China, Philippines locked in naval standoff

[X Factor 1,110]

Or a coin toss.

Or rock - paper - scissors

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

That is why i am saying pan asian, not an asian nation to replace us hegemony. It would probably even relieve the us military of financial constraints if a pan-asian alliance will arise

Alliance is probably a good description of how relationships are formed in that part of the world...

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/philippines-vietnam-hold-fun-games-spratlys-162131198.html

Philippines, Vietnam to hold 'fun games' in Spratlys

AFP – Tue, Apr 10, 2012

Philippine and Vietnamese troops plan to hold joint "fun games" in the Spratlys to calm tensions over the disputed island chain in the South China Sea, the Philippine navy chief said Tuesday.

The islands, also claimed by China, are regarded as one of Asia's most dangerous potential flashpoints but there will be no weapons involved, said Vice Admiral Alexander Pama.

"We will be sending some of our boys to their occupied islands and they will also be sending their boys to our occupied islands," Pama told correspondents, dubbing it "fun games."

"They will actually be doing games, like basketball or soccer (and) there will be no firearms (training) involved."

Pama said the joint activity was part of an agreement with his Vietnamese counterpart who accompanied President Truong Tan Sang on a visit to Manila late last year.

Apart from the games, he said troops from both sides would also boost information sharing on the weather and search and rescue operations involving fishermen who may run into trouble in disputed areas.

Asked whether other claimants to the Spratlys could also be invited to take part in the games, Pama replied: "There are no discussions along those lines."

The Spratlys is a group of islets and atolls believed to be potentially rich in mineral and gas deposits.

China and Taiwan both claim the entire South China Sea, which is called the West Philippine Sea by Manila, while the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam have overlapping claims to parts of it.

The Philippines and Vietnam have both accused China of increasingly flexing its military muscle in the region, despite a pledge from all claimants to avoid actions that could further stoke tensions.

Manila last year accused the Chinese military of firing on Filipino fishermen, laying buoys and harassing an oil exploration vessel in waters that fall within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

Regional leaders at a summit in Cambodia last week reaffirmed a commitment to settle the row peacefully by crafting a code of conduct in the area, but were divided over China's participation in the discussion.

[unlockingsky 94]

if vietnam and phillippine have surveillance ships around that area trying to decrypt the chinese navy communication would be a great deterrence. and leak those encryption protocol worldwide.

[Ban Hammer 12,836]

if vietnam and phillippine have surveillance ships around that area trying to decrypt the chinese navy communication would be a great deterrence. and leak those encryption protocol worldwide.

i wouldn't put a lot of faith in either country being able to break china's encryption.

[X Factor 1,110]

if vietnam and phillippine have surveillance ships around that area trying to decrypt the chinese navy communication would be a great deterrence. and leak those encryption protocol worldwide.

Perhaps. And if they were to leak the encrytion protocol the Chinese will change it and be back to their old tricks.

[unlockingsky 94]

at least there is a history of them flip flopping for the world to see.

[X Factor 1,110]

at least there is a history of them flip flopping for the world to see.

Yes there would be a pattern established, but I don't know if that is a strong enough deterrent.

Edited April 12, 2012 by kennard

[Leatherneck 693]

Would this be happening if the Philippines hadn't chose to shut down Subic Bay naval base?

You have a point. I think all of that nationalism might come back to bite those folks that wanted the U.S. based closed and all U.S. forces out , now that China has become a big boy on the block and the bully of Asia.

[Kang 22]

I doubt China will NOT bully the Philippines have the bases not been closed. Last year China was enraged when the Japanese CG arrested a Chinese fishing vessel...and there is a strong US presence in Japan.

[X Factor 1,110]

So the $64,000 dollar question is what is the best way to deal with this type of bully?

Edited April 12, 2012 by kennard

[Ban Hammer 12,836]

I doubt China will NOT bully the Philippines have the bases not been closed. Last year China was enraged when the Japanese CG arrested a Chinese fishing vessel...and there is a strong US presence in Japan.

the us presence is japan is strong? it evades me as to what significant forces are stationed there.

[Kang 22]

I think the Asian nations will similar complaints against China could form a bloc. India, China, Japan, SoKor, Vietnam, the Philippines all have the same complaints against China and increasingly so the past few years. It may not "defeat" China but at least it will cause the CCP to lose face and will at least serve as a deterrent.

[Leatherneck 693]

Marcos bought those islands fair and square.

With a fist full of dollars, courtesy of the American taxpayer, sent to Marcos by the boat load by foolish politicians.

[Kang 22]

With a fist full of dollars, courtesy of the American taxpayer, sent to Marcos by the boat load by foolish politicians.

That case being, the area is owned by the US? Kidding

I think the Asian nations will similar complaints against China could form a bloc. India, China, Japan, SoKor, Vietnam, the Philippines all have the same complaints against China and increasingly so the past few years. It may not "defeat" China but at least it will cause the CCP to lose face and will at least serve as a deterrent.

Eh, remove China from the list