39 replies to this topic

[Martian]

US to help build Philippine maritime force but won’t take sides on South China Sea dispute

"US to help build Philippine maritime force but won’t take sides on South China Sea dispute
By Associated Press, Published: April 30

WASHINGTON — The US says it will help build the Philippines' sea patrol capability but will not take sides in that nation's standoff with China at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

The top diplomats and defense officials of the treaty allies held their first joint meeting Monday and discussed the three-week standoff at the Scarborough Shoal.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reaffirmed US commitment to its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines, and to freedom of navigation and regional security. She reiterated support for a diplomatic resolution to territorial disputes.

A joint statement said they would cooperate on building the Philippines' maritime security capabilities. The US will transfer a second ship to the poorly equipped Philippine navy this year."

----------

My observation: Common sense should dictate that the United States is not about to engage China in a major war (which may take decades) over a historical Chinese rock in the South China Sea. The Filipinos have been living in a fantasy world for believing otherwise.

Similarly, the Georgians thought the United States would fight a major war on their behalf against Russia over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Keep dreaming.

Secondary reference link: US won't take sides in Philippine-China sea dispute, Clinton says

[rungroot]

LMAO, I wonder if it has anything to do with the $2.5+ TRILLION the u.s. owes China!!!

[rungroot]

LMAO, I wonder if it has anything to do with the $2.5+ TRILLION the u.s. owes China!!!

[SUPARCO]

Hello,

The United States must be scared of China.

[Martian]

It belongs to China

"It belongs to China
By Victor N. Arches II
Posted April 28th, 2012 by Manila Standard Today & filed under Opinion.

The Scarborough Shoal does belong to China which discovered it and drew it in a map as early as 1279 during the Yuan Dynasty.  Chinese fishermen, from both the Mainland and Taiwan, have since used it.  As a matter of fact, Guo Shoujing, (the Chinese astronomer, engineer and mathematician who worked under the Mongol ruler, Kublai Khan) performed surveying of the South China Sea, and the surveying point was the Scarborough Shoal which is considered part of the Zhongsha Islands (renamed Huangyan Island in 1983).

By contrast, the “old maps” being relied upon by our Department of Foreign Affairs in its spurious claim on the same territory were drawn up only in 1820, or 541 years after China’s.  I am surprised that Senator Edgardo Angara—supposedly a renowned lawyer—can claim that a map drawn 5 centuries and 4 decades after, takes precedence over the much earlier map of China.

But I am all the more astonished that Fr. Joaquin Bernas, in his April 22 article in another newspaper,  being one of the main framers of the 1987 Constitution, uses the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as his basis to defend the Philippine claim.  This, despite and after acknowledging the fact that, indeed, “the Scarborough Shoal is OUTSIDE THE LIMITS set by the Treaty of Paris for Philippine territory.”  What kind of double-speak is that?

So, what exactly was the territory we declared independence from the US in 1946?  Why is it that NONE of our constitutions, past and present, from 1899, 1935, 1943, 1973, 1986 and 1987, include either the Spratlys or the Scarborough Shoal within our declared national territory?  Where, or from whom, did we, all of a sudden, acquire title to these?  Out of thin air?

In the late 1970s, China organized many scientific expeditions in the Shoal and around that area.  In fact, in 1980, a stone marker reading “South China Sea Scientific Expedition” was installed by China on the South Rock.  This Chinese marker was removed, without authority, by the Philippines in 1997.

All official maps published by the Philippines until the 1990s excluded both the Spratlys and Scarborough Shoal from its territorial boundaries.  Our own Republic Act No. 3046, passed by our Congress and approved in 1961, stopped us from our claim.  Yet, we had the temerity to amend this law on March 10, 2009, after 48 long years, to unilaterally include the disputed territories.

But what takes the cake is the fact that China holds three international treaties in support of its claim over the territories in question—namely, the 1898 Treaty of Paris between the US and Spain, the 1900 Treaty of Washington between Spain and the US, and the 1930 Treaty between Great Britain and the US, all limiting Philippine territorial limits to the 118th degree meridian of longitude east of Greenwich.

