China, the Philippines and the Disputed Second Thomas Shoal

trenchfoot

Lifer
Aug 5, 2000
15,670
8,210
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That mutual defense treaty with the USA Marcos has in his back pocket seems like it's on the verge of being thrown on the table what with Marcos stating if one of his people are killed by the Chinese he'd declare it an act of war.

Can't say how this treaty is affecting China's temperament in the contested zones but I'm sure Xi wouldn't want the US Navy escorting Filipino naval assets that's enforcing their legitimate economic zone in the area that China is, historically speaking, staking claims as the new kid on the block when the Chinese illegally created the 9 dash line in the early 50's. The International Court decided it was invalid and also decided in the Philippine's favor circa 2013 that the Chinese ships harassing and blocking the Filipino ships operating in the area was illegal and the Chinese have simply ignored it.

That China sees itself as being illegally contained by its rivals in the Pacific, makes for some real potential for armed conflicts to occur sooner than later.

 
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hal2kilo

Lifer
Feb 24, 2009
25,755
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That mutual defense treaty with the USA Marcos has in his back pocket seems like it's on the verge of being thrown on the table what with Marcos stating if one of his people are killed by the Chinese he'd declare it an act of war.

Can't say how this treaty is affecting China's temperament in the contested zones but I'm sure Xi wouldn't want the US Navy escorting Filipino naval assets that's enforcing their legitimate economic zone in the area that China is, historically speaking, staking claims as the new kid on the block when the Chinese illegally created the 9 dash line in the early 50's. The International Court decided it was invalid and also decided in the Philippine's favor circa 2013 that the Chinese ships harassing and blocking the Filipino ships operating in the area was illegal and the Chinese have simply ignored it.

That China sees itself as being illegally contained by its rivals in the Pacific, makes for some real potential for armed conflicts to occur sooner than later.

So are we friends again?
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,505
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If the Philippines wants China off their back, the restoration of both territorial and international waters, they are going to need to take the Spratly Islands by force. To sink many Chinese ships in the region.

Not convinced they want that, despite the apparent indecision by all the noise and limited resistance they are making.
 

K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
52,107
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We really should help them replace that with something newer, better, and larger. The Peleliu is available.
 
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trenchfoot

Lifer
Aug 5, 2000
15,670
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Would love to see the USA's complete compliment of the 7th Fleet slowly sail near the scene of the incident and make an extended port call at Manila Bay or Subic if possible to you know, rattle that saber and shake that big stick to let the Chinese know how friendly and cuddly we are with them and well, to show them how totally outclassed the Chinese Navy is compared to ours.
 
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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,043
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It absolutely boggles the mind that China claims over 90% of the South China Sea. Right up to the actual land of other nations on the far end of the Sea.
Yet NONE of these nations defend themselves.

China rams Philippine ship while 60 Minutes on board


Well...it's kind of like...

ahl.jpg


None of these other nations have a chance of surviving should they defend themselves absent US involvement...and given the US political climate, I doubt they completely trust us to help.
 
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trenchfoot

Lifer
Aug 5, 2000
15,670
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Powder keg, meet spark. I really do wonder if there wasn't a Defense Pact between the USA and the Philippines, would China bully itself into a complete domination of the Philippine's internationally recognized economic zone, as well as those other zones of the nations that China claims does not exist? So given China's claims does their control over the South China Sea go right up to the very shores of any nation within that Sea?

Question being, where is China's self-imposed demarcation line if they have one and have they ever declared these seaborne borders? Or is it just anywhere and at anytime that's convenient for them to willy-nilly declare it?

Hmmm, I also wonder if this situation is in any way reminiscent of the Falkland Islands "War" and if it's going to eventually go there in the near future.
 

hal2kilo

Lifer
Feb 24, 2009
25,755
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Well...it's kind of like...

ahl.jpg


None of these other nations have a chance of surviving should they defend themselves absent US involvement...and given the US political climate, I doubt they completely trust us to help.
Too bad somebody kicked the US out of the Philippines. Seems things began to go south after that.
 

Indus

Lifer
May 11, 2002
15,622
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Too bad somebody kicked the US out of the Philippines. Seems things began to go south after that.

Actually I think it started to go south after Aquino's assassination.. and they killed the assassin afterwards. So ofcourse the public began to hate the incumbent and when he fled to the US.. they hated the US..

It's funny how they still hate Americans but don't mind our money at all.
 
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K1052

Elite Member
Aug 21, 2003
52,107
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If that coast guard corvette hadn't turned the destroyer wold have cut it in half lol.

Sailing like assholes all the time sometimes has consequences.
 
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pmv

Lifer
May 30, 2008
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Wow, that's embarrassing for them. So they were harassing Phillipino vessels and managed to crash into each other while doing so? Then the Phillippino ship they were harassing offered them assistance?

I honestly don't know whether to take that last bit as a legit bit of humanitarian concern/principled adherence to some noble code of seafaring - or as a form of trolling.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
99,552
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Wow, that's embarrassing for them. So they were harassing Phillipino vessels and managed to crash into each other while doing so? Then the Phillippino ship they were harassing offered them assistance?

I honestly don't know whether to take that last bit as a legit bit of humanitarian concern/principled adherence to some noble code of seafaring - or as a form of trolling.
International Maritime Law I believe.