Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Is The U.S. And China Heading For A Naval Showdown In The South China Sea?

An aerial photo taken though a glass window of a Philippine military plane shows the alleged on-going land reclamation by China on mischief reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, Philippines, May 11, 2015. Reuters/Ritchie B. Tongo

WSJ: U.S. Military Proposes Challenge to China Sea Claims

Moves would send Navy planes, ships near artificial islands built by China in contested waters

The U.S. military is considering using aircraft and Navy ships to directly contest Chinese territorial claims to a chain of rapidly expanding artificial islands, U.S. officials said, in a move that would raise the stakes in a regional showdown over who controls disputed waters in the South China Sea.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter has asked his staff to look at options that include flying Navy surveillance aircraft over the islands and sending U.S. naval ships to within 12 nautical miles of reefs that have been built up and claimed by the Chinese in an area known as the Spratly Islands.

More News On The Growing Dispute Between U.S. And China On The South China Sea

US considers military patrols of Beijing's artificial islands in South China Sea -- The Guardian
Pentagon weighs sending planes, ships near disputed South China Sea reefs -- Reuters
U.S. considering sending surveillance aircraft to South China Sea -- CNN
Pentagon weighs sending planes and ships near disputed South China Sea reefs -- The Telegraph
U.S. May Boost South China Sea Patrols Near China-Claimed Isles -- Bloomberg
China Concerned About Possible US Patrols Around Islands -- VOA
China Lashes Out Over U.S. Plan on South China Sea -- WSJ
China urges caution from US over South China Sea disputes -- The Guardian
China reportedly warns US against sending ships, aircraft to South China Sea -- FOX News
China 'Deeply Concerned' Over US Plans to Patrol South China Sea -- Sputnik
China, U.S. head toward face-off in South China Sea -- USA Today
5 Things About the South China Sea Dispute -- WSJ

5 comments:

Bob Huntley said...

The US seems ready to take on all comers and at this point there is a line up.

Unknown said...

Obamao does not have good track record when it comes to red lines.

'Methinks' everyone can cross his and he will not cross anyone's who has a nuke.

Unknown said...

Ive been thinking the same thing

Anonymous said...

Since you occasionally mention that you post this partly to practice your English, here's a correction for you: since it's both the US and China (two, i.e. plural), the question would be "Are the US and China heading for a showdown?" Or, alternatively, "Is the US headed for a showdown with China?" because in that case, grammatically only the US is heading, and "showdown with China" is where it's heading.

War News Updates Editor said...

Thank you Anon for pointing it out. My excuse is that English is my fourth language .... but .... sighhh .... I wish it was my first. I am stickler for proper grammar .... but if no one tells me my mistakes, how will I know. Again, thankyou.