Taiwan to stage live-fire drill on disputed islands

[dunhill]

TAIPEI - Taiwanese coastguards said Sunday they will next month stage a live-fire exercise in disputed South China Sea islands with new, longer-range artillery and mortars, in a move that risks fresh tensions.
The potentially resource-rich sea, home to important trade routes, is an increasingly dangerous flashpoint and there have been a string of recent diplomatic rows between countries with overlapping territorial claims.
Taiwan's drill will take place on Taiping Island in the Spratlys, a sprawling group of islands claimed in whole or part by Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei, the coastguard said.

The coastguard said it would take place in September but did not give an exact date.
Vietnam already voiced anger after Taiwan last week moved new weaponry to the island in preparation for the drill, sparking a rebuke from Taipei.
"Taiping Island is one of the islands in the area that has long been governed by" Taiwan, the foreign ministry said in a statement. "Its sovereignty is indisputable."
The drill on the island, the biggest in the Spratlys, involves newly arrived 40mm artillery and 120mm mortars, the Taipei-based United Evening News said, which also reported that several lawmakers will watch the drill.
The range of the 120mm mortars is 6.1 kilometres (3.8 miles), compared with 4.1 kilometres (2.5 miles) for the mortars currently in use by Taiwanese coastguards on Taiping Island, the paper said.
All claimants except Brunei have troops based on the archipelago of more than 100 islets, reefs and atolls, which sprawl across a vast area but have a total land mass of less than five square kilometres (two square miles).
South China Sea tensions escalated last month when China announced a new city and military garrison in the dipusted Paracel Islands, prompting Washington to voice concern.


Sources:Asian Defense: Taiwan to stage live-fire drill on disputed islands

Cool !!!

Looks like SCS being worst. Viet Nam and Philippines prepared for both China's (PLA and ROC) indeed.

 

[Fanling Monk]

Until recently, the government of the Taiwan-based Republic of China (ROC) had remained fairly quiet regarding heightened tensions in the South China Sea. This silence has now been broken, with important diplomatic and strategic implications for the relevant disputant nations and concerned world powers. Those who were hoping for Taipei eagerly to join a nascent anti-Beijing alliance are likely to be sorely disappointed.

Last week, James Chou, deputy director general of the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed that the disputed islands of the South China Sea were the "undisputed territory" of the ROC. Additionally, Chou expressed a strong desire for the ROC to take part in any multilateral mechanism in resolving the long-standing territorial impasse. He said any resolution of the conflict that did not involve the ROC would be "regrettable".

Chou's assertion of the "undisputed" nature of Chinese sovereignty in the area echoed the recurring message of the Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China. Both the mainland-based PRC and the ROC maintain the same "nine-dotted line" claim to the vast majority of the South China Sea. It is important to note that the current official policy of both Taipei and Beijing is that there is "one China", and both governments strongly agree on Chinese sovereignty in the South China Sea. The pivotal disagreement of cross-strait relations hinges on which of the two governments is the legitimate ruler of China itself.

Even more interesting, a high-ranking government official in Taipei has recently called for a ROC-PRC economic alliance in the South China Sea. Chiu Yi, an important member of Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party and an executive in the state-owned energy company CPC, has called for open cooperation between the PRC and the ROC in extracting resources from the disputed waters: "The seabed around Taiping Island has abundant reserves of oil and natural gas ... The merit would be great if a cross-strait joint development project is done." [3]

Chiu went on to condemn Vietnam as the "greatest threat" to Chinese sovereignty in the area. Taiping Island is controlled by the ROC, and is near the center of the South China Sea. For Taiwan and mainland China to cooperate on development in the region would signal both a strategic shift in the area and a major symbolic cementing of cross-strait ties.

more>Asia Times Online :: Taiwan jumps into South China Sea fray


Yes, two brothers against two cousins(?) or.....

 

[dunhill]

Yes, two brothers against two cousins(?) or.....

Yes, it must be that ways and also easily way for us to determine to whom we gotta fight with.

 

[Fanling Monk]

Yes, it must be that ways and also easily way for us to determine to whom we gotta fight with.

Taiping Island, half way between Hainan and the Malacca Strait, what a strategic location. I think soon or later China is going to negotiate with Taiwan to buy the island to build a land based carrier group to keep a watchful eye on the Malacca Strait. What's your though on that?

