South China Sea Forum

[Pangu]

China action is in accordance with UNCLOS. Let me repost for arguments, shall we?

Under Article 121, Regime of Islands, we are entitled to an EEZ around China's ZhongJian Island. As the oil rig is within 18nm from the island, it's still within our contiguous zone.

----------------------------------------------------
Article121


Regime of islands

1. An island is a naturally formed area of land, surrounded by water, which is above water at high tide.

2. Except as provided for in paragraph 3, the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf of an island are determined in accordance with the provisions of this Convention applicable to other land territory.

3. Rocks which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone or continental shelf.

-------------------------------------------------

Regarding territorial disputes, China reserved the right NOT to accept arbitration by 3rd party as stipulated by UNCLOS in Article 298.


China
[Original: Chinese]

Upon ratification (7 June 1996)1/:

In accordance with the decision of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China at its nineteenth session, the President of the People's Republic of China has hereby ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 and at the same time made the following statement:

1. In accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the People's Republic of China shall enjoy sovereign rights and jurisdiction over an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles and the continental shelf.

2. The People's Republic of China will effect, through consultations, the delimitation of the boundary of the maritime jurisdiction with the States with coasts opposite or adjacent to China respectively on the basis of international law and in accordance with the principle of equitability.

3. The People's Republic of China reaffirms its sovereignty over all its archipelagos and islands as listed in article 2 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the territorial sea and the contiguous zone, which was promulgated on 25 February 1992.

4. The People's Republic of China reaffirms that the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea concerning innocent passage through the territorial sea shall not prejudice the right of a coastal State to request, in accordance with its laws and regulations, a foreign State to obtain advance approval from or give prior notification to the coastal State for the passage of its warships through the territorial sea of the coastal State.


Declaration made after ratification (25 August 2006)

Declaration under article 298:


The Government of the People's Republic of China does not accept any of the procedures provided for in Section 2 of Part XV of the Convention with respect to all the categories of disputes referred to in paragraph 1 (a) (b) and (c) of Article 298 of the Convention.

------------------------------------------------------

So where did China violated UNCLOS?

 

[VietHome]

By Editorial Board, Published: May 13

WITH A $1 billion oil rig the size of a football field, China has literally laid down a new marker in its ambition to dominate the South China Sea — and challenged President Obama’s “rebalancing” policy in Asia, only weeks after the president’s tour of the region. The rig is about 130 miles off the coast of Vietnam, in waters that Vietnam claims as an exclusive economic zone under international law. China’s claim is more tenuous, but it is backed up with a flotilla of some 80 ships that for a week have engaged in a dangerous contest of ramming and water-hosing Vietnamese vessels.

The message of the deployment is as simple as it is provocative: The regime of Xi Jinping intends to unilaterally assert China’s sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea without regard for the competing claims of five other countries or Mr. Obama’s newly restated commitment to uphold defense agreements with two of those nations. In that sense, the rig, like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is a fundamental challenge to the international order the United States has tried to preserve since the end of the Cold War.

China’s ambitions are described by an audacious map, dating from the pre-Communist era, that claims some 80 percent of the South China Sea and a number of island chains or waters also claimed by Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Indonesia, in addition to Vietnam. For years Beijing has talked with those countries and others in Southeast Asia about establishing a code of conduct for the sea, and it discussed the possibility of joint development of oil and gas with Vietnam a few months ago.

The move of the oil rig appears to reflect a calculation that a more aggressive policy will not meet meaningful resistance from China’s neighbors or the United States. The target of the initiative, Vietnam, is particularly vulnerable, as it lacks strong military ties with Washington and is ruled by a Communist Party with a strong, pro-Chinese faction. The Vietnamese leadership has responded rather vigorously: In addition to the several dozen ships that are sparring with China’s near the rig, the regime allowed anti-Chinese demonstrations in Hanoi on Sunday, and its prime minister condemned China at a summit meeting of Southeast Asian nations.

