The South China Sea has been China since ancient times.
3
Who will be the Franz Ferdinand whose assassination will touch off WW111? Putin? Xi? Erdogan? Assad? Kim? Duterte? Who have I left out?
2
The wanton destruction to the corals, the reefs, and the fish and shellfish population is mind boggling. Such fragile environments, destroyed under territorial claims and squabbles in the build up in anticipation of future wars, confirms that Humans of every stripe are a misery on our planet.
2
Once upon a time,North America was covered with forest. Thousands upon thousands of buffalos roamed free . There were millions upon millions of native Americans They are all gone now.
11
Let’s stop pretending that China is anything other than a human rights abuser led by a dictator whose transition to power more resembles a Mafia succession than a democratic process.
Time to label China a currency manipulator, withdraw its Most Favored Nation status, and compel it to abandon the artificial islands that it created and occupied in international waters. At the same time, US citizens should boycott anything made in China.
8
Glad to see I’m not the only one thinking like this.
China is a totalitarian state, which strong nationalist tendencies and with a search of revenge for past humiliations (never mind they happened in different centuries). Buying things that are made in China is giving money to this regime. If this regime gets as rich as a Western country the world will really regret it.
4
Well, People's Republic of China (PRC) with totalitarian regime is the upcoming world super power (not one of them, it will be the one). They have correct views of the earth and correct strategy of influencing the world. Territorial expansion of its influences on the earth and cyberspace with well-managed choice of control points (launching platforms) (=southern islands, some African nations, network servers, embedded chips, etc. ).
They stubbornly adhere to their strategy unlike many in the so-called democratic countries. The US, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Phlippines, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Malaysia are the nations with respective interest in the region this article covers. I kinda hesitated to include Vietnam and Singapore. But they are alignments are random and taken advantage by the PRC. They may fire at the PRC when pressed really hard, but, alas, the PRC would come back as it adheres to the strategy.
Wish the democratic values would surge in the Western Pacific Ocean again 200 years after the new form of occupation and ruling of 150 years by the PRC collapses (hopefully).
Trump's SOTU address, the NPR anf the National Defense Strategy reveal the America's human killing instinct that has been developed during its long history, past, present and forever, of human killing wars ever since the Frist Americans set feet on the East Coast. This human killing instinct is self destructive and is onimous to the survival of the human race.
oh look! They have some wind turbines (only two), and I can see they might have a solar farm also… Just a pittance to run all that high powered radar plus all the COM gear & computers and such fourth for a military station – just like the US has… I wonder where they’re hiding the nuclear reactor though, that could efficiently run all that energy gobbling stuff.
First, I believe that the so-called South China Sea is incorrect; it should have been called the South East Asia Seas,
Second, I never thought that at the beginning of the 21st century, the law is still in the strongest hands; the international outlaws as Xi Jin-ping, Kim Iong-un, etc still live and behave like the world is still in the Middle Age.
7
I fully expect that by 2020, they'll have dredged that artificial island into the shape of a skull, and will throw a volcano on there for good measure.
4
Why worry about South China Sea when American military has unfinished business in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Korea, and so many other places around the world? Besides, the Pentagon must be busy planning a military parade for the "five-deferment draft dodger"- as Senator Tammy Duckworth called him.
Then again, the Military-Industrial Complex always look for new military ventures downstream. Business comes first. Fear-monger propaganda pieces are part of the marketing campaign. But Iran is ahead in line, China can wait. The drumbeat goes on.
8
"Why worry about the South China Sea when..." We can worry about both. Right?
4
As ocean levels rise in the next few decades, these islands will almost surely be reclaimed by the sea. What could the Chinese leaders be thinking? Are they entirely blinded by their geopolitical ambitions?
4
They can't raise the elevations and build higher sea walls?
2
Leaders in chin chin do not suffer fools: A contract with a Dutch engineering firm will be forthcoming, when the time comes (And not a minute sooner).
It’s only a matter of time . China needs a reality check .
4
I bet they built all these facilities for less than half of what Trump's military parade will cost.
6
Do not worry my fellow Americans. We have the right priorities.
1. Reality TV
2. Worship of celebrities and athletes
3. Tweets
4. Facebook
5. Multi billion dollar sports stadiums
6. Military parades like France
7. A very efficient health care system
8. Cut taxes and borrow money (from the Chinese)
China can never compete with us!
