“The most dangerous thing is not to communicate and as a result to have a misunderstanding and miscommunication,” Blinken said on Wednesday at a press conference in Sweden. “While we have a real competition with China, we also want to make sure that doesn’t veer into conflict and the most important starting point for that are regular lines of communication.”
Archiv: Südchinesisches Meer / South China Sea
US accusation of Chinese intercept of US spy plane aims to hype ‘China threat’ theory at Shangri-La Dialogue: experts
The incident took place shortly before the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, a major defense forum in the Asia-Pacific region to be held from Friday to Sunday in Singapore.
In response, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei said in a statement on Wednesday that while China values China-US military ties and bilateral military interactions are not suspended, dialogue can’t take place without principles and communication can’t happen without a bottom line.
USINDOPACOM Statement on Unprofessional Intercept of U.S. Aircraft over South China Sea
A People‘s Republic of China J-16 fighter pilot performed an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver during the intercept of a U.S. Air Force RC-135 aircraft, May 26, 2023. The PRC pilot flew directly in front of the nose of the RC-135, forcing the U.S. aircraft to fly through its wake turbulence. The RC-135 was conducting safe and routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace, in accordance with international law.
Biden administration approves potential sale of missiles for F-16s to Taiwan
(today)
The official noted Taiwan will use its own funds for the purchase. (…)
A news release from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Wednesday said the defense contractors for the munitions and equipment will be Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
Lawmakers Return From Taiwan Clamoring to Speed Up Weapons Deliveries
(22.02.2023)
Mr. Gallagher was one of five House lawmakers who traveled to Taiwan during the congressional recess, meeting with top political, national security and business leaders to discuss how to enhance security and economic cooperation between Taipei and Washington.
House Republican: Ukraine war has been wake-up call for Taiwan to stockpile weapons
(22.02.2023)
Gallagher, a former Marine Corps intelligence officer and chairman of the House select committee on China, also said it is urgent for the U.S. to send weapons to Taiwan in an effort to prevent China from invading the country and the possibility of a third World War from happening.
US warship sails through Taiwan Strait
A US warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland on Thursday, prompting criticism from Beijing.
The US military said the USS Chung-Hoon‘s transit showed the US commitment to a „free and open Indo-Pacific“.
VP Harris‘ visit is signal to China of US support for South China Sea
During a visit to the Philippines, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will demonstrate America‘s commitment to defending its treaties by flying to an island province facing the disputed South China Sea.
This week, Harris met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for talks aimed at reinforcing Washington‘s oldest treaty alliance in Asia and strengthening economic ties.
US‘ old warships sailing through Taiwan Straits can‘t deter PLA at all, only confirms US‘ hostility toward China‘s reunification
The US Navy has conducted similar actions many times in the past with the aim to implement so-called „freedom of navigation“ in the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea, while as long as the US vessels follow the rules of „innocent passage“ to keep low profile and pose no harm, turn off weapons and fire-control radar system, and bring no actual threat to China‘s security, the PLA would just follow and monitor, said experts, noting that there is no big difference this time as the US also doesn‘t want to put its old warships in danger.
US-Kriegsschiffe in Taiwan-Straße: China sieht „Provokation“
China hat die Fahrt zweier US-Kriegsschiffe durch die Straße von Taiwan als „Provokation“ bezeichnet. Die Aktion ziele auf „eine absichtliche Sabotage des regionalen Friedens und der Stabilität“ ab, sagte heute ein Sprecher des Pekinger Außenministeriums.
US sends two warships through Taiwan Strait, in first transit since Pelosi trip
The guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam and USS Chancellorsville were on Sunday making the voyage „through waters where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law,“ the US 7th Fleet in Japan said in a statement.
It said the transit was „ongoing“ and that there had been „no interference from foreign military forces so far.“
Guterres: Risiko einer nuklearen Konfrontation wieder präsent
Die Atomstaaten sollten sich verpflichten, diese Waffen nicht erstmalig einzusetzen, sagte Guterres heute in Tokio vor dem Hintergrund der Hiroshima-Friedensgedenkfeier am Wochenende zum 77. Jahrestag des ersten Atombombenabwurfs.
Auch jegliche Angriffe auf ein Atomkraftwerk seien „selbstmörderisch“, sagte er mit Blick auf Berichte über den erneuten russischen Beschuss des größten europäischen AKW Saporischschja in der Ukraine.