China’s neighbors, however, predictably declined to take sides, issuing a communique that expressed “serious concerns” about “ongoing developments” without mentioning China. The Obama administration, for its part, issued a statement saying China’s action was “provocative” and “part of a broader pattern” to “advance its claims over disputed territory in a manner that undermines peace and stability in the region.” But the U.S. response is not likely to extend beyond rhetoric; a State Department official said in Hanoi last week that the administration took no position on the competing territorial claims.

Vietnam and the Philippines could bring a case against China at an international tribunal under the Law of the Sea treaty. But Beijing is likely to shrug off that form of pressure. Most likely it will continue to act unilaterally in the region until it meets concerted resistance, whether diplomatic or military. If the United States and its allies have a plan for that, it isn’t evident.

A Beijing power play in the South China Sea is met with U.S. inaction - The Washington Post

 

[yowhenyo]

This map shows the overlapping cliams in the SCS. Look at the map, Vietnam claim all of Paracel & Spratly. Philippines' claim part of Paracel & all of Spratly. Compared to China's cliam. How greedy are we all?

Who created this sht? Ph do not claim whole/parts of Parcel.

 

[VietHome]

According to the OP post, Paracel and Spratley islands belong to Vietnam. So Vietnam is just as greedy as China in taking territory. You're no longer the one who is get bullied here. Because you claims all the islands in SCS too.

Who know after you get all the islands you will move to Natuna too and claims our islands?

Well, take them if you can, I don't care. But don't act like the victim anymore. If you want something, take it. But don't ask other people die for you.

What are you talking about? Both of those island groups have been under our jurisdiction from the feudal era. Paracel islands especially have been recorded numerously in Vietnamese and Western maps as belonging to ancient Vietnam. The Spratly islands were under the control of French's colony Anam so it's legal that after we liberate ourselves from the French, these islands come under our jurisdiction.

Why would we claim your islands? China, on the other hand, have done exactly that. Don't you know about incidents where Chinese vessel intimate your law enforcement to release Chinese fishing boats on your EEZ?

We don't ask anyone to die for us. We fought against France and America with our own flesh and blood. We are just boast-casting the naked aggression by the PRC so that the world take notice. People need to understand that any complacency with Chinese aggression will lead make their country vulnerable when the PRC comes knock on the door.

 

[Pangu]

Who created this sht? Ph do not claim whole/parts of Parcel.

I believe you are correct, that last map listed Macclesfield Bank under XiSha group (Paracel) which is incorrect. It should be listed separately under ZhongSha group. But Pinoys are claiming it nonetheless. See map below. It's under our control.

Philippines protests China’s moving in on Macclesfield Bank
Jerry E. Esplanada, Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
1:42 am | Friday, July 6th, 2012
13 109 64
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The Philippines on Wednesday protested China’s move placing virtually the entire West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), including the Philippine territory of Macclesfield Bank and its surrounding waters, under the jurisdiction of a newly created city.

Manila’s protest came as the latest sour turn in relations between the Philippines and China, which have yet to find a temporary solution to their dispute over Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal), a resource-rich reef in the West Philippine Sea just west of Zambales province.

Also on Thursday, President Aquino urged the Chinese authorities to “balance [their] statements with the truth” in response to their accusation that he was trying to stir tension in the West Philippine Sea by asking for US help in monitoring the disputed waters.

Aquino convened his Cabinet—the second time in a week under an administration that rarely holds full Cabinet meetings—to discuss territorial issues with China and hear views on dealing with the country’s increasingly aggressive neighbor.

Strongest statement
The President issued his strongest statement yet since he threatened last week to send government vessels back to Panatag Shoal unless China called its ships and fishing boats home.

“It’s not clear with me what the provocative statements that have been said to have come from Philippine officials, but we know there are many things being said from the other side,” Aquino told reporters in Malacañang.

“They should read what has been written from their end and, with all due respect, perhaps they should balance what they are saying with the truth,” he said.

“It has been almost three weeks since our Coast Guard vessel pulled out of [Panatag Shoal]. If [China’s] vessels … have also gone home, there’s already no more issue,” the President said. “So who could be the one prolonging this [dispute over] Panatag Shoal?”

