Posted on 09/13/2005 4:22:26 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Chinese warships remind Japanese of challenge on seas
By Norimitsu Onishi and Howard W. French The New York Times
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2005
TOKYO In a muscular display of its rising military and economic might, China deployed a fleet of five warships last week near a gas field in the East China Sea, a potentially resource-rich area that is disputed by China and Japan.
The ships, including a guided-missile destroyer, were spotted by a Japanese military patrol plane near the Chunxiao gas field, according to Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Forces. It is believed to be the first time that Chinese warships have been seen in that area.
Although the fleet's mission was unclear, its timing suggested that it was no coincidence. The warships appeared two days before the general election in Japan on Sunday and weeks before China is scheduled to start producing gas in the area, against strong Japanese protests.
In Japan, where the 12-day election campaign was exclusively focused on domestic issues, the warships were a sudden reminder of its most pressing outside challenge: China.
Until Koizumi diverted Japanese voters' attention from Japan's deteriorating relationship with China, the focus for several months had been on the increasing diplomatic, military and economic rivalry with China - much of it taking place in the waters between the countries.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
Ping!
Shell Oil. New oil shale technology. Hopefully this will all be OBE.
The mouse that roared.
Just like in 1997 Taiwan, Except those where missiles and not warships.
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