VietNamNet Bridge - China is accelerating consolidation of reefs in Truong Sa (Spratlys Islands) and quibbling absurdly, while the US, Japan and their allies are holding exercises and patrols.

The seven reefs where China has been accelerating renovation. Source: The Diplomat

Since early 2015 China has been accelerating renovation of seven reefs in the Spratlys Islands of Vietnam. It is also illegally expanding the two islands of Quang Hoa and Phu Lam in Hoang Sa (Paracel Islands) of Vietnam, that it illegally occupies.

Annual report of the Pentagon dated May 8 said that China expanded its outposts in the areas where it occupied by nearly 400 times. Particularly, in the past five months, the total area of its outpost in the East Sea (South China Sea) increased four times, from approximately 2 km2 in December 2014 to more than 8 km2 at present.

China announced that it would use artificial islands for civilian purposes and also for "meeting the needs of military defense of China".

The Fiery Cross Reef. Photo: Digital Globe

China has stepped up the construction of an about 3,000m runway on Chu Thap (Fiery Cross) Reef of Vietnam. The area of this reef has increased by more than 11 times and been turned into the largest "island" in the Spratly Islands. A port and the taxiway at this place has been gradually formed.

In early 2015, in less than a month, Chinese media published photos of Chinese troops in training and military bases in Fiery Cross Reef. The observers said that the move showed the intention to exploit and control as well as the "long and dangerous" military ambitions of Beijing in the East Sea.

China may be preparing to build a runway on Subi Reef, with similar length of the runway on Fiery Cross Reef.

On May 11, China for the first time revealed the lives of soldiers stationed in the reefs of Fiery Cross, Subi and Gac Ma (Johnson South) Photo: Xinhua

On May 11, China for the first time revealed the lives of soldiers stationed in the reefs of Fiery Cross, Subi and Gac Ma (Johnson South) in the Spratly Islands of Vietnam which China invaded and occupied illegally in 1988. This is the first time China directly named the reefs after it arrived to conduct renovation and construction of permanent bases.

China also invited the US to use the facilities that it is building in the East Sea for the purpose of search and rescue in "proper conditions", but the US refused this proposal and requested Beijing to explain to the countries in the region the real purpose of construction activities, and also asked China to stop land reclamation.

China in April began to build floating islands of large size Photo: Huang Bohai News

China in April began to build floating islands of large size, capable of serving military purposes in the East Sea. The islands are mobile and hard to sink and as a result, they can avoid the range of enemy missiles.

The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in late April began deploying the modern deepwater rig COSL Prospector in the East Sea, almost a year after it illegally lowered HD-981 rig in the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf of Vietnam.

America and the Philippines warned that China could be building the springboard for the establishment of the ADIZ (air defense identification zone).

"Right now China has not yet declared, but it has basically set up a framework for the ADIZ," said Richard Javad Heydarian, professor of international relations and political science, University of De La Salle, Manila, the Philippines.

CNOOC in late April began deploying the modern deepwater rig COSL Prospector in the East Sea. Photo: Sina

China also claims "the right to set the ADIZ”, and whether it establishes the ADIZ or not “depends on the security of our airspace is threatened or not and to what extent."

Malaysia and Indonesia previously were nearly beyond dispute, but China's activities in the region have made them anxious also.

The Malaysian Defense Ministry is seeking Washington's help to train and develop the marine police force based on the US model and welcomed the joint exercises.

Indonesia recently has begun to worry about the sovereignty of the Natuna Islands. Indonesian and US navies have conducted joint patrol flights over the East Sea. It also plans to deploy new submarines purchased from South Korea and Apache armed helicopters to the archipelagos to prevent China’s infringement.

Australia immediately asked China to not establish the ADIZ in the East Sea and to reduce tensions in the region. Australian Ambassador to ASEAN, Simon Merrifield, said that Australia is concerned about China’s renovation of reefs in the Spratly Islands.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in late April that Japan was willing to supply fuel and ammunition to American troops everywhere if Tokyo found that national security is threatened. This means that Japan is capable of giving non-combat interference in the East Sea, providing logistical support for US defense agreement with the Philippines. The US in early April also urged Japan to expand patrols to the East Sea.

Tokyo is strengthening security ties with Southeast Asian countries, to contribute a greater role in security issues in the East Sea, because of concerns about the risk of China’s domination of the sea routes that use by Japanese cargo ships. The Philippines and Japan on May 12 for the first time held joint military exercises, which took place from Scarborough Shoals, which is in dispute between the Philippines and China, for less than 300 km.

Filipino President Benigno Aquino III.

On April 17 Filipino President Benigno Aquino III told the world to be wary of Beijing's actions in the East Sea. To cope with China’s acts, Manila is tightening defense ties with the US. Washington is considering the deployment of advanced equipment, including air force and, naval equipment to the Philippines. Filipino Foreign Minister Rosario went to Washington last week to develop the relationship between the US-Philippines, to prevent China from taking over the East Sea.

The Philippines gave top priority to build a naval base on the west coast, opposite the Spratly Islands of Vietnam, but the plan was delayed because of lack of funds.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeperson Le Hai Binh.

Vietnam on April 30 sent a diplomatic note to all permanent missions at the UN to reject claims of China in the East Sea. Vietnam has always stressed having full legal basis and historical evidence to assert sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea, consistent with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS).

The US Navy Adm accused Beijing of creating “the sandy Great Wall” over the East Sea. US President Barack Obama on April 10 expressed concern over China's “use of strength and scale to bully smaller countries" in disputes in the East Sea.

The US House this month will have a hearing on the East Sea. Many US senators and experts, including Sen John McCain, called on the US government to review security cooperation plans with China and withdraw the invitation to Beijing to attend the world's largest naval joint exercise RIMPAC in 2016.

The spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said: "The US leaders spoke about the 'size and strength' of China, but I think everyone can see who is the person with the greatest scale and power in the world," and China still held the view that disputes in the East Sea are only settled bilaterally.

On the field, the American warship USS Fort Worth on May 11 for the first time approached the islands where China was taking illegal construction activities in the Spratlys. America is considering proposals of sending aircraft and naval vessels to the area within 12 nautical miles around the reefs in the Spratlys Islands where China is carrying out construction activities.

VNE/VNN