Secessionists must not spoil the word ‚peace‘: Global Times editorial
The current situation is entirely caused by Pelosi and American politicians. China has made the utmost diplomatic efforts before, repeatedly warning the US of the seriousness and danger of Pelosi‘s visit to Taiwan. However, the US turned a deaf ear, went its own way, and even deliberately ignored China‘s emphasis – „Those who play with fire will perish by it“ – as no more than an often-used metaphor. Now they are manipulating the public opinion by complaining maliciously about China‘s „overreaction,“ doesn‘t the move come from their previous serious underestimation of China‘s determination and will?
It is both ironic and absurd that the key points of Washington‘s current accusations against China are only appropriate for the US itself, as if the US thinks of these wordings when looking in the mirror.
Östliches Regionalkommando setzt gemeinsame Übungen im Gewässer und Luftraum um die Taiwan-Insel fort
Das östliche Regionalkommando der chinesischen Volksbefreiungsarmee (VBA) hat am Montag die gemeinsamen Übungen im Gewässer und Luftraum um die Insel Taiwan fortgesetzt.
Schwerpunktmäßig werden U-Boot-Abwehr- und maritime Angriffseinsätze geübt.
„Kampfübungen“ rund um Taiwan: China setzt Manöver überraschend fort
Über der vorgelagerten taiwanischen Insel Kinmen, die nur zwei Kilometer von der chinesischen Küste entfernt liegt, sei am Sonntagabend auch wieder eine chinesische Drohne entdeckt worden, berichtete das Verteidigungsministerium in Taipeh. Seit den 50er Jahren hatte es keinen chinesischen Überflug der Insel mehr gegeben.
In anderen Seegebieten im Norden im Golf von Bohai und im Gelben Meer sowie im Süden im Südchinesischen Meer vor der Küste der Provinz Guangdong sind diese Woche auch weitere Manöver geplant.
The US lectures us about a ‘rules based international order’ but ignores rules when it suits – think Diego Garcia
– In 2017 the UN General Assembly voted by a large majority(94-15) to refer the request for an advisory opinion on Diego Garcia to the International Court if Justice.
– In September 2018, 13 of the 14 judges of the ICJ concluded that the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia were illegally separated from Mauritius.
– In May 2019 the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly(116-6) to endorse the Court’s opinion that the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia, belonged to Mauritius. Apart from the US and the UK only four countries AUSTRALIA, Hungary, Israel and the Maldives voted in favour of the British neo-colonial claim.
– In November 2019, Britain refused to abide by the ICJ opinion and for the US to leave Chagos/Diego Garcia.
– In 2020 the UN published a map showing Chagos/Diego Garcia as part of Mauritius.
Despite all this, the US sits tight on its key military base of Diego Garcia which is thousands of kilometres from its mainland. In contrast, China’s building of islands in the South China Sea is adjacent to its own territory.
Canberra wants a new arms race in Asia
(Jul 22, 2022)
On his first visit to Washington, Australia’s new Defence Minister Richard Marles has warned the region is facing a military build-up “at a rate unseen since World War II” and is part of an “intensification of major power competition”.
What to do when we see a dangerous escalation? Well, escalate some more! Bring in as much military hardware as you can! Arm to the teeth, that’s what I take Marles to say. Not only does the United States need to commit even more military resources to the region, he urges, Australia itself must take “greater responsibility for its own security,” including enlarging its defence capabilities. “This will include capabilities such as longer-range strike weapons, cyber capabilities and area denial systems tailored to a broader range of threats.”
Die Welt brennt und die USA zündeln weiter
Zuletzt erkannte der US-Präsident Donald Trump – seiner antichinesischen Rhetorik zum Trotz – 2017 die Ein-China-Politik der Volksrepublik als auch für die USA bindende Richtlinie an.
Dies änderte sich Stück für Stück mit der Amtsübernahme von Joe Biden. Biden war der erste US-Präsident seit der Wende der US-China-Politik in den späten 1970ern, der zu seiner Amtseinführung offiziell einen Gesandten Taiwans empfing. Im letzten Jahr erklärte er dann, dass die USA Taiwan im Falle eines Angriffs Chinas militärisch beistehen würden – das war überraschend, da das offizielle Beistandsabkommen 1980 ausgelaufen ist und nie verlängert wurde. Mit Bidens Amtsübernahme setzten sich auch die Waffenlieferungen der USA nach Taiwan nahtlos fort, die bereits unter seinen Vorgängern Obama und Trump stets neue Rekordzahlen erreicht hatten.