Asked when he would order government vessels back to Panatag Shoal, Aquino said, “That will be, of course, dependent on the weather.”

Macclesfield Bank is a huge underwater group of reefs and shoals located east of the Paracel Islands, southwest of the Pratas Islands and north of the Spratly Islands in the center of the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines claims Macclesfield Bank and administers it through the provincial government of Zambales. It is one of the largest atolls in the world, covering an area of 6,500 square kilometers, and is surrounded by excellent fishing waters.

Policy of deescalation
China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs said in June that putting Macclesfield Bank, the Paracels and the Spratlys under Sansha would “further strengthen China’s administration and development” of the three island groups.

There was no immediate comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila on the Philippines’ Macclesfield protest.

The Philippines on June 15 stepped back from a two-month maritime standoff with China at the shoal and had since imposed a policy of deescalation.

But on Monday, President Aquino said the government might ask the United States to deploy spy planes over the West Philippine Sea to help monitor the disputed waters.

And on Wednesday, after weeks of inaction, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) protested China’s latest move that impinged on Philippine sovereignty over its parts of the West Philippine Sea.

Diplomatic protest
In a statement issued Thursday, the DFA said it summoned Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing on Wednesday and handed her a note protesting China’s recent declaration that placed Macclesfield Bank under the prefectural oversight of newly established Sansha City.

In June, China’s State Council declared Macclesfield Bank, Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands—known in Chinese as Zhongsha Islands, Xisha Islands and Nansha Islands—parts of Sansha City, to tighten its grip on contested parts of the West Philippine Sea amid territorial disputes with the Philippines and Vietnam.

The DFA said the extent of Sansha’s jurisdiction “violates Philippine sovereignty over the Kalayaan Group of Islands and Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).”

China’s move also “infringes on Philippine sovereign rights over the waters and the continental shelf of the West Philippine Sea,” the DFA said.

The expansive jurisdiction of Sansha, the DFA said, “contradicts the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea” between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).” The Asean and China signed the nonaggression accord in 2002.

The DFA reiterated that the Kalayaan Group and the Bajo de Masinloc, which Manila also calls Panatag Shoal, and their surrounding waters “form an internal part of Philippine territory and maritime jurisdiction.”

Help from treaty ally
On asking the United States for spy plane overflights, Aquino said the Philippines was well within its right to ask an ally for assistance in monitoring its own territory.

“America is a treaty ally. We have a lack. They have a capability,” Aquino said. “If ever our capability would fall short, I believe we can approach them to add to our situational awareness, especially in the West Philippine Sea.”

Aquino said, however, that asking for US help in monitoring is just an option, correcting a report that seemed to indicate permission has been given for overflights.

The meeting on the territorial dispute with China began at about 1:30 p.m.

Talks, not ships
Among those seen going into the meeting were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Enrile is a former secretary of national defense, while Trillanes is a former Navy officer.

As the Cabinet prepared for the discussions, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo urged Malacañang to deescalate the growing tensions with China over Panatag Shoal.

Pabillo said the government should continue talking to the Chinese instead of sending back ships to the shoal.

“We can achieve [peace] through dialogue,” Pabillo said. “Don’t aggravate the situation [by sending the ships back]. Hold dialogues.”

Situation stable
On Tuesday, Liu Weimin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told a press briefing in Beijing that the situation in the West Philippine Sea was stable with no Philippine vessels at Panatag Shoal.

But China, the Chinese Embassy in Manila quoted Liu as saying, is “willing to continue to hold dialogues and consultations” with the Philippines on their dispute over Panatag Shoal.—With reports from Philip C. Tubeza and AP


Read more: Philippines protests China’s moving in on Macclesfield Bank | Inquirer Global Nation
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

 

[steelseries779]

Vietnamese too naive, the only thing US could do is to issue a statement, or to express concern. China has tested out US's bottom line.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Vietnamese too naive, the only thing US could do is to issue a statement, or to express concern. China has tested out US's bottom line.

Maybe they love to have the US lip service?

