Showing posts with label US Senators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Senators. Show all posts

Monday, January 23, 2012

China says US defense policy stance misjudges Beijing intent: judge for yourself


China says US defense policy stance misjudges Beijing intent: The United States' expanded military presence in Asia is based on a miscalculation of Beijing's intent to modernize its military defenses, China said on Monday, taking a tempered stance in its first official response to Washington's plan. The United States unveiled a defense strategy last week to boost capacity in Asia, an attempt to counter China's growing ability to check U.S. power in the region, that comes with a pledged reduction in the overall size of U.S. forces. I think we have it just right this time if Iran will allow us the luxury.

China and U.S. Brinkmanship in the South China Sea: Two weeks ago, The Washington Post broadsided us with another Beltway bombshell: China's "Underground Great Wall" – a "vast network of tunnels" with a "sophisticated missile and nuclear arsenal" dug by "a secretive branch of the Chinese military."

China is also challenging its neighbors over the Spratly Islands, the Paracels, the Scarborough Shoals, Reed Bank and Tungsha in a South China Sea home to 17.7 billion tons of oil and gas? According to the Indonesian Center of Democracy, Diplomacy and Defense, Beijing has deployed 27 battleships, an aircraft carrier and unknown submarines to the area amid competing claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

After years of covering the growing tensions between China the US and all of the rest of Asia feeling bullied by China the story is getting long. Factbox: Pentagon details China's military expansion :The Pentagon said that China was on track to forge a modern military by 2020, a rapid buildup that could be potentially destabilizing to the Asia-Pacific region. Its annual assessment to Congress on China flagged all the major concerns over its growing military might, including Beijing's widening edge over Taiwan.

It also noted cyber attacks in 2010 -- including on U.S. government computers -- that appear to have originated in China. Here are details from the report Wow check out the wide expansion

The United States wants a prominent role in Asia to counter China's developing aggression The U.S. move to "return to Asia" aims to gain more interests from Asia's regional development and cement its dominant position in Asia. First, it should learn to get along with China. Its "return" to Asia has drawn people's attention back to a possible confrontation between itself and China. Many Western scholars believe that the reassertion of the leading U.S. role in Asia is directed against China because only China's rise can pose a potential challenge to its hegemony. Furthermore, a few Asian countries hope to take advantage of the United States, especially its military power, to strike a so-called strategic balance with China
.
U.S. wants to use India in missile shield against Russia, China

We have been discussing increased tensions due to ownership claims over long disputed islands and unrecovered raw material riches below the east and South China Seas for years. China is embroiled in territorial disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei Japan, and India:

China has been making all these ownership claims while warning other Asian countries to stay away. Meanwhile they have supposedly been building their world war machine with "innocent" intentions. China accuses Japan of exaggerating it as a military threat: It is no exaggeration it is called truth and you better be concerned
and China calls weapons modernization drive warnings alarmist "cock-and-bull story.
Also US senators warn Beijing on South China Sea, China warns US to stay out of it

All this to no avail as China's answer is always that her intentions are innocent "yeah like Hitler's military buildup prior to WW2" We must all stop playing these games at this point and like it or not "share" if we are to survive into the future. Sadly we know the powers to be are not smart enough to do that. We are already in severe trouble with the condition of the world environmentally and due to power struggles getting ready to erupt in the Middle East and make things horrifically worse in many regards.

I am a little worried that China too is getting a little too heavy handed and abusive with her new position of power and beginning to take what she wants instead of being content with what she has which is what I constantly lecture has to be the case if we are to have a future. The time when man and the planet could handle war and colonialism is over, period or else!

We are Taiwan's, the Philippines, and Japan's protectors and now Vietnam's. Vietnam is no real threat to China so what is up here? As China flex's their military muscles in the area we are not supposed to worry. Just what are we supposed to think they are going to do with their advanced weaponry, missiles, stealth aircraft, aircraft carriers and the like.

Their threats are going to become more ominous until they cannot be ignored and it is too late. We have been here before. The world was not supposed to worry as Hitler built his arsenal and we know how that turned out. If peace is truly the goal then try something unique and share the wealth. We need peace to succeed as a world into the 21st century not more and never ending war.

To make the situation worse as we've discussed often, the US is pledged to defend Taiwan who "at least they say" will never unify under China. There is no way we can get militarily involved with China's lust to rebuild Imperial China. Three years ago the US signed a deal to deliver a massive amount of advanced weaponry to Taiwan. The package includes a variety of U.S.-made weapons systems, including Patriot III anti-missile missiles, Apache attack helicopters, Harpoon missiles and Javelin anti-tank missiles.This was 3 years ago
Some deliveries are in process and some still being worked out.

China is not taking this lying down! We have covered East, South, and China sea disputes extensively

Knowing all of this I must once again express naivety. We are so kept in the dark as to any truth in any incident here and around the world. I had no idea or even thought in this context but President Hu Jintao's call for a rejuvenation of the country 100 years after the Xinhai Revolution that ended more than 2,000 years of dynastic rule in China is something new to me. Worse part is that this includes Taiwan too and China is not going to settle for no! China Urges Reunification at 100th Anniversary of Demise of Last Dynasty

President Hu calls on all of China's sons and daughters to join hands to carry on with the work of the Chinese Republic's first president, Sun Yat-sen, and realize his ideals of what he described as “China's great rejuvenation.” China has not been building her military and flexing her muscles for nothing. China wants Asia period and not just supremacy. She is going to have her Dynasty once again United States be damned. I do not like this, once again we are putting ourselves right in the middle of a growing conflict or war.

As we discussed there have been at least three cases of groups of Chinese military ships crossing through the area of Okinawa since November 2008, first 4 ships then 6 then 8 and now 10 including destroyers and submarines. That case appeared to be the first involving surfaced submarines. The group of 10 ships, including the submarines, was observed about 90 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of Okinawa in international waters.

Two missile destroyers and three frigate ships from the same group were spotted participating in a flight exercise of carrier-based helicopters April 7-9, the Defense Ministry's Joint Staff Office said in a statement The war ships were in international waters but close to Okinawa and Japan was not notified. That area as you may know has natural resources under the ocean and islands claimed by both Nations.

It is important that we stay in Okinawa as China plays a more important role in Asia and around the world as she gains strength militarily and economically as we just discussed. Remember our discussion on the importance of China and the US staying together to move successfully through the 21st century

We must maintain as much of the old world balance and order as we can to maintain a balance as we try to move progressively and successfully through the 21st century! I know of China and Japan's past, I know of the still ongoing Island disputes, the disagreement over natural gas in another area of the East China Sea, I also remember that with China's economic clout rising she took the number 3 seat on the world bank and we talk constantly that China is taking the leading role in Asia and Asia relations.

Being in a superior position puts one in a unique position of power and that power must be handled gracefully, with humility, responsibly, and not abused. That is something I taught all my sons and America under Bush did a lousy job of handling. I am a little worried that China too is getting a little too heavy handed and abusive with her new position of power and beginning to take what she wants instead of being content with what she has which is what I constantly lecture has to be the case if we are to have a future. The time when man and the planet could handle war and colonialism is over, period or else!

We are Taiwan's and Japan's protectors. As China flex's their military muscles in the area we are not supposed to worry. Just what are we supposed to think they are going to do with their advanced weaponry, missiles, stealth aircraft, aircraft carriers and the like. Their threats are going to become more ominous until they cannot be ignored and it is too late. We have been here before. The world was not supposed to worry as Hitler built his arsenal and we know how that turned out.





James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

China and U.S. Brinkmanship in the South China Sea:



China and U.S. Brinkmanship in the South China Sea: Two weeks ago, The Washington Post broadsided us with another Beltway bombshell: China's "Underground Great Wall" – a "vast network of tunnels" with a "sophisticated missile and nuclear arsenal" dug by "a secretive branch of the Chinese military."

China is also challenging its neighbors over the Spratly Islands, the Paracels, the Scarborough Shoals, Reed Bank and Tungsha in a South China Sea home to 17.7 billion tons of oil and gas? According to the Indonesian Center of Democracy, Diplomacy and Defense, Beijing has deployed 27 battleships, an aircraft carrier and unknown submarines to the area amid competing claims with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.


After years of covering the growing tensions between China the US and all of the rest of Asia feeling bullied by China the story is getting long. Factbox: Pentagon details China's military expansion :The Pentagon said that China was on track to forge a modern military by 2020, a rapid buildup that could be potentially destabilizing to the Asia-Pacific region. Its annual assessment to Congress on China flagged all the major concerns over its growing military might, including Beijing's widening edge over Taiwan.

It also noted cyber attacks in 2010 -- including on U.S. government computers -- that appear to have originated in China. Here are details from the report:

The United States wants a prominent role in Asia to counter China's developing aggression The U.S. move to "return to Asia" aims to gain more interests from Asia's regional development and cement its dominant position in Asia. First, it should learn to get along with China. Its "return" to Asia has drawn people's attention back to a possible confrontation between itself and China. Many Western scholars believe that the reassertion of the leading U.S. role in Asia is directed against China because only China's rise can pose a potential challenge to its hegemony. Furthermore, a few Asian countries hope to take advantage of the United States, especially its military power, to strike a so-called strategic balance with China.

U.S. wants to use India in missile shield against Russia, China

We have been discussing increased tensions due to ownership claims over long disputed islands and unrecovered raw material riches below the east and South China Seas for years. China is embroiled in territorial disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei Japan, and India:

China has been making all these ownership claims while warning other Asian countries to stay away. Meanwhile they have supposedly been building their world war machine with "innocent" intentions. China accuses Japan of exaggerating it as a military threat: It is no exaggeration it is called truth and you better be concerned and China calls weapons modernization drive warnings alarmist "cock-and-bull story. Also US senators warn Beijing on South China Sea, China warns US to stay out of it

All this to no avail as China's answer is always that her intentions are innocent "yeah like Hitler's military buildup prior to WW2" We must all stop playing these games at this point and like it or not "share" if we are to survive into the future. Sadly we know the powers to be are not smart enough to do that. We are already in severe trouble with the condition of the world environmentally and due to power struggles getting ready to erupt in the Middle East and make things horrifically worse in many regards.

I am a little worried that China too is getting a little too heavy handed and abusive with her new position of power and beginning to take what she wants instead of being content with what she has which is what I constantly lecture has to be the case if we are to have a future. The time when man and the planet could handle war and colonialism is over, period or else!

We are Taiwan's, the Philippines, and Japan's protectors and now Vietnam's. Vietnam is no real threat to China so what is up here? As China flex's their military muscles in the area we are not supposed to worry. Just what are we supposed to think they are going to do with their advanced weaponry, missiles, stealth aircraft, aircraft carriers and the like.

Their threats are going to become more ominous until they cannot be ignored and it is too late. We have been here before. The world was not supposed to worry as Hitler built his arsenal and we know how that turned out. If peace is truly the goal then try something unique and share the wealth. We need peace to succeed as a world into the 21st century not more and never ending war.

To make the situation worse as we've discussed often, the US is pledged to defend Taiwan who "at least they say" will never unify under China. There is no way we can get militarily involved with China's lust to rebuild Imperial China. Three years ago the US signed a deal to deliver a massive amount of advanced weaponry to Taiwan. The package includes a variety of U.S.-made weapons systems, including Patriot III anti-missile missiles, Apache attack helicopters, Harpoon missiles and Javelin anti-tank missiles.This was 3 years ago Some deliveries are in process and some still being worked out.

China is not taking this lying down! We have covered East, South, and China sea disputes extensively

Knowing all of this I must once again express naivety. We are so kept in the dark as to any truth in any incident here and around the world. I had no idea or even thought in this context but President Hu Jintao's call for a rejuvenation of the country 100 years after the Xinhai Revolution that ended more than 2,000 years of dynastic rule in China is something new to me. Worse part is that this includes Taiwan too and China is not going to settle for no! China Urges Reunification at 100th Anniversary of Demise of Last Dynasty

President Hu calls on all of China's sons and daughters to join hands to carry on with the work of the Chinese Republic's first president, Sun Yat-sen, and realize his ideals of what he described as “China's great rejuvenation.” China has not been building her military and flexing her muscles for nothing. China wants Asia period and not just supremacy. She is going to have her Dynasty once again United States be damned. I do not like this, once again we are putting ourselves right in the middle of a growing conflict or war.

As we discussed there have been at least three cases of groups of Chinese military ships crossing through the area of Okinawa since November 2008, first 4 ships then 6 then 8 and now 10 including destroyers and submarines. That case appeared to be the first involving surfaced submarines. The group of 10 ships, including the submarines, was observed about 90 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of Okinawa in international waters.

Two missile destroyers and three frigate ships from the same group were spotted participating in a flight exercise of carrier-based helicopters April 7-9, the Defense Ministry's Joint Staff Office said in a statement The war ships were in international waters but close to Okinawa and Japan was not notified. That area as you may know has natural resources under the ocean and islands claimed by both Nations.

It is important that we stay in Okinawa as China plays a more important role in Asia and around the world as she gains strength militarily and economically as we just discussed. Remember our discussion on the importance of China and the US staying together to move successfully through the 21st century

We must maintain as much of the old world balance and order as we can to maintain a balance as we try to move progressively and successfully through the 21st century! I know of China and Japan's past, I know of the still ongoing Island disputes, the disagreement over natural gas in another area of the East China Sea, I also remember that with China's economic clout rising she took the number 3 seat on the world bank and we talk constantly that China is taking the leading role in Asia and Asia relations.

Being in a superior position puts one in a unique position of power and that power must be handled gracefully, with humility, responsibly, and not abused. That is something I taught all my sons and America under Bush did a lousy job of handling. I am a little worried that China too is getting a little too heavy handed and abusive with her new position of power and beginning to take what she wants instead of being content with what she has which is what I constantly lecture has to be the case if we are to have a future. The time when man and the planet could handle war and colonialism is over, period or else!

We are Taiwan's and Japan's protectors. As China flex's their military muscles in the area we are not supposed to worry. Just what are we supposed to think they are going to do with their advanced weaponry, missiles, stealth aircraft, aircraft carriers and the like. Their threats are going to become more ominous until they cannot be ignored and it is too late. We have been here before. The world was not supposed to worry as Hitler built his arsenal and we know how that turned out.

Not too long ago China was in North Korea reasserting their military ties and the fact that China would be there for North Korea. We know that North Korea starves and ignores its citizens while she builds one of the worlds largest militaries and instigates the west. China though for what its worth had me fooled.China makes us think she is a wealthy Nation but after reading the story in the above link it makes total sense that she is in trouble too.

We think of China as being very wealthy with its vast military build up but I forgot something I repeat often right here. Europe their biggest market and the US are both hurting and since we are all tied together today that automatically means China is hurting too. China does a heck of a job hiding it but when you look at the vast military area she has rapidly had to invest in, in order to compete with the US who has had centuries to build theirs it all makes sense. I would like to know what you think about all this.




James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Sunday, December 04, 2011

Tale of dueling naval exercises in China Sea's


North Korea Warns South on Maritime Drills: North Korea warned on Thursday that any military clash on a disputed maritime border could escalate into an attack on the presidential office in Seoul, threatening to engulf the South Korean leadership “in a sea of fire.” Concerned about the possibility of military skirmishes, the United States has sought to stabilize the peninsula. While reaffirming its military commitment to defend the South, it has also recently begun engaging North Korea in bilateral talks.

China navy to carry out Pacific exercises: The defense ministry said the exercises, to be held later this month, did not target any particular country, but the announcement comes against a background of growing tensions over maritime disputes in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Obama, who has dubbed himself America's first Pacific president, said last week the United States would deploy up to 2,500 Marines to Australia and tighten air force cooperation, a move seen as a response to China's growing regional might. China's freedom of navigation "shall not be subject to any form of hindrance", the defense ministry said in a brief statement late Wednesday announcing the naval exercises in the western Pacific.

China Defends Naval Drills in Western Pacific: Japan's defense ministry reported Wednesday that six Chinese naval vessels have crossed between two of its islands into the western Pacific Ocean. The NHK television network said one of the vessels was an intelligence-gathering ship.

China's defense ministry announced hours later that it is planning a naval training exercise in the western Pacific. It said the drill will adhere to relevant international laws and practice and is not directed against any particular country. The exercise comes amid China's increasingly assertive maritime claims in the South and East China Seas, and just a week after U.S. President Barack Obama announced plans to station U.S. marines in northern Australia


We have been discussing increased tensions due to ownership claims over long disputed islands and unrecovered raw material riches below the east and South China Seas for years. .China is embroiled in territorial disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei Japan, and India:
China has been making all these ownership claims while warning other Asian countries to stay away. Meanwhile they have supposedly been building their world war machine with "innocent" intentions. .China accuses Japan of exaggerating it as a military threat: It is no exaggeration it is called truth and you better be concerned and .China calls weapons modernization drive warnings alarmist "cock-and-bull story. Also US senators warn Beijing on South China Sea, China warns US to stay out of it

All this to no avail as China's answer is always that her intentions are innocent "yeah like Hitler's military buildup prior to WW2" We must all stop playing these games at this point and like it or not "share" if we are to survive into the future. Sadly we know the powers to be are not smart enough to do that. We are already in severe trouble with the condition of the world environmentally and due to power struggles getting ready to erupt in the Middle East and make things horrifically worse in many regards.

Being in a superior position puts one in a unique position of power and that power must be handled gracefully, with humility, responsibly, and not abused. That is something I taught all my sons and America under Bush did a lousy job of handling.

I am a little worried that China too is getting a little too heavy handed and abusive with her new position of power and beginning to take what she wants instead of being content with what she has which is what I constantly lecture has to be the case if we are to have a future. The time when man and the planet could handle war and colonialism is over, period or else!

We are Taiwan's, the Philippines, and Japan's protectors and now Vietnam's. Vietnam is no real threat to China so what is up here? As China flex's their military muscles in the area we are not supposed to worry. Just what are we supposed to think they are going to do with their advanced weaponry, missiles, stealth aircraft, aircraft carriers and the like.

Their threats are going to become more ominous until they cannot be ignored and it is too late. We have been here before. The world was not supposed to worry as Hitler built his arsenal and we know how that turned out. If peace is truly the goal then try something unique and share the wealth. We need peace to succeed as a world into the 21st century not more and never ending war.

To make the situation worse as we've discussed often, the US is pledged to defend Taiwan who "at least they say" will never unify under China. There is no way we can get militarily involved with China's lust to rebuild Imperial China. Three years ago the US signed a deal to deliver a massive amount of advanced weaponry to Taiwan. The package includes a variety of U.S.-made weapons systems, including Patriot III anti-missile missiles, Apache attack helicopters, Harpoon missiles and Javelin anti-tank missiles.This was 3 years ago Some deliveries are in process and some still being worked out.

