Konflikti Kiinan merellä

[ctg]

The US Pacific Command has for the first time developed a schedule for naval patrols in the South China Sea, with freedom of navigation operations (FONOPS) two or three times over the next few months, a report said on Friday (Sept 1), quoting unnamed US officials.

This would mark a considered approach to FONOPS in the disputed South China Sea, the Wall Street Journal reported. China claims the maritime zone virtually in its entirety, but Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan also have claims there.

China has called previous FONOPS by the US provocative. There have been three so far under President Donald Trump, and four under the previous Barack Obama administration.

China reacted sharply to a US patrol on July 2, when the American destroyer USS Stethem passed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island in the Paracels chain.

http://www.straitstimes.com/world/u...-south-china-sea-to-challenge-chinas-maritime

 

[ctg]

The South China Sea is one of the world’s top five most productive fishing zones, accounting for about 12 percent of global fish catch in 2015. More than half of the fishing vessels in the world operate in these waters, employing around 3.7 million people, and likely many more engaged in illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing. But this vital marine ecosystem is seriously threatened by overfishing encouraged by government subsidies, harmful fishing practices, and, in recent years, large-scale clam harvesting and dredging for island construction.

Total fish stocks in the South China Sea have been depleted by 70-95 percent since the 1950s and catch rates have declined by 66-75 percent over the last 20 years. Giant clam harvesting, dredging, and artificial island building in recent years severely damaged or destroyed over 160 square kilometers, or about 40,000 acres, of coral reefs, which were already declining by 16 percent per decade. The entire South China Sea fishery, which officially employs around 3.7 million people and helps feed hundreds of millions, is now in danger of collapse unless claimants act urgently to arrest the decline.

https://amti.csis.org/coc-blueprint-fisheries-environment/

 

[ctg]

kiinalaisten kynästä varoitus

As Australian media reported of late, six Australian naval ships carrying 1,200 personnel have sailed toward the South China Sea. It remains unclear how far the ships have moved into the disputed sea area. The fleet has departed for "Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017" with stops at Japan, South Korea and the Philippines in a biggest military operation of its kind for at least three decades.

With only about 10,000 personnel, the three-month military exercises and visits by the Australian Navy is rather impressive in terms of scale, scope, preparation and duration. More interested in peripheral security than the South China Sea, Australia used to be more focused on stopping refugee and migrant smuggling. When it used military forces in neighboring or far away regions, it was to play second fiddle to the US and to posture. Military exercises and visits this time, however, are voluntary and unusual in history, especially since the end of the Cold War.

Obviously, by doing so Australia wishes to show off its strengths, enhance ties with neighbors and then play a bigger role in regional security. It used to position itself as a middle power, thus not quite independent in security affairs. But now its role in international affairs has changed. After US President Donald Trump took office, the US has failed to play an active role in security affairs in the Asia-Pacific or East Asia, and may even withdraw in self-interest. If America does withdraw, who will safeguard regional security?

Strategists in Australia believe a stronger China brings uncertainties to the region. Therefore, Canberra hopes neighboring countries will come together and play a collective role. Though in no way can it fill America's shoes, Australia still intends to get neighboring countries on board and act as a "sub chief." This was confirmed by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the Shangri-La Dialogue earlier this year when he said "Big fish eat small fish and small fish eat shrimps" to describe the Asia-Pacific order, barely concealing Australia's intention of becoming spokesperson of "small fish" and "shrimps."

Australia wants independence even from the US and is prepared to act alone if the US is not present. In fact, it has been wooing Japan and India and seeking a bigger role in ASEAN. Australia's distrust of China has deepened and it has stepped up vigilance after China's island construction in the South China Sea. It pays more attention to the area through which most of its trade passes.

Moreover, the contentious nature of the South China Sea propels Australia to step up its presence.