 

[Beidou2020]

Vietnamese too naive, the only thing US could do is to issue a statement, or to express concern. China has tested out US's bottom line.

We are essentially testing the US. These territorial disputes have been an issue between China and the US proxies.

The US wants to maintain dominance and give the impression no one can challenge them. China is actively challenging them and the US can do nothing apart from issuing statements and moving its military to Asia. That won't stop China continuing to challenge the US in Asia.

US will be the biggest loser in this as they have a reputation and empire to protect. China has not much to lose and everything to gain over the long term.

China is shredding the so called invincibility of the US. Asia is no longer unchallenged for the US. China is challenging them. China won't be leaving Asia....ever!

 

[cirr]

The US is busy doing biz，all sorts of biz，with China。

For example，Wall Street has been opening its arms and legs welcoming a multitude of Chinese tech firms getting listed on American stock exchanges。

The recent IPOs include Alibaba、JD.com、Weibo、MOMO、Tinder、Tuniu、Leju、Cheetah。。。

 

[ViXuyen]

Vietnam has deployed this ship to the oil rig area a few days ago

 

[Rechoice]

Maybe they love to have the US lip service?

china did it forget you ?

The US is busy doing biz，all sorts of biz，with China。

For example，Wall Street has been opening its arms and legs welcoming a multitude of Chinese tech firms getting listed on American stock exchanges。

The recent IPOs include Alibaba、JD.com、Weibo、MOMO、Tinder、Tuniu、Leju、Cheetah。。。

ha ha, then china lick it ?

 

[Krueger]

14/05/2014

German press criticises China’s East Sea aggression

A number of Germany’s major newspapers have continued to run articles on China’s illegal act of placing the Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The Der Spiegel newspaper in its May 13 publication quoted US Secretary of State John Kerry as saying that China has acted provocatively in disputes in the East Sea.

According the article, the Secretary of State held telephone talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to criticise Beijing’s aggressive deed and call on the country to solve the dispute by peaceful means in line with international law.

The article also inserted photos showing Chinese ships surrounding the rig ramming and firing water cannons at Vietnamese vessels and another on Vietnam’s international press conference on the situation.

Meanwhile, the Deutsch Welle newspaper also ran an article by Frank Sieren, who has lived in Beijing for 20 years.

In his article, Sieren wrote that tensions at sea between China and other countries have become more serious, with the placement of the rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone following territorial disputes with Japan and the Philippines.

Demonstrations by Vietnamese people worldwide to oppose China’s illegal act in the East Sea were also covered in several German newspapers.

On May 2, China stationed the rig at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude. The location is 80 nautical miles deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and 119 nautical miles from Vietnam’s Ly Son island.

China has so far deployed 86 vessels of various kinds to the area, including military, coast guard, marine surveillance, marine patrol and fishing ships.

The provocative acts by China, including the ramming and firing of water cannons into Vietnamese coast guard ships during their law enforcement missions in the country’s waters have left many Vietnamese ships damaged and nine fisheries surveillance officers injured.

East sea tension triggered by China is viewpoint of many countries

The US State Department has confirmed that China’s aggressive action, causing tensions in the East China Sea, is fully recognized by many countries around the world.

Addressing the US State Department’s daily press briefing on May 13, spokesperson Jen Psaki denied accusations from China saying that the US involvement in the latest developments in the East Sea has undermined peace and stability in the region.

In response to a question raised by a Chinese reporter that the Chinese Foreign Ministry assessed the tensions in the East Sea were not caused by China, alleging the US has exaggerated the story, Jen Psaki said that the US stands united with many other countries, confirming that China’s provocative acts are the cause of rising tensions in the East Sea.

She also said that in a telephone conservation between US State Secretary John Kerry with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on May 11, Kerry expressed grave concern about tensions in the East Sea, called on restraint and once again shared the view that China's actions are provocative.

During the phone talks with both Vietnamese and Chinese FMs, Kerry also expressed his view that disputes should be resolved by peaceful means, Jen Psaki said.

