Friday, February 24, 2017

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

China builds shelters for missile systems in South China Sea - UPI.com
UPI reports: "China has built structures to house surface-to-air missile systems at three outposts in the disputed Spratly Islands, according to a U.S. think tank. [...] The presence of SAM batteries on the islands would strengthen China's defense capabilities throughout the nine-dash line, a demarcation line used by China to claim large areas of the South China Sea."

China opposes U.S. naval patrols in South China Sea - Reuters
UPI reports: "China said on Tuesday it opposed action by other countries under the pretext of freedom of navigation that undermined its sovereignty, after a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group began patrols in the contested South China Sea. The U.S. navy said the strike group, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier the USS Carl Vinson, began "routine operations" in the South China Sea on Saturday amid growing tension with China over control of the disputed waterway. [...] Beijing last week warned Washington against challenging its sovereignty in the South China Sea. It claims almost all of the resource-rich waters, through which about $5 trillion worth of trade passes each year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of the South China Sea that command strategic sea lanes and have rich fishing grounds, along with oil and gas deposits."

Comment: It's scary to realize that war in the South China Sea is inevitable. It may not happen for years, but it seems like China is set on this course.

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