Monday, March 7, 2016

What Is Russia's Position On The South China Sea Border Dispute?

Russian and Chinese servicemen shake hands during the Russian-Chinese drill "Naval Interaction-2015" at the Klerk testing grounds in Russia's Primorye Territory. © SPUTNIK/ VITALIY ANKOV

Sputnik: What Role Will Russia Play in the US-Chinese South China Sea Drama?

The US-Chinese standoff in the South China Sea is heating up, with Washington dispatching a small armada to the area following reports that Beijing had reinforced a key island with fighters and air defenses. Much has been said and written about the dispute, with Russian analysts left pondering: if push comes to shove, what will Russia's role be?

On Thursday, the Navy Times reported that the US had dispatched an aircraft carrier, the USS John C. Stennis, two destroyers and two cruisers from the US's 7th Fleet to the South China Sea, ostensibly in response to reports that China had sent fighter jets to Woody Island, the largest of the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.

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WNU Editor: I am sure that the Chinese are hoping for Russian support .... but my money is on  Moscow adopting a more neutral line. Vietnam is a long term ally of Russia, and while Russia is selling advance aircraft to China .... Russia to bolster Chinese presence in South China Sea with Su-35 planes in light of tensions (IBTimes), they are also selling submarines to Vietnam .... South China Sea dispute: Vietnamese subs deployed as deterrent to China (Sydney Morning Herald).

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