Mongolians strongly condemn China’s actions

The Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association has issued a statement protesting China’s recent acts.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association issued a statement related to China’s stationing of drilling rig Ocean-981 and escort vessels in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

In the statement, the association said that China’s unilateral actions have violated strongly international laws and threatened Vietnam’s sovereignty and security in the region.

China’s escalating actions towards Vietnam in the East Sea have also caused growing concern among its neighbouring countries.

Washington Post asserts Chinese aggression challenges world order

The Washington Post – the most widely circulated newspaper in Washington DC - on May 13 published a lead editorial asserting China’s giant drilling rig is a fundamental challenge to the world order.

Following are excerpts from the article:

“With a US$1 billion oil rig the size of a football field, China has literally laid down a new marker in its ambition to dominate the East Sea — and challenged President Obama’s “rebalancing” policy in Asia, only weeks after the president’s tour of the region.

The rig is about 130 miles off the coast of Vietnam, in waters that Vietnam claims as an exclusive economic zone under international law. China’s claim is more tenuous, but it is backed up with a flotilla of some 80 ships that for a week have engaged in a dangerous contest of ramming and water-hosing Vietnamese vessels.

An oil drilling rig of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC)

(Photo: Reuters)

The message of the deployment is as simple as it is provocative: The regime of Xi Jinping intends to unilaterally assert China’s sovereignty over almost all of the East Sea without regard for the competing claims of five other countries. The rigis a fundamental challenge to the international order the United States has tried to preserve since the end of the Cold War.

China’s ambitions are described by an audacious map, dating from the pre-Communist erathat claims some 80 percent of the East Sea and a number of island chains. For years Beijing has talked with those countries and others in Southeast Asia about establishing a code of conduct for the sea, and it discussed the possibility of joint development of oil and gas with Vietnam a few months ago.

The move of the oil rig appears to reflect a calculation that a more aggressive policy will not meet meaningful resistance from China’s neighbors or the United States. The target of the initiative is Vietnam.

The Vietnamese leadership has responded rather vigorously: In addition to the several dozen ships that are sparring with China’s near the rig, and Vietnam’s Prime Minister condemned China at a summit of Southeast Asian nations.

Vietnam could bring a case against China at an international tribunal under the Law of the Sea treaty. But Beijing is likely to shrug off that form of pressure. Most likely it will continue to act unilaterally in the region until it meets concerted resistance, whether diplomatic or military.”

China escalating tensions in East Sea: French expert

China is taking dangerous steps in the East Sea to scramble for marine territory on one hand, and intimidate Vietnam and the Philippines on the other, a French foreign policy expert has said.

The illegal placement of a Chinese drilling rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf reflects a strategic continuation of recent Chinese acts, stated Professor Francois Godement, Director of the Asia and China Programme of the European Council on Foreign Relations.

He warned of the high risk of conflicts escalating in the region due to China’s recent acts, including its ships’ aggressive ramming of Vietnamese coast guard vessels.

It is clear that China has not respected international agreements and is ready to use force to solve territorial disputes, the professor noted.

Praising Vietnam’s restraint against China’s provocations, Godement said that in addition to connecting with more countries, Vietnam should seek legal solutions and try to avoid a military conflict.

He advised that Vietnam should build closer links with major partners such as the US, Japan, India, ASEAN and the EU to increase its diplomatic strength.

Indian professor: China pursues “salami slicing” strategy in East Sea

China has been pursuing what is known as 'salami slicing' strategy to occupy bit by bit the East Sea, an Indian professor has said.

According to Professor G. Vijayachandra Naidu, lecturer at the Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies under the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, the strategy began in 1974 when it first grabbed Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

Since then, China has been occupying bit by bit the East Sea, which is not only geostrategically a pivotal area in the region but also known to possess vast natural resources, especially energy, he said.

China has managed to occupy most parts of the East Sea over the past 40 years, but still claiming the so-called nine-dot line, which is extremely vague and ambiguous, he added.