On the other hand, the basis of the Philippine claim is restricted to proximity, relying solely on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.  As far as I know, a mere “convention” cannot overturn or supersede a treaty or an agreement reached between colonial powers.  And even if it were considered a “law”, it cannot be made to take effect retroactively.

Whom are we fooling?"

[Note: Thank you to EastWind for the newslink.]

[PS:Annonymous]

Philippines and other countries need to wake up and realize that they are being used to intimidate china and drag Asia in to internal war again to prolong the imperialism of west. Entire Asia should stand behind China and Accept china as a leader just as Europe stand with America.

[macau boy]

PS:Annonymous, on 03 May 2012 - 02:06 AM, said:

Philippines and other countries need to wake up and realize that they are being used to intimidate china and drag Asia in to internal war again to prolong the imperialism of west. Entire Asia should stand behind China and Accept china as a leader just as Europe stand with America.

Don't expect too much from them as they would never understand that in the eyes of Americans, they are less than a paper napkin.

The US Secretary of States and Treasury Secretary are in talks with their Chinese counterparts in Beijing and the Chinese Minister of Defense is traveling to the America on a six day visit and meeting with the US Secretary of Defense. These are realities of big power diplomacy. I wonder what those Pilipino are thinking when their "friend and ally" is sitting down with their " archenemy" behind closed door.

[PS:Annonymous]

macau boy, on 03 May 2012 - 09:13 AM, said:

Don't expect too much from them as they would never understand that in the eyes of Americans, they are less than a paper napkin.

The US Secretary of States and Treasury Secretary are in talks with their Chinese counterparts in Beijing and the Chinese Minister of Defense is traveling to the America on a six day visit and meeting with the US Secretary of Defense. These are realities of big power diplomacy. I wonder what those Pilipino are thinking when their "friend and ally" is sitting down with their " archenemy" behind closed door.

which is a tragedy itself that after 200 years of western slavery these asian countries have not learn anything. How blind and stupid one can be and not see the decline of American influence and now America desperately trying to use countries like Philippine and Vietnam against china. Philippine needs to first need free her own land from American occupation before asserting a claim on Chinese territory.

entire Asia needs to realize that in order to make this an Asian century they must support China's Rise which will benefit entire Asia. West does not want China rise.

[Martian]

Telling the world about Chinese sovereignty over Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal


The highest-rated comment on the Christian Science Monitor regarding China's Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal happens to be mine. (Click on comments at the following link: China blames the Philippines for South China Sea dispute - CSMonitor.com)


Oh look, here I am again on the Voice of America.


My comment shows up on United Press International (UPI)


I'm also on the political website "The Hill" as the lone comment.


I have the only comment on OilVoice.


Finally, I take it into the heart of the lion's den (i.e. the enemy camp) and post on the Philippine Online Chronicles.

[gnak]

my god martian u are wasting ur time trying to convince these "china haters"

to them wat ever china does is bad and no amount of reasoning can convince them otherwise

u should know by now the world is full of double standards and hypocrisy

[Martian]

Back on Voice of America Again!

It's another day and the voice of China Lee (my preferred pseudonym) is still going strong! Here I am again on the Voice of America!


My comment is the one labeled as "Top Commenter."

----------

At Gnak, I'll keep posting in the mainstream media until those China-haters give up. This is a war of attrition and I intend to win.

[gnak]

china begins drilling for oil in the south china sea

Quote

The first deep-water drilling rig developed in China will begin operations in the South China Sea on Wednesday, the country's largest offshore oil producer said Monday.

The sixth-generation semi-submersible China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) 981 will begin drilling in a sea area 320 kilometers southeast of Hong Kong at a water depth of 1,500 meters, the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) said in a press release.

The starting of operations marks the first independent deep-water oil drilling performed by a Chinese company, and a "substantial step" made by the country's deep-sea oil industry, CNOOC said.

About 70 percent of oil and gas reserves in the resource-rich South China Sea is contained within 1.54 million square km of deep-water regions, defined as sea areas with depths of over 300 meters.

