The following link is news today of China sending up to 100 ships to stop/deter the Phillipines from developing Thitu island in the Spratly group. Comments welcome https://www.scmp.com/news/china/dip...et-ships-disputed-south-china-sea-island-stop
This is typical of china policy as its military and economic strength grows China does not want a war with the philippines sending a strong show of force is calculated to get china what it wants without actually having to fight for it We will see this again and again as china seeks to be the dominant power in asia
Agreed. I'm also interested in the politics that undoubtedly is going on behind the scenes between the other claimant countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia in regards to the US. Perhaps the US is sitting back waiting for those countries to step up against China and liase closer with the US in regards to the SCS dispute? Duterte hasnt exactly been chummy with the US, wanting closer ties with China. He should perhaps be careful what he wishes for.
I hope that is not US policy under trump The US cannot lead from behind as obama would have done We must lead the way in standing up to and resisting chinese expansion If we do then the smaller countries in asia ill have a rallying point and the confidence to resit china also
UK news on the SCS https://www.express.co.uk/news/worl...obal-britain-royal-navy-henry-jackson-society
Spooky, The reasons are quite simple and important. The Chinese are not abiding to international law. The decision was made that disallowed China full claim to the South China Sea 9 dash line, that line you can google to see it includes a huge area and such area is also claimed by several other countries. If someone walked into your house and said "this is my place now", you wouldn't stand for it. The militarization of the islands (that China said they wouldn't do) has now extended to threatening aircraft crews and military shipping to leave the area even though it is international waters. This is unacceptable. Cargo ships are also under threat. These threats and any future cargo ships that venture through the South China Sea will need to sail on the east side of the Philippines eg European ships to Korea, Japan etc adding billions of costs to other countries. To get this into context if USA controlled the Atlantic ocean and threatened Chinese shipping to Europe China would be outraged. There is no excuse for bullying and thumbing ones nose up the International community and its laws. There is also concern that debts some island countries have with China (eg Maldives, Pacific Islands) is resulting in China trading off some debts for port access for their Navy. Beware the "paper tiger".
Might I remind you, as small as Australia's military is...it has walked side by side with America in all wars I know of, has provided locations for USA top secret utilities and is a staunch ally not unlike UK and many other vassal nations. These issues are global issues. We used to laugh about the phrase "new world order", we know that is needed now, without a coalition on such global challenges tyranny will reign...again.
We disagree. Trying to organize the globe kills greatness. Rome Britannia We need to let others do their part without funding, blood, bone and lives. Maybe Australia could organize another coalition for a Sane Asia! Just let sit this one out. Americans have paid enough tax money for such efforts while other nations enjoy more expanded social programs. Such as free medical care.
There's been much activity in and around the South China Sea, the US and Philippines will be reviewing the mutual defense treaty this week... probably to tie in this new militarised island they are building. Indonesia have opened a new military base on the edge of the SCS Britain is working on closer ties with Vietnam.... certainly with an eye on becoming more active in Asia and particular the SCS Australia and the US are going to build a military base in PNG The Chinese have built a new underwater base in the South China Sea on Bombay Reef The reality is that if China has complete control of the South China Sea they will invade Taiwan. Taiwan is an excellent strategy for their ailing economy, the South China Sea is vital to their trade and their future... as they see it.... the Chinese are also stealing everyone's fish, since they have depleted their own stock and then there's the resources...the perfect environment for conflict.
I think you'll find the political handcuffs of US health care is due to your political constraints, not money. I get what you ate saying and somewhat agree but I disagree with you including Australia in your bunch of countries doing less than enough. Point your finger at the claimant countries of the scs by all means. Eg Australia's involvement in the destruction of ISIS, Iraq wars, Vietnam, ww1 &2 has been substantial considering our population How soon people forget.
It is typical American policy, to empower third world country, give them money and business, and then demand more money for the Department of Defense. I can't believe how stupid Americans are.
Yes, but you guys enjoy fighting wars more than most. I am particularly fond of your mounted infantry in the M.E. Of course often your troops were considered cheaper blood to spill than a real, Brit's. If the French enjoyed war as much as you rowdies, they would be more involved too. And remember, will beat the Israeli price for a good, anti missile system. Just a small down and COD. Stand up on your hind legs like a real nation. Would China wish to fire at an Aussie navy ship believing it was as good as firing on . Not by treaty. Belief. Australia FIRST. In defense, economic planning, lessening immigration, etc. Australia FIRST Get It? Yes Australia can! You people got sold a bridge in NYC buying into the need for economic globalism and growth. Growth for what, whose profits? don't get me started!
That's what I was thinking of. If the US would butt out of the affairs of those countries, the problems would have been solved a long time ago. We have 800 bases as it is, but I guess it's not enough.
@wombat Australia signs $50 billion submarine contract with France after two-year squabble https://news.yahoo.com/australia-si...ne-contract-france-two-013248672--sector.html Yup let the French aid Australia against very bad China. More here http://politicalforum.com/index.php?threads/all-things-australia.520406/page-51#post-1070214820 All Things Australia #1010 at the Australia Forum because they need to be corralled.
Nope...that isn't how it works. You need to couch your arguments in terms of your value to the US. What do YOU bring to the US that it needs. That is always how US foreign policy has worked and it probably won't change. If we consider you valuable we will move heaven and earth to help and support you like we did with the Brits on several occasions and I am not just talking about WW2. You need to show us that you can provide something that we can't get anywhere else and I have the perfect solution for you. It has been many many years since a good Mad Max or Crocodile Dundee movies was made or even a Quigley Down Under. Right now the only entertainment from your part of the world is coming from the Kiwis. If China threatens Australia we mighty....maybe say something nasty or file a protest at the UN. If however China threatens New Zealand we will **** up the entire South East Asian continent and nuke China to the stone ages because ******it that is were movies like Lord of the Rings and Hercules and Xena were filmed. Not to mention Wellington Paranormal which is one of my new fave shows. Make some movies and TV shows and then tell Trump that if Australia goes then they can't make them anymore. Goodaye Mate!