Umstrittener Besuch: US-Politikerin Pelosi in Taiwan gelandet
Die Vorsitzende des US-Repräsentantenhauses, Pelosi, ist trotz chinesischer Drohungen in Taiwan gelandet. Peking warnte von einem „Spiel mit dem Feuer“ und kündigte Manöver rund um die Insel Taiwan an.
Erklärung des chinesischen Außenministeriums zum Besuch von Pelosi in Taiwan
Im Jahr 1979 haben sich die Vereinigten Staaten im Gemeinsamen Kommuniqué China-USA über die Aufnahme diplomatischer Beziehungen klar dazu verpflichtet: „Die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika erkennen die Regierung der Volksrepublik China als die alleinige rechtmäßige Regierung Chinas an. In diesem Zusammenhang wird das Volk der Vereinigten Staaten kulturelle, kommerzielle und andere inoffizielle Beziehungen mit dem Volk von Taiwan unterhalten.“ Der Kongress als Teil der US-Regierung ist von Natur aus verpflichtet, die Ein-China-Politik der US-Regierung strikt einzuhalten und sich jeglichen offiziellen Austauschs mit Chinas Taiwan-Region zu enthalten. China ist seit jeher gegen den Besuch von US-Kongressmitgliedern in Taiwan. Und die US-Exekutive hat die Aufgabe, einen solchen Besuch zu verhindern. Da Sprecherin Pelosi die amtierende Vorsitzende des US-Kongresses ist, stellen ihr Besuch und ihre Aktivitäten in Taiwan, in welcher Form und aus welchem Grund auch immer, eine große politische Provokation dar. China akzeptiert dies absolut nicht, und das chinesische Volk lehnt dies entschieden ab.
Schifffahrtswarnung: Befahren einiger Gewässer im Südchinesischen Meer und Bohai-Meer verboten
Die chinesische maritime Behörde hat eine Schifffahrtswarnung herausgegeben, wonach von Dienstag 00:00 Uhr bis Samstag 24:00 Uhr in einigen Gewässern des Südchinesischen Meers eine militärische Übung durchgeführt wird. Daher ist ein Befahren jener Gewässer verboten. Zudem findet seit Montag 14:00 Uhr und bis Donnerstag 24:00 Uhr im Norden des Bohai-Meers eine Schießenübung mit scharfer Munition statt. Ein Einfahren in diese Gewässer ist ebenfalls verboten.
Pelosi to Lead Congressional Delegation to Indo-Pacific Region
“Today, our Congressional delegation travels to the Indo-Pacific to reaffirm America’s strong and unshakeable commitment to our allies and friends in the region,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “In Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance. Under the strong leadership of President Biden, America is firmly committed to smart, strategic engagement in the region, understanding that a free and flourishing Indo-Pacific is crucial to prosperity in our nation and around the globe.”
Speaker Pelosi continued, “After a fuel stop in Hawaii, we were honored with a briefing from USINDOPACOM Leadership, as well as a visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial and the USS Arizona.
Nancy Pelosi announces Asia trip itinerary with no mention of Taiwan
Pelosi on Sunday set off for the Indo-Pacific, where she is leading a delegation of five Democratic lawmakers focused on “mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance” in the region, according to a news release from her office.
The delegation will visit Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, according to the release.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you – Symposium of China’s top think tank sends classic, pre-war warning to provocative Pelosi
Sending fighter jets to intercept Pelosi‘s plane, declaring air and maritime zones around the island of Taiwan as restriction zones for military exercises … China‘s responses will be systematical and not limited to small scale given the severity of Pelosi‘s move and the damage to the political trust of China-US relations, Yang Mingjie, head of the Institute of Taiwan Studies in Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.
US aircraft carrier returns to South China Sea after port call in Singapore
„USS Ronald Reagan and her strike group are underway, operating in the South China Sea following a successful port visit to Singapore,“ Reuters quoted Commander Hayley Sims as saying.
The carrier „is continuing normal, scheduled operations as part of her routine patrol in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,“ she added.
China announces live-fire naval exercises ahead of possible Pelosi Taiwan visit
Pelosi could become the highest-ranking American elected official to visit Taiwan since 1997.
Chinese officials have exploded with anger at the proposition, saying that such a visit would violate the One China Policy and would constitute aiding an illegal rebellion. If Pelosi does attempt to visit Taiwan, one Chinese state media personality even suggested shooting down her plane.
The Chinese exercises were to take place over a 13-hour period, according to state media.
Indo-Pazifik: Route
… die bislang nicht genau bekannte Route: „Dschibuti → Karatschi → Diego Garcia → Perth → Guam → Tokio → Incheon → Schanghai → Ho-Chi-Minh-Stadt → Colombo → Mumbai → Dschibuti“.