However, most of China's current offshore oil exploration is conducted less than 300 meters below the surface.

The South China Sea is estimated to contain 23 to 30 billion tons of oil and 16 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, accounting for one-third of China's total oil and gas resources.

[Martian]

Chinese fishermen have fished at Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal for time immemorial

http://news.xinhuane...c_123103564.htm

"Xinhua Insight: True story behind Huangyan Island dispute in South China Sea (Part 1)
English.news.cn   2012-05-09 23:51:09

BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The controversy over a tiny island in the South China Sea has intensified, making it the most serious standoff between China and the Philippines in the sea in recent years.

In early April, the Philippines sent a warship to harass 12 Chinese fishing vessels which sailed into the waters of Huangyan Island to shelter from bad weather.

According to media reports, the Philippines has also notified China on its readiness to raise the issue of the sovereignty of Huangyan Island to international arbitration. In addition, it tried to rename the island and remove the signs and monuments related to China.

WHO IS THE TROUBLEMAKER

Huangyan Island, a group of reefs and islets about 550 sea miles away from the Hainan Island in south China, has long provided a perfect shelter for fishing ships from nearby islands and the mainland of China.

"For many generations we have fished in this water," said Ke Weixiu, a fisherman and native from the port of Tanmen in Hainan.

However, since the 1990s, Chinese fishermen have repeatedly been harassed by Philippine warships.

According to the fishery department under the Ministry of Agriculture, four Chinese fishing boats were intercepted by the Philippine navy in the waters around the island from January to March in 1998 and 51 fishermen on board were detained for about six months.

In May 1999, a Chinese fishing boat was rammed by a Philippine warship and sunk, according to the ministry.

From 2000 to 2011, at least 32 fishing ships, with 439 fishermen on board, were chased, robbed or detained by the Philippine navy.

The latest event occurred in April. Xu Detan, captain of one of the 12 fishing ships harassed, has not recovered from the shocking encounter with the Philippine navy even three weeks after returning home.

"A Philippine warship blocked our entry to the lagoon where we docked our ships," Xu recalled. "We had no choice but to wait inside as they were armed."

On April 10, nine Philippine soldiers, on a inflatable, boarded Xu's ship with seven of them carrying rifles.

"They turned off the radio and satellite positioning system on my ship, searched the whole ship and took pictures while the 16 members of the crew, including me, were standing on the deck under the hot sun for four hours."

Two Chinese Marine Surveillance ships conducting routine patrols in the area later came to the fishermen's rescue and helped Xu and his colleagues return home safely.

"Usually a fishing trip will take 50 days but this time we were forced to cut it short to 25 days," he said.

PHILIPPINES' TERRITORIAL CLAIM IS UNTENABLE

Until 1997, the Philippines never disputed China's jurisdiction and development of the island. But recently the Philippines has played tricks and triggered disturbances, as well as claiming the island as theirs.

The Philippines says it is the nearest country to Huangyan Island, so it claims the island belongs to it on this premise.

"This theory based on geographic distance for territorial sovereignty has absolutely no basis in international law and judicial practice," according to Zhang Haiwen, deputy director of China Institute for Marine Affairs under State Oceanic Administration.

"There is no such principle in international law that determines territorial ownership by geographic distance," Zhang said, noting that many countries around the world have territories which are far away from their mainland and much closer to other countries.

"For example, the British Channel Islands are less than 12 nautical miles off the French coastline at their closest proximity. Some French territorial islands stretch across the Atlantic, lie close to the Canadian coastline in north America and even in the Pacific. But none of these islands have territorial disputes due to geographic distance," said Zhang.

"The world map would be totally redrawn if the Philippines' theory was upheld," Zhang said.

The Philippines claims that Huangyan Island is in the country's 200-nautical miles-wide Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and says its claim is in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law Of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Liu Feng, a researcher with National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said that the UNCLOS has neither the articles to change a country's land territory, nor does it have the authority to allow a country to take another country's territory by the right of the EEZ and the continental shelf.

