimming, the last two were an Olympic record and a WORLD RECORD...!!!! I dont think the filipinos or the viets even know what an Olympic or World record means....It's definitley not a bowl of pho soup or that chicken embryo that the filipinos love to suck down raw every morning in their flip flops.
Don't bark take action.
No dogs or chinese allow in the Western Phillipines, Eastern Vietnamese sea.
I can't agree with you more..I can't settle with bully and dogs. Vietnam will be more than happy to work things out with the Philippine for our mutual benefits. But Vietnam and Philippine must stand together as close allies
To show you are sincere, how about return the island of Pugad Vietnam frocefully grabbed from the Philippines first?
I think Hung has been playing video games too long. Last time I checked, the vietnamese army and nay consist of half pint guys with sandals gawking at Russian missile boats that they can barely afford to buy, no idea how to build or even maintain properly. China can build its own Aegis equivalent destroyers, top of the line frigates, amphibious attack ships, and even refurbish from rust scraps an unfinished Ukranian aircraft carrier. Sure, China's navy is still ways away from matching the US, but taking care of both the viet and the filipinos would be a walk in the park. The DF 21 can make sure the US task force is kept far away and not interfere. Dont worry...the US is not stupid enough to stick its neck out against China for the sake of these two fifth rate countries. I just cannot imagine a bunch of vietnamese pho sellers putting on white uniforms and trying to man a kilo sub. Just a ridiculous image.
Wow, most high quality people around here!
Keep up the bluster and you may just be lucky to see both Hanoi and Manila reduced to ruins. China must learn to eat meat, and by that I mean to act like the great power that western imperialist nations understand. No more Confucian "all under heaven are brothers" and "peace loving" bs that Ibao whine about. China needs to learn to be like a wolf, not a sheep. It needs to practice real life war so that its untested military can have real battle experiences. We'll see whose "nuts" get kicked,
It has always been, and will continue to be the South China Sea.
Barking dog never bite.So don't bark.Need action.
While reading on this article I ponder on the story of David and Goliath..
I see it differently. With China surrounded on all sides with no real friend to help him, I think China is the David and the free world is the Goliath, with a different twist of course, chinese david will be crushed.
Judging from your user name, the free world is dead.
What we have here is nothing more than another Nazi regime. I see people talking about how many were killed in Vietnam, bullets this or bullets that. The point that all countries have committed crimes against humanity. If one was judge current events based on history. What we have here is another cold war. The difference is will America vs China. Like I have said before. China is nothing more a big steaming pile of dung. I say, America should pull it's companies out of China as well as all other countries. We as a one world society are enpowering China and have feed the sleeping bully for too long. While I don't hate Chinese per say, I do hate China and moronic goverment.
Obviously we expect the world goverments to curtail China's power. The truth is stopping buying or using stuff made in China. We the people of the world can start like this...I personally don't use or have anything that is Chinese. Made in or otherwise. Even if, for example, a product is made in America but has a diode made in China. It won't be used by me or anyone in my household.
I need my Nintendo wsherever it is made, the cheaper the better. I can buy more games. If the Philippines can make it cheaper than China, I'll buy it from you.
Do you even know what the actual definition of "nazi" is? I can't believe the words being toss around without real functioning understanding of what they mean!
Squabbles in the secret Philippines Weapons Research and Development Program is not helping the country with its current situation. The President should intervene immediately about the growing conflict between civilian scientists and engineers (dominated by UP and Ateneo) against the military engineers and PhD's. Reports said that the military engineers and scientists cannot swallow their pride considering that the civilian scientists made more contributions, especially with the naval weapons systems. One fiasco resulting from this is the production of fast crafts without its intended weapons systems such as the fast torpedoes. Another problem causing the delay is the inability to test these weapons because of the fear that the U.S. might find out about it. Well, so what if they will find out about it. Why don't we just pay royalties for some of the technologies we copied. Lets bring it to the open folks, we have no more choice. We believe that team leaders for these program should be chosen based on their know-how and not based on military ranks so that civilian experts can contribute in a more meaningful and efficient manner. The low cost missiles is suppose to be completed last year. Now our President will have to find alibis to postpone military confrontation with China because of military brass inefficiency. Leave it to the civilains
"Experimental Democracy" has failed in India. An experiment that was being shoved down India's throat by western countries too eager to propagate their own values on a country that was trying to decolonize itself while trying to shed the communist skin of being a Soviet ally. India was thus trapped. What has become evident now is that this "Experimental Democracy" has marginalized the country. The marginalized groups of the country – Dalits and ‘backward’ castes/classes, indigenous ‘tribal’ people and religious minorities have been disenfranchised. "The belief that corruption is the important issue in the country is shared only by the minority living in urban areas and towns who have been beneficiaries of economic liberalization policies mandated by western countries. The most important challenges of Indian society remain as follows: justice, social and economic equality and equal access to certain standards of life for all Indians. “While India seems too eager to please its western masters and put on a progressive and softer face for CNN for public consumption, people see through it. The consequences of this "Band – Aid" approach will be brutal for India geo-politically when it realizes that the GDP statistics that it has been relying to gage its progress has not amounted to much in the long run.
