South China Sea and China (2011-2017)

[Backwards Observer]

Even erstwhile enemies, who should have never approached the US, are approaching the US. It would not have been possible if there were no favourable diplomatic exchanges.

Ray, what do you make of this? The more the merrier?

Vietnam and China to conduct a joint patrol in Tonkin Gulf

PANO - Two Vietnamese naval boats, the HQ375 and HQ376 (under Corps M62, Naval Region D), representing Vietnam People’s Navy and Army, on June 18th, departed to take part in a joint patrol with China People’s Liberation Navy’s boats in the Gulf of Tonkin.

This is the 11th joint patrol that has been conducted since the two navies signed an agreement on Joint Patrol Status in October 2005.

As scheduled, the joint patrol started at 8am on June 19th and will finish at 10.15am on June 20th (Hanoi time) with a journey of 306 nautical miles.

The joint patrol aims to promote the traditional friendly neighbourhood cooperation relationship between Vietnam and China, as well as enhance the mutual understanding and trust between the two armies and navies.

Vietnam and China to conduct a joint patrol in Tonkin Gulf - China Defense Blog - June 19, 2011.

[Ray]

What does the discussion of providing armament have to do with the Mutual Defense Treaty?

Arms deals are not required by the treaty. They are not a treaty obligation. The US may of course elect to make such an arrangement if it feels that that the arrangement serves its interests, but it's not a treaty obligation.

We'll see what, if anything, comes of it.

I don't think the Chinese have any intention of taking on a joint or individual threat, so the capacity may not be all that important.

US legislators love to look tough on China, particularly given the desire of so many US voters to blame American economic problems on the Chinese. There's a clear political payoff for a US legislator in backing this kind of bill... how it will play out in practice is another story altogether. Most likely it will just fire off yet another round of words and a bit of transitory saber rattling.



Where has anyone stated an "appeasement theory"?

The timing of providing arms is important and not the arms itself.

The timing and the political message is what is loaded.

One does not see geo strategy and geopolitics in isolation or as a case by case issue. It is observe in the overall context. Ms Hillary Clinton pronouncement about the South Sea being of strategic importance to the US sums up the issue beyond any quibbling.

And add to it what you call political rhetoric of US Congresspeople.

Sabre rattling?

I wonder if one is to take the pronouncements in the US Congress lightly as if it was not material.

What may have slipped the observer who has not opened the link is that the statement was not made by any political lightweight.

It was stated by the chairman of the US House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee.

Am I to understand that a Chairman of a House Committee is taken to be a person prone to garrulity and is a flighty light headed person?

I am not too conversant as to how a Chairman of a Committee is selected in the US Congress, but I would be surprised if any old Tom, Di.ck and Harry can be the Chairman and that too who has the propensity to shoot his/ her mouth at the drop of a hat.

Ray, what do you make of this? The more the merrier?

More the merrier was the aim of President Obama's visit to Asia and the earlier visits to Asia by Ms Hillary Clinton to Asia.

Vietnam and China to conduct a joint patrol in Tonkin Gulf - China Defense Blog - June 19, 2011.

It shows that the US strong defence of its allies and others in the South China Seas has sent the message to China, so much so, that instead of bulldozing, it is trying to slow down and show 'maturity'.

China is a very careful country. It will not back down, but will use the prevailing parameters to calm the situation without 'losing face', and then will seek opportunities when it is in a position to seize the initiative.

Why shouldn't "erstwhile enemies" approach each other? The US has quite congenial relations with a number of erstwhile enemies, and has been getting on reasonably well with the Vietnamese for some time. Nothing very odd or unusual about it.

The answer is simple.

This enemy - Vietnam - continues to be Communist - the raison d’être for the US intervention in Vietnam. Therefore, any rapprochement is not taken to be within the ambit of a day's work done.

I would be surprised if the US would not be the last country to forget Vietnam in a jiffy. Without going into details, suffice it so say that Vietnam does not evoke pleasant memories in the US.

Other enemies of the US have been soundly defeated.

That I presume could be the difference.

[Backwards Observer]

It shows that the US strong defence of its allies and others in the South China Seas has sent the message to China, so much so, that instead of bulldozing, it is trying to slow down and show 'maturity'.

Ray, it is trying to slow down and show 'maturity', I like how you seem to combine both optimism and cynicism there.