The Philippines claims that the United States controlled Huangyan Island, thus it has inherited the island's sovereignty and jurisdiction from the U.S. military.

"U.S. forces in the Philippines used Huangyan Island as a shooting range, but the U.S. has never claimed sovereignty over the island. How could the Philippines inherit it? It's ridiculous," said Zhang Haiwen.

"All the Philippine rhetoric is untenable in terms of international law," said Liu Feng. 'So the Philippines wants to take the initiative to stir things up by sending warships to harass Chinese fishermen in Huangyan Island waters and escalate tensions.'"

[SUPARCO]

Hello there,

When was the last time China's military had a fight with another country? I can only think of the 1962 war with India.

[gnak]

SUPARCO, on 09 May 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

Hello there,

When was the last time China's military had a fight with another country? I can only think of the 1962 war with India.

1979 border war with vietnam

both sides claim victory

[macau boy]

gnak, on 10 May 2012 - 04:36 AM, said:

1979 border war with vietnam

both sides claim victory

It was 1984 after which the Viets had no choice but to sit down and formalized the present Sino-Viet land border.

[Martian]

Explaining Chinese sovereignty over Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal on the Los Angeles Times

Let me see...I have posted on the Christian Science Monitor, United Press International (UPI), Voice of America, The Hill, and now Los Angeles Times. Also, my comments are all over YouTube.

The longer that this Sino-Filipino dispute drags out, the more prevalent my comments will become in the mass media.

[SUPARCO]

macau boy, on 10 May 2012 - 10:42 AM, said:

It was 1984 after which the Viets had no choice but to sit down and formalized the present Sino-Viet land border.

Hello there,

That's around 28 years ago.

One could easily consider China's fighting skills a bit rusty, out of date or even lack the fighting skills for a modern war.  I mean the United States fights around 3 wars every decade to stay an undisputed super power of the world.  With every war they learn new fighting skills, strategies and develope new technologies.

Would you not think that China might appear big and powerful but when it actually comes down to fighting with another country one day, it might turn out to be a no show?

[macau boy]

SUPARCO, on 10 May 2012 - 05:38 PM, said:

Hello there,

That's around 28 years ago.

One could easily consider China's fighting skills a bit rusty, out of date or even lack the fighting skills for a modern war.  I mean the United States fights around 3 wars every decade to stay an undisputed super power of the world.  With every war they learn new fighting skills, strategies and develope new technologies.

Would you not think that China might appear big and powerful but when it actually comes down to fighting with another country one day, it might turn out to be a no show?

Well, this is a big, too big a question for someone like me to answer. For one thing China is a developing country and a member of the third world. The US is a hegemonic superpower and a self-appointed global sheriff, judge and executioner. That is the most fundamental difference between China and the US. As for the second part of your question, there is one way to find out (if that's what you're looking for) - invade China. Of course, there are consequences and those who try must prepare to face whatever that follow.

[Martian]

SUPARCO, on 10 May 2012 - 05:38 PM, said:

Hello there,

That's around 28 years ago.

One could easily consider China's fighting skills a bit rusty, out of date or even lack the fighting skills for a modern war.  I mean the United States fights around 3 wars every decade to stay an undisputed super power of the world.  With every war they learn new fighting skills, strategies and develope new technologies.

Would you not think that China might appear big and powerful but when it actually comes down to fighting with another country one day, it might turn out to be a no show?

1. China's lack of experience had no effect on the Korean War (1950-1953) or the Vietnam War (1964-1976). During the Vietnam War, Chinese military advisers and anti-aircraft experts were surreptitiously aiding the Vietnamese.

2. China conducts massive war games to enhance coordination among its troops (see below).

3. China uses flight simulators to train its pilots to fight as a team.

4. China can use its thousands of ballistic and cruise missiles to destroy enemy bases and keep enemy troops far from China's borders.

5. If nothing works, it is time to use tactical thermonuclear weapons.

6. If China is still losing, it is time for a strategic First Strike with its hundreds of megatons of thermonuclear weaponry.

