WE HAD A BUSY NEWS WEEKEND AND START OF THE WEEK FOR CHINA SEAS EVENTS.
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| The destroyer Stockdale moors pierside in Subic Bay on Feb. 5. More Navy ships could head to the Philippines if a deal is reached to expand U.S. presence there. (MC2 David Hooper / Navy) |
We had more news than our small staff could reasonably deal with near the end of last week, over the week end, and into Monday concerning events in the China Seas and the Dragon's continuing aggressive pursuit of territory that belongs to its neighbors. In a nut shell China continues on its aggressive path and its neighbors are beefing up their naval defenses and calling in U.S. Markers. As usual the mainstream media doesn't seem to deem the news worthy of the editorial cut for the evening television news or front pages, though regional affiliates of large news organizations like AP do carry the stories. So below we link you to key stories from regional sources, including AP affiliates, independents, and U.S. Department of defense publications.
Manila to move air force, navy near disputed sea
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines plans to relocate major air force and navy camps to a former U.S. naval base northwest of Manila to gain faster access to waters being contested by China in the South China Sea, according to the country's defense chief and a confidential government report.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Sunday that as soon as relocation funds are available the government plans to transfer air force and naval forces and their fleets of aircraft and warships to Subic Bay, which has become a busy free port since the 1992 departure of the U.S. Navy.
"It's for the protection of our West Philippine Sea," Gazmin said from South Korea, where he was on a visit, using the name adopted by the Philippine government for the disputed South China Sea.
Link to full story: http://www.philstar.com/breaking-news/2013/07/28/1024131/manila-move-air-force-navy-near-disputed-sea
U.S. Navy wants to expand Philippine presence, create temporary base
- FILED UNDER
China says boats from newly formed coast guard confront Japanese vessels near disputed islands
Your chances to visit historic Subic Bay, once a favorite port of call, are increasing.
The U.S. and the Philippines are negotiating to expand the presence of American warships and service members at Filipino bases, deepening an already close alliance and providing the fleet door-step access to the contested South China Sea.
The talks center on an “access agreement” that would allow the Navy to dispatch ships more often to Subic Bay; to store spare parts, supplies and hardware there that would be useful in a crisis; and to temporarily base sailors and Marines there. Link to Full Story From Army Times: http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130727/NEWS/307270004/Navy-wants-expand-Philippine-presence-create-temporary-base
BEIJING — China says ships from its newly formed coast guard confronted Japanese patrol vessels Friday in waters surrounding East China Sea islands claimed by both sides.
The State Oceanic Administration that oversees the service says four of its ships “sternly declared” China’s sovereignty over the islands called Senkaku by Japan and Diaoyu by China, and demanded they leave the area. The uninhabited archipelago is controlled by Tokyo but also claimed by Beijing. Link to original story in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-says-boats-from-newly-formed-coast-guard-confront-japanese-vessels-near-disputed-islands/2013/07/26/39974a0e-f5b1-11e2-81fa-8e83b3864c36_story.html
China transforms reef into naval station
MANILA, Philippines - The Chinese have transformed the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef in Palawan into a forward naval station with at least one ship docked in the area, a senior security official disclosed yesterday.
The official, who asked not to be identified, pointed out that since China’s illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef in 1994, Beijing had slowly transformed the area into its forward naval facility in the West Philippine Sea.
“At one given time there’s a Chinese frigate out there,” he said of the area located around 130 nautical miles from Hulugan Bay in Palawan and 97 nautical miles from Pag-Asa, an island municipality in the disputed Spratlys archipelago.
Aside from the presence of Chinese naval ships at Panganiban Reef, the source said the place is now considered as the most advanced naval fortification in the disputed region, servicing the needs of Chinese fishermen and their fishing boats.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the other day that it is verifying reports that Chinese gunboats have been monitored at Panganiban Reef, which is part of Philippine territory.
Link to Full Story from the Philippine Star: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/07/27/1018091/china-transforms-reef-naval-station
Red tide: China deploys new class of strategic missile submarines next year
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
China's navy is expected to begin the first sea patrols next year of a new class of strategic missile submarines, highlighting a new and growing missile threat to the U.S. homeland, according to U.S. defense officials.
“We are anticipating that combat patrols of submarines carrying the new JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile will begin next year,” said one official familiar with recent intelligence assessments of the Chinese strategic submarine force.
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jul/23/china-deploy-new-strategic-missile-class-submarine/#ixzz2aRrNzOSa
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