South China Sea Forum

[samsara]

PLA Navy will conduct a naval exercise on 21 November near Chenhang Dao 琛航岛 (Duncan Island), in Xisha Islands 西沙群岛, South China Sea.

Via East Pendulum 2017-11-20
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[samsara]

Chinese bombers H-6K patrol the high sea, the South China Sea.

Credits to dafeng cao, East Pendulum, 2017-11-23​

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[samsara]

PLA Navy continues the naval exercises in the Xisha Islands 西沙群岛 in the South China Sea, as to verify the operational status of each island there. The next drill will take place on 24 November on the Jinyin Dao 金银岛 (aka. Money or Treasure Island).

Via East Pendulum 2017-11-24
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[TaiShang]

Chinese air force patrol South China Sea
Xinhua, November 23, 2017

The PLA air force recently conducted a combat air patrol in the South China Sea, said a military spokesperson on Thursday.

A team of various bombers completed the routine patrol, said spokesman Shen Jinke.

Chinese bombers also conducted training exercises after passing over the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait. The H-6K bombers took off from an inland airport in north China, according to Shen.

The Chinese air force started regular high seas training in 2015.

http://china.org.cn/china/2017-11/23/content_41935758.htm

 

[striver44]

Only the local mainstream media are keeping Carpio's warmongering alive on the national consciousness of the Philippines, together with Rep. Alejano, who's a former failed military mutineer himself during the time of former Pres. Arroyo (coincidentally her administration had a good rapport with China too). Both men are an avid critics of Duterte's current foreign policy towards China.

Anyways, this purported Aquino government victory handed by the PCA in the Neitherland over China was already totally debunked by no less than by a former Philippines diplomat, Adolfo Q. Paglinawan, former Press Attache of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, as nothing but cover-up of the Aquino monumental blunder in the SCS.

The Ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration was “ill-founded” indeed!

This well crafted, scholarly criticism never quite took off in the circulation for obvious reason, in the Philippine mainstream media are now vilified as the yellow press of the Aquino's political party.

Here's some excerpt from the article:

"...China questioned why the case filing was done with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, when any and all discussions will necessarily involve sovereignty issues. It has categorically asserted that the PCA cannot have any jurisdiction over matters of sovereignty.

It is not a body under the United Nations. It is a private arbitral venue. The nearest it is associated with the United Nations is that its facilities are housed in the same building as the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, and it enjoys an observer status in the UN General Assembly.

Failing in the three foregoing essential elements of arbitration, and showing China’s incapacity to participate, the rest are therefore moot and academic.

1.4 They must agree to submit themselves to this third party’s decision.
1.5. They must agree to jointly implement such a decision, or award.
1.6 They must agree to defray all expenses incurred for the services of the arbitration, including the honoraria of the jurors.

In view of this, pray tell me, how can the PCA ruling be bona fide?
Anything that is not bona fide, is ipso facto, ill-founded.
Contradicting its very definition, how can an arbitration occur with only one party, the petitioner, involved?
Can any debate, from which a wise and legally binding ruling is to be based, occur with only one party involved?

Not only is it unilateral but a dangerous precedent to con China, or any country for that matter into a rule-based corner without due process, forced to compliance under lawless circumstances by an arbiter who made its decisions alone on the basis of what one party had submitted.

Not only does it present a dangerous precedent, but a monumental swindle. Isn’t this what China eventually asserted – that the arbitral ruling was a big gyp because when only the Philippines footed the bill of expenses, in effect the Philippines bought the award?

Worst of all, while the Philippines was busy “buying” an ill-founded arbitral decision by engaging in flawed procedures, China was equally busy altering the facts on the ground occupying, reclaiming and building structures on artificial islands.

Now, here comes the part where it is not palatable to Philppines yellow media:

The talking point is etched in the statements promuslgated by Albert del Rosario and his talking heads Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, multiple-losing congressional candidate Roilo Golez, Philippine Star columnists Jarius Bondoc and Alfredo Pascual, former solicitor-general Florin Hilbay, and the desks of The Philippines Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN and Rappler, and for sometime in the writings of Richard Heydarian and Jay Batongbacal in the academe.

Given all these facts, don’t they point to conclude that BS Aquino III proxied for the United States in building a case against China not just to shame China before the world but paint it as a rogue state? Didn’t the Philippines find itself validating his signature to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States?

These questions are relevant in evaluating how the BS Aquino administration, under the tutelage of Albert del Rosario, a suspected American cditizen, based its determination of our national interest in the posturing that he allowed in our relations with China, in active disconnection with any bilateral talks.

Didn’t the former president allow himself to be used, in preparation for the American pivot scheduled for completion in 2020 involving the rebalancing of its military presence to the Asia-Pacific?

The vehicle used in our previous posturing against China is a novelty in international relations. It is called lawfare, as distinguished from warfare, or its mild equivalent, low-intensity conflict.

This play becomes even more curious now that Ambassador Rigoberto Tiglao, now a Manila Times columnist, has claimed that the Aquino administration only proceeded with the filing of the PCA award to cover up the loss of Scarborough Shoal as a territory of the Philippines.
--------------------------------------------------

Mehhhh

 

[samsara]

Mehhhh

You had SPOILED this thread by quoting the long posting, and only added the meaningless remark "Mehhhh"

Please... if You have nothing meaningful to add here then please do not squeeze yourself in. I detest a thread flashes itself due to some really trivial, random post. Next time I'll call in Mod's attention.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Chinese Coast Guard's MA-60H registered B-5002 starts patrol in the South China Sea.
(East Pendulum 1:55 AM - 26 Nov 2017)

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[TaiShang]

China showcases jet fighters at South China Sea island

By Zhang Hui Source:Global Times Published: 2017/11/30 22:53:40

The official Chinese media's broadcast of Chinese J-11B fighters entering a sealed hangar in the Xisha Islands showcases China's improving air and sea control of the South China Sea, a Chinese military expert said.

Footage aired by China Central Television (CCTV) on Wednesday for the first time confirmed deployment of the fighter aircraft in a hangar on Yongxing Island.

The footage was broadcast in a CCTV report on People's Liberation Army Air Force drills to improve its nautical combat capability.

Yongxing Island, the largest of the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, is also the seat of the Sansha city government of South China's Hainan Province.

With a 3-kilometer runway, the airport in Yongxing Island is an important dual-use airport in the South China Sea area, the CCTV report said.

The thermostabilized hangar boosts the jet fighters' durability and resistance to the island's humidity and high temperatures.

More importantly, the special hangar helps to realize regular deployment of fighter jets in the Xisha Islands, TV commentator Song Zhongping told the Global Times on Thursday.

"Other islands in China could also use such aircraft hangars and China's overall control of air and sea in the South China Sea would be greatly improved as well," Song said.

China will enhance its capability to safeguard its legal rights in the South China Sea through military and legal enforcement channels, Song noted. "Legal enforcement channel" means Chinese fighters intercepting foreign aircraft flying over the South China Sea, he said.

Two Chinese J-10 fighter jets intercepted a US Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea in May, CNN news website reported.

China's Ministry of National Defense later said that the fighters were sent to identify the US warship, warn and expel it.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1078125.shtml

 

[samsara]

China showcases jet fighters at South China Sea island

By Zhang Hui Source:Global Times Published: 2017/11/30 22:53:40

The official Chinese media's broadcast of Chinese J-11B fighters entering a sealed hangar in the Xisha Islands showcases China's improving air and sea control of the South China Sea, a Chinese military expert said.

Footage aired by China Central Television (CCTV) on Wednesday for the first time confirmed deployment of the fighter aircraft in a hangar on Yongxing Island.

The footage was broadcast in a CCTV report on People's Liberation Army Air Force drills to improve its nautical combat capability.

Yongxing Island, the largest of the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, is also the seat of the Sansha city government of South China's Hainan Province.

With a 3-kilometer runway, the airport in Yongxing Island is an important dual-use airport in the South China Sea area, the CCTV report said.

The thermostabilized hangar boosts the jet fighters' durability and resistance to the island's humidity and high temperatures.

More importantly, the special hangar helps to realize regular deployment of fighter jets in the Xisha Islands, TV commentator Song Zhongping told the Global Times on Thursday.

"Other islands in China could also use such aircraft hangars and China's overall control of air and sea in the South China Sea would be greatly improved as well," Song said.

China will enhance its capability to safeguard its legal rights in the South China Sea through military and legal enforcement channels, Song noted. "Legal enforcement channel" means Chinese fighters intercepting foreign aircraft flying over the South China Sea, he said.

Two Chinese J-10 fighter jets intercepted a US Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea in May, CNN news website reported.

China's Ministry of National Defense later said that the fighters were sent to identify the US warship, warn and expel it.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1078125.shtml

It's noteworthy the detachment being deployed to the Yongxing Island
came from the northeast region of China, about 3,000-kilometer away.

https://twitter.com/x/status/936425819945107456

PLAAF conducted exercise in the South China Sea lately,
JH-7A escorted by J-11B penetrated air defense unit.

https://twitter.com/x/status/935859212965564417

。。。

 

[samsara]

China showcases jet fighters at South China Sea island

By Zhang Hui Source:Global Times Published: 2017/11/30 22:53:40

The official Chinese media's broadcast of Chinese J-11B fighters entering a sealed hangar in the Xisha Islands showcases China's improving air and sea control of the South China Sea, a Chinese military expert said.