----------

[SUPARCO]

macau boy, on 11 May 2012 - 09:55 AM, said:

Well, this is a big, too big a question for someone like me to answer. For one thing China is a developing country and a member of the third world. The US is a hegemonic superpower and a self-appointed global sheriff, judge and executioner. That is the most fundamental difference between China and the US. As for the second part of your question, there is one way to find out (if that's what you're looking for) - invade China. Of course, there are consequences and those who try must prepare to face whatever that follow.

Martian, on 11 May 2012 - 10:51 AM, said:

1. China's lack of experience had no effect on the Korean War (1950-1953) or the Vietnam War (1964-1976). During the Vietnam War, Chinese military advisers and anti-aircraft experts were surreptitiously aiding the Vietnamese.

2. China conducts massive war games to enhance coordination among its troops (see below).

3. China uses flight simulators to train its pilots to fight as a team.

4. China can use its thousands of ballistic and cruise missiles to destroy enemy bases and keep enemy troops far from China's borders.

5. If nothing works, it is time to use tactical thermonuclear weapons.

6. If China is still losing, it is time for a strategic First Strike with its hundreds of megatons of thermonuclear weaponry.

----------

Hello there,

I heard that China lost a million men in the Korean War and fled from the brief clash it had with Vietnam after the Americans... well... also fled.

What's the Chinese perspective on this?

[Martian]

Let's debate Chinese historical sovereignty over Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal in the Mass Media

Here is the latest conversation on the Christian Science Monitor in the comment section regarding Chinese sovereignty over Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal.



--------------------

At Suparco, China indeed suffered heavy losses in the Korean War. This was due to the disparity in technology with respect to the United States. Also, when China pushed the U.S. (aka U.N. army) into a pocket on the southern Korean peninsula, the U.S. president threatened to use nuclear weapons if China wiped out the pocket of U.S. troops.

Today, the situation is very different. Chinese military technology is very close to the United States. This time, the threat of nuclear weapons will not deter China from annihilating a foreign army. China possesses thermonuclear weapons too.

Therefore, we have seen an American refusal to attack North Korea or Burma. The United States complains about both countries, but the U.S. is not willing to risk a confrontation with the Chinese military on land.

Regarding the Sino-Vietnam conflict, I read that China used its heavy artillery (e.g. fired 157 trucks of artillery shells in one afternoon) to maul the Vietnamese. China possessed the superior weaponry and heavier firepower against the Vietnamese. Common sense dictates the Vietnamese suffered disproportionate losses. Any claim to the contrary is propaganda.

[Krad]

There are instances of French, Portuguese and Dutch explorers being the first to "discover" the Falklands...on top of the English ones. Of course this will ignore any sighthings by the original natives of Patagonia....who were probably the first.

So the example is not congruent with the Spratly Island dispute....where China claims to have full original discovery of the islands.

[Martian]

Countering anti-China rhetoric in the Mass Media

Chicago is America's third-largest city. Many people read the Chicago Tribune. I don't appreciate it when someone writes anti-China propaganda in the comment section of the Chicago Tribune. They're going to hear from me.

[tank commander]

sure , off course we believe you  miss piggy two face  clinton ######  . why on earth would anyone doubt american honesty just  go ask the pakistanis .......

[macau boy]

Here's the lighter side of this farce:
Before the protest, folks met at a designated meeting point to pick up their lunch box (free for whoever joins), then board a bus (apparently these people were from the countryside) to the Chinese Mission in Manila. There were lots of people lined up for the free food and free bus ride. By the time the show started, there were less than 300 left. It last for about an hour. Some bloggers said that there were more reporters than protesters on the scene.

[SUPARCO]

Hello there,

Will Chinese attack on Philipines involve PLA and PLAAF as well or is it likely to be only the People's Liberation Army Navy?

It will be interesting to see how fast and how long it takes China to bring Philipines to its knees.

[Martian]

One Chinese Type 054A frigate is more than sufficient to destroy the entire Philippine Navy.


