Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in this still image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft provided by the United States Navy May 21, 2015. REUTERS/U.S. NAVY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said on Monday the disputed South China Sea should not be discussed at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Liu, speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, which kicks off in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, said the meetings should avoid all talk on the sensitive issue, adding that countries outside ASEAN should not interfere.
"It should not be discussed," said Liu. "This is not the right forum. This is a forum for promoting cooperation. If the U.S. raises the issue we shall of course object. We hope they will not."
WNU Editor: The Chinese are daring everyone that if they should raise this issue .... be prepared for the consequences. Hmmmm ..... let us see who has the courage to bring this issue up .... my prediction .... the Japanese will be the first, not the U.S..
I doubt that the chinese are going to be challenge yet. That would require more preparation than in my opinion has become visible both by the USA or Japan. The US has not finished its preparation for stationing naval vessels in the Philippines or in Australia for that matter. And Japan is just getting used to have flat tops again, has not taken delivery of the Osprey yet or introduced its new amphibious assault vehicles. Not this ASEAN my bet. Vietnam however may be tempted for a dare.
ReplyDeleteWhat would the CCP decide to do as a consequence of their will being thwarted? Depends on which nation defies them. Assume that PRC supplies most if not all ASEAN nations with trade and probably has many ongoing contracts.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is in each nation's interest to unanimously to bring this issue up. They may as well dissolve their nation properly and just join with Greater China, for that is the end result of the annexation of the South China Sea.
To be a vassal of a great power has many benefits. You no longer have to spend on defense, the benefactor does that. If you run out of money, just call the benefactor, and they will supply you.