According to the Singapore Defense Ministry, the Unites States is expected to deploy one or two Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), each with a crew of about 25. Those ships will call on ports in the region and initiate exercises and exchanges with the various navies. The waters near Australia are also included in the U.S.area of oversight.
On June 4, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates vowed that the U.S. would maintain a “robust presence” across Asia, that presence to include new shallow water high-tech LCS weaponry. Gates states that the United States is dedicated to the protection of
American allies, and to the safety of shipping lanes. The shipping lanes near U.S. ally Singapore are among the busiest in the world. China is loudly complaining of “encirclement and interference” by the U.S. in matters that “do not concern it”.
The Chinese Embassy has been quite outspoken. A report from that embassy on March 13 had to do with protests from the United States White House, the State Department, and the Pentagon, that on March 9, China’s ships harassed a U.S. Navy Surveillance vessel, The Impeccable, in international waters in the South China Sea. China called the report untrue and unacceptable. They cite the premises of the EEZ and charged that The Impeccable of engaging in activities within the 200 mile limit off China’s coast without permission. They urged the U.S. to take effective measure to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.
In August of 2010, Indonesia's Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a research professor at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, mentioned that the ASEAN is aware of the “Inherent promises and dangers” that China presents and believes the best course in dealing with China is to “engage and integrate it fully into the regional order.” In an odd switch and exchange, Jakarta is the chair of ASEAN this year.
Article comments
1 - China Lee
Vietnamese and Filipinos should stop encroaching on thousand-year-old Chinese territory in the South China Sea.
"The coast belonged to the Kingdom of Cauchi China."
"China
618~1279
* There are some Chinese cultural relics in the Paracel islands dating from the Tang and Song dynasty eras[12][note 1], and there is some evidence of Chinese habitation on the islands in these periods.[13]."
2 - John Lake
These other nations also have rights. Most of the world sees these rights as given by a divine creator, or being based on a high regard for life.
3 - Glenn Contrarian
China Lee - who is probably another one of the Chinese who show up whenever anything critical of China is said - is ignoring the fact that Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia all are significantly closer to the Spratly Islands, and so in the eyes of a fair judge should have a strongly claim than China.
But this was never about fairness, was it?
4 - Dr Dreadful
Well, Glenn, no. Not that geographical proximity has much to do with these things.
But judging by the map I saw the other day, if China gets its way its territorial waters extend so far that a holidaymaker taking a paddle on a beach in Sarawak would be in danger of getting arrested for border incursion.
5 - Cannonshop
It's about the same things it's always been about-who can hold it, and does the west care enough about the matter to get involved.
6 - China Lee
Dummies’ guide to South China Sea sovereignty:
Who discovered Spratly and Paracel Islands a thousand years ago? China
The human remains of which country are found on South China Sea islands? China
The artifacts of which country are found on South China Sea islands? China
Which country has claimed South China Sea islands throughout dynasties? China
Vietnam Premier Pham Van Dong admitted which country owns South China Sea territory in a diplomatic document? China
This issue is crystal clear. China has sovereignty over South China Sea for a thousand years.
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@Glenn According to your simplistic theory of physical proximity and disregarding historical discovery, Falkland Islands belong to Argentina. I bet you never complained about British sovereignty over the Falklands. Am I right?
7 - Glenn Contrarian
Doc and 'China Lee'
Good point. I cannot argue against it.
That said, in another thread I argued that if Vietnam, the Philippines and the other smaller nations were wise, they'd offer to give up their claims on the Spratlys in exchange for a significant amount of money...and then rush to be the first to provide logistical support to the Chinese industry that will need food, fuel, and manpower support in those areas.
There's a time for national pride...and there's also a time for pragmatism. This is the time for the latter.
8 - Obama
To China Lee
UNCLOS 1982 was signed by China. China has to obey international law. China has no legitimacy to the entire China Sea. For China to use "chingchong" history as its reason to claim, then China needs to give Vietnam back Guangdong because that used to be ruled by the BaiYeu (Vietnam).
9 - HackYourAss
Chinese documents are FAKE! Their documents have been cut and pasted to support their greedy ambitions. IF you don't believe me, look at their so so famous character such as Fake melamine milk which kills children, Fake Toys wtih LEAD that kills children, Fake Egg, Fake Rice, Fake Wine, etc... The list goes on.
If you don't believe me, you will see all the chinese spies which ate Bun filled with cardboard for breakfast cyber snooping. Don't mess with NAM!
10 - Peter
CHinese documents are fakes? How about maps from early 20th century Japan, US, France, Vietnam, etc..? Even France, before taking over the islands in the 19th century noted Chinese are living on the islands.
How about international records that indicated in the 50's, both Vietnam and Philippine leaders both agreed that China is the owner of the islands?
Old Chinese documents, old maps, old artifacts cannot all be fake unless you closed your mind already
11 - Matias
britishs want to turn malvinas into a military fortress, why do the british want that when South America is the most peacefully place in the world?? because they want to take control of everything, they have middle atlantic islands, pacific islands and they want to have malvians to enter to Antartida, british as the americans are so predictable, they want natural resources they dont care about the kelpers.
12 - Dr Dreadful
Well, isn't this jolly?
What do you think, regulars? Shall we sit back and let the Chinese, Vietnamese and Argentine government shills fight amongst themselves?
Or is it more fun to join in?
13 - Tommy Mack
There are better venues, Doc. These chaps aren't any fun.
Tommy