China is not taking this lying down! .We have covered East, South, and China sea disputes extensively

Knowing all of this I must once again express naivety. We are so kept in the dark as to any truth in any incident here and around the world. I had no idea or even thought in this context but President Hu Jintao's call for a rejuvenation of the country 100 years after the Xinhai Revolution that ended more than 2,000 years of dynastic rule in China is something new to me. Worse part is that this includes Taiwan too and China is not going to settle for no! .China Urges Reunification at 100th Anniversary of Demise of Last Dynasty

President Hu calls on all of China's sons and daughters to join hands to carry on with the work of the Chinese Republic's first president, Sun Yat-sen, and realize his ideals of what he described as “China's great rejuvenation.” China has not been building her military and flexing her muscles for nothing. China wants Asia period and not just supremacy. She is going to have her Dynasty once again United States be damned. I do not like this, once again we are putting ourselves right in the middle of a growing conflict or war.




James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The United States wants a prominent role in Asia to counter China's developing aggression so why should Japan's trade move electrify anyone?



Obama, who heads on after the weekend summit to Australia and Bali, is using his APEC chairmanship to try to shape the commercial rules for a region that could dictate America's economic future. Transforming the once obscure Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) into an Asia-wide free trade zone is seen as the cornerstone of that effort, and it now includes two of the world's biggest economies, the United States and Japan.
Persuading Asian governments to accept new rules for state-owned companies and commit to reducing tariffs in agriculture will require hard bargaining and concessions from the United States on its own protectionist barriers. The elephant in the room is China, the world's second largest economy which risks being left out in the cold if the trade zone takes off.


The United States wants a prominent role in Asia to counter China's developing aggression
The U.S. move to "return to Asia" aims to gain more interests from Asia's regional development and cement its dominant position in Asia. First, it should learn to get along with China. Its "return" to Asia has drawn people's attention back to a possible confrontation between itself and China. Many Western scholars believe that the reassertion of the leading U.S. role in Asia is directed against China because only China's rise can pose a potential challenge to its hegemony. Furthermore, a few Asian countries hope to take advantage of the United States, especially its military power, to strike a so-called strategic balance with China.

U.S. wants to use India in missile shield against Russia, China

We have been discussing increased tensions due to ownership claims over long disputed islands and unrecovered raw material riches below the east and South China Seas for years. China is embroiled in territorial disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei Japan, and India:
China has been making all these ownership claims while warning other Asian countries to stay away. Meanwhile they have supposedly been building their world war machine with "innocent" intentions. China accuses Japan of exaggerating it as a military threat: It is no exaggeration it is called truth and you better be concerned and China calls weapons modernization drive warnings alarmist "cock-and-bull story. Also US senators warn Beijing on South China Sea, China warns US to stay out of it

All this to no avail as China's answer is always that her intentions are innocent "yeah like Hitler's military buildup prior to WW2" We must all stop playing these games at this point and like it or not "share" if we are to survive into the future. Sadly we know the powers to be are not smart enough to do that. We are already in severe trouble with the condition of the world environmentally and due to power struggles getting ready to erupt in the Middle East and make things horrifically worse in many regards.

Being in a superior position puts one in a unique position of power and that power must be handled gracefully, with humility, responsibly, and not abused. That is something I taught all my sons and America under Bush did a lousy job of handling.

I am a little worried that China too is getting a little too heavy handed and abusive with her new position of power and beginning to take what she wants instead of being content with what she has which is what I constantly lecture has to be the case if we are to have a future. The time when man and the planet could handle war and colonialism is over, period or else!

We are Taiwan's, the Philippines, and Japan's protectors and now Vietnam's. Vietnam is no real threat to China so what is up here? As China flex's their military muscles in the area we are not supposed to worry. Just what are we supposed to think they are going to do with their advanced weaponry, missiles, stealth aircraft, aircraft carriers and the like.

Their threats are going to become more ominous until they cannot be ignored and it is too late. We have been here before. The world was not supposed to worry as Hitler built his arsenal and we know how that turned out. If peace is truly the goal then try something unique and share the wealth. We need peace to succeed as a world into the 21st century not more and never ending war.

To make the situation worse as we've discussed often, the US is pledged to defend Taiwan who "at least they say" will never unify under China. There is no way we can get militarily involved with China's lust to rebuild Imperial China. Three years ago the US signed a deal to deliver a massive amount of advanced weaponry to Taiwan. The package includes a variety of U.S.-made weapons systems, including Patriot III anti-missile missiles, Apache attack helicopters, Harpoon missiles and Javelin anti-tank missiles.This was 3 years ago Some deliveries are in process and some still being worked out.

China is not taking this lying down! We have covered East, South, and China sea disputes extensively

Knowing all of this I must once again express naivety. We are so kept in the dark as to any truth in any incident here and around the world. I had no idea or even thought in this context but President Hu Jintao's call for a rejuvenation of the country 100 years after the Xinhai Revolution that ended more than 2,000 years of dynastic rule in China is something new to me. Worse part is that this includes Taiwan too and China is not going to settle for no! China Urges Reunification at 100th Anniversary of Demise of Last Dynasty

President Hu calls on all of China's sons and daughters to join hands to carry on with the work of the Chinese Republic's first president, Sun Yat-sen, and realize his ideals of what he described as “China's great rejuvenation.” China has not been building her military and flexing her muscles for nothing. China wants Asia period and not just supremacy. She is going to have her Dynasty once again United States be damned. I do not like this, once again we are putting ourselves right in the middle of a growing conflict or war.




James Joiner

Gardner, Ma

http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Friday, November 18, 2011

Once again China trying to assert "ownership" of Asia while using rare earth as a knife to the worlds throat It will not work much longer


The arrest of another Chinese skipper last year caused a high-level spat between the two countries. The latest incident took place about 100 miles (60km) from the Goto Islands on Sunday. The islands lie off the west coast of Nagasaki prefecture in the southern island of Kyushu.
Beijing suspended ministerial-level meetings and, according to trading companies in Tokyo, blocked exports of rare earths, vital for high-tech manufacturing in Japan. The latest incident took place well within Japanese territorial waters. Last year's took place near the Senkaku Islands, which Japan controls but China claims and calls the Diaoyu Islands.


