A Summary On China's Border Disputes

China's current border disputes

Business Insider: China’s aggression isn’t only aimed at India — but at least four other countries in the region

* China’s hostile activities over the last month haven’t not only been against India.
* Countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and Japan have also had to bear the brunt of its aggression.
* Experts speculate that this could be to distract from the second wave coronavirus in the country or a tactic for China to bide for more time to take on the US.

The India-China faceoff in the Galwan valley has triggered panic across the globe. The Indian Army has confirmed the death of 20 personnel, while casualties on the Chinese side are yet to be confirmed. The tensions between the two Asian nations had been at a tipping point since May 5, when the standoff first came to light.

However, China’s military aggression is not only against India. In the last two weeks, it has been exhibiting hostile behaviour throughout the region — towards Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and Japan among other nations.

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WNU Editor: China is also now starting to permit conversations that China is entitled to vast tracts of Siberia, and even Kazakhstan .... Chinese Article Says Kazakhstan Wants To Be A Part Of China, And That Kazakhstan Historically Belongs To China (April 15, 2020). Here is an easy prediction. China's territorial demands are not going to end anytime soon.

Is A Political Solution Possible With China Over The South China Sea?

A Chinese PLA Navy fleet once comprised of multiple ship classes has been replaced by a leaner, meaner force. Photo: Xinhua

Collin Koh, SCMP: How China’s growing PLA Navy could close a perception gap in the South China Sea

* Collin Koh writes that a political solution is the way to win trust in the disputed maritime region as China’s naval force grows more powerful and modern.

As the PLA Navy stands poised to celebrate its 70th anniversary, there is much to be happy about, especially where capability modernisation is concerned.

The navy by 2000 had mustered a total of 57 submarines, only six of which were built in the 1990s and could have been considered modern and up-to-date. The same applied to only four of the total of 20 destroyers and frigates in the navy’s fleet at the time.

Fast forward to today’s PLA Navy. According to the International Institute of Strategic Studies’ 2019 assessment of global military capabilities and defence economics, 51 of China’s 59 submarines are viewed as modern and up-to-date. Meanwhile, 67 of its 86 destroyers and frigates – mostly commissioned in recent years – are top-of-the-line.

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WNU Editor: I have zero faith that China is interested in achieving a political agreement on the South China Sea, or with any other border dispute. The primary objective of China's military buildup has always been to intimidate its neighbours to not contest its claims, and if they do, to show them what happens when they do so .... Vietnam Accuses China of Ramming Vessels in S. China Sea (VOA).

A Look At How China Handles Border Disputes

Photo: Some of China's territorial disputes have been solved amicably, others resulted in all-out war. (China Military Online)

ABC News Online: How China handles border disputes with neighbours India, Taiwan, Japan and others

With more than 22,117 kilometres of borders with 14 different countries, China has numerous overlapping territorial claims with its neighbours.

Since 1949, the People's Republic of China has laid claim to numerous areas of land ranging from tiny islands right through to whole provinces — much to the chagrin of its neighbours.

Some of these disputes were solved amicably, others resulted in all-out war, and many continue to simmer.

As the country's economic power has risen, so too has its spending on its armed forces, which it increasingly deploys to further its territorial claims.

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WNU Editor: The Chinese position right now on border disputes is very blunt, as articulated by Chinese President Xi in 2017 .... China's President Vows No Compromise On Its Border Disputes With its Neighbours (August 1, 2017).

Is China Preparing To Lay The Groundwork To Claim The East Coast Of The Philippines?

George Amurao, Asia Times: China eyes Philippines’ strategic eastern shores

Manila's allowance for a Chinese state-funded think tank to conduct 'scientific' research at Benham Rise has raised concerns of ulterior motives.

After consolidating control over Philippine-claimed features in the South China Sea, China is now casting its gaze on the island nation’s eastern waters opening onto the Pacific Ocean.

Last week, Filipino Congressman Gary Alejano revealed in a privilege speech that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) had approved a Chinese state-funded think tank’s request to conduct a scientific survey of the Benham Rise, a seismically active 13 million hectare underwater plateau.

As part of the agreement, China’s Institute of Oceanology of Chinese Academy of Sciences (IO-CAS) will work with a team from the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute. Largely undeveloped, the marine feature is believed to be rich in natural gas, heavy metals, fisheries and other resources.

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WNU Editor: Using the playbook on the eastern shores of the Philippines as they have did on the western shores in the South China Sea .... who is to stop China if they should decide to build an artificial island(s) in these waters, and when completed then make their territorial claims. It may sound far-fetch .... but this is exactly what happened when China started to explore and construct artificial islands in the South China Sea .... most were not concerned until China completed their island construction, built their defenses, and then lay claim to the the entire region. But it does not even stop there .... need I remind everyone that the Chinese believe they also have a claim to the Arctic .... China Lays Claim To The Arctic (March 9, 2010)

China's President Vows No Compromise On Its Border Disputes With its Neighbours

Reuters: President Xi says China loves peace but won't compromise on sovereignty

BEIJING (Reuters) - China loves peace but will never compromise on defending its sovereignty, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday while marking 90 years since the founding of the People's Liberation Army.

China has rattled nerves around Asia and globally with its increasingly assertive stance in territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas and an ambitious military modernization plan.

Relations with self-ruled Taiwan have also worsened since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party won presidential elections there last year. China considers Taiwan a wayward province, to be brought under Beijing's control by force if necessary.

Xi, speaking at the Great Hall of the People, made no direct reference to any particular territorial dispute, as he sought to assure that China's intentions were peaceful, but also show that China would not be bullied.

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WNU Editor: And so it begins .... Japan protests China's activity in disputed East China Sea gas field (Nikkei Asian Review)

More News On China's President Vowing No Compromise On Its Border Disputes With its Neighbours

Xi says China will never permit loss of ‘any piece’ of land -- AP
China will protect its sovereignty: Xi -- AFP
Xi says no ‘individual, political party or group’ will be allowed to hurt China’s territorial integrity -- SCMP
No one allowed to harm China's sovereignty: Xi -- Straits Times
Won't allow anyone to split our territory, damage sovereignty: Xi Jinping -- Business Standard