Is South China Sea about to explode?

[hullexile]

The non-expansionist China has just put up barriers in seas internationally recognised as belonging to the Philippines.

What will be the response of the Philippines and its allies?

https://nypost.com/2023/09/24/philip...china-sea/amp/

Of course it is a matter of perspective, China might have a totally valid claim, a bit like flat earthers have a perspective even though everyone else sees it as insane and without any basis in reality.

[Mirindix]

The non-expansionist China has just put up barriers in seas internationally recognised as belonging to the Philippines.

What will be the response of the Philippines and its allies?

https://nypost.com/2023/09/24/philip...china-sea/amp/

Of course it is a matter of perspective, China might have a totally valid claim, a bit like flat earthers have a perspective even though everyone else sees it as insane and without any basis in reality.

Sarcastic 'dogmatism' - I like that

You are absolutely right, many things outside of natural sciences can sometimes be matters of perspective... even this topic can be seen and handled differently from Duterte to Marcos

One may indeed see here expansionism to grow territory (which many dramatic, and emotions-triggering news headlines may infer), and another one may see here an expansion of capabilities/ power projection, thus claims with the objective to assert control over an important buffer and vital transport maritime area

Even Vietnam for example may have its own perspective here, conflicting with that of China and also the Philippines when it comes to placing buoys around the Spratlys

[hullexile]

Original Post Deleted

It is amusingly obvious isn't it.

[Mirindix]

The (in)famous '50 cent', 'shill' rhetoric... indeed amusing, makes me smile as well

[hullexile]

Anyway ignoring the strange pro China argument that isn't really an argument at all when you analyse it, what will happen?

Marcos will find it hard to ignore the barrier as it is a physical claim on Philippine territory.

To ignore it therefore would not only leave him open to charges of treason but also, in his mind, damage the name of his father through him.
.
Diplomacy or action? I think Marcos would prefer diplomacy but might not be given that option by a belligerent China who have now put themselves on a position where they can't back down.

Will he remove the barrier with just the limited Philippine forces or use back up from the allies?
Quietly or with a show of force?

How will China react?

[shri]

How about the world's largest freedom of navigation exercise ... ?

[hullexile]

How about the world's largest freedom of navigation exercise ... ?

Well lined up there is USA, Japan, Australia, UK, Canada, India (think I saw something?) navies. The fighters have eased off at Clark, back to once or twice a week but I am pretty sure there are US planes involved (to my untrained ear they sound deeper and smoother engines).

[shri]

(to my untrained ear they sound deeper and smoother engines).

Jazz v/s bullhorns ... interesting times.

[bdw]

Well lined up there is USA, Japan, Australia, UK, Canada, India (think I saw something?) navies. The fighters have eased off at Clark, back to once or twice a week but I am pretty sure there are US planes involved (to my untrained ear they sound deeper and smoother engines).

Don't panic, Australia's new nuclear powered subs will be there to save the day in about 20 years from now!

[SirNotAppearing]

How about the world's largest freedom of navigation exercise ... ?

I think it just happened. China noted or was advised that NYTimes reporters were with the fishermen and backed off. This is what our Wordle subscriptions pay for.