China News Watch Archives - Page 6 of 7 - Americans for a Stronger Navy

March 25, 2023March 25, 2023

US Navy challenges China’s maritime claims in South China Sea with freedom of navigation operation

The US Navy conducted a freedom of navigation operation in the disputed waters around the Paracel Islands, which are claimed by both China and Vietnam. The operation was carried out by the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius, which sailed within 12 nautical miles of the islands to challenge China’s maritime claims in the region according to press reports.

AP reported that China threatened “serious consequences” Friday after the United States Navy sailed a destroyer around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea for the second day in a row, in a move Beijing claimed was a violation of its sovereignty and security.

In response to the operation, US Navy spokesperson Lt. j.g. Luka Bakic stated, “The United States conducts routine and regular freedom of navigation operations, as we have done in the past and will continue to do so in the future. These operations are designed to uphold the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all nations under international law.”

China has claimed almost the entire South China Sea as its own, a claim that is disputed by other countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. The US has been conducting freedom of navigation operations in the region to challenge China’s excessive claims and assert its right to sail through what it sees as international waters.

The operation comes amid tensions between the US and China over a range of issues, including trade, human rights, and the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. China has accused the US of “provocation” and “interference” in the region, while the US has said it will continue to challenge what it sees as China’s excessive claims in the South China Sea.

In a report from PBS, the U.S. has no South China Sea claims itself, but has deployed Naval and Air Force assets for decades to patrol the strategic waterway, through which around $5 trillion in global trade transits each year and which holds highly valuable fish stocks and undersea mineral resources.

A United Nations-backed arbitration tribunal ruled in 2016 that the historical claim from China on the waters had no legal basis under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, and Washington maintains that freedom of navigation and overflight of the waterway are in the American national interest.

U.S. forces currently operate daily in the South China Sea, and have been present for more than a century. China regularly responds angrily, accusing the U.S. of meddling in Asian affairs and impinging upon its sovereignty.

China’s claims have frequently brought it into conflict with other nations in the region as well. Filipino diplomats unleashed a slew of protests Friday over China’s recent targeting of a Philippine coast guard ship with a powerful military laser and other aggressive behavior.

.In 2018, CNN also reported on the Paracel Islands, a group of islands in the South China Sea that are claimed by both China and Vietnam. The islands have long been a source of tension between the two countries, with China asserting its sovereignty over the region and Vietnam claiming that the islands are part of its territory. This conflict has escalated in recent years, with China building military facilities on some of the islands and Vietnam protesting these actions.

The Paracel Islands are a group of around 130 small islands, reefs, and atolls that are located in the South China Sea, approximately equidistant from the coasts of Vietnam and China. The islands are located in an area that is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and fish, which has made them a source of contention between the two countries. Both China and Vietnam claim historical rights to the islands, with China pointing to records dating back to the Han Dynasty and Vietnam citing evidence of its control of the islands during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Despite the competing claims, China has taken steps to assert its sovereignty over the Paracel Islands in recent years. China has built military installations on several of the islands, including airstrips, radar systems, and naval bases. This has led to concerns among Vietnam and other countries in the region that China is seeking to establish de facto control over the South China Sea.

Vietnam has responded to China’s actions by protesting its sovereignty over the islands and conducting its own military exercises in the region. In 2016, Vietnam’s prime minister called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute, stating that “Vietnam will resolutely and persistently protect its sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests in the East Sea [South China Sea].”

The Paracel Islands dispute is just one of several territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which has become a key flashpoint in the region. China’s claims to the islands are part of a larger effort to assert its dominance over the region, which has led to tensions with other countries in the region, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.

The dispute over the Paracel Islands is likely to continue in the coming years, as both China and Vietnam remain committed to their competing claims to the region. The United States and other countries in the region have called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute, but it remains to be seen whether this will be possible given the complex geopolitical factors at play.

In conclusion, the Paracel Islands dispute is a complex and contentious issue that has significant implications for the region. While China has taken steps to assert its sovereignty over the islands, Vietnam and other countries in the region have expressed concern over China’s actions. The dispute is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, as both China and Vietnam remain committed to their claims to the region

March 23, 2023March 24, 2023

The Complex History and Ongoing Dispute over the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea

The Destroyer Milius (DDG-69) proudly displays it’s large American Flag as it sails

U.S. rejects China’s claim that its warship illegally entered waters in the South China Sea.

China’s military said Thursday that it had monitored and driven away the USS Milius, a guided missile destroyer, around the Paracel Islands.

U.S. rejects Chinese claim that warship illegally entered waters in South China Sea.

Sailors on the USS Milius conduct an operation in the East China Sea on Monday. China accused the ship of illegally entering its territorial waters Thursday.