 

[dunhill]

Taiping Island, half way between Hainan and the Malacca Strait, what a strategic location. I think soon or later China is going to negotiate with Taiwan to buy the island to build a land based carrier group to keep a watchful eye on the Malacca Strait. What's your though on that?

Taiping Island distance was half way between Hainan but not for Malacca Strait. (Way too far)

For the best result for China that if it could negotiate with Taiwan, not for buy that Island. Even though China could laid hands on that Island still not help for the strategic of the Military. Not until China has more stable and reliable ACs to supported that Island.

The World seems to changes day by day, it might have been happens in both China's P.R.C and R.O.C, ASEAN might ties up together or SEATO has been re-active on its ways.

China can not and not ever being control or any subsides on Malacca Straight, no country would allow China to do that and yet China Navy's is not power comparison with Japan Navy's ... Korea on the way to modernized its Navy's to getting from better to best like China Navy's . It's tough choices for China Gov right now. (Can not backing off and can not goes any further)

 

[Fanling Monk]

Taiping Island distance was half way between Hainan but not for Malacca Strait. (Way too far)

For the best result for China that if it could negotiate with Taiwan, not for buy that Island. Even though China could laid hands on that Island still not help for the strategic of the Military. Not until China has more stable and reliable ACs to supported that Island.

The World seems to changes day by day, it might have been happens in both China's P.R.C and R.O.C, ASEAN might ties up together or SEATO has been re-active on its ways.

China can not and not ever being control or any subsides on Malacca Straight, no country would allow China to do that and yet China Navy's is not power comparison with Japan Navy's ... Korea on the way to modernized its Navy's to getting from better to best like China Navy's . It's tough choices for China Gov right now. (Can not backing off and can not goes any further)

You miss my point.

Taiping Island lies right in the middle between Hainan Island of China and the Malacca Strait. China station some military jets and some warships in the island instead of using an AC, which cost much more. These jets can fly from Hainan to Taiping without refuel and from Taiping to the Malacca and return with refueling.

China has no interest what so ever to control the Malacca, who wants the headaches, but she does want to make sure her ships have the safe passage through the Malacca. That is, IMO, her geopolitical plan.

 

[dunhill]

You miss my point.

Taiping Island lies right in the middle between Hainan Island of China and the Malacca Strait. China station some military jets and some warships in the island instead of using an AC, which cost much more. These jets can fly from Hainan to Taiping without refuel and from Taiping to the Malacca and return with refueling.

Have you take a look at Spratly Islands clearly? Ituba Island aka Taiping or Thai Binh is surrounding by Viet Nam Islands held off. Even though, China or Taiwan shakes hands together then still not being really help for any situations of the both China Armies.

The distance from Taiwan Island, Hainan Islands is twice distance from Viet Nam shores. In this case, for the peaceful rise by China stated then its does not need to do that. For strategic of Armiy, Viet Nam will not allows China or Taiwan to built anything are capable being threats on Viet Nam.

For example: China will not allow for Viet Nam to built nuclear weapons, and China will do whatever it needed to destruction that plans.

Please click this link for more info:http://community.middlebury.edu/~scs/macand/index.htm

 

[Fanling Monk]

Have you take a look at Spratly Islands clearly? Ituba Island aka Taiping or Thai Binh is surrounding by Viet Nam Islands held off. Even though, China or Taiwan shakes hands together then still not being really help for any situations of the both China Armies.

The distance from Taiwan Island, Hainan Islands is twice distance from Viet Nam shores. In this case, for the peaceful rise by China stated then its does not need to do that. For strategic of Armiy, Viet Nam will not allows China or Taiwan to built anything are capable being threats on Viet Nam.

For example: China will not allow for Viet Nam to built nuclear weapons, and China will do whatever it needed to destruction that plans.

Please click this link for more info:WWW South China Sea Virtual Library

(for the bold part) As we speak Taiwan is pouring cements to extend the runway in Taiping Island plus littoral warships and fighter jets. Next step will be more jets and regular warships from her inventory which will be replaced by more purchase from the US. Is and will Vietnam doing anything about it?

If China can buy Taiping (Ito Aba) from Taiwan, then I think, the islands within the two group of islands nearby, occupy by Vietnam, are going to be in trouble of taking over.

