Scuffle in the South China Sea #70

China carried out military exercises in the South China Sea with a focus on search and rescue.

China is enjoying Duterte's twist to them, but will it last?

The Chinese have allowed Filipino fishermen back to the disputed shoal after Duterte's last visit.  Originally Manila claimed the Chinese had left and the US & Philippines were looking to confirm.

The future of American-Philippines military exercises is to be determined in the next month (Duterte stating they are over).

The US chastised Duterte again.

Some are saying the US-Philippines alliance is stronger than most realize.

Philippines is attempting to get Japan to invest in Filippino defense industries.  

Duterte lashed out at the US again and wants to have joint military exercises with the Japanese.

The US COngress blocked the sale of guns to the Philippines over the rights abuses for Duterte's drug war.  Duterte referred to the congress as monkeys but stated he'd consider sticking with American weapons all the same.

Philippines' new frigates will primarily be used to hunt subs.

The Philippines special envoy to China has quit.

Australia and Indonesia are considering joint patrols of the South China Sea.

Indonesia is considering placing passive radar stations on the Natuna Islands.

Here are some general updates to the South China Sea dispute.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #69

China has urged Australia to be cautious with the South China Sea dispute.

There have been hints China might give Philippines access to the Scarborough Shoal again, one of the disputed isles.  this may be a carrot to pull Duterte into China's orbit. 

China mocked the US' interventions in Asia.

The US Navy conducted a freedom of navigation operation near one of the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.  This sail-by was also a test of the ability of the US Navy to conduct a two front war in Asia.  China, of course, condemned the operation.

The US & Vietnam have agreed the rule of law is a must for the South China Sea.

Duterte is making everyone frustrated and nervous.  The Philippines President seems to be doing his best Donald Trump impression.  Duterte went to China in a diplomatic visit (and then Japan).  China praised the visit and Duterte was praised by China prior to the visit.  Prior to the visit, he stated the South China Sea dispute would take a backseat to other concerns there.   He announced he would be interested in war games with China and Russia.  

Duterte also stated Philippines would be ending its ties with the US, then walked it back to just to just military ties and then stated cooperation would not end.  The Filippino govies spun it as 'he really didn't mean that exactly.'  The US was puzzled by the affair since no request to change cooperation has been submitted.  The announcement has made things even more uncertainty but the US will be maintaining its commitments to the Philippines. Kerry has stated he can still work with Duterte. (good luck, dude)  If Duterte kicks out the US, there will be consequences.

The Americans in the Philippines are rather jittery given his propensity for killing

China and Philippines have restored ties and have restarted discussions on the South China Sea: this is seen as a victory for China since Philippines is not pressing its win in the International Tribunal.

Filippinos trust the US more than China it seems.

The court ruling has not made the situation clearer in the South China Sea at least on the operational side.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #68

The US Navy sent a reinforced strike group to the South China Sea.

Some defense minister are seeking to reduce tensions in the South China Sea.

The Philippines' President made comments that are troubling for the US.

Philippines President Duterte says his country will break with the US at some point.  

Duterte also has stated he may weapons from China and Russia rather than the US.

The Philippines Secretary of Defense has stated his President may be misinformed about the US-Philippines alliance.  Howver, Philippines just announced they informed the US the joint patrols and exercises are now on hold.

Japan launched the second ship for the Philippines.

The US has stated the rhetoric of the Philippines President does not match the actions of the nation.

The US-Philippines war games went forward.   Will they be the last?

Scuffle in the South China Sea #67

A geographer claims China doesn't have much on stand on for the South China Sea dispute.

Some are saying the world needs to chill out over the Sino-Russian exercises in the South China Sea. 

The Sino-Russian exercises ended with an amphibious assault on islands.

Others are stating Chinese artificial islands are a bigger deal than advertised.  They have a strong antiship capability.

Some are advising a stronger stance against China in the South China Sea.

Indonesia may use American funding to build bases in the South China Sea.

US/Philippines military exercise will go forward.

Philippines President Duterte claims to want alliances with China and Russia.

The President of the Philippines has stated the exercises with the United States in the future will not be held.

Philippines DOD has shifted its procurements.

The US has stated its alliance with Philippines is iron clad.

Here are some recent developments in the South China Sea.

Taiwan wants Google to blur bases in the South China Sea.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #65

China is trying to suppress talk of the South China Sea dispute at summits.  ASEAN is complying with its summit.

China and Russia will hold exercises in the South China Sea.

China's Coast Guard has been involved in the clashes in the South China Sea.