We have been discussing increased tensions due to ownership claims over long disputed islands and unrecovered raw material riches below the east and South China Seas for years. China is embroiled in territorial disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei Japan, and India:

China has been making all these ownership claims while warning other Asian countries to stay away. Meanwhile they have supposedly been building their world war machine with "innocent" intentions. China accuses Japan of exaggerating it as a military threat: It is no exaggeration it is called truth and you better be concerned and China calls weapons modernization drive warnings alarmist "cock-and-bull story. Also US senators warn Beijing on South China Sea, China warns US to stay out of it

All this to no avail as China's answer is always that her intentions are innocent "yeah like Hitler's military buildup prior to WW2" and threatening the modern world with withholding rare earth elements needed to drive all our modern weapons and electronic.. China says it has largely shut down its rare earth industry for three months to address pollution problems. By invoking environmental concerns, China could potentially try to circumvent international trade rules that are supposed to prohibit export restrictions of vital materials. China has been imposing tariffs and quotas on its rare earth exports for several years, curtailing global supplies and forcing prices to rise eightfold to forty fold during that period for the various 17 rare earth elements.

China is worried about pollution like a hole in the head gut they better make the most of the game while they can because the world is going around their rare earth monopoly. Japanese researchers say they have discovered vast deposits of rare earth minerals, used in many hi-tech appliances, in the seabed. The geologists estimate that there are about a 100bn tons of the rare elements in the mud of the Pacific Ocean floor. At present, China produces 97% of the world's rare earth metals. Analysts say the Pacific discovery could challenge China's dominance, if recovering the minerals from the seabed proves commercially viable.

The United States is also in the race in an old proven uranium mine in Alaska. Eight mining companies had held claims on Bokan Mountain before McKenzie came, and all had closed. They were looking for uranium, and most cleared out before they ever sold an ounce of ore. Theirs was poor luck and poor timing. Based on a resource assessment performed for McKenzie’s company Ucore by Aurora Geosciences, Bokan may contain mineral deposits worth $6.5 billion. That figure is not for uranium, though, but a group of elements called rare earths. Rare earths are crucial to modern and developing technologies but were little discussed until a temporary embargo in 2010 by China, which produces about 97 percent of the world’s supply, sparked a global prospecting frenzy.

We must all stop playing these games at this point and like it or not "share" if we are to survive into the future. Sadly we know the powers to be are not smart enough to do that. We are already in severe trouble with the condition of the world environmentally and due to power struggles getting ready to erupt in the Middle East and make things horrifically worse in many regards.

Being in a superior position puts one in a unique position of power and that power must be handled gracefully, with humility, responsibly, and not abused. That is something I taught all my sons and America under Bush did a lousy job of handling.

I am a little worried that China too is getting a little too heavy handed and abusive with her new position of power and beginning to take what she wants instead of being content with what she has which is what I constantly lecture has to be the case if we are to have a future. The time when man and the planet could handle war and colonialism is over, period or else!

We are Taiwan's, the Philippines, and Japan's protectors and now Vietnam's. Vietnam is no real threat to China so what is up here? As China flex's their military muscles in the area we are not supposed to worry. Just what are we supposed to think they are going to do with their advanced weaponry, missiles, stealth aircraft, aircraft carriers and the like.

Their threats are going to become more ominous until they cannot be ignored and it is too late. We have been here before. The world was not supposed to worry as Hitler built his arsenal and we know how that turned out. If peace is truly the goal then try something unique and share the wealth. We need peace to succeed as a world into the 21st century not more and never ending war.

It is time for lets make a deal!

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Sunday, October 02, 2011

China is embroiled in territorial disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and now India: Don't worry? Hmphh!



India, China in Standoff Over Oil: India is being pulled into a complex and increasingly tense territorial dispute in the South China Sea, with China repeatedly warning ONGC, the Indian state oil company, that its joint exploration plans with Vietnam amount to a violation of Chinese sovereignty.
The Indian government responded to the latest Chinese warnings Thursday by repeating its pledge to continue exploring for energy in the South China Sea, where China is embroiled in territorial disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.



Philippine President Again Warns China on Maritime Claims: Mr. Aquino said his government is ready to acquire more weapons and to press its claims to territory in the Spratly Islands chain to a United Nations' tribunal. His remarks were seen as aimed at China, though he did not mention that country in his address. Beijing claims sovereignty over the Spratly's and their surrounding waters. But the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as several other countries, hold competing claims in the potentially mineral-rich region and several recent confrontations involving Chinese patrol boats have sparked international concerns. Aquino means he is prepared to instigate action that will antagonize China to act thereby making the US defend the Philippine's once again.

Philippines' Aquino says 140 firms eying energy, gas projects: The Southeast Asian country expects to award early next year contracts for oil and gas exploration requiring total investment of at least $7.5 billion as it aims to lessen its dependence on imported fuel. Oh that will help? Want to bet they end up working for China?

ASEAN Chief says the world is watching the West Philippine sea: Asia must find ways to resolve its territorial disputes if it wants to play a more central role in world affairs, Association of Southeast Asian Nations chief Surin Pitsuwanz said Wednesday. Flash points such as the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) need to be settled to give the international community confidence that Asia can “manage its own affairs” and continue to attract trade and investment, he said.

US senators warn Beijing on S China Sea: “We are concerned that a series of naval incidents in recent months has raised tensions in the region,” said John Kerry, the Democratic chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, and John McCainz, the former Republican presidential candidate. “If appropriate steps are not taken to calm the situation, future incidents could escalate, jeopardizing the vital national interests of the United States.”

ASEAN Ministers Urged to Pursue Early Agreement on China Sea: Southeast Asian foreign ministers were urged to speed up talks with China on a binding code of conduct for the South China Sea at the start of their annual gathering in Bali. It was noted it has been nine years since ASEAN and China agreed in principle to negotiate a binding agreement to settle disputes caused by overlapping territorial claims in the oil- and gas-rich waterway and things "do not necessarily have to be this slow." Tensions over the sea have spiked in recent months as nations step up oil exploration, especially near the Spratly islands which are claimed in whole or part by six governments.

The Chinese vice foreign minister warned the United States to stay out of the increasingly tense territorial disputes and maritime conflicts in the South China Sea, which has some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas reserves: All or parts of the sea are claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.

In response Vietnam to hold joint naval drill with US Still no date given but I disagree with the notion that it will promote relations. Most definitely not with China!

Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan have all voiced concerns or made formal complaints over Chinese nautical movements.