Therefore, the military exercise by the Australian Navy, though unusual, is not unexpected. Once the news came out, many took it as an act against China. Indeed, Australia is on alert facing an increasingly powerful China, but ties have not become antagonistic. Australia has never given up on enhancing military ties with China and even acts as the bridge between Beijing and the US by organizing joint military exercises among the three.

There is no doubt that Australia attempts to play a bigger role in the region. What matters is whether its role will be constructive. In particular, it needs to practice prudence and avoid being mired in the muddy waters of disputed sea areas such as the South and East China Sea.

Australia has always claimed it does not have a stance on construction in the South China Sea and it should remain neutral instead of ganging up with other countries.

After all, Australia lies outside the South and East China Sea.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1067952.shtml

 

[ctg]

The dispute between Beijing and Tokyo over oil and gas fields in the East China Sea remains a persistent source of friction in the relationship, and contributes to broader maritime tensions between the two sides. The issue receives less attention than the territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands—much less the constantly evolving state of play in the South China Sea—but that does not mean that the situation on the disputed continental shelf is static. AMTI has previously tracked the expansion in the number of Chinese oil rigs in the area in recent years, which have been installed despite Tokyo’s objections. In 2017, China placed three new rigs in the area, which appear to have been accompanied by a spike in activity by Chinese service vessels.

The first new rig, Haiyang Shiyou 942, is owned by Drilling China Oilfield Services and was installed on or before February 18, 2017. The Kantan Qihao, a drilling jackup rig owned by Sinopec Offshore Oilfield Services, appears to have arrived on the scene between July 19 and 21. And most recently, the Kaixuan Yihao owned by CIMC Raffles Offshore was installed on approximately August 19.

https://amti.csis.org/busy-summer-beijings-rigs/

 

[ctg]

With improved Sino-Philippine relations post-arbitration, an opening with Russia, and seemingly positive momentum on ASEAN-China Code of Conduct negotiations, one could envision a shadow looming over the Philippines’ longstanding defense cooperation with the United States and recently burgeoning cooperation with Japan. But the reality is more nuanced. With threats to sever or downgrade security relations with the United States alongside a courting of non-traditional security partners China and Russia, how will the Philippines’ security relations with established partners proceed under President Rodrigo Duterte?

https://amti.csis.org/philippine-security-bending-not-breaking/

 

[ctg]

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Chafee, a guided-missile destroyer, carried out normal maneuvering operations that challenged “excessive maritime claims” near the Paracel Islands, among a string of islets, reefs and shoals over which China has territorial disputes with its neighbors.

China’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that a warship, two fighter jets and a helicopter had scrambled to warn the U.S. ship away, adding it had infringed upon China’s sovereignty and security with its “provocation”.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...n-south-china-sea-u-s-officials-idUSKBN1CF2QG

“China will continue to take resolute measures to protect Chinese sovereign territory and maritime interests. China urges the U.S. to conscientiously respect China’s sovereign territory and security interests, conscientiously respect the efforts regional countries have made to protect peace and stability in the South China Sea, and stop these wrong actions.”

 

[ctg]

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was eager to credit new ally Beijing in the death of militant leader Isnilon Hapilon, saying it was a Chinese rifle that fired the bullet that finished off Islamic State’s “emir” in Southeast Asia.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...uds-china-role-in-rebel-killing-idUSKBN1CP19W

The smoking gun that took out the region’s most feared insurgent on Monday was one of the 100 sniper rifles donated by China, Duterte said, although the ranger unit conducting the operation said the shot was fired from a heavier weapon mounted on an armored vehicle.

Duterte is a huge fan of the Chinese rifles and took a pot-shot himself in the direction of militants in Marawi City recently. Addressing businessmen and diplomats, he singled out ambassador Zhao Jianhua for China’s support that led to the crucial killing.

“I would like to officially inform you, Ambassador Zhao, that the rifle that killed Hapilon was a sniper rifle made in China,” Duterte announced late on Thursday, to warm applause from the crowd.

