South China Sea

[Stoked]

https://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/11/30/will_china_go_to_war_in_january_2013

There are numerous other articles about the issue.

Basically China has stated that they have the right to board and detain any ship that enters their territory illegally. By their territory they mean the vast majority of the South China Sea. This leaves them at odds with Japan, Phillipines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore...

What do you think the odds are that a Chinese military vessel attempts to stop a ship? What do you think the US Navy response would be to such an act.

Scenario: A large cargo ship is going from Thailand to Mexico. It passes thru international waters that China now claims as their own. No one else recognizes these claims. Well China stops the vessel and forces it to turn back. This is reported to a US Navy battle group in the area. Does the US let them go and basically acknowledge Chinese claims to the South China Sea in direct opposition to several key allies in the region such as Japan and the Phillipines? Or do they go in and engage/standoff with the Chinese milatry vesels to prevent them from stopping/confiscating the ship and its crew and cargo and risk war with China?

 

[Hartsock]

Sounds intense, I'm interested now. Thanks for the post.

 

[Hotdog]

https://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/11/30/will_china_go_to_war_in_january_2013

There are numerous other articles about the issue.

Basically China has stated that they have the right to board and detain any ship that enters their territory illegally. By their territory they mean the vast majority of the South China Sea. This leaves them at odds with Japan, Phillipines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore..

What do you think the odds are that a Chinese military vessel attempts to stop a ship? What do you think the US Navy response would be to such an act.

Scenario: A large cargo ship is going from Thailand to Mexico. It passes thru international waters that China now claims as their own. No one else recognizes these claims. Well China stops the vessel and forces it to turn back. This is reported to a US Navy battle group in the area. Does the US let them go and basically acknowledge Chinese claims to the South China Sea in direct opposition to several key allies in the region such as Japan and the Phillipines? Or do they go in and engage/standoff with the Chinese milatry vesels to prevent them from stopping/confiscating the ship and its crew and cargo and risk war with China?

How do they know who is who?

 

[franklin]

Stoked, if you keep studying up on this foreign policy stuff we'll have to nominate you for Secretary of State. What do you think we should do Mr. Secsy?

 

[babe]

This in not a theoretical "what if" scenario. Unfortunately, it is real.

https://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/11/philippines-china-stand-off-south-china-sea

The Philippines' largest warship couldn't stand off eight fishing boats and two spy ships from China. There was no respect given the Philippines either diplomatically or "on the ground". . . on the sea, I mean. The Chinese said "bug off" and the Philippine "navy" did.

This is not far from the former US navy base at Subic Bay, and I guess the Filipino people and government are starting to reconsider the value of having US bases on their soil.

Viet Nam is also wanting the United States to help maintain their sovereign claims, but we have a pinhead President who doesn't give a damn.

 

[Stoked]

Stoked, if you keep studying up on this foreign policy stuff we'll have to nominate you for Secretary of State. What do you think we should do Mr. Secsy?

Well we have treaties and are historical allies with some of the nations opposed to China. I see two options in my scenario.

1. Do nothing and effectively break our treaties and never be trusted again.

2. Fend off China with force if necessary.

I think the US needs to come out and straight up say those are international waters and the US will not allow our friends and allies or commerce of any kind to be harrased or impeded in any way.

 

[Stoked]

I agree Babe it is serious. China has pushed us into a corner. Now we can either stand up and be a man so to speak or bow our heads and let china have their way.

The Phillipines wont even stamp chinese passports directly because the chinese are putting a territorial map on the passports that shows their unrecognized claims.

China is betting the US will do nothing and so far they have been right. Wake the **** up!!!

 

[asian_roger]

I read a story in the New York Times that the Japanese is working very hard to counter this and is selling Vietnam and smaller Asian countries military ships. They are also planning to create mini "Japanese" coast guards in the area.

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/world/asia/japan-expands-its-regional-military-role.html?pagewanted=2&hp&_r=0

 

[Hotdog]

Does the U.S. claim any bodies of water similar to this?

 

[Stoked]

I read a story in the New York Times that the Japanese is working very hard to counter this and is selling Vietnam and smaller Asian countries military ships. They are also planning to create mini "Japanese" coast guards in the area.

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/world/asia/japan-expands-its-regional-military-role.html?pagewanted=2&hp&_r=0

With the way I see everything heading I am very much behind Japan increasing its military capacity and stepping up in regional matters. A stronger Japan is good for the US.

 

[Stoked]

Does the U.S. claim any bodies of water similar to this?

As far as I know there is only one small contested claim with Canada in the northeast. However it is a remote location and has no real traffic moving thru it. Canada actually has control of it.

 

[Hotdog]

As far as I know there is only one small contested claim with Canada in the northeast. However it is a remote location and has no real traffic moving thru it. Canada actually has control of it.

Any claims uncontested?