We must maintain as much of the old world balance and order as we can to maintain a balance as we try to move progressively and successfully through the 21st century! I know of China and Japan's past, I know of the still ongoing Island disputes, the disagreement over natural gas and oil in another area of the East China Sea, I also remember that with China's economic clout rising she took the number 3 seat on the world bank and we talk constantly that China is taking the leading role in Asia and Asia relations.

Being in a superior position puts one in a unique position of power and that power must be handled gracefully, with humility, responsibly, and not abused. That is something I taught all my sons and America under Bush did a lousy job of handling.

I am a little worried that China too is getting a little too heavy handed and abusive with her new position of power and beginning to take what she wants instead of being content with what she has which is what I constantly lecture has to be the case if we are to have a future. The time when man and the planet could handle war and colonialism is over, period or else!

We are Taiwan's, the Philippines, and Japan's protectors and now Vietnam's. Vietnam is no real threat to China so what is up here? As China flex's their military muscles in the area we are not supposed to worry. Just what are we supposed to think they are going to do with their advanced weaponry, missiles, stealth aircraft, aircraft carriers and the like.

Their threats are going to become more ominous until they cannot be ignored and it is too late. We have been here before. The world was not supposed to worry as Hitler built his arsenal and we know how that turned out. If peace is truly the goal then try something unique and share the wealth. We need peace to succeed as a world into the 21st century not more and never ending war.

It is time for lets make a deal. I do not understand why whatever is there for resources is not shares by all Asian countries. All that is needed is to work out the apportionment. It is a very provocative move for the Philippines to be ratcheting this up and saying they are ready to award contracts to those interests in the energy field. From day one with China's military antagonizing It gets much worse some have been telling me not to worry. I wonder what they think now?

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Japan's new Prime Minister rightly 'Concerned' Over Chinese Military Build-Up



Noda 'Concerned' Over Chinese Military Build-Up: Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Wednesday voiced concern over China's military build-up and increased maritime activity near Japan, even as he emphasized the importance of ties between Asia's two largest economies. "I have concerns over the lack of transparency in (China's) reinforcement of its national defense capability as well as the acceleration of maritime activities" by Beijing, Mr. Noda said during a parliamentary session. "I expect China to play an appropriate role as a responsible member of the international community."
Japan's disputes with China over territory and wartime history have continued to strain ties between the two countries, with recent spats over disputed territorial waters in the East China Sea a major flashpoint


Friday, September 02, 2011
China calls weapons modernization drive warnings alarmist "cock-and-bull story.


China calls weapons modernization drive warnings alarmist "cock-and-bull story." We were here with the Nazi's look at the awful details

China media dismiss Pentagon: China's state news agency on Thursday condemned a Pentagon report on China's growing military might, calling its account of Beijing's weapons modernization drive an alarmist "cock-and-bull story."

China military 'closing key gaps': China is on course to build a modern military by 2020, a move that could threaten stability in the Asia-Pacific region, the Pentagon says. In its annual report on China's defense capability, the Pentagon said China had closed key technological gaps.A main aim of the military development was to prevent possible US intervention in any conflict with Taiwan, it said.

The Pentagon said that China was on track to forge a modern military by 2020, a rapid buildup that could be potentially destabilizing to the Asia-Pacific region.

This report is not very long so I hope you give it a quick read. The Pentagon gave this a pretty wide, expansive, and comprehensive look but having followed China's military actions and interests very closely for years you better believe when you get to the nitty gritty China's military prowess is not exaggerated at all but in my eye a bit jaded.

We have been here before with Hitler's "innocent" military build up. China is laying claim to all seas and Islands in Asia and wants to widen its interests. Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan's and US concerns are valid and not exaggerations but I have no idea as to how they can be addressed. Global military buildup aside we are witnessing actions to be concerned about in China's words of innocence.

It is not just the East China Sea, we have talked extensively on China's instigation in the South China Sea but remembering Japan's actions against China before and during WW2 China and that Japan was ultimately defeated China said We hope that Japan will use history as a guide, and earnestly reflect on its defense policies. I believe it is China that should slow down and remember it was the US and her allies that saved her. It is time to share not fight! China has been warning all other Asian Nations not to go after the gas, oil, and other natural resources around the Spratly's, Kurils, Senkaku, and other contested Islands and areas in the China Sea.

China just launched its first aircraft carrier a retrofitted Russian aircraft carrier and is in the process of building it's first Chinese carrier. Anyway then all Asian countries better be prepared. Remember the "incident this past spring with the 10 Chinese warships including destroyers and submarines off Okinawa? This put a new light on things to me. Look at the big picture once again.

As we discussed there have been at least three cases of groups of Chinese military ships crossing through the area of Okinawa since November 2008, first 4 ships then 6 then 8 and now 10 including destroyers and submarines. That case appeared to be the first involving surfaced submarines. The group of 10 ships, including the submarines, was observed about 90 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of Okinawa in international waters.

Two missile destroyers and three frigate ships from the same group were spotted participating in a flight exercise of carrier-based helicopters April 7-9, the Defense Ministry's Joint Staff Office said in a statement The war ships were in international waters but close to Okinawa and Japan was not notified. That area as you may know has natural resources under the ocean and islands claimed by both Nations. It is important that we stay in Okinawa as China plays a more important role in Asia and around the world as she gains strength militarily and economically as we just discussed.

*China is not a threat to Asia and beyond when all is said and done? I am afraid they are and also to our old world balance. The entire world better be concerned not just Asia.


James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Friday, September 02, 2011

China calls weapons modernization drive warnings alarmist "cock-and-bull story.




China calls weapons modernization drive warnings alarmist "cock-and-bull story." We were here with the Nazi's look at the awful details

China media dismiss Pentagon: China's state news agency on Thursday condemned a Pentagon report on China's growing military might, calling its account of Beijing's weapons modernization drive an alarmist "cock-and-bull story."

China military 'closing key gaps': China is on course to build a modern military by 2020, a move that could threaten stability in the Asia-Pacific region, the Pentagon says. In its annual report on China's defense capability, the Pentagon said China had closed key technological gaps.A main aim of the military development was to prevent possible US intervention in any conflict with Taiwan, it said.

The Pentagon said on Wednesday that China was on track to forge a modern military by 2020, a rapid buildup that could be potentially destabilizing to the Asia-Pacific region.