China's Type 054A Jiangkai II Frigate

----------

The Philippine Navy flagship is a 46-year-old piece of junk from the U.S. Coast Guard (see citation below). They have two other equally antiquated frigates.

http://thejeffriestu...Phillipine-Navy

"BRP Gregorio del Pilar - Flagship of the Philippine Navy
By thejeffriestube

Recycled Fleet

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar, once known as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Hamilton, (WHEC-715), was transferred to the Philippine Navy as its flagship. The ship was acquired under the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States, which allows the Philippine Military to acquire used and excess stock from the U.S. arsenal.

Ship's History

Built in 1965 by the Avondale Shipyards in Louisiana, The Hamilton served the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) faithfully, patrolling the frigid waters of the Arctic, in and around Alaska, and finally, the coast off Southern California. After serving 46 years with the USCG, she was planned for decommissioning, until the Philippine Navy expressed an interest in purchasing her."

[gnak]

Martian, on 11 May 2012 - 06:55 PM, said:

Regarding the Sino-Vietnam conflict, I read that China used its heavy artillery (e.g. fired 157 trucks of artillery shells in one afternoon) to maul the Vietnamese. China possessed the superior weaponry and heavier firepower against the Vietnamese. Common sense dictates the Vietnamese suffered disproportionate losses. Any claim to the contrary is propaganda.

i know the vietnamese claims of chinese casualties are exaggerated

but documents from the PLA claims 6,954 killed, 14,800 wounded.

almost 7000 dead in a war which only lasted 28 days is very high by any standard

[Martian]

The Chinese victory in the Sino-Vietnam War of 1979 was well worth it.

http://www.vetshome....tnamese_war.htm

"Aftermath

The legacy of the war is lasting, especially in Vietnam. The Chinese implemented an effective "scorched-earth policy" while retreating back to China. They caused extensive damage to the Vietnamese countryside and infrastructure, through destruction of Vietnamese villages, roads, and railroads."

[Sanguine]

Are the parties going to invoke jurisdiction of ICJ?

[Martian]

Demolishing weak Filipino arguments to encroach on Chinese sovereignty over Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal

Fatima47, on 13 May 2012 - 07:18 AM, said:

Are the parties going to invoke jurisdiction of ICJ?

No, Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal has been Chinese territory since 1279 A.D.

My post on at least 20 different popular YouTube videos (including Voice of America video on South China Sea):

"It is a historical fact that China was the first to discover Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal in 1279 A.D. and incorporate it into official Yuan Dynasty government maps. Chinese sovereignty has been continually exercised with the use of Huangyan Island by countless generations of Chinese fishermen.

There are no provisions in the 1982 UNCLOS that permits the retroactive confiscation of pre-existing sovereign territory that dates from 1279 A.D. Also, the U.S. refuses to recognize UNCLOS."

----------


Filipino nationalists don't like it when I rip out the heart of their arguments to encroach on Chinese sovereignty over Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal.

[macau boy]

Martian, on 12 May 2012 - 07:42 PM, said:

One Chinese Type 054A frigate is more than sufficient to destroy the entire Philippine Navy.


China's Type 054A Jiangkai II Frigate

----------

Those Filipino don't qualify for such luxury. One 037-II similar to one station in HKSAR is more than sufficient.

[Martian]

Sovereignty does not depend on inhabitation

Here I am on the most popular Voice of America YouTube video (by views) on the South China Sea to refute the notion that sovereignty is dependent on inhabitation.

[macau boy]

Martian, my sincere thanks and appreciations to all your hard works.
The Filipino are shooting themselves on the foot. Their fruits intended for export to China are rotting in the warehouse, No more Chinese tourist is arriving and those on the island are heading home fast. All charter flights are cancelled and scheduled flights are flying practically empty. Ships of Fishery Administration & Law Enforcement and CMS have no sign of leaving Huang Yan Dao any time soon. Worse, even their so called "friend and ally" in Washington DC isn't saying a word.

[Martian]

I appreciate it, but there is no need to thank me. I'm trying to counter the anti-China propaganda for my own reasons.