12
Nor can China redeem their money from us. We hold the goods and they hold the paper. Counter party risk has now shifted to the creditor. Who would you rather be?
4
Oh, good, so when I become a Canadian snowbird, I don't have to fly to Florida, I can just fly to Hainan, then make a day trip to those artificial islands. That will be fun.
1
How would the Chinese defend those islands from a military attack?
Based on the annotations, there is one "Single Barrel 100mm/56 Caliber Gun". If that is a "Type 79 100 mm naval gun"*, it could, presumably, be used to defend against ships. There is no evidence of land-based anti-ship or anti-aircraft missiles.
The annotations also show two "Troop Transport Ship[s]". Troops need barracks and bunkers. Where are they?
As for aircraft, military or otherwise, none are visible.
* Wikipedia has an article with that name.
2018-02-08 22:06:11 UTC
1
Soon, perhaps his year, China will forbid US ships to navigate the so-called S. China Sea, and have the superior firepower to enforce it. Trump will do nothing.
4
Each one of those islands will enjoy an existence measured in minutes after hostilities break out — and that’s if we keep it conventional.
Funny how many here object to China's politics and trade policies, yet we buy whatever they produce. Who's feeding the monster? Nearly all of us.
13
Environmental insanity. Not that China is alone, I'm sure US coral atoll bases look similar.
3
It is a breathtaking work of engineering marvel and chutzpa, but with no natural wind or wave protection, what happens when a storm descends . . . ps
4
All of this hand wringing over China establishing military bases not that far off of the Chinese mainland. Meanwhile the US has established military bases all over the globe.
9
To me the Chinese building up these South China Sea islands are much more serious problems than the North Korea nuclear threats. If we wanted to do counter these aggressive projects by Chinese, we should do it now together with other countries against the planned Chinese aggression in this region. Before it is too late. We should not allow the Chinese taken over the leadership in this strategic important region. Do we have any plans? Not just talks and protests.
7
In 1904 Theodore Roosevelt imposed US interests on Central America by “stealing, fair and square,” the land that became the Panama Canal. That was at the beginning of the American century. Now, as the sad excuse for a leader ponders a toy parade, inventing more symbols of a dying republic than a screenwriter could come up with, we’re facing the Chinese century. You can be sure what the Chinese allow us to see is only a small percentage of what is actually being built. So, what will the next century be like?
2
Looking at the map of the area, China sure does have some chutzpah, as another commenter has written. But we won't say anything nor do anything because China makes our iPhones, and that is the most important thing.
3
Actually, Foxconn is a Taiwanese company so China doesn't "assemble" our iPhones, Taiwan does with Chinese labor.
1
Can you imagine what the American Media would say if China was sending warships to an island in the Carribean ?
And China said the US couldn't do what it wanted ?
We would be outraged at Chinese meddling in our backyard
12
In my brief time in the military during the Vietnam Conflict, there were two ocean stations -- one nearer to Hainan Island and one further away to the south -- called Yankee Station and Dixie Station. At the 2010 ASEAN Regional Forum, where U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared, as a counter to resurgent PRC claims of the South China Sea as a “core interest”, that the U.S. had “a national interest in freedom of navigation, open access to Asia’s maritime commons, and respect for international law in the South China Sea.” The April 1, 2001 incident which resulted in the death of a Chinese warplane pilot which had bumped a much larger American spy plane comes to mind. The furor almost led to world war. I think provocation of the Chinese nearer to shore would be a better strategy. It might also be a good to send half of the Chinese graduate students in U.S. uinversities back.
8
Universities need full fee paying foreign students and their spending power help local economy.
2
With the way Earthquakes are so prone to that area.. the islands will get a good Tsunami or Two to wipe them out completely. No Highland to run to..
2
The U.S. has 662 overseas bases in 38 foreign countries. Pot, meet kettle.
16
Sure, two wrongs make a right in your world.
1
The Times should ask a military analyst to explain how the Chinese would defend those islands.
Based on the annotations, there is one "Single Barrel 100mm/56 Caliber Gun". If that is a "Type 79 100 mm naval gun"*, it could, presumably, be used to defend against ships. There is no evidence of land-based anti-ship or anti-aircraft missiles.