The Philippines is worried because of the appearance of more Chinese boats at the disputed shoals.  Philippines is showing pictures of the intrusions.

India has given a $500 Million credit to Vietnam for weapons purchases.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #64

China is increasing its capability to attack the US base on Guam.

Here are some thoughts on China's strategic thinking. 

China has threatened Japan and Australia over the South China Sea dispute.

SecState Kerry stated there is no military solution to the South China Sea dispute and reiterated the US stands by its allies in the dispute.

The US military is stating Australia must choose between the US and China.

What are the implications of the ruling on China and the freedom of navigation acts?

Indonesia is actively trying to resolve the South China Sea disputes.

The Philippines is increasing its defense budget by 15%.

The President of the Philippines is stating talks will begin with China within a year and the dispute has not shifted its ties with the US or China.

The President also stated China must observe the tribunal ruling.

Three Taiwanese officers have been indicted for launching the antiship missile earlier this year.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #63

China has begun combat air patrols over the disputed islands in the South China Sea.

Here's a general update.

The Chinese Shenzhen destroyer has rejoined the South China Sea fleet after a major upgrade.

Some wonder if China is preparing to fight a 'people's war' over the South China Sea.

China is opposing the South China Sea be brought up at the G20 summit.

The US & South Korea had meetings over the South China Sea.

The first US destroyer to visit China since the South China Sea ruling by The Hague has docked.

The US has called for military transparency.

Canada is being called on by some to speak up on the South China Sea dispute.

Philippines has called on China to respect international law.  Japan joined that call.

Philippines seeks to negotiate with China.

Vietnam has supposedly shipped rocket launchers to its garrisons in the South China Sea.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #61

China is calling for more talks.

China has asked for US help to get the Philippines to start negotiations.

China is depending on outside experts like everyone else in the government business.

The meetings between US and Chinese admirals are conditional on the Chinese maintaining professionalism and safety at sea during encounters.

China is removing SAMs from Woody Island.

The US has vowed more patrols in the South China Sea.

China is upset with the Republican Platform's stance on the South China Sea.

Wait!  What?!  The South China Sea spat has impacted...KFC & Apple.

China is planning on sending up to 8 civilian cruise ships to the South China Sea regularly.

China has set up a South China Sea environmental protection fund.

China's nationalism is driving the South China Sea disputes.

What's next for Manila in the South China Sea dispute after the victory over China in The Hague ruling?

Philippines is upgrading old US Coast Guard ships for use in the South China Sea.

The Philippines would like to exploit oil and natural gas in the South China Sea, but the reserves are in the disputed region with China.

Philippines new president is threatening China.  Or at least upsetting enough people that he's getting a very harsh piece written about him.

 ASEAN met with Chinese representatives.

ASEAN had heartburn over an anti Chinese statement about the South China Sea.  Cambodia initially blocked the statement.  Vietnam called the South China Sea dispute the defining moment for ASEAN.  In the end, ASEAN released a watered down rebuke.  Very watered down.  This was a diplomatic win for China.  Philippines says it was not a win.  SecState Kerry is happy with the statement.

US, Japan and Australia called out China when ASEAN did not. 

The US Presidential aid sent to China has asked for reduced tensions in the South China Sea.

SecState Kerry urged both sides to find ways to find diplomatic ways to reduce tensions.  China and ASEAN agreed: both sides said restraint was necessary for the South China Sea.

The ruling is seen has having made matters worse, not better.

Just how militarily relevant are the Chinese features in the South China Sea.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #60

China is digging in its position. 

China has made it clear it will not stop building islands.

China has stated the freedom of navigation operations may end 'unfortunately.' 

China is again closing part of the South China Sea for military exercises.

China has admitted it sent H-6K bombers over the Scarborough Shoal.

Can China actually enforce an ADIZ in the South China Sea?

China will conduct regular combat air patrols over the South China Sea.

China has dismissed calls for boycotting Filipino trade over the ruling.

China is floating the island of placing nuclear reactors in the South China Sea.

China is criticizing the intra China protests against the ruling even though they are supportive of the regime.

Top admirals of the US and China met to discuss the South China Sea dispute.

Is it time for the US to take a stand on the Scarborough Shoal?

The Philippines won't sacrifice its recent ruling victory in its negotiations with China. 

Philippines declined a conditional negotiation with China.

Philippines stated its fishermen are still blocked from the Scarborough Shoal.

Japan and Vietnam both agree the ruling must be observed.