Democracy is good but Social-democracy is better.Democracy without law and order is a disaster. Democracy with too many greedy selfish politicians is also a disaster.Every country more or less facing the unemployment problem and find no way to solve them.So “external hard-line internal position” is what politicians use to do during election year.
Even Coca Cola has to modify the taste to suit different country,DEMOCRACY one type cannot suit all.
Mr. "Necessary Leak" (whoever you are), you got your facts wrong. Let me spell it out for you: the U.S. knows about these weapons programsbut they make it appear that these weapons are made by Filipinos so that they will not be blamed when some Filipino or Vietnamese missiles start blowing up Chinese ships sky high. Filipino engineers only added non-vital designs but the important technologies are intentionally leaked by U.S. intelligence. Of course these technologies are obsolete based on U.S. standards but are enough to create a CREDIBLE FORCE to counter Chinese aggression. Every time a U.S. navy submarine or ship docks in the Philippines, Filipino looking operatives deliver the technologies straight to the research facilities. There are many security levels in those facilities. Those with lower level security clearance never suspected that Filipino looking American weapons engineers ferried from Guam and back are not Filipinos. Those weapons you are talking about are ready to fire. You were just made to believe that these are still incomplete. U.S. play this tactic so that they will not be blamed for any live fire confrontation to protect their core interests in China. And I believe the naive Chinese will buy this one.
"Of course these technologies are obsolete based on U.S. standards but are enough to create a CREDIBLE FORCE to counter Chinese aggression."...
You must be kidding me! When was the last time "high tech" and Filipinos or Vietnamese appeared in the same paragraph, let alone the same sentence? China' military may be behind the US, but it easily stands its ground against these two fifth rate powers. The only good thing these two can make are sandals and pho soups. I am trying to imagine a bunch of chubby-belly filipino cop/spies in flip flops trying to steal high tech know-how from viisting US ships.....can't help but LMAO!
You will find out soon mike of the china blog brigade. Enjoy the coming fireworks
Okay, I think this chinese mike needs some enlightenment. Here's one.. Balikan exercises of the Philippines and U.S. forces consist of two groups: One group together with some ships and landing crafts play the cover story of landing and ground combat exercises, the other group away from the shores test missiles and torpedoes. They don't need to test the weapons if they are made in the U.S., will they?
I think it would be a terrible mistake for the US to get into any kind of containment or confrontation with China when China is our largest trading partner, our largest foreign creditor and where we have far more areas of common interest than we have areas of conflict.
There was a recent conference in Norfolk Virginia that was a direct quote by the former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Cartwright and by the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Dempsey and they both emphasized that their intention is to build up improved military to military cooperation with China and also with Russia
DC mayor: Chinese investors welcomed
The mayor of Washington DC, Vincent Gray, has described China as the best place in the world for international investors to go to find opportunities, and has firmly opened the doors of his city to Chinese companies looking to launch or expand their presence in the United States.
"What is the best place to go to in terms of opportunities? It's China," he said, categorically.
In 2011, his district received about 123,000 visitors from China.
"We wanted to expand our relationship with China, strengthen ties with leaders of the government and businesses, and determine what opportunities are available for us," he said.
Gray said economic development is a good way to strengthen the US-China relationship."When people start working together, they will learn from each other and will do good things."
Instead of buying outdated weapons,use it in where Philippine people need most.Set aside the difference and emphasize more on economic cooperation will be good for all especially for Philippine.
As President Eisenhower pointed out in 1953, "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. The world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.... This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron
I think China is amazing country. Their leaders have lift over 300 million out of poverty without war and conquest and raping other people resources like the West. If only the rest of the developing world can accomplish what china has.
Reblogged this on thewordpressghost and commented:
China began military operations in other countries. In the past, they have 'responded' with military operations. Now, they are conducting 'routine' patrols.
Yes, they dispute the territorial claims, but only because they want the oil and fish ....
Ghost.
Absolutely agree. I don't think it is right to claim Spratly islands when it is obvioulsy closer to Vietnam and Philippines. Using intimidation in these weaker countries makes it even worse.
Nazi China must be stopped!
your guys know not thing Iam a chinesse but Iam not standing for china
Look china nerver do notthing good for any country only money...