Washington has rejected Beijing’s claims that a U.S. warship was driven out of waters it illegally entered in the disputed South China Sea on Thursday.

China’s military said that the USS Milius, a guided missile destroyer, had “illegally intruded into China‘s Xisha territorial waters without the approval of the Chinese government.”

Chinese forces monitored, warned the vessel and drove it away, Tian Junli, a spokesman for China’s Southern Theater Command, said in a statement early Thursday.

He added that the United States was “threatening the peace and stability of the South China Sea region” and that Beijing’s forces would “always maintain a high state of readiness and take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and security and peace and stability” in the area.

But the American military swiftly disputed the Chinese statement.

According to Reuters, the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet said in a statement that the Milius “is conducting routine operations in the South China Sea and was not expelled. The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows.”

The Xisha Islands, also known as the Paracel Islands and as the Hoang Sa Archipelago in Vietnam, are a disputed archipelago of reefs and coral islands in the South China Sea.
USS Milius accused of entering disputed waters in the South China Sea.

The Paracel islands, which China considers part of Hainan province, pictured in 2018. Several nations lay claim to the disputed South China Sea region.

In its daily news briefing, China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry underlined Beijing’s position that an American ship had breached its waters, calling on the U.S. to “stop such provocations.”

“China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea,” spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

Geopolitical tensions have been high in the strategically important waterway for years, with frequent flashpoints between the world’s two largest economies.

In July 2021, China accused another American warship, the USS Benfold, of entering what it considers its territorial waters near the Paracel Islands.

NBC News was on board a U.S. patrol plane last month as a Chinese fighter jet flew alongside 500 feet away for more than an hour.

China, which has the world’s largest navy, claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea despite a landmark 2016 ruling by an international tribunal that its claims have no legal basis. Its stance has antagonized a number of countries in the region with which it has territorial disputes.

The U.S. and many of China’s neighbors accuse Beijing of using “gray zone” tactics that are not legally acts of war to intimidate other countries and assert greater control over the area. In response, the U.S. regularly conducts “freedom of navigation” and other operations in international waters and airspace.

The Milius is named after Capt. Paul L. Milius, a U.S. airman whose aircraft was presumed destroyed over Laos during the Vietnam War in 1968.

The ship is capable of conducting anti-air, anti-submarine, surface and strike warfare simultaneously, according to the Navy website.

The United States has rejected China’s claim that the USS Milius, a guided missile destroyer, illegally entered its territorial waters in the disputed South China Sea on Thursday. China’s military said that it had monitored and driven away the warship around the Paracel Islands, but the US Navy’s 7th Fleet disputed this, stating that the Milius was conducting routine operations and was not expelled. The Xisha Islands, also known as the Paracel Islands, are a disputed archipelago of reefs and coral islands in the South China Sea. Geopolitical tensions have been high in the strategically important waterway for years, with frequent flashpoints between the world’s two largest economies.

The Paracel Islands, also known as the Xisha Islands, are a group of islands, reefs, and atolls located in the South China Sea. They are situated approximately equidistant from China and Vietnam and are claimed by both countries, as well as Taiwan.

The history of the Paracel Islands is disputed, with various countries claiming sovereignty over the islands at different points in history. The islands were first recorded by Chinese sailors in the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) and were later claimed by the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). In the 19th century, European powers began to take an interest in the region, with France claiming the islands in 1933 and Japan occupying them during World War II.

After the war, China regained control of the islands, but they were later occupied by South Vietnam in 1956, which was backed by the United States. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, the islands came under Vietnamese control, and China has since contested Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Paracels.

The dispute over the Paracel Islands is rooted in historical claims, but it is also tied to the strategic importance of the region. The South China Sea is a major shipping route, and the islands are located near important oil and gas fields. China’s claim to the Paracel Islands is part of a broader claim to most of the South China Sea, which is contested by several Southeast Asian countries.

The Paracel Islands have been the site of several naval confrontations between China and Vietnam. In 1974, China launched an attack on Vietnamese forces on the islands, killing over 70 soldiers and seizing control of the archipelago. In 1988, the two countries clashed again when China sank several Vietnamese ships near the Spratly Islands, another disputed territory in the South China Sea.

More recently, the United States has become involved in the dispute over the Paracel Islands. The US has conducted freedom of navigation operations in the region, challenging China’s claims to the islands and asserting its right to sail through the region’s international waters.

In conclusion, the history of the Paracel Islands is complex and disputed, with various countries claiming sovereignty over the islands at different points in history. The dispute over the islands is tied to their strategic location in the South China Sea, which is a major shipping route and a source of oil and gas reserves. The dispute has led to several naval confrontations between China and Vietnam and has drawn in the United States, which has conducted freedom of navigation operations in the region.

