50 shades of black + 254 January 9, 2019 U.S. naval operations in the South China Sea could spark conflict and the United States would be to blame if a clash occurred, a Chinese military researcher said on Wednesday. The warning came as Chinese and U.S. trade teams ended talks in Beijing that have raised hopes an all-out trade war could be avoided, but fears remain that strategic tension between two countries are growing. “Both countries warships definitely have to come into close proximity and it’s easy for there to be a misunderstanding or an error of judgment, even a collision,” Zhang Junshe, a researcher at China’s PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, told reporters. According to Reuters, since Trump took office, there have been 14 incidents of U.S. Navy vessel entering waters that China claims to carry out what the U.S. military calls freedom of navigation operations, Zhang said. China claims almost all of the South China Sea and denounces the United States and its allies over naval operations near Chinese-occupied islands. Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan have competing claims in the region. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damirUSBiH + 327 DD January 9, 2019 All international waters must be freely available for travel. China should join the U.S. and others in defending free travel. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rainman + 263 January 9, 2019 Where have I seen this before? It’s like deja vu, all over again 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pavel + 384 PP January 9, 2019 (edited) Control of South China Sea is not just control of other countries, it's a control of resources and China knows that very well... Edited January 9, 2019 by Pavel 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderBlade + 231 TB January 9, 2019 "It is no secret there are operations in the South China Sea - important to assert the freedom of all nations on its rim upon that seaway" - Admiral Philip S. Davidson, Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command. Old story, new episode... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinto + 293 PZ January 9, 2019 SCS is one of the most "hotly" contested areas of the world and without a doubt, it could be the epicenter of the next global conflict if it's not handled properly 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites