http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/A...0-08-46-25
Of course much of this is political posturing however the Island building by China (Think cheaper longer lasting aircraft carrier) Has put the whole notion of freedom of the seas in question for many countries in the area.
Unless China started invading Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand we will be in a better position than many if a real shooting war were to start. Hopefully that can be averted...
China is trying for territorial claims that have no basis in the "law of the seas" which is recognized by international agreements by all except maybe pirates with visions of grandeur. Problem... the more talk, the more both sides are digging in... Now whoever backs off will lose much face and international standing.
It really is a bad situation which China is forcing and America and many others cannot ignore...... IMO.
Quote:BEIJING (AP) -- China on Monday lashed out at criticism from U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, accusing him of harboring a Cold War mentality and saying Beijing has no interest in "playing a role in a Hollywood movie" of Washington's design.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters Carter's comment last week that China was creating a "Great Wall of self-isolation" was merely an attempt to provide cover for U.S. plans to deploy additional military forces to the Asia-Pacific region.
Carter's remarks "laid bare the stereotypical U.S. thinking and U.S. hegemony," Hua said at a daily news briefing.
"Indeed, there are some in the U.S. who live physically in the 21st century, but whose minds are stuck in the in the Cold War era," she said.
"China has no interest in any form of Cold War, nor are we interested in playing a role in a Hollywood movie written and directed by certain U.S. military officials. However, China has no fear of and will counter any actions that threaten and undermine China's sovereignty and security," Hua said.
In a commencement speech Friday at the U.S. Naval Academy, Carter said China wants and enjoys the benefits of free trade and a free internet, but sometimes chooses to restrict both. He said the U.S. also continues to be concerned about Beijing's actions in the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing has sought to strengthen its claim to almost the entire region by building new islands atop coral outcroppings and adding airstrips, harbors and military infrastructure.
The United States is committed to upholding the freedom of navigation and commerce, and peaceful resolution of disputes, Carter said.
Of course much of this is political posturing however the Island building by China (Think cheaper longer lasting aircraft carrier) Has put the whole notion of freedom of the seas in question for many countries in the area.
Unless China started invading Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand we will be in a better position than many if a real shooting war were to start. Hopefully that can be averted...
China is trying for territorial claims that have no basis in the "law of the seas" which is recognized by international agreements by all except maybe pirates with visions of grandeur. Problem... the more talk, the more both sides are digging in... Now whoever backs off will lose much face and international standing.
It really is a bad situation which China is forcing and America and many others cannot ignore...... IMO.