| Submit your comments on this article |
| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Military nightmare scenario brewing in the East China Sea |
| 2017-04-06 |
| [CNBC] A dispute over islands in the East China Sea could be a trigger point for something bigger A dispute over islands in the East China Sea could be a trigger point for something bigger OKINAWA-While the world watches mounting military tensions in the South China Sea, another, more ominous situation is brewing in the East China Sea that could be the trigger point for a major war between the superpowers. At the heart of tensions are eight uninhabited islands controlled by Japan that are close to important shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves. China contests Japan's claims and is escalating its military activity in Japan airspace. In response, Japan has been doubling its F-15 jet intercepts. The situation increases the risk of an accidental confrontation -- and could draw other countries, like the United States, into a conflict. It's a topic President Trump will likely bring up with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago estate this week. From the departure lounge at Naha International Airport on the Japanese island of Okinawa, passengers can easily see what's going on. Between the regular comings and goings of commercial airliners, first one, then two, then two more F-15 fighter jets streak down the runway that Japanese Air Self Defense Forces (JASDF) share with Naha's regular airline traffic. Rising rapidly from the tarmac, the quartet of combat aircraft heads out to sea to intercept yet another Chinese military aircraft -- usually other fighter jets, sometimes a bomber or reconnaissance plane -- flying into or close to Japanese airspace. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #1 If I understand correctly the value of the South China sea is the oil that lies beneath it (that China, Vietnam, and the Philippines all lay claim to). What I don't understand is how anyone could drill that oil at this point and make a profit. The oil economy is faltering because of fracking prices and if it comes to conflict between China and anybody any oilfields in the South China Seas are going to be big juicy targets. We should get them into a meeting and arrange to give Vietnam and Philippines a cut to make everyone happy and then let themselves handicap themselves. I must be missing something but it seems a no brainer. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2017-04-06 11:43 |