South China Sea and China (2011-2017)

[Ray]

China warns India on South China Sea exploration projects

China on Thursday indicated it was opposed to India engaging in oil and gas exploration projects in the disputed South China Sea, and warned Indian companies against entering into any agreements with Vietnam ahead of External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna's visit to Hanoi this week.

"Our consistent position is that we are opposed to any country engaging in oil and gas exploration and development activities in waters under China's jurisdiction," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said, in reply to a question on reports that the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Videsh Limited was considering exploration projects in two blocks that Vietnam claims.

In recent weeks, India, too, has raised concerns over Chinese projects in disputed territory — in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). China has rejected Indian concerns over this issue, stating that it viewed the dispute as one for India and Pakistan to solve.

Ms. Jiang said the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea "did not give any country the right to expand their own exclusive economic zone and continental shelf to other countries' territories". The convention, she said, did not negate "a country's right formed in history that has been consistently claimed".

http://www.thehindu.com/news/interna...cle2455647.ece

An interesting situation.

China can operate in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir as it so desire even though knowing fully well that India claims it as a part of India and Pakistan considers it as a dispute and yet, if India legitimately explore for oil in Vietnamese water, it upsets China since they claim it is 'disputed'

Does indicate double speak that is legend with China. There is one rule for China and one rule for others!!

[Backwards Observer]

India picks a quarrel with China
By M K Bhadrakumar

India, which has been wetting its toes sporadically in the South China Sea in the recent years, is apparently taking the plunge to wade waist-deep into the troubled waters. It is a historic move - be it there is no clarity whether merely tactical or strategic. But it is historic; India's "Look East" policy acquires swagger. The Sino-Indian geostrategic rivalry is not going to be the same again.

India picks a quarrel with China - Asia Times - Sept 17, 2011.

Regardless of how one may perceive the current state of US 'world leadership', no further example is needed that at least two of the would-be contenders are a good many generations away from all but the most fanciful consideration. So let it be written...

[AdamG]

The Philippines is engaged in a muscle-flexing row with China over oil drilling in the South China Sea, writes Andy Higgins at the Washington Post. So are India and Vietnam, reports Ishaan Thardoor at Time, who wonders whether war is possible between China and India.

http://oilandglory.foreignpolicy.com...eed_a_big_navy

So let it be written...

I'll see your observation and raise you.
This is how these things get started...

[Backwards Observer]

I'll see your observation and raise you.

I'm just here for the gasoline.

[AdamG]

LONDON, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- An ugly momentum is building in the South China Sea, where an official Chinese newspaper called last week for war against Vietnam and the Philippines to uphold China's assertion of sovereignty over the mineral-rich seabed, estimated to hold 7 billion barrels of oil and 900 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

The lead article in the Chinese Communist Party newspaper Global Times Tuesday carried the headline "The time to use force has arrived in the South China Sea; Let's wage wars on the Philippines and Vietnam to prevent more wars."

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Analysis...#ixzz1Zlccspy9

[Ray]

Manila: The Philippine government has refused to return the 25 Chinese vessels that were taken in the South China Sea (also known as the West Philippine Sea) and the case is to be resolved with the help of a third party, a local paper said.

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/phili...boats-1.912206

[Dayuhan]

Just spent a few days in Subic. One of the gossip items on the base is the construction of a substantial fueling facility on a US Navy contract. Apparently the deal is that the contractor will build and operate the facility, with the Navy guaranteeing a minimum purchase level over a seven year period.

Second hand news and potentially with inaccuracies, but the sources are reasonably reliable and if true it would suggest an intention to maintain a US Naval presence in the area.

I do not think it's likely that the Navy will be moving back into Subic in a major way. There's not a lot of space available. Since FedEx left the airport and most of the buildings around it are pretty much vacant, but the old NavMag area and most of the pier facilities are leased to private investors. With the fueling facility and the new shipyard (Korean owned but presumably available for repairs etc) there's certainly potential for a support role.

[Ray]

Navy readies for Chinese power grab on shipping - Washington Times

The Navy’s top officer detailed Tuesday the strategy for making sure the South China Sea and Western Pacific remain open to international shipping, saying an emerging China might try to “limit access in the region.”

The remarks by Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations, represented a frank assessment of China’s potential power grabs as it continues a military buildup that includes more ships and anti-ship weapons.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...b-on-shipping/