The annotations also show two "Troop Transport Ship[s]". Troops need barracks and bunkers. Where are they?
* Wikipedia has an article with that name.
2018-02-08 19:30:02 UTC
4
China has a large array of Antiship missile, including the yj-62 which has a reported range of 650nm. There are J-10/11 rotating on the islands and they will be probably soon replaced by J-16. All these aircraft can carry 100nm+ range AShM.
From what I remember, China has deployed HQ-9 SAM batteries on the islands.
So perhaps the infrastructures are vulnerable to long range missile attacks. But otherwise, the PLA has the means to defend against sea and air threats.
2
China is messing around. It is colonizing Africa and Australia, buying up food and raw material supply chains, buying corrupt local politicians or putting in their place those loyal to Beijing. It is doing what the US did, but bigger, faster and without democracy of a free press to hinder it. I fear for the future because it is Chinese. Not Chinese as in the people and a democracy, but a totalitarian state.
15
It’s called “ one road” or something like that… Did I hear echoes of make America greater something like that?
1
As we all know, a new world order was established by WWII victors right after WWII. China announced the Dash Lines for the South China Sea, physically claimed the features within the Lines with USA support and received no renuncation from WWII victors including USA. That means China has sovereignty of those features and the sovereign right to do whatever is appropriate on them. When Vietnam, Philippine and other were granted their independence, no features within the Lines were granted as their territories. That means the features they occupy right now within the Lines were illegally stolen from China. There are more than 70 nations and international institutions (UN, ICJ, EU, ASEAN, NAM, African Union, Arab League) that don't endorse the Arbitration Tribunal ruling as the basis for the South Chinal Sea dispute setttlement. More, the Tribunal was participated by only one involved party Philippine and was totally financed by Philippine. That means the Tribunal ruling is illegal, void and null. The law of the sea is UNCLOS and not USA's own unilateral FONOP which has never been endorsed by the world community. For USA to enforce its FONOP indicates that USA is a dictator.
1
With the rise of ocean resulting from global warming, all these will be under water in less than a century.
4
This is the thanks the US gets for saving China from Japan in WW2, and allowing it to be in WTO. Had Nixon treated China the same way as the Soviet Union instead of opening up relations, China would still be a third world country. Followed by massive outsourcing to China (as well as insourcing of Chinese students, H1Bs, Chinese new found capital, etc), China has played the US for a fool. They wouldn’t be able to innovate their way out of a paper bag if it weren’t for the American companies and universities empowering them with the knowledge, which is then transferred back to China. Along with blueprints. Democracies trading with non-democracies only helps the non-democracies and the so called capitalists who would trade their birthright for a buck.
19
if the same logics apply, we should let the whole Germany after ww2 be part of the iron curtain then we don't have to compete with them anymore. China was an Ally in WW2, it tied down millions of Japanese soldiers in China instead of having them fighting USA. A prosperous China or India is crucial to world stability, we can see with our naked eyes how refugees crisis had worked out in Europe, as China had hundred times more population.
2
Ungratefulness is the human nature in history. The most outstanding example is the doings of the true white colonists in north America. The natives granted their landing, gave them food, taught them technics to survive, only in turn for their thanksgiving for the turkey, and for the reservation in which they were "protected".
1
I'll bet that the same folks upset about China's development of the Spratly Islands have no problem with the U.S. outpost at Guantanamo Bay, or the hundreds of other military bases we maintain around the world.
Oh wait . . . the United States is only a force for good, right?
13
Yes, correct. America is a force for good. For what is good for America is good for every other democracy.
4
The double standard of the Western press is staggering. For decades the US and the Britain have occupied the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. Before that occupation Britain and the US forcibly removed the inhabitants. We're now in 2018 and while the press and academics in the security sector at the most prominent universities and policy institutions write at least once a month about how wrong the Chinese are in building in the SCS, none are saying anything about Diego Garcia.
This tells you one thing: These newspapers, academics and institutions are far more interested in the status quo narrative of the US hegemony than in whether occupying places that don't belong to you is wrong.
China is no angel. But treating its behavior as an aberration is ridiculous.
14
The British Empire is long gone Mohammed. What's your point? That it is A-OK for China to grab land that is under dispute because England did that in the 19th Century? That logic is never going to work but it does sorta reveal your politics?
12
My point is that the Brits and the Americans are guilty of a worse thing than the Chinese on this matter NOW. But the press makes it seem like China is the only big bad wolf.
The Chinese should NOT build these islands (even though it was the other claimants that started doing it first). But the US and Britain should NOT be occupying Diego Garcia.
You seem to think that they (US+Britain) should keep what they took simply because it happened decades ago. Ignore the plight and claims of Chagossians.
4
"For decades the US and the Britain have occupied the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia."
Yes. Indeed, bombing missions were flown out of Diego Garcia during the initial war against the peace-loving nation of Afghanistan.
Sadly, the US weakened its Pacific posture by withdrawing from Vietnam and the Philippines. Fortunately, Guam and Okinawa are still available to defend the US and its allies against nascent Chinese aggression.
BTW, have you ever wondered about the justification for the Muslim occupation of North Africa?
5
Reading this article and seeing these images is so upsetting. This large scale, unchecked destruction of fragile coral reefs and fisheries habitat is doing irreparable harm to the environment. And for what purpose?
12
Yes, my reaction also. And I can only imagine the classes of chemicals that would "wash-away" in the event of a tsunami... Sorry for sharing that thought, but I'm sure it already crossed your mind. I guess the EPA has basically no jurisdiction when it comes to our military, as well.
1
You can pretty much "independently verify these photos" by looking at Google Earth. The photos are little old (2016) but many of the features (radomes, runways) are in the photos.
3
China builds entire islands on reefs in a matter of a few years.
America can't repair a bridge that's falling down, fill in a pothole or upgrade its ancient power and water systems.
14
GSB: Yes but no one wants to live in China -- unless you are part of the ruling families/oligarchies there.
3
The Chinese may have a nice smile but have iron jaws.They will say one thing and do another. Xi talked about the peaceful intentions for their building project. By contrast, their engagement with their neighbors Vietnam and the Philippines is a clear indicator. They will ignore court rulings and international opinion as they continue to change reality on the ground. The Chinese cannot be seen to lose face, especially at home. These reefs have become defacto Chinese territory, hardened military installations that will be used for projection of power across the South China Sea. This will become a flash point of conflict.
7
The TPP would have made the US a bigger player in the region and alleviated some of these countries’ reliance on China for trade, allowing them to take a stronger stance against China’s absurd claims.
To be fair, the right doesn’t deserve all the credit. (Looking at you, Bernie Sanders.)
2
These are really beautifully situated and well appointed facilities. I can't imagine many Chinese service members are objecting to being stationed there. I think their initiative and execution is envious. I would venture to guess that their cost control and schedule rivals anything attempted by the US since WW II. Imagine what this type of facility would cost the US using the 'lowest qualified bidder', let alone the planning and congressional approvals which would take decades.
Perhaps Trump can make a deal with the Chinese to improve the US infrastructure, especially since Trump and friends don't seem to care about any environmental impacts. Maybe they can even build Trump's wall at a reasonable price, and add some wind turbines to make the wall useful.
4
Any thoughts that climate change, with the resulting rise in ocean levels will make these Chinese made artificial islands disappear is wishful thinking.
They will just dredge up more materials to stay above sea level; as they have proven they have the technology and machinery to do so.
While the U.S. sleeps.
3
This is where the rubber hits the road in terms of the end of the Pax Americana. China will rule all of Asia before we know it, and perhaps even match us in terms of power one day.
Another interesting observation is all of the wind turbines and solar panels. it's another glaring example of how we as a country are falling behind.
3
These new military installations are funded by trade surpluses with the U.S.
Our current trade policy with China must be reconsidered.
4
George Lucas was right to make The Phantom Menace. The new power will rise over trade disputes and shipping routes. Therein lies the Sith Empire. Only question is, who's our real world Jar Jar Binks?
China is doing it simply because they can.
No one is stopping them. The UN is useless in the 21st Century: something no one in the press ever -- truly ever -- talks about.
China's chutzpah is impressive.
4
You sound worried.
Granted, our biggest enemy has spent a decade creating floating military cities, deathly missile instillation, out of nothing in the most contemptuous nose-thumbing way imaginable, laughing at our impotent assertions of might and intent.
