The
recent landing of a Y-8X maritime surveillance aircraft on Fiery Cross
Reef (永暑礁) in the South China Sea in response to an emergency is further
evidence that China has made its presence in this contentious region
routine. Earlier in the same week, People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice-Chairman Fan Changlong (范长龙)
visited Fiery Cross Reef as part of a review of the island and
infrastructure-building progress in the southern reaches of the South
China Sea. The fact that the landing was publicized is meant as a
message, likely for Washington policymakers, including U.S. Secretary of
Defense Ash Carter who recently visited the region. China’s actions
form an important addendum to the endless repetition of China’s
position: due to historical reasons, it has absolute claim and
sovereignty over a vast portion of the South China Sea. When articulated
by Chinese diplomats, the historical record of what China has done in
the area and how its current moves fit into the pattern of previous
military deployments and modernization is blurred.
Reflections from news and commentary of the day
Thursday, April 21, 2016
In a Fortnight: Chinese Signaling in the South China Sea
In a Fortnight: Chinese Signaling in the South China Sea
The
recent landing of a Y-8X maritime surveillance aircraft on Fiery Cross
Reef (永暑礁) in the South China Sea in response to an emergency is further
evidence that China has made its presence in this contentious region
routine. Earlier in the same week, People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice-Chairman Fan Changlong (范长龙)
visited Fiery Cross Reef as part of a review of the island and
infrastructure-building progress in the southern reaches of the South
China Sea. The fact that the landing was publicized is meant as a
message, likely for Washington policymakers, including U.S. Secretary of
Defense Ash Carter who recently visited the region. China’s actions
form an important addendum to the endless repetition of China’s
position: due to historical reasons, it has absolute claim and
sovereignty over a vast portion of the South China Sea. When articulated
by Chinese diplomats, the historical record of what China has done in
the area and how its current moves fit into the pattern of previous
military deployments and modernization is blurred.
[Read More]http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=45338&no_cache=1#.VxlvEHCGhRk
The
recent landing of a Y-8X maritime surveillance aircraft on Fiery Cross
Reef (永暑礁) in the South China Sea in response to an emergency is further
evidence that China has made its presence in this contentious region
routine. Earlier in the same week, People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice-Chairman Fan Changlong (范长龙)
visited Fiery Cross Reef as part of a review of the island and
infrastructure-building progress in the southern reaches of the South
China Sea. The fact that the landing was publicized is meant as a
message, likely for Washington policymakers, including U.S. Secretary of
Defense Ash Carter who recently visited the region. China’s actions
form an important addendum to the endless repetition of China’s
position: due to historical reasons, it has absolute claim and
sovereignty over a vast portion of the South China Sea. When articulated
by Chinese diplomats, the historical record of what China has done in
the area and how its current moves fit into the pattern of previous
military deployments and modernization is blurred.
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