China launches live-fire drills in Gulf of Tonkin despite rising tensions in South China Sea

IBT ^ | August 22, 2016 | Nandini Krishnamoorthy

[Sawdring]

Adding to the latest in a series of military drills, Beijing has said a branch of its coast guard is holding live-fire exercises from Monday to Wednesday (22 - 24 August). The drill is being staged at the Gulf of Tonkin, the northern arm of the South China Sea, home to several territorial disputes among Asian countries.

Despite fresh tensions in the disputed waters, China's Maritime Safety Administration said it was banning vessels from entering the area between China's southern island province of Hainan and the northern coast of Vietnam. The Tonkin Gulf has historical significance over the Vietnam War between the US and Vietnam, the Associated Press reported.

[Sawdring]

A good run down of recent events also.

[sparklite2]

“But doesn’t that kill an awful lot of fish?”
“So, what? It’s just a drill!”

[BBell]

Can anyone tell me if there is a difference, other than color, between the Chinese Coast Guard and the PLA Navy?

[StoneWall Brigade]

Very alarming

[hinckley buzzard]

Not surprising. China has been on the aggressive march in the South China Sea for years now. We do almost nothing to stop them, and the smaller South East Asian nations at risk are relatively powerless. Why should China not seize the day? A chance like this to fill a power vacuum is rare in history and may not come again for centuries.

[Jack Hammer]

Sending a message to Vietnam.

Namely: “Hey, we stole your islands, so f*** you.”