(Thanks to Chauism her's a better map)
Territorial Claims in South China Sea - Interactive Map - NYTimes.com

 

[chauism]

(for the bold part) As we speak Taiwan is pouring cements to extend the runway in Taiping Island plus littoral warships and fighter jets. Next step will be more jets and regular warships from her inventory which will be replaced by more purchase from the US. Is and will Vietnam doing anything about it?

If China can buy Taiping (Ito Aba) from Taiwan, then I think, the islands within the two group of islands nearby, occupy by Vietnam, are going to be in trouble of taking over.

(Thanks to Chauism her's a better map)
Territorial Claims in South China Sea - Interactive Map - NYTimes.com

who gives you the idea that PRC can actually buy Taiping Island from ROC? What is next, buying Taiwan back? Although PRC and ROC's claims over south China Sea are the same, but from ROC's prospective those islands belongs to them not PRC. The 9 dash line PRC uses right now is inherited from ROC's 11 dash line claims without formal confirmation. If there is someone should defend those islands including Diaoyu Island if I may add, it should be ROC since they are the original claimiant.

 

[Fanling Monk]

who gives you the idea that PRC can actually buy Taiping Island from ROC? What is next, buying Taiwan back? Although PRC and ROC's claims over south China Sea are the same, but from ROC's prospective those islands belongs to them not PRC. The 9 dash line PRC uses right now is inherited from ROC's 11 dash line claims without formal confirmation. If there is someone should defend those islands including Diaoyu Island if I may add, it should be ROC since they are the original claimiant.

Just some wishful thinking hypothesis to test what the opponent's next move. Given Ma is very reluctant to make any moves even on this free for all situation until recently due to internal pressures.

Even western media opined Taiwan has a better claim on Diaoyu than anyone else but She has he done anything other than preaching peaceful solutions with Japan? It's my believe the reason China hasn't make any military moves on Diaoyu because she either expecting Taiwan would make the or respects Taiwan position. You know very well China and many elements in Taiwan would go to war with Japan over Diaoyu then taking steps to take over the island NOW will lessen the chance of all out war.

Finally I believe China and Taiwan view each other more of a reluctant partner than adversary and there's no doubt one side will not claim the other side holdings at least for the meantime. On people's level it seems no one care who owns it as long as they are ours.

 

[chauism]

Just some wishful thinking hypothesis to test what the opponent's next move. Given Ma is very reluctant to make any moves even on this free for all situation until recently due to internal pressures.

Even western media opined Taiwan has a better claim on Diaoyu than anyone else but She has he done anything other than preaching peaceful solutions with Japan? It's my believe the reason China hasn't make any military moves on Diaoyu because she either expecting Taiwan would make the or respects Taiwan position. You know very well China and many elements in Taiwan would go to war with Japan over Diaoyu then taking steps to take over the island NOW will lessen the chance of all out war.

Finally I believe China and Taiwan view each other more of a reluctant partner than adversary and there's no doubt one side will not claim the other side holdings at least for the meantime. On people's level it seems no one care who owns it as long as they are ours.

On the issue of Diaoyu Island, I have to say that it is really a lost cause, neither PRC nor ROC can do anything about it besides making some useless official complainings and threating to go to international court like some other countries about those islands in South China Sea. The fact is that Japan is the de facto administrator of Diaoyu Island since 1972, the longer it stays that way the less likely that ROC and PRC will have any chance of getting it back.

 

[Fanling Monk]

On the issue of Diaoyu Island, I have to say that it is really a lost cause, neither PRC nor ROC can do anything about it besides making some useless official complainings and threating to go to international court like some other countries about those islands in South China Sea. The fact is that Japan is the de facto administrator of Diaoyu Island since 1972, the longer it stays that way the less likely that ROC and PRC will have any chance of getting it back.

China and Taiwan have to sit down and form a united approach: either one or other should take action now before it's too late when Japan begins to build infrastructure there. Since war is imminence if Japan makes a move why not either one makes the first move and put the burden of war on Japan.

I think China is gamed and avoids a first move due to the respect of Taiwan claim but Taiwan is dragging her feet either out of the fear of war or has been restrained by the US.

 

[Tshering22]

Oh boi... at this rate, the entire southeast would be up in wars in the coming three years..