But the version of the final hours of the life of Hapilon and another rebel leader, Omarkhayam Maute, posted on the Facebook page of a member of the Army Scout Rangers, tells a different story.

 

[ctg]

Tilkkutäkki. Kuka lähtee selvittämään tätä kyistä suota?

Explore the web of overlapping maritime claims in Asia. Zoom in and out with the mouse scroll wheel, and use the menu on the right to toggle different claim types and claimants. All claims depicted are based on a claimant’s international agreements, domestic legislation, and public submission of claims.

https://amti.csis.org/maritime-claims-map/

 

[Pihatonttu]

Tilkkutäkki. Kuka lähtee selvittämään tätä kyistä suota?

https://amti.csis.org/maritime-claims-map/

Jos Pöö-Korea jatkaa ohjelmiaan ja siitä seuraa sota, niin jos Kiina tukee USA:ta, niin tilkkutäkki saattaa säilyä. Jos taas Kiina menee Pipilän tueksi, niin Kiinan vaatimukset tilkkutäkillä saattavat kohdata aika isoa operatiivista vastustusta.

Kiinan näkökulmasta edut vastaan arvovalta?

Suurimmat tyhmyydet tehdään aina arvovaltasyistä.

 

[ctg]

The E-2D’s Lockheed Martin AN/APY-9 UHF-band radar is the central feature of the Advanced Hawkeye.

Both friend and foe alike have touted UHF radars as an effective countermeasure to stealth technology. One early public example of that is a paper prepared by Arend Westra that appeared in the National Defense University’s Joint Forces Quarterly academic journal in the fourth-quarter issue of 2009. “It is the physics of longer wavelength and resonance that enables VHF and UHF radar to detect stealth aircraft,” Westra wrote in his article, titled “Radar vs. Stealth.”

UHF-band radars operate at frequencies between 300MHz and 1GHz, which results in wavelengths that are between ten centimeters and one meter long. Typically, due to the physical characteristics of fighter-sized stealth aircraft, they must be optimized to defeat higher frequencies in the Ka, Ku, X, C and parts of the S-bands.

There is a resonance effect that occurs when a feature on an aircraft — such as a tail-fin tip — is less than eight times the size of a particular frequency wavelength. That omnidirectional resonance effect produces a “step change” in an aircraft’s radar cross-section.

Effectively, what that means is that small stealth aircraft that do not have the size or weight allowances for two feet or more of radar absorbent material coatings on every surface are forced to make trades as to which frequency bands they are optimized for.

http://warisboring.com/the-u-s-navys-e-2d-advanced-hawkeyes-watch-for-chinese-stealth-fighters/

Kiinan etu stealthvehkeissä kapenee koko ajan tekniikan kehittyessä. Ei taida J21 olla puolustamaan eteläistä kiinan merta, ellei Kiina tuota niitä satoja suorittamaan operaatioita.

 

[Nhhk]

http://warisboring.com/the-u-s-navys-e-2d-advanced-hawkeyes-watch-for-chinese-stealth-fighters/

Kiinan etu stealthvehkeissä kapenee koko ajan tekniikan kehittyessä. Ei taida J21 olla puolustamaan eteläistä kiinan merta, ellei Kiina tuota niitä satoja suorittamaan operaatioita.

Ei välttämättä. Kovaa se kiinakin tuota stealthiansa kehittää.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/mil...esearchers-develop-stealth-material-for-jets/

 

[ctg]

Dozens of warships believed to contain the remains of thousands of British, American, Australian, Dutch and Japanese servicemen from the second world war have been illegally ripped apart by salvage divers, the Guardian can reveal.

An analysis of ships discovered by wreck divers and naval historians has found that up to 40 second world war-era vessels have already been partially or completely destroyed. Their hulls might have contained the corpses of 4,500 crew.

Governments fear other unmarked graves are at risk of being desecrated. Hundreds more ships – mostly Japanese vessels that could contain the war graves of tens of thousands of crew killed during the war – remain on the seabed.

