AFP: US, ASEAN kick off first joint naval drills
Bangkok (AFP) - The United States and ten Southeast Asian countries kicked off maritime drills on Monday, as part of a joint exercise extending into the flashpoint South China Sea with eight warships, four aircraft and more than a thousand personnel.
The first ASEAN-US Maritime Exercise (AUMX) between the regional bloc and Washington will last for five days, starting at the Sattahip Naval Base in Thailand and ending in Singapore.
The drills come at a time of stepped-up US engagement in the region and tensions between Beijing and Southeast Asian nations over the South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
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Update #1: US-ASEAN naval drills kick off in Southeast Asia (DW)
Update #2: Warships and aircraft ready for first US-ASEAN maritime drills (Al Jazeera)
WNU Editor: China's aggression and uncompromising position on territorial claims is bringing these nations together in a manner that I do not think Being ever predicted.
Countries realize little by little that China is a National-Communist system. A Naci one as there was a Nazi one. That's frightening and everyone has to avoid a new " Munich 1938". Appeasement bring shame first and war second.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteXi is beginning to swallow his own medicine. When the empty suit was in the White House xi-boy calculated correctly by ignoring the treaties China had signed concerning the S. China sea and began militarizing it as we all know.
That was before Trump and now there IS Trump. Short of shooting there's not a thing he can do in my opinion, short of going back to the negociation[sp] table. I would not think there will be anymore damaged paint jobs, either. Xi boy's toolbox of intimidation appears to be wanting. This is quite a fleet steaming anywhere they want.
Paper tiger time.
Look at that map. China has no chance. On top, people forget that India - towards china's east - almost went to war against them too! In the north you have Russia where Putin currently plays his double game. But no one buys into it. If the shit hits the fan, Russians will unite with their European brothers to fight religion hating ethno state China. It all seems to be orchestrated to show china that their Chinese century is dead on arrival
ReplyDeleteRoger and Anon,
ReplyDeleteYou are both right !