While we place our worries on Iran, Russia and North Korea (as well we should), China has been working its own magic while they think nobody is looking. Expansionism is on the move. Tyranny is moving us toward a worldwide conflict. Iran is doing what it can to take control of the Middle East. Russia is trying to regain the Eastern European nations that once lived under the iron fist of the Soviet Union. North Korea is doing its usual saber rattling, stirring the nerves of Japan and South Korea. But, let's not forget about China, the largest of the fearsome foursome.
Chinese expansionism has began to pursue an interesting tact. While Russia and Iran are advancing into other countries to expand their reach, China is building her empire, one island at a time.
The zone where China is building artificial islands is in areas of the South China Sea where China has been quarreling with other nations over whose maritime jurisdiction reigns. Chinese dredging vessels have been hard at work, and building crews have created these beacons of Chinese dominance in the area over that last year. Now, with these islands completed, and others near completion, nations in the area, including Australia, are concerned China will start packing surveillance systems and war machines into their newly built islands as Russia has been cramming into Kaliningrad. In fact, Australia claims that China is introducing regular surveillance flights that is enabling China to project her military power and potential terror across areas that are also some of Australia's busiest trading lanes.
Australia intends to challenge China's claims to the disputed maritime zones, sending Australian naval officers and air force pilots on "freedom of navigation" missions to demonstrate that Australians do not accept China's intrusion.
The artificial islands are being built upon previously submerged reefs, and the construction includes a network of airstrips, deep-water ports and other military-capable infrastructure. Chinese officials claim their war footing is not war footing at all. Like Iran, they claim their obvious attempt at creating what they need to kill their neighbors is for peaceful reasons. China insists the new sand islands will be used for humanitarian, environmental, fishing and other internationally-minded purposes. China added, however, in its own Defense White Paper, that China will gradually expand "offshore waters defense" to include "open seas protection", adding that it would not tolerate other countries "meddling".
South China Sea neighboring countries are taking a defensive stance, recognizing the true threat China is presenting with their island building actions. At this rate, it would seem reasonable to assume China will think it can build a sand castle on an Australian beach, and claim it to be Chinese territory.
Australia is determined to show that they do not recognize any 12-mile territorial zone or more expansive economic zone that China may unilaterally claim around its freshly-minted islands. However, Australia also realizes they must tread lightly, partly because China is Australia's largest trading partner.
American presence was demonstrated with a flyover by a P-8 surveillance plane.
Discussions have risen regarding a joint humanitarian or military exercise with Australia participating with the United States or one of several regional partners including Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. Such activity would send a message of solidarity, and demonstrate the region's distaste regarding what is being perceived as Chinese aggression.
Meanwhile, China's claims include areas that cover more than 80 per cent of the entire South China Sea.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
China eyes airspace over disputed waters... - Financial Times
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