The rusted 70-year-old wrecks are usually sold as scrap but the ships also contain valuable metals such as copper cables and phosphor bronze propellors.

Experts said grave diggers might be looking for even more precious treasures – steel plating made before the nuclear testing era, which filled the atmosphere with radiation. These submerged ships are one of the last sources of “low background steel”, virtually radiation-free and vital for some scientific and medical equipment.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/n...ave-robbery-asias-disappearing-ww2-shipwrecks

 

[ctg]

Kehotan ihmisiä katsomaan BBCn Blue Planet IIn kolmannen episodin ja miettimään mitä tuhoa kiinan keinosaaret aiheuttavat koralliriutoille.

 

[ctg]

China is expected to complete its first sea launch for commercial payloads in 2018, said Yang Baohua, vice general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC).

Yang made the remarks at an annual academic conference on space science held from November 1 to 2 in Beijing. The service will also be provided in other regions in addition to its four major sites in Jiuquan, Taiyuan, Xichang, and Wenchang, Yang noted.

At the conference, Yang introduced the company's experience, competence, and advantages, as well as its on-going commercial aerospace programs, and also evaluated the prospects of the commercial space industry.

"CASTC is dedicated to offering various commercial launching solutions to meet the market demands of low cost and fast preparation," Yang said.

Key technological tests will be conducted for the sea launch of the Long-march rocket family this year, according to Tang Yagang, deputy director of carrier rocket development at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

The commercial service is expected to be available for international users in 2018. By then, the Long-march rockets will be able to send 500-kilogram satellites to an altitude of 500 kilometers above Earth, at an inclination of 0-10 degrees.

In recent years, with the growing demand for launching near-equatorial and low-inclination satellites from countries near the equator, sea launch service has become an area of fierce competition among space powers.

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/C...unch_for_Commercial_Payloads_in_2018_999.html

 

[Osasto 31]

Linkki: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...actics-east-china-sea-documents/#.WiVG6EqWZPY

Xi behind coercive tactics in East China Sea: documents

TAIPEI – Recently obtained documents confirm suspicions that Chinese President Xi Jinping himself is personally involved in ordering the military operations agitating Japan in the East China Sea.

China’s surging military activity in the East China Sea has caused deep anxiety for Japan, which administers the Senkaku Islands. The uninhabited isles near Taiwan are also claimed by China, which calls them Diaoyu, and Taiwan, which calls them Tiaoyutai.

According to the documents, recently obtained by Kyodo News, during a closed-door meeting with members of the Central Military Commission, which is in overall charge of the People’s Liberation Army, on Feb. 20 this year, Xi, supreme commander of the world’s largest military, said “some countries have conducted frequent maritime drills in the area seeking to provoke and pressure us.”

“Yet our military has regularized patrols in the air and on the sea with a series of military operations deep into the East China Sea and Diaoyu Islands to safeguard our interest in territorial sovereignty,” he added.

Such military operations have proven that “if our strategy is appropriate and our actions are pro-active, we could seize an opportunity and even turn a crisis into an opportunity,” he is quoted as saying.

Statistics show that China’s military exercises in the East China Sea are becoming increasingly routine and that their frequency and scale have grown.

In fiscal 2016 ended in March, Japan scrambled fighter jets 1,168 times to intercept approaching aircraft, breaking the Cold War record, according to the Defense Ministry.

Last year, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry began publicizing news, and sometimes photos, of scrambles executed by its air force to counter China’s increasing military activity.

Recognizing that “problems” have emerged under “new circumstances,” Xi said China is at a critical juncture of developing itself from being “big” to “strong.”

“We are now facing a historic opportunity that happens only once in a thousand years,” he said. “If we handle it well, we will prosper. But if we screw it up, there will be problems, big problems.”

While recognizing opportunities, Xi said that there are also “unprecedented risks and challenges.”

Shifting to economics, Xi said some politicians in the West have declared they are against globalization merely for political reasons, while pinning the blame for problems at home on China, which has been branded as the biggest beneficiary of globalization.