China replied Japan must not interfere with the situation in the South China Sea.

The EU's statement on the South China Sea ruling reflects on its internal divisions.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #59

A long document on the Chinese response to the South China Sea ruling.

China's path forward is very unclear at this point to the rest of the world.  They may expand their claims.

However, the Chinese Ambassador to the US blasted ruling and laid out China's position.  China vowed a decisive response to the 'provocations' by other countries.

Chinese civilian airliners have begun landing at two of the reclaimed reefs. 

China and Taiwan are likely to increase patrols in the South China Sea.  Remember!  Taiwan has the same claims as China.  The difference is the ability to enforce them.

Taiwan is sending ships down to the South China Sea now.

A fourth Type 052D destroyer has joined China's South Seas fleet.

The Chinese flew H-6K bombers over Scarborough Shoal.

China protested an Australian comment on freedom of navigation acts in the South China Sea.

Some pertinent questions are asked about what the next US President will face in the South China Sea.

The US is pushing diplomacy, quietly, to keep the South China Sea from boiling up.

US & Chinese admirals are meeting to try to help with the situation.

A defense analyst POV on the Manila win over Beijing in the South China Sea arbitration.  

Manila celebrates. 

The Philippines will send an envoy to China to negotiate.

However, could the victory be hollow?

ASEAN will keep quiet over the ruling it seems.

Indonesia will now press its own claims with fishermen in a reflection of China's Little Blue Men.

Vietnam protested the Chinese actions after the ruling and China is seen as just going to defy the ruling.  

China has called on Vietnam to help keep the peace in the disputed waterways..

Silence by the EU about the decision is seen as due to internal divisions.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #57

The Hague has ruled in favor of the Philippines over the dispute in the South China Sea.

Beijing has rejected the ruling and then some..  Taiwan has also rejected the ruling.

Japan has stated the ruling is final and binding.

Vietnam has welcomed the ruling while pushing for their own claims.

The US has urged all sides to adhere to the ruling since the US considers it legally binding.

Some are calling for the US to not push hard on CHina after the ruling.  Others want increased sail-bys.

Even so, China claims it will maintain the peace in South China Sea.

China has continued to prep the civilian airports in the Spratley Islands.

Japan will be closely watching what China will do next.

Japan's coast guard cutter has arrived in the Philippines.

Here is a timeline of the events leading up to the decision and some background information.

Why The Hague case matters.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #56

The eve of the ruling by The Hague has the world wondering what China will do.  The signals China has been giving are making everyone nervous. Here's some more background.

Here's a look at China's claims.

How China might react to the ruling.  The US Navy, says though, that it really does not know how China will react to the ruling.

The US should do nothing, so sayeth Beijing, to dispute China's claims in the South China Sea. 

China has stated there will be a price to pay for the US over its confrontation with China over the South China Sea. 

Beijing has made it clear discussions of the South China Sea are not going to happen at the EU-PRC summit.

Some are expressing hope the US and China can get along in the South China Sea.

China has been exercising in the South China Sea.  Here are some pictures and video. China issued a 'no sail zone' warning for the exercise area.  This is nothing new.

Here's a video of the H-6 bomber test firing a YJ-12 antiship missile during the exercise.

WiB takes a look at China's Little Blue Men, ahem, fishing militia.

US Navy destroyers routinely cruise by the Chinese claimed islands now.

The US has stated the ruling presents a choice for Asia on the future.

US Navy Growlers (EA-18Gs) have left the Philippines.

The Philippines has expressed a willingness to share the South China Sea.

The UN has expressed hope China will be peaceful with regards to the ruling.

What countries have sided with China over the South China Sea territorial dispute?

Scuffle in the South China Sea #55

China is sending strong but somewhat mixed signals: on the one hand, they are stating they ought to be ready to fight in the South China Sea.  On the other, China states they want peace.

China has a naval exercise underway just before the ruling from the tribunal.  Vietnam is protesting those Chinese naval drills in the South China Sea.

China and Russia may hold a joint naval exercise in the South China Sea.

The Taiwanese navy accidentally fired an antiship missile and destroyed a fishing boat.

The Philipines is ready to talk to China after the tribunal makes its ruling over the South China Sea.  China has offered to negotiate if Philippines ignores the tribunal.

The Philippines has disqualified an Indian firm from its frigate procurement.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #54

China has stated the Hague has no jurisdiction over the South China Sea disputes and will not accept the arbitration.

Mapping China's rise with regards to its blue water navy.

The Chinese Maritime Militia gets profiled.