But chill, dudes. We have the finest fighting force on the planet and, when it's not wearing itself out hauling huge bags of money around and signing obscene contracts to outsource our fighting force to corporations neither skilled enough nor held responsible to accomplish anything (But, hey, profit!) I'm sure they could manage some show of resistance, except that its too late and none of our aggressive mouthing off accomplished a thing. So...
On the other hand, we have so convincingly demonstrated our paper tiger status that, really, there's no reason for China to do anything stupid.
And we're busy gearing up for the nucular conflict with North Korea, which no sane person wants but our erstwhile President so enjoys contemplating in public.
And, of course, the parade...
So, like I say, chill, dudes.
20
"On the other hand, we have so convincingly demonstrated our paper tiger status that, really, there's no reason for China to do anything stupid."
You dont have that right at all: China KNOWS that the USA will do something dumb BUT somewhere else on the planet (not China) and in the meantime no one is stopping China from doing this in the South China Sea.
Furthermore -- China has always waited for others to show their weakness FIRST and see if anyone blinks. That is what is happening here. Basic poker -- except here the stakes are giant tracts of land and surface to air missile launch range capabilities.
oogada, You sound really causally flippant but the stakes are reasonable high in China's gambit.
K
Yeah, that's what I said...just in an exquisitely cooler manner.
i worry that "cool" Millennial Speak such as the above will be considered insightful.
Meanwhile, while battling sexual assault lawsuits, collusion & conspiracy charges, financial maleficence, the American President is demanding a military parade "just like they have in France!"...
But we know.... he's more impressed with the ones they have in China, Russia, Cuba and North Korea...
28
I can't help but wonder if these photos were leaked on purpose to the Inquirer to put pressure on the Duterte administration to take a harder stance against China. There is innuendo surrounding Duterte that he is beholden to China. Hopefully for the continuation of the post WWII world order and rule of law the Philippines will push the rights they won in the Hague.
4
Or since Duterte might be taken to an international court in relation to killings by police during crackdowns on drug users in recent years, this is an article to divert attention of Filipino people to another matter and make them feel nationalistic. Duterte is supported as a hard man, because Filipino people perceive much needs to be done to make their country more prosperous and secure.
2
Here is where global warming might be helpful, swamping these reefs, forcing the Chinese to abandon them.
In the mean time, continue Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS) ... assuming the 7th Fleet skippers can navigate their vessels without running into other vessels.
21
That's why Obama/Trump presided/is presiding over the largest expansion of US oil production in our history - a brilliant military move. Of course, it will ruin the planet, but who cares?
It’s clear they can control the area at will soon. All they need to do is move in weapons. Possession is a matter of taking,like Putin’s moves. What’s Donald going to do to his great pals who own the country’s debts?
9
While Trump tweets, the Chinese and Russians continue to quietly move forward with their plans.
With our Republican controlled Congress focused on trying to make a budget - extended 5 times (!) now - other countries throughout the world are moving forward in command and control of sea lanes, and in eastern Europe, Crimea etc.
Not to mention that Europe and China are racing forward to the future with solar power while Trump and the Republicans are talking about preserving coal - a dirty power source from the past.
The Republicans are cutting our R & D and science to the bone - losing the future for ourselves and our children.
Oh, the years of progress we are losing. Sad!
35
Might is Right? Poor and helpless neighbors of China. In reality, China is now the reigning world superpower and the US is number two by virtue of China's ability to exercise its economic and military strength unimpeded.
10
The United States still maintains nearly 800 military bases in more than 70 countries and territories abroad. China has one in Djibouti and these ones. China is regionally powerful. But they lack any real ability to project military might outside of its immediate region except for their ICBM. China has 2 aircraft carriers, we have 11. Our military budget is just under $700 Billion a year. China spends around $168 Billion. Yes China is ascendant, but there is no need to get carried away. We aren't second fiddle yet.
2
So much for the “peaceful rise” of China. If they can get away with bullying their neighbors and conquer territories (or steal various resources, or find ways of bankrupting rivals of “their” companies), they will. And now they have naval and air bases in the area, and are quickly ramping up military spending each year.
What benefit do we get from making business with them, again?
9
This has the potential to get a lot nastier than trade negotiations.
9
Global warming effects - sea level rise and increased storm intensity - will make these island bases an increasing drain on China's resources.
17