1. I care about facts. The anti-China crowd likes to spread lies and that really annoys me.

2. Despite their claim to the contrary, the anti-China crowd is spreading anti-China sentiment. They are always slandering Chinese. There is no real distinction between their dislike for the Chinese government (which doesn't bother me) and Chinese people in general (which really bothers me).

3. While I acknowledge that the Chinese government and people are not perfect, they aren't any worse than other people. Actually, I can make an argument that Chinese are more hardworking and cooperative than others.

I really dislike the constant attempts by the Western media to demonize Chinese. This is wrong and I do whatever little that I can to counteract this unfairness.

4. I'm serving notice to the anti-China crowd that I'm not going to just sit here and let them spread their propaganda. If they write balanced views with a slight anti-China bias, I'll leave them alone. If they write some bullsh*t anti-China post then they'll definitely hear from me. I'll challenge their anti-China views with facts until those losers give up.

In conclusion, the anti-China crowd should get it through their heads. The era of Western dominance is over. You will never again experience unbridled military superiority like you did in the last 500 years. Get over it.

The rise of China and its massive market is a win-win for everybody. Stop wishing for the bygone era of colonialism/imperialism when you could use a gun and force China to buy your drugs (e.g. Opium War I and Opium War II). Get off your lazy arses and try exporting something useful to Chinese people.

[Krad]

It is only natural for there to be anti-XYZ propoganda if XYZ is seen as a current or future threat. It's human nature.

The Chinese are no different....they have their own set of prejudiced and even racist individuals. There is no perfect society or people in the entire world.

It's really a waste of time to debate with such individuals, whatever their nationality or ethnicity...because the people who's opinions are genuinely worth a damn would never be convinced in the first place by such arrogant fools.....and those people that are easily swayed or who's minds change by reading arguments on the internet are not really worth spending time on to convince (since they are inclined to change their mind later).

But if you take personal enjoyment in it or feel like it is an accomplishment using your finite time....by all means keep going. It's not going to change anything though. The so-called losers can be just as persistent as you....and it just becomes a shouting match at the end.

[Martian]

Working my way through the Filipino arguments

I'm still commenting on the most popular Voice of America YouTube video regarding the South China Sea. This is where all of the China-haters like to congregate and I'm basically challenging them to a debate on the merits.

I have demolished the following Filipino nationalists' arguments:

1. Proximity - Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal is indeed closer to the Philippines than to China. So what? Who cares? Historical first discovery determines ownership, not proximity. The most prominent example is the Falkland Islands. It's British, because of first discovery.

2. Inhabitation is not a determinant of sovereignty - Look at the thousands of uninhabited Greek islands. No one disputes those islands are Greek. Hence, inhabitation is not important in determining sovereignty.

3. Exclusive Economic Zone under UNCLOS - The United States does not recognize UNCLOS. In other words, UNCLOS has no basis in international law. Also, UNCLOS has no provision to permit the retroactive seizure of sovereign territory that dates from 1279 A.D.

4. ITLOS - Since the United States does not recognize UNCLOS, ITLOS has no jurisdiction or validity.

I'll keep knocking down the baloney arguments put forth by the Filipino nationalists. Sooner or later, they'll finally admit that Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal has been Chinese after the first discovery by China's Yuan Dynasty in 1279 A.D.


Thank you to everyone that voted "thumbs up" on my comment pertaining to the Greek islands. It is currently a top comment on the Voice of America YouTube video.

[Krad]

Quote

I'll keep knocking down the baloney arguments put forth by the Filipino nationalists. Sooner or later, they'll finally admit that Huangyan Island/Scarborough Shoal has been Chinese after the first discovery by China's Yuan Dynasty in 1279 A.D.

I doubt that....because otherwise they are not truly nationalist. I don't think any country is going to back down in this dispute....unless concessions are made and the parties meet halfway.

[Martian]

Still debating the Filipino nationalists or their sympathizers


This is my post from today's Christian Science Monitor comment section.


This is my post on today's Wall Street Journal blog's comment section.