Footage aired by China Central Television (CCTV) on Wednesday for the first time confirmed deployment of the fighter aircraft in a hangar on Yongxing Island.

The footage was broadcast in a CCTV report on People's Liberation Army Air Force drills to improve its nautical combat capability.

Yongxing Island, the largest of the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, is also the seat of the Sansha city government of South China's Hainan Province.

With a 3-kilometer runway, the airport in Yongxing Island is an important dual-use airport in the South China Sea area, the CCTV report said.

The thermostabilized hangar boosts the jet fighters' durability and resistance to the island's humidity and high temperatures.

More importantly, the special hangar helps to realize regular deployment of fighter jets in the Xisha Islands, TV commentator Song Zhongping told the Global Times on Thursday.

"Other islands in China could also use such aircraft hangars and China's overall control of air and sea in the South China Sea would be greatly improved as well," Song said.

China will enhance its capability to safeguard its legal rights in the South China Sea through military and legal enforcement channels, Song noted. "Legal enforcement channel" means Chinese fighters intercepting foreign aircraft flying over the South China Sea, he said.

Two Chinese J-10 fighter jets intercepted a US Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea in May, CNN news website reported.

China's Ministry of National Defense later said that the fighters were sent to identify the US warship, warn and expel it.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1078125.shtml

The article was reposted at this blog, and furnished with many beautiful pictures about that island. I just posted few pics here for illustration only. Please visit the blog to see more.

J-11B at Yongxing Island, South China Sea (30 NOV)
http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2017/11/j-11b-at-yongxing-island-south-china-sea.html

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[TaiShang]

The article was reposted at this blog, and furnished with many beautiful pictures about that island. I just posted few pics here for illustration only. Please visit the website to see more.

J-11B at Yongxing Island, South China Sea (30 NOV)
http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2017/11/j-11b-at-yongxing-island-south-china-sea.html

View attachment 440215
View attachment 440218
View attachment 440222
View attachment 440223
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Under the UNCLOS, this could be considered a full-fledged island, given that its "sustaining life" features have been reinforced considerably.

 

[samsara]

The 4th Division of Y-9 conducted airdrop training in the South China Sea after flying roughly 1,500 miles or 2,414 kilometers to the Yongshu Island 永暑岛 (aka. Fiery Cross Reef).

Shaanxi Y-9（运-9 [yùn] means transport）is a medium-sized, medium-range transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Company in the northwestern China.

Via dafeng cao‏ @xinfengcao 2017-12-02

Read the related article at below:

Combat ready: Chinese air force puts new Y-9 transport planes through paces in South China Sea drill | South China Morning Post (02 Dec)

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force announced on its social media account on Saturday that a fleet of the aircraft from the Western Theatre Command flew thousands of kilometres to simulate an airdrop over an island in the contested waters before returning the same day.

Henry K. from East Pendulum said that flight was made from Sichuan to Nansha Islands.

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/dipl...ady-plas-new-y-9-transport-planes-put-through
。。。

 

[TaiShang]

The 4th Division of Y-9 conducted airdrop training in the South China Sea after flying roughly 1,500 miles or 2,414 kilometers to the Yongshu Island 永暑岛 (aka. Fiery Cross Reef).

Shaanxi Y-9（运-9 [yùn] means transport）is a medium-sized, medium-range transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Company in the northwestern China.

Via dafeng cao‏ @xinfengcao 2017-12-02

Read the related article at below:

Combat ready: Chinese air force puts new Y-9 transport planes through paces in South China Sea drill | South China Morning Post (02 Dec)

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force announced on its social media account on Saturday that a fleet of the aircraft from the Western Theatre Command flew thousands of kilometres to simulate an airdrop over an island in the contested waters before returning the same day.

Henry K. from East Pendulum said that flight was made from Sichuan to Nansha Islands.

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/dipl...ady-plas-new-y-9-transport-planes-put-through
。。。

Yun-9 ‘ready for combat’ after training in S.China Sea
(Global Times) 08:14, December 04, 2017

Transport aircraft completes training in S.China Sea

The domestic-made medium-sized military transport aircraft Yun-9 is ready for combat mission, which will boost China's effort in safeguarding maritime rights, military experts said on Sunday after the aircraft completed exercises in the South China Sea.

The Yun-9 is now able to undertake combat missions after a fleet of the transport aircraft finished training in the South China Sea, Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) announced on Saturday on its official WeChat account.

It was the first long-range maritime exercise of the medium-sized transport aircraft, the PLAAF said.

The PLAAF didn't say on which date that the training was carried out, or the number of aircraft involved.

The Yun-9 completed its air-drop missions without assistance from ground control and the crew prepared procedures to cope with any emergency, Liu Bao, a PLA officer said, according to the PLAAF post.