The US has countered it does support the arbitration.

The USS Coronado, an Independence class LCS/corvette, has been fitted with Harpoon antiship missiles and is being deployed to the Western Pacific.  It will, in part, patrol the South China Sea.

Philippines hopes for a 'soft landing' in the arbitration.

The Economist's take on Indonesia's annoyance over the South China Sea issue.

This is the Indonesian F-16 that intercepted the Malaysian C-130 over the South China Sea.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #51

What does the rise of China mean for South East Asia?

China is meeting with South East Asian nations over security concerns.
Will China reduce the tensions in the South China Sea?

China is planning a deep sea lab in the South China Sea 10k ft below the ocean surface.

The Chinese prevented Philippines nationalists from raising flags on the disputed shoals.

The Chinese are adding more ships to their South China Sea fleet.

Malaysia, Philippines & Thailand are all interested in the Russo-Indian BRAHMOS hypersonic antiship missile.

Japan is readying the first MMV patrol vessel for the Philippines.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #49

China slams the Philippines definition of 'reef.'

The new Chinese Coast Guard cutters are likely to operate in the South China Sea.

China has stated it will ignore the Philippines' lawsuit decision by The Hague.

 China is pushing its own agenda at the Singapore security summit.

The Summit was dominated by the South China Sea scuffle.

China says the US is provoking it in the South China Sea.

The US will not back down in the South China Sea and will respond to China.  In fact, if China does more, the US has vowed action.

This one shoal may be the line in the sand for the South China Sea.

The US SecDef is saying China is building a Great Wall of Self-Isolation.

The US is proposing a security framework for Asia and asked China to join.

The interaction between the US & China is being called the  'Dialogue of the Deaf.'

The American P-8 and the South China Sea.

McCain is pushing the US to respond more to China in the South China Sea.

Vietnam will be formally asking for P-3 patrol planes.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #48

China wants to repair its relations with the Philippines.

China is warning the US not to let its allies set US policy for the South China Sea.

China welcomes Philippines' offer to negotiate over the South China Sea.

Malaysia is considering getting more aggressive, or at least assertive, in its claims to the South China Sea due to China's own actions.

Vietnam is considering buying the Russo-Indian BRAHMOS hypersonic antiship missile.

An oops on an online map caused Indonesia and Singapore to dispatch troops.

SecDef Carter will be visiting a defense summit in Singapore.  That summit will be dominated by the South China Sea confrontation.

The status of the militaries of South Asia are profiled.

A US Navy EA-18G Growler suffered a mishap in the South China Sea.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #47

The Chinese intercept of the EP-3 violated the agreement about conduct between the nations for aircraft.

The Chinese UAV reported earlier has been confirmed with pictures.

After the spats with Indonesia over the South China Sea, China is pledging closer ties.

China is considering turning some of the disputed islands into resorts.

China states the Vietnam-American ties better not be aimed at them.

SecState Kerry has stated the ties are not.

Here's more on the closer ties between the US and Vietnam.

Vietnam is possibly going to ask for P-3 sub hunting planes and F-16s.

McCain is pushing for closer ties between the Vietnamese Navy & the US Navy.

The closer ties between Vietnam & the US will give China headaches.

The US Navy feels the US Army's rockets & artillery will have the squids' back in the South China Sea.

Are the Chinese are being increasingly constrained by the growing US-Indian relationship?

The US SecDef expresses his worries about the South China Sea.

Philippines has stated some of its fishermen were detained by the Malaysian Navy.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #45

China has vowed to increase its military operations in the South China Sea in response to American moves there.

Beijing has called the US the greatest threat in the region.

China flew H-6k bombers over one of the artificial islands.

China has greatly improved its ability to war game and will have a 3 month long war game in the South China Sea.

China can now target Guam with conventional missiles.

China's little green boats are a thing.  (part 2)

The US interests and the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea are reviewed.

US Admiral stated the US Navy will be continuing its operations in the South China Sea.

The intent to end the ban on selling weapons to Vietnam will face hurdles.

Should the Philippines use blimps in the South China Sea?

India is selling frigates to the Philippines.

The Philippines has signed a defense pact with France.

Scuffle in the South China Sea #44

China conducted naval drills in the South China Sea.

The US Navy conducted another sail by of the artificial Chinese islands. China scrambled two J-11 fighters and an AWACS in response. 

China says building the islands is justified by the...US sail-bys?!

Taiwan has entered into the legal fray by intervening in the Philippines case against China.

Here's a new roundup as well.