“The present incident of Chinese ships ramming Vietnamese boats clearly in the territorial waters of Vietnam by indulging in oil exploration activities is serious,” Naidu noted, adding that the next move might be that with the pretext of defending its interests, China might even station naval warships.

The professor said it is essential that ASEAN takes a firm position unless China stops all these kinds of activities of forcibly occupying the islands bit by bit.

Vietnam in particular should hold meetings and consultations with political leaders and experts to raise the awareness and also to bring to the fore the facts of the dispute and to mobilise the support across all sections, he advised.

VN-France Friendship Association condemns China’s incursion

In an open letter to the Vietnamese embassy in France on May 13, the Vietnam-France Friendship Association (VFFA) strongly repudiated the foray by China into the territorial waters of Vietnam.

The incursion by China into the economic exclusive zone and continental shelf of Vietnam runs counter to international law, the VFFA said, expressing “deep concern” over the assault.

Disputes between Vietnam and China over sovereignty of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagos must not be resolved militarily and should be amicably resolved in accordance with the precepts of international law, especially in a manner consistent with the basic tenets of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The press release called on China to extract its oil rig from Vietnam’s territorial waters and put an end to the wrongful episode, respecting commitments of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

Additionally, the charitable association Amis France-Vietnam sent a telegram to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnamese Embassy in France strongly protesting China’s violation over Vietnam’s sovereignty.

NGOs concern about China’s illegal acts

Foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have expressed their deep concern about China’s serious violation in Vietnam’s territorial waters.

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) on May 13 held a discussion on the recent developments in the East Sea with representatives from non-governmental organizations in Hanoi.

The event was attended by speakers and 300 delegates including representatives from organizations operating in Vietnam and domestic and foreign media agencies.

Speakers shared history, legal aspects as well as recent developments in the East Sea with special emphasis placed on China’s illegal installation of its drilling rig Ocean- 981 in Vietnam’s waters which is a serious violation of the sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of Vietnam.

This move is illegal and goes against international law and practices, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and the agreements reached by the two nations’ senior leaders.

Le Van Cuong, International Relations researcher said never before has the international community took action against China’s violation as swiftly as this time.

Infringement of China has negatively affected political trust and aspects of cooperation between the two countries, hurting the feeling of the Vietnamese people, raising regional and international public’s deep concern about threat to the environment of peace and stability in the region and the world.

Consequently, NGOs called on all concerned parties to exercise restraint, persistently promote negotiations on the basis of respect for international law and issue a statement asking the UN and ASEAN to take measures to put an end to the dispute in the East Sea as soon as possible.

China’s withdrawal of its drilling rig and escort vessels out of Vietnam’s waters will contribute to stabilizing regional and global peaceful environment.

Also at the meeting, many representatives and individuals signed their names in support of a statement on China’s illegal installment of its drilling rig and violation of Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

m.english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/government/102305/international-voices-raised-to-oppose-china-s-acts.html#

 

[Brainsucker]

What are you talking about? Both of those island groups have been under our jurisdiction from the feudal era. Paracel islands especially have been recorded numerously in Vietnamese and Western maps as belonging to ancient Vietnam. The Spratly islands were under the control of French's colony Anam so it's legal that after we liberate ourselves from the French, these islands come under our jurisdiction.

Why would we claim your islands? China, on the other hand, have done exactly that. Don't you know about incidents where Chinese vessel intimate your law enforcement to release Chinese fishing boats on your EEZ?

We don't ask anyone to die for us. We fought against France and America with our own flesh and blood. We are just boast-casting the naked aggression by the PRC so that the world take notice. People need to understand that any complacency with Chinese aggression will lead make their country vulnerable when the PRC comes knock on the door.

Lol, Chinese said the same as you. They claimed that Paracel and Spratley belong to them since Imperial era. So what is the difference between you and them? I can sympathize to your cause if you just stick on your de facto islands in the Spratley. It is your right. If they are harassed, you are a victim. More than that, you just another China but without muscle. What stop you from take over Malay, Brunei, Pinoy claim after you beat China?