This report is not very long so I hope you give it a quick read. The Pentagon gave this a pretty wide, expansive, and comprehensive look but having followed China's military actions and interests very closely for years you better believe when you get to the nitty gritty China's military prowess is not exaggerated at all but in my eye a bit jaded.

We have been here before with Hitler's "innocent" military build up. China is laying claim to all seas and Islands in Asia and wants to widen its interests. Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan's and US concerns are valid and not exaggerations but I have no idea as to how they can be addressed. Global military buildup aside we are witnessing actions to be concerned about in China's words of innocence.

It is not just the East China Sea, we have talked extensively on China's instigation in the South China Sea but remembering Japan's actions against China before and during WW2 China and that Japan was ultimately defeated China said We hope that Japan will use history as a guide, and earnestly reflect on its defense policies. I believe it is China that should slow down and remember it was the US and her allies that saved her. It is time to share not fight! China has been warning all other Asian Nations not to go after the gas, oil, and other natural resources around the Spratly's, Kurils, Senkaku, and other contested Islands and areas in the China Sea.

China just launched its first aircraft carrier a retrofitted Russian aircraft carrier and is in the process of building it's first Chinese carrier. Anyway then all Asian countries better be prepared. Remember the "incident this past spring with the 10 Chinese warships including destroyers and submarines off Okinawa? This put a new light on things to me. Look at the big picture once again.

As we discussed there have been at least three cases of groups of Chinese military ships crossing through the area of Okinawa since November 2008, first 4 ships then 6 then 8 and now 10 including destroyers and submarines. That case appeared to be the first involving surfaced submarines. The group of 10 ships, including the submarines, was observed about 90 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of Okinawa in international waters.

Two missile destroyers and three frigate ships from the same group were spotted participating in a flight exercise of carrier-based helicopters April 7-9, the Defense Ministry's Joint Staff Office said in a statement The war ships were in international waters but close to Okinawa and Japan was not notified. That area as you may know has natural resources under the ocean and islands claimed by both Nations. It is important that we stay in Okinawa as China plays a more important role in Asia and around the world as she gains strength militarily and economically as we just discussed.

*China is not a threat to Asia and beyond when all is said and done? I am afraid they are and also to our old world balance. The entire world better be concerned not just Asia.


James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Thursday, August 11, 2011

China accuses Japan of exaggerating it as a military threat: It is no exaggeration it is called truth and you better be concerned





China accuses Japan of exaggerating it as a military threat: The accusation follows a defense white paper earlier this week in which Japan warned that China's naval forces were likely to increase activities around its waters. The two countries have long bickered over ownership of parts of the East China Sea, with the latest flare-up late last year. China's foreign and defense ministries both rounded on the Japan's latest defense report, which laid out worries about China's military modernization and expanding maritime reach.

It is not just the East China Sea, we have talked extensively on China's instigation in the South China Sea but remembering Japan's actions against China before and during WW2 China and that Japan was ultimately defeated China said We hope that Japan will use history as a guide, and earnestly reflect on its defense policies. I believe it is China that should slow down and remember it was the US and her allies that saved her. It is time to share not fight! China has been warning all other Asian Nations not to go after the gas, oil, and other natural resources around the Spratly's, Kurils, Senkaku, and other contested Islands and areas in the China Sea.

China just launched its first aircraft carrier a retrofitted Russian aircraft carrier and is in the process of building it's first Chinese carrier. Anyway then all Asian countries better be prepared. Remember the "incident this past spring with the 10 Chinese warships including destroyers and submarines off Okinawa? This put a new light on things to me. Look at the big picture once again. Japan has got to be rethinking their constant effort to get the US Military to leave Okinawa. It will behoove Japan to have us there. This puts a whole new light on China's turn around on Iran, their monetary finagling, and their last minute turn around on whether or not to attend the nuclear summit. This latest row really has to have Japan rethinking.

Remember Just prior to this sudden mood and cooperation change with the US we were being threatened for arming Taiwan, for meeting with the Dalai lama in Washington, and threatened with slowing our economic recovery. I fell for the line of thought that the so called experts were floating that China realized that if we go down so do they.

Cooperation between China Russia and the US is critical! Obama was right to say our ties will shape the future of the 21st century. The US and China are eying each other and moving very cautiously as they try to strike a balance. A few years back I began to view our relationship with China as the most important in the world. Not because we drove each others economy but because if at the time with Bush's instigation to war with Russia China due to the fact of how our 2 economies are so intertwined that if something happened China would side with us not Russia, I just do not know any more. I never imagined that today problems between China and Japan would be the issue.

As we discussed there have been at least three cases of groups of Chinese military ships crossing through the area of Okinawa since November 2008, first 4 ships then 6 then 8 and now 10 including destroyers and submarines. That case appeared to be the first involving surfaced submarines. The group of 10 ships, including the submarines, was observed about 90 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of Okinawa in international waters.

Two missile destroyers and three frigate ships from the same group were spotted participating in a flight exercise of carrier-based helicopters April 7-9, the Defense Ministry's Joint Staff Office said in a statement The war ships were in international waters but close to Okinawa and Japan was not notified. That area as you may know has natural resources under the ocean and islands claimed by both Nations. It is important that we stay in Okinawa as China plays a more important role in Asia and around the world as she gains strength militarily and economically as we just discussed.

*China is not a threat to Asia? I am afraid they are and also to our old world balance. Japan is right and the entire world better be concerned not just Asia.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Philippine President Again Warns China on Maritime Claims, says they're ready to issue contracts for oil and gas exploration



Philippine President Again Warns China on Maritime Claims: Mr. Aquino said his government is ready to acquire more weapons and to press its claims to territory in the Spratly Islands chain to a United Nations' tribunal. His remarks were seen as aimed at China, though he did not mention that country in his address. Beijing claims sovereignty over the Spratly's and their surrounding waters. But the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as several other countries, hold competing claims in the potentially mineral-rich region and several recent confrontations involving Chinese patrol boats have sparked international concerns. Aquino means he is prepared to instigate action that will antagonize China to act thereby making the US defend the Philippine's once again.

Philippines' Aquino says 140 firms eying energy, gas projects: The Southeast Asian country expects to award early next year contracts for oil and gas exploration requiring total investment of at least $7.5 billion as it aims to lessen its dependence on imported fuel. Oh that will help? Want to bet they end up working for China?