March 21, 2023April 3, 2023

US and Philippines Condemn China’s “Gray Zone” Activities in the South China Sea

The United States and the Philippines have issued a joint statement condemning China’s “gray zone” activities in the South China Sea. These activities include the deployment of maritime militia and the harassment of Philippine vessels and fishermen. The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to upholding international law and called for a peaceful resolution to the disputes in the region. The statement was issued after the conclusion of the annual joint military exercises between the US and the Philippines.

Key takeaways:

The US and the Philippines have condemned China’s “gray zone” activities in the South China Sea.

China’s activities include the deployment of maritime militia and the harassment of Philippine vessels and fishermen.

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to upholding international law and called for a peaceful resolution to the disputes in the region.

The statement was issued after the conclusion of the annual joint military exercises between the US and the Philippines.

Source: The Manila Times

What are the Gray Zones?

U.S. Position on Maritime Claims in the South China Sea:

In a 2020 U.S. Secretary of Defense the statement, the PRC has no lawful territorial or maritime claim to (or derived from) James Shoal, an entirely submerged feature only 50 nautical miles from Malaysia and some 1,000 nautical miles from China’s coast. James Shoal is often cited in PRC propaganda as the “southernmost territory of China.” International law is clear: An underwater feature like James Shoal cannot be claimed by any state and is incapable of generating maritime zones. James Shoal (roughly 20 meters below the surface) is not and never was PRC territory, nor can Beijing assert any lawful maritime rights from it.

The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire. America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law. We stand with the international community in defense of freedom of the seas and respect for sovereignty and reject any push to impose “might makes right” in the South China Sea or the wider region.

March 16, 2023March 17, 2023

Tomahawk Missiles for Australia

The crew of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) successfully launches Tomahawk cruise missiles off the coast of southern California in 2018.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has announced a possible sale of Tomahawk cruise missile systems to Australia. The proposed deal is worth an estimated $1.5 billion and would involve the sale of 200 Tomahawk Block V All-Up-Round missiles, along with associated equipment, spare parts, and support services.

The Tomahawk missile system is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile that is designed for precision strike missions against heavily defended targets. It is a proven weapon system that has been used extensively in combat operations, most recently in the strikes against Syrian chemical weapon facilities in 2018.

The proposed sale would enhance Australia’s capability to deter regional threats and strengthen its interoperability with the US. It would also support Australia’s maritime security and provide it with an enhanced ability to conduct naval operations independently or in coordination with other allies.

The sale of the Tomahawk missile system to Australia is part of a broader trend of increasing defense cooperation between the US and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region, as they seek to counterbalance China’s growing military power and assertiveness in the region.

The proposed sale is still subject to approval by the US Congress, and it remains to be seen how Australia’s neighbors, particularly China, will respond to the move. However, if approved, the sale could have significant implications for the balance of power in the region and could potentially escalate tensions between the US and China.

Overall, the proposed sale of the Tomahawk missile system to Australia highlights the increasing importance of the Indo-Pacific region in global affairs and the growing significance of defense cooperation among allies in the region. It also underscores the continued rivalry between the US and China, which is likely to shape the region’s security landscape in the years to come.

CNN reports that:

So far only the UK has bought Tomahawks from the US, but recently Japan announced its intention to buy hundreds of the missiles, which cover a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), to boost its defense capabilities.

About Tomahawks

First deployed in the Gulf War in 1991, Tomahawk missiles fly at extremely low altitudes at high subsonic speeds and are controlled by several mission-tailored guidance systems. According to the US Navy, they can be launched from submarines made by the US and the UK, as well as from US Navy ships.

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is a long-range, all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile that is primarily used by the United States Navy and Royal Navy in ship and submarine-based land-attack operations. Source: Wikipedia
Maximum speed: Subsonic; ~Mach 0.74. about 567.7 mph (493.3 kn; 913.6 km/h)
Engine: Williams International F107-WR-402 turbofan; using TH-dimer fuel; and a solid-fuel rocket booster
Manufacturer: General Dynamics (initially); McDonnell Douglas; Hughes Aircraft Corporation; Raytheon Missiles & Defense
Length: Without booster: 18 ft 3 in (5.56 m) With booster: 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m)
Diameter: 20.4 in (0.52 m)
Mass: 2,900 lb (1,300 kg), 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) with booster
Unit cost: : $1.87M (FY2017) (Block IV); $2M (FY2022) (Block V);

March 14, 2023March 14, 2023

Fast Warship Building

The article “How Fast Can We Build Warships Today?” discusses the challenges of rapidly building warships in times of crisis, specifically in response to China’s increasing naval power. The author notes that the US Navy’s shipbuilding process is currently slow and inefficient, with complex procurement procedures and limited shipyards.