Top US and Chinese Diplomats Hold ‘Frank and Open Discussion’
The meeting came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing and marked the first high-level meeting since Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Alaska in March. Sherman met with Wang and Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng.
Top-Diplomaten aus den USA und China führen „offene und freimütige Diskussion“
Die stellvertretende Außenministerin Wendy Sherman traf sich am Montag in der chinesischen Stadt Tianjin mit Chinas Top-Diplomaten und führte eine „offene und freimütige Diskussion“, wie das Außenministerium es nannte.
Das Treffen fand inmitten verschärfter Spannungen zwischen Washington und Peking statt und war das erste hochrangige Treffen seit dem Treffen von Außenminister Antony Blinken mit dem chinesischen Außenminister Wang Yi im März in Alaska. Sherman traf sich mit Wang und dem stellvertretenden Außenminister Xie Feng.
Es ist interessant, wie das Militär dieses Land „verteidigt“, indem es Kriegsschiffe 7.000 km weit von Kanada schickt
Die kanadische Marine führt im Südchinesischen Meer provokative Manöver durch. Während sie behauptet, mit diesen Missionen die „auf internationalen Regeln basierende Ordnung“ aufrechtzuerhalten, weigert sich ihr Hauptpartner, das Seerecht anzuerkennen.
Ende letzten Monats hielt sich HMCS Calgary in der Nähe der Spratly-Inseln auf, die sowohl von China als auch von den Philippinen beansprucht wurden. Als Reaktion darauf begleiteten chinesische Schiffe die Calgary durch das Südchinesische Meer.
Interesting How the Military ‘Defends’ This Country by Sending Ships 7,000 Kilometers From Canadian Soil
Canada’s navy is running provocative maneuvers in the South China Sea. While they claim to be upholding the „international rules based order“ in these missions, their main partner refuses to recognize the Law of the Sea.
At the end of last month HMCS Calgary passed near the Spratly Islands claimed by both China and the Philippines. In response Chinese vessels shadowed Calgary through the South China Sea.
Biden’s approach to North Korea is the opposite of ‘fire and fury’
(16.04.2021)
Biden set the nonconfrontational tone on North Korea at his March 25 news conference, when he was asked about Pyongyang’s short-range missile tests the previous week. He said that the United States would respond “if they choose to escalate,” but that he was ready for “diplomacy . . . conditioned upon the end result of denuclearization.”
Biden’s stance, suggesting that denuclearization was an eventual goal, not an immediate one, was repeated in a joint U.S.-Japanese-South Korean statement on April 2, which called for progress “towards denuclearization.”
U.S.- Japan Joint Leaders’ Statement: “U.S. – JAPAN GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR A NEW ERA”
(16.04.2021)
President Biden and Prime Minister Suga exchanged views on the impact of China’s actions on peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world, and shared their concerns over Chinese activities that are inconsistent with the international rules-based order, including the use of economic and other forms of coercion. We will continue to work with each other based on universal values and common principles. We also recognize the importance of deterrence to maintain peace and stability in the region. We oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea.
US Warship Sails Through Taiwan Strait as Tensions Rise
The US warned China over a dispute with the Philippines in the South China Sea and recent flights in Taiwan‘s ADIZ
US-Kriegsschiff passiert die Straße von Taiwan, während die Spannungen zunehmen
Die USA warnten China wegen eines Streits mit den Philippinen im Südchinesischen Meer und wegen der jüngsten Flüge in den von Taiwan beanspruchten Luftraum
Indonesia Will Not Join QUAD as It Delicately Balances Relations With All Regional Players
Even Vietnam, which has centuries long animosity with China and more tense relations over the South China Sea, shows no intentions of joining QUAD. Besides the lack of interest from Vietnam, and likely from Indonesia too, QUAD members themselves, at this point in time, have not named any specific candidates to join their anti-China coalition.
Chinese fighters buzz Taiwan‘s air defense zone as it appoints new defense minister
National Security Bureau Director-General Chiu Kuo-cheng, who graduated from the US Army War College in 1999, would replace Yen De-fa as defense minister, Presidential Office spokesman Xavier Chang told reporters.
France wades into the South China Sea with a nuclear attack submarine
„This extraordinary patrol has just completed a passage in the South China Sea. A striking proof of our French Navy‘s capacity to deploy far away and for a long time together with our Australian, American and Japanese strategic partners,“ she tweeted along with a picture of the two vessels at sea.