ASEAN Chief says the world is watching the West Philippine sea: Asia must find ways to resolve its territorial disputes if it wants to play a more central role in world affairs, Association of Southeast Asian Nations chief Surin Pitsuwan said Wednesday. Flash points such as the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) need to be settled to give the international community confidence that Asia can “manage its own affairs” and continue to attract trade and investment, he said.

US senators warn Beijing on S China Sea: “We are concerned that a series of naval incidents in recent months has raised tensions in the region,” said John Kerry, the Democratic chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, and John McCain, the former Republican presidential candidate. “If appropriate steps are not taken to calm the situation, future incidents could escalate, jeopardizing the vital national interests of the United States.”

ASEAN Ministers Urged to Pursue Early Agreement on China Sea: Southeast Asian foreign ministers were urged to speed up talks with China on a binding code of conduct for the South China Sea at the start of their annual gathering in Bali Tuesday. It was noted it has been nine years since ASEAN and China agreed in principle to negotiate a binding agreement to settle disputes caused by overlapping territorial claims in the oil- and gas-rich waterway and things "do not necessarily have to be this slow." Tensions over the sea have spiked in recent months as nations step up oil exploration, especially near the Spratly islands which are claimed in whole or part by six governments.

The Chinese vice foreign minister warned the United States on Wednesday to stay out of the increasingly tense territorial disputes and maritime conflicts in the South China Sea, which has some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas reserves: All or parts of the sea are claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.

In response Vietnam to hold joint naval drill with US Still no date given but I disagree with the notion that it will promote relations. Most definitely not with China!

In recent weeks, Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan have all voiced concerns or made formal complaints over Chinese nautical movements.

We must maintain as much of the old world balance and order as we can to maintain a balance as we try to move progressively and successfully through the 21st century! I know of China and Japan's past, I know of the still ongoing Island disputes, the disagreement over natural gas and oil in another area of the East China Sea, I also remember that with China's economic clout rising she took the number 3 seat on the world bank and we talk constantly that China is taking the leading role in Asia and Asia relations.

Being in a superior position puts one in a unique position of power and that power must be handled gracefully, with humility, responsibly, and not abused. That is something I taught all my sons and America under Bush did a lousy job of handling.

I am a little worried that China too is getting a little too heavy handed and abusive with her new position of power and beginning to take what she wants instead of being content with what she has which is what I constantly lecture has to be the case if we are to have a future. The time when man and the planet could handle war and colonialism is over, period or else!

We are Taiwan's, the Philippines, and Japan's protectors and now Vietnam's. Vietnam is no real threat to China so what is up here? As China flex's their military muscles in the area we are not supposed to worry. Just what are we supposed to think they are going to do with their advanced weaponry, missiles, stealth aircraft, aircraft carriers and the like.

Their threats are going to become more ominous until they cannot be ignored and it is too late. We have been here before. The world was not supposed to worry as Hitler built his arsenal and we know how that turned out. If peace is truly the goal then try something unique and share the wealth. We need peace to succeed as a world into the 21st century not more and never ending war.

It is time for lets make a deal. I do not understand why whatever is there for resources is not shares by all Asian countries. All that is needed is to work out the apportionment. It is a very provocative move for the Philippines to be ratcheting this up and saying they are ready to award contracts to those interests in the energy field. From day one with China's military antagonizing some have been telling me not to worry. I wonder what they think now?

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com

Saturday, July 23, 2011

US senators warn Beijing on South China Sea, China warns US to stay out of it



ASEAN Chief says the world is watching the West Philippine sea: Asia must find ways to resolve its territorial disputes if it wants to play a more central role in world affairs, Association of Southeast Asian Nations chief Surin Pitsuwan said Wednesday. Flash points such as the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) need to be settled to give the international community confidence that Asia can “manage its own affairs” and continue to attract trade and investment, he said.

US senators warn Beijing on S China Sea: “We are concerned that a series of naval incidents in recent months has raised tensions in the region,” said John Kerry, the Democratic chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, and John McCain, the former Republican presidential candidate. “If appropriate steps are not taken to calm the situation, future incidents could escalate, jeopardising the vital national interests of the United States.”

ASEAN Ministers Urged to Pursue Early Agreement on China Sea: Southeast Asian foreign ministers were urged to speed up talks with China on a binding code of conduct for the South China Sea at the start of their annual gathering in Bali Tuesday. It was noted it has been nine years since ASEAN and China agreed in principle to negotiate a binding agreement to settle disputes caused by overlapping territorial claims in the oil- and gas-rich waterway and things "do not necessarily have to be this slow." Tensions over the sea have spiked in recent months as nations step up oil exploration, especially near the Spratly islands which are claimed in whole or part by six governments.

The Chinese vice foreign minister warned the United States on Wednesday to stay out of the increasingly tense territorial disputes and maritime conflicts in the South China Sea, which has some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas reserves: All or parts of the sea are claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei.

In response Vietnam to hold joint naval drill with US Still no date given but I disagree with the notion that it will promote relations. Most definitely not with China!

In recent weeks, Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan have all voiced concerns or made formal complaints over Chinese nautical movements.

We must maintain as much of the old world balance and order as we can to maintain a balance as we try to move progressively and successfully through the 21st century! I know of China and Japan's past, I know of the still ongoing Island disputes, the disagreement over natural gas and oil in another area of the East China Sea, I also remember that with China's economic clout rising she took the number 3 seat on the world bank and we talk constantly that China is taking the leading role in Asia and Asia relations.

Being in a superior position puts one in a unique position of power and that power must be handled gracefully, with humility, responsibly, and not abused. That is something I taught all my sons and America under Bush did a lousy job of handling.

I am a little worried that China too is getting a little too heavy handed and abusive with her new position of power and beginning to take what she wants instead of being content with what she has which is what I constantly lecture has to be the case if we are to have a future. The time when man and the planet could handle war and colonialism is over, period or else!

We are Taiwan's, the Philippines, and Japan's protectors and now Vietnam's. Vietnam is no real threat to China so what is up here? As China flex's their military muscles in the area we are not supposed to worry. Just what are we supposed to think they are going to do with their advanced weaponry, missiles, stealth aircraft, aircraft carriers and the like.

Their threats are going to become more ominous until they cannot be ignored and it is too late. We have been here before. The world was not supposed to worry as Hitler built his arsenal and we know how that turned out. If peace is truly the goal then try something unique and share the wealth. We need peace to succeed as a world into the 21st century not more and never ending war.

James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com