Key takeaways from the article include:

The US Navy needs to be able to rapidly increase its shipbuilding capabilities to counter China’s growing naval power.
Current shipbuilding processes are slow and inefficient, and the Navy needs to streamline its procurement procedures and expand its shipyard capacity.
Private shipyards could play a larger role in building warships for the Navy.
Building a large number of smaller, simpler warships may be a more effective strategy than building a few large, complex ones.

Credit: The National Review, a conservative media outlet that covers politics, policy, and culture. The article was written by Jerry Hendrix, a retired Navy captain and former director of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

March 11, 2023March 12, 2023

Increased Cyber-attacks and other Forms of Aggression to U.S.

Republican lawmakers have sounded the alarm on the growing threats to the US from China, Russia, and Iran according to news reports today. The lawmakers released a report highlighting the challenges faced by the US military, including increased cyber-attacks and other forms of aggression.

Some of the key takeaways from the report include the need to increase funding for the military to counter these threats, the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges posed by China and Russia, and the need to prioritize cybersecurity to prevent future attacks.

This report is of interest to Americans for a Stronger Navy because it underscores the importance of a strong and well-funded military, particularly in the face of growing foreign threats. As one of the primary advocates for a stronger Navy, this report reinforces the need for continued investment in naval power to protect American interests both at home and abroad.

March 8, 2023March 12, 2023

Chinese Ships Suspected as Cutting Internet to Taiwan’s Outlying Islands

Several news sources including a report from ABC News, report that Chinese ships have cut the internet access to Taiwan’s outlying islands, which are located close to China. The disruption has affected around 6,000 people, who are now unable to access the internet or make phone calls. The Taiwanese government has condemned the move and said that it is a violation of international law. The incident comes amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province.

Chinese ships have cut off internet access to Taiwan’s outlying islands, affecting about 6,000 people according press report
The move has been condemned by the Taiwanese government as a violation of international law.
This incident occurs amidst growing tensions between China and Taiwan.

March 8, 2023March 8, 2023

Secretary of the Navy warns China’s warship production outpacing US, emphasizes need for acceleration

The Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, has expressed concerns over China’s faster production of warships, which could impact the future of the US Navy. Del Toro has called for an acceleration of efforts to keep up with China’s naval modernization by building more warships and expanding its fleet. The report emphasizes the significance of the US Navy’s industrial base in supporting the production of advanced naval technologies. Del Toro made these remarks during a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Takeaways

The Secretary of the Navy has warned that China is outpacing the US in warship production, posing a threat to American naval supremacy.

The US needs to accelerate its efforts to keep up with China’s naval modernization, including building more warships and expanding its fleet.

The US Navy’s industrial base is crucial in supporting the production of advanced naval technologies.

These remarks were made by the Secretary of the Navy during a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

March 7, 2023March 7, 2023

USS Ronald Reagan Rotation Scheduled

The United States plans to replace its Japan-based aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, by 2025 with a newer, more advanced vessel capable of accommodating new fighter jets and other advanced systems. The move is seen as part of the US efforts to maintain its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region amid increasing security challenges from China and North Korea. The new carrier is expected to be larger and morpadvanced than the current Ronald Reagan, and will be able to accommodate the latest F-35B fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles.

In November 2021, the USS Ronald Reagan participated in a joint naval exercise with South Korea, which involved aircraft carrier operations, anti-submarine warfare, and other training scenarios aimed at enhancing the allies’ ability to work together in defending against potential threats from North Korea.

In August 2021, the USS Ronald Reagan arrived in Hawaii for a scheduled port visit, during which sailors had the opportunity to participate in community outreach events and explore the local area.

In July 2021, the USS Ronald Reagan departed from its home port in Yokosuka, Japan, to begin a scheduled deployment in the Indo-Pacific region, during which it would conduct a variety of training exercises and operations aimed at promoting stability and security in the region.

In May 2021, the USS Ronald Reagan participated in a joint naval exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, which involved training in anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and other scenarios aimed at improving the two countries’ interoperability and ability to operate together in the region.

March 7, 2023March 7, 2023

Chinese boats harass Philippines

The Philippines has reported that it is monitoring dozens of armed Chinese fishing vessels around a disputed island in the South China Sea, with the boats being part of China’s “gray zone” efforts to assert sweeping claims in the energy-rich waters. The unmarked fishing boats, accompanied by a naval and coast guard presence, were described as “a form of harassment” by a Philippine official. China’s ambitious maritime and territorial claims were dismissed in 2016 by an arbitral tribunal in The Hague, but China has rejected the verdict, leading to tensions with the US, which is committed to freedom of the seas.