"As the backbone transport aircraft of the PLA, the Yun-9's combat readiness means China has the ability to ensure military supplies reach offshore and even open seas," Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The Yun-9 will support China's mission to safeguard oceanic sovereignty and security, Wang said, adding maritime rights of the South China Sea always face challenges.

The aircraft, with more advanced features than its predecessor the Yun-8, should be the best-equipped transport aircraft in the PLA, said Wang. It can also be produced in greater number than the large-size transport aircraft the Yun-20, Wang explained.

The Yun-9 costs less than the larger Yun-20 transport aircraft and is more adaptable to airports, and is able to supply weapons, personnel and goods over medium-distances, another military expert told the Global Times on condition of anonymity on Sunday.

The training session demonstrated that the Yun-9 is reliable to finish its transportation missions. The Yun-9 can land on small islands if necessary, the expert said.

The Y-9 transport aircraft is manufactured by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation, a company affiliated with Aviation Industry Corporation of China. The aircraft can carry a payload of up to 20 tons and 98 soldiers. Its flying range is up 4,200 kilometers, according to Aerospace Knowledge in October.

The transport plane flew from a military airport in Southwest China's Sichuan Province in the morning, landed on an island in the South China Sea around noon and returned the same night.

The medium-lift transport aircraft Y-9 has also undergone several other major training exercises in extreme weather, after it formally entered service with the PLA in 2016.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/1204/c90000-9299945.html

 

[samsara]

Yun-9 ‘ready for combat’ after training in S.China Sea
(Global Times) 08:14, December 04, 2017

Transport aircraft completes training in S.China Sea

The domestic-made medium-sized military transport aircraft Yun-9 is ready for combat mission, which will boost China's effort in safeguarding maritime rights, military experts said on Sunday after the aircraft completed exercises in the South China Sea.

The Yun-9 is now able to undertake combat missions after a fleet of the transport aircraft finished training in the South China Sea, Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) announced on Saturday on its official WeChat account.

It was the first long-range maritime exercise of the medium-sized transport aircraft, the PLAAF said.

The PLAAF didn't say on which date that the training was carried out, or the number of aircraft involved.

The Yun-9 completed its air-drop missions without assistance from ground control and the crew prepared procedures to cope with any emergency, Liu Bao, a PLA officer said, according to the PLAAF post.

"As the backbone transport aircraft of the PLA, the Yun-9's combat readiness means China has the ability to ensure military supplies reach offshore and even open seas," Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The Yun-9 will support China's mission to safeguard oceanic sovereignty and security, Wang said, adding maritime rights of the South China Sea always face challenges.

The aircraft, with more advanced features than its predecessor the Yun-8, should be the best-equipped transport aircraft in the PLA, said Wang. It can also be produced in greater number than the large-size transport aircraft the Yun-20, Wang explained.

The Yun-9 costs less than the larger Yun-20 transport aircraft and is more adaptable to airports, and is able to supply weapons, personnel and goods over medium-distances, another military expert told the Global Times on condition of anonymity on Sunday.

The training session demonstrated that the Yun-9 is reliable to finish its transportation missions. The Yun-9 can land on small islands if necessary, the expert said.

The Y-9 transport aircraft is manufactured by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation, a company affiliated with Aviation Industry Corporation of China. The aircraft can carry a payload of up to 20 tons and 98 soldiers. Its flying range is up 4,200 kilometers, according to Aerospace Knowledge in October.

The transport plane flew from a military airport in Southwest China's Sichuan Province in the morning, landed on an island in the South China Sea around noon and returned the same night.

The medium-lift transport aircraft Y-9 has also undergone several other major training exercises in extreme weather, after it formally entered service with the PLA in 2016.

http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/1204/c90000-9299945.html

WATCH the short footage here:

China's Y-9 transport aircraft is set for long-distance training over the South China Sea for first time.

https://twitter.com/x/status/937594081303175168

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[terranMarine]

China has complete control over the situation

 

[samsara]

Under the UNCLOS, this could be considered a full-fledged island, given that its "sustaining life" features have been reinforced considerably.

It seems all parties do not question the full-fledged island status of the Yongxing Island 永兴岛 (aka. the Woody Island). Even an article on the South China Sea (Feb 2016) written by an American blogger ex-military guy won't deny it. The blog has its catchword: "Fernando Betancor's Thoughts On The Present State Of American Affairs"

"The Chinese deployment was not by itself of tremendous significance. Woody Island is disputed with Vietnam, along with the rest of the Paracel Island chain, but since the Vietnamese Navy has been twice beaten[2] into a cocked hat by the Chinese Navy, the probability of military conflict is low. Woody Island is also a real island, with all that this implies under maritime law: an exclusion zone to military navigation and a right to control the airspace above it."
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