Well yeah, beat French and US in your jungle. Try it again in SCS. Shoot those Arleigh Burke. And I guaranteed you won't have any ship at your harbor anymore. Because it is your jungle that made you win. You never win in a sea battle. And to be honest, the way you said about you beat France, US, China etc just make you look arrogance. If you are that superior, why do you even need the help another country. Face China yourself. you're the unbeat-able after all.

The Natuna problem is ours; not yours. We don't even cry for that. For us, that incident was a whip for our navy to become better and stronger. So don't worry about it.

 

[BoQ77]

U.S., China spar again on South China Seas dispute
WASHINGTON/BEIJING Tue May 13, 2014 2:05pm BST

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry talks to reporters about Ukraine, at the State Department in Washington May 7, 2014.

Credit: Reuters/Yuri Gripas



(Reuters) - China hit back at the United States over the disputed South China Sea on Tuesday, after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said recent Chinese moves in the resource-rich waters were "provocative".

Tensions rose last week after China moved a giant oil rig into an area also claimed by Vietnam. Each country accused the other of ramming its ships near the disputed Paracel Islands.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, rejecting rival claims to parts of it from Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.

"He (Kerry) said China's introduction of an oil rig and numerous government vessels in waters disputed with Vietnam was provocative," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, referring to a telephone call between Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in which North Korea was also discussed.

"He urged both sides to de-escalate tensions, ensure safe conduct by their vessels at sea, and resolve the dispute through peaceful means in accordance with international law."

China's foreign ministry said there certainly had been provocative moves in the South China Sea, but that China was not the guilty party and repeated that it was the United States' fault for encouraging such behaviour.

"We hope that the U.S. side can carefully reflect - if they really hope for the Pacific Ocean to be peaceful, what kind of role do they actually want to play?" spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing.

Hua said that Wang urged Kerry to "objectively and fairly" look at the South China Sea issue, and "act and speak cautiously".

China says that the South China Sea issue should be resolved via direct talks between the parties concerned, and has bristled at what it sees as unwarranted U.S. interference. China has also looked askance at the U.S. "pivot" back to Asia, especially Washington's efforts to boost existing military links with Tokyo and Manila.

In separate remarks to visiting Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam, Kerry said the United States was deeply concerned by China's "aggressive act".

"We are particularly concerned – all nations that are engaged in navigation and traffic within the South China Sea, the East China Sea, are deeply concerned about this aggressive act," Kerry said in the Monday meeting.

"We want to see a code of conduct created; we want to see this resolved peacefully through the Law of the Sea, through arbitration, through any other means, but not direct confrontation and aggressive action," Kerry added, according to a transcript of his comments released by the State Department.

Speaking to fellow leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a summit on Sunday, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said Vietnam had acted with "utmost restraint" and used all means of dialogue to request China remove the rig.

Dung said China was slandering his country and committing dangerous violations.

However the communique issued at the end of the summit by the 10-nation ASEAN group contained no criticism of China.

Vietnamese state media said that Vietnamese and Chinese ships had again used water cannon on each other on Monday, though there were no injuries.

Chinese spokeswoman Hua would neither confirm nor deny the new face-off, repeating that China was urging Vietnam to "end its provocative actions" and withdraw its ships.

Kerry and Wang also reaffirmed the U.S. and China's shared commitment to work towards North Korean denuclearization, Psaki said, after North Korea on Saturday renewed a threat to set off an atomic device amid heightened concern over its attempts to build a nuclear arsenal.

"China is committed to realizing denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, safeguarding peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and resolving relevant issues through dialogue and consultation," Wang was cited as saying in a statement posted to the ministry's website.

North Korea is under heavy sanctions imposed by several U.N. resolutions adopted beginning in 2006 but has defied pressure to abandon its missile and nuclear programmes. It last conducted a nuclear test in February last year. [ID:nL6N0NW0RB]

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Michael Martina in BEIJING, Hanoi newsroom and Eric M. Johnson in Seattle; Editing by Nick Macfie)

 

[xunzi]

Fact still remain. We drill just 17 miles off Paracel Island that we administer and the de facto owner.