Some countries are likely to be driven by their economic woes to “make a reckless move in desperation” or “flex their muscle overseas as domestic pressure heightens,” he said.

On international strategy, Xi said some Western countries have lost their long-standing dominance in international affairs and found their international status in real danger of slipping.

Yet at the same time, some emerging markets and developing countries are on an ascending path, especially China, whose overall national strength is rising, he said.

“The international community increasingly thinks highly of us and wants to hear what China has to say and see what China wants to do,” he said.
As for development models, Xi criticized Western democracy, saying many Western countries promote “democratic expansion” and see themselves as the “world savior,” while their institution creates not only societal divisions, but also infighting among parties and endless political scandals.
“It’s like the real-life version of the House of Cards,” he said, referring to the now-canceled hit U.S. political drama. “People are gravely disappointed in the Western ruling apparatus.”

By comparison, Xi said the leadership of the Communist Party of China is supported by a majority of the people and socialism with Chinese characteristics is “full of vigor and vitality.”

“Many leaders of developing countries I’ve talked to told me that they are doubtful about the political system of the West and expressed hope to learn about how China has developed itself,” Xi said. “It’s a trend to ‘look east.’ “
In short, Xi said China’s military must beef up its efforts to resolutely safeguard state sovereignty, security and the national interest to realize the dream of “two 100 years” and rejuvenation of the “great Chinese nation.”

 

[Pihatonttu]

Linkki: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2...actics-east-china-sea-documents/#.WiVG6EqWZPY

Kiina etenee vaiheittain.

Sekatalousjärjestelmään -> tuotantotalouden nostaminen ja teknologistuminen, sen avulla taloudelliseksi suurvallaksi, rahan ja suurten markkinoiden houkutuksen avulla tietoon kiinni, tiedolla sotilaallinen teknologistuminen, nyt ekspansiivisuus.

Jotkin kiinalaiset tahot puhuvat suoraan siitä että USA <=> Kiina -matsi on edessä parin vuosikymmenen sisällä. Ja niin varmasti on. Mitä enemmän Kiina ehtii nousta, sitä pahempi matsista tulee.

USA:lla on ollut pitkään sellainen globaali dominanssi joka perustuu paljolti houkuttelevuuteen.

Kiina puolestaan hakee sellaista globaalia dominanssia joka perustuu siihen, että muille jätetään vain yksi vaihtoehto.

Näissä oloissa Kiinan reaktioiden pelko ei ole hyvä syy jarrutella Pohjois-Korean suhteen.

 

[ctg]

China has created military facilities about four times the size of Buckingham palace on contested islands in the South China Sea, a new report has said, calling the build-up a “slow-moving crisis” in one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints.

China built about 29 hectares (290,000 square metres) of new facilities on contested islands in 2017, including munitions depots, sensor arrays, radar systems and missile shelters, according to an analysis by US thinktank the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/15/militarisation-beijing-south-china-sea-islands

Henkilökohtaisesti ei ole kiinnostanut tänä vuotena seurata tätä konfliktia. Ehkä olisi pitänyt.

 

[ctg]

Lisää kuvia ja analyysia https://amti.csis.org/constructive-year-chinese-building/

 

[Pihatonttu]

...in the South China Sea, a new report has said, calling the build-up a “slow-moving crisis” in one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints.

 

[ctg]

The new National Security Strategy talks tough — but here are the options the United States actually has, and the pros and cons of each.

The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy is remarkably critical of China, warning that its “efforts to build and militarize outposts in the South China Sea endanger the free flow of trade, threaten the sovereignty of other nations, and undermine regional stability.” Yet even as U.S. leaders have championed a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” they have yet to explain how this approach will apply to and be implemented in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the situation there has reached a critical stage as Chinese advances accumulate, America’s room for maneuver diminishes, and observers throughout the region wonder whether the United States is up to the challenge.

Linkki