China's Military Is Pressuring The Leadership For A Stronger South China Sea Response

Soldiers of People's Liberation Army (PLA) take part in a search and rescue exercise near Qilian Yu subgroup in the Paracel Islands, which is known in China as Xisha Islands, South China Sea, July 14, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

Reuters: 'Give them a bloody nose': Xi pressed for stronger South China Sea response

China's leadership is resisting pressure from elements within the military for a more forceful response to an international court ruling against Beijing's claims in the South China Sea, sources said, wary of provoking a clash with the United States.

China refused to participate in the case overseen by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

It denounced the emphatic July 12 ruling in favor of the Philippines as a farce that had no legal basis and part of an anti-China plot cooked up in Washington.

The ruling has been followed in China by a wave of nationalist sentiment, scattered protests and strongly worded editorials in state media.

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Update: China wants to ‘bloody nose’ of U.S. in South China Sea -- Washington Times

WNU Editor: The Chinese are signalling to everyone that they are not interested in negotiating or compromising on their sovereignty claims in the South China Sea .... China restates sovereignty claims amid S. China Sea tensions (AP). And to further back their claims, they are showing the flag .... Chinese navy holds live-ammunition drill in East China Sea (Xinhuanet).

Update: This is not helpful .... A prominent Chinese media outlet has launched a scathing attack on Australia (News.com.au).