Philippinen verlängern Militärpakt und erlauben US-Truppen Aufenthalten im Land
Es ist nicht zu erwarten, dass Joe Biden die Haltung Washingtons in Bezug auf die Ansprüche Pekings auf das Südchinesische Meer aufweichen wird. Während der letzten Präsidentschaftsdebatte prahlte Biden mit der harten Haltung der Obama-Regierung in Bezug auf Chinas Ansprüche auf die umstrittenen Gewässer.
US Is Planning Huge Arms Sale to Taiwan
The weapons package would follow a pattern of the Trump administration strengthening ties with Taiwan. In August, US Secretary of Health Alex Azar visited the island, making him the highest-ranking US official to visit Taiwan since 1979.
Undersecretary for Economic Affairs Keith Krach is expected to travel to Taiwan for a memorial service honoring former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui this Saturday.
B-1 bombers deploy to Guam as Navy carriers continue readiness training in South China Sea
“This opportunity for two carrier strike groups to train and operate together in the region provides combatant commanders with significant operational flexibility and capabilities that only the U.S. Navy can bring.”
US Navy to send two aircraft carriers and several warships to South China Sea
The US Navy will send two aircraft carriers and several accompanying warships to the South China Sea in the coming days to participate in a military exercise.
The USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Groups are conducting dual carrier operations in the Philippine Sea and South China Sea,“ said Lt. Joe Jeiley, a spokesman for the Seventh Fleet.
USA und China treiben Anstieg der weltweiten Militärausgaben an
Beide Nationen steigerten ihre jeweiligen Ausgaben um 6,6%. Allein die USA erhöhten ihre Ausgaben um 53,4 Milliarden Dollar, was fast so viel ist wie die Ausgaben anderer großer Staaten wie z.B. Großbritannien für ihren gesamten nationalen Verteidigungshaushalt.
Im Osten des Indischen Ozeans
Im Jahr 2014 banden Washington und New Delhi Tokio erneut in ihre jährlich abgehaltene „Malabar“-Kriegsübung ein; seit 2015 wird die Manöverserie, die bereits in den 1990er Jahren als ein bilaterales indisch-US-amerikanisches Projekt begann, in aller Form als trilaterale Maßnahme unter Einschluss Japans durchgeführt. Im November 2017 traf auch der Quad erstmals wieder zusammen.
Army Plans Big Isle Drill with Chinese Soldiers
The event marks the 15th iteration of the exchange, which is now rotated annually between China and the United States. Last year, U.S. Army Pacific troops traveled to Nanjing, China.
US sends carrier through disputed South China Sea amid tensions with Beijing
“The motto of this carrier is peace through strength,” Rear Adm. Karl Thomas told journalists.
Asked what message the carrier’s presence was sending amid new tensions with China, Thomas replied that U.S. military presence helps provide security and stability that foster diplomatic talks between quarreling China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.
Warnung vor „Militarisierung“ des Südchinesischen Meeres
Die EU-Außenbeauftragte Federica Mogherini hat vor einer „Militarisierung“ des Südchinesischen Meeres gewarnt. Die EU sei besorgt über „zunehmende Spannungen“ in dem Gebiet, sagte Mogherini heute bei einem Besuch in Vietnam.
US and Britain conduct first joint drill in South China Sea
US Navy guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell and Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll conducted operations together in the South China Sea from Friday last week until Wednesday, the two countries said.
The US said the two vessels had practised communication drills, division tactics, and a personnel exchange designed to address common maritime security priorities and enhance interoperability.
Are France and the UK Here to Stay in the South China Sea?
(14.9.2018) The Franco-English joint patrol and the HMS Albion operation exemplified the increased engagement of other external powers in the South China Sea dispute. Southeast Asian states are likely to respond with caution to recent developments.
War Games in the Pacific
German soldiers will soon participate in maneuvers in the Pacific and will be on hand as observers on patrols in the South China Sea, according to announcements by the US Navy and the French Minister of Defense, Florence Parly. At a top-level conference in Singapore last weekend, Parly declared that Paris will dispatch warships to the South China Sea in the next few days and will also navigate through the territorial waters of Islands China claims as its territory. According to Parly, German military observers will embark on these ships. At the same time, German soldiers are preparing their participation in the US led RIMPAC 2018 maneuver, taking place mainly near Hawaii. RIMPAC is the world‘s largest international maritime exercise. During RIMPAC 2016 German soldiers trained in „liberating“ an island, which, according to the scenario, was held by the „Draco“ militia. „Draco“ is the Latin term for „dragon“ – a symbol for China.