China condemns US warship deployment as tensions mount

The Times(UK) ^ | 03/13/09 | Jane Macartney and Tim Reid

[TigerLikesRooster]

China condemns US warship deployment as tensions mount

Jane Macartney in Beijing and Tim Reid in Washington

Chinese Navy officers reacted with annoyance today when it emerged that the United States had sent a destroyer to back up a surveillance vessel in the South China Sea after it was harassed by People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sailors.

The decision by President Obama to send an armed escort for US surveillance ships in the area follows the aggressive and co-ordinated manoeuvres of five Chinese boats on Sunday. The vessels harassed and nearly collided with the unarmed USNS Impecccable.

One unidentified officer quoted in the China Daily newspaper said that the decision was disproportionate. While China’s Foreign Ministry has so far kept tight-lipped on the latest development, the decision to run such a comment so swiftly in the state-run English-language newspaper was a signal of Beijing’s concerns.

One naval source said the PLA had taken note of the latest US move and was watching developments closely.

[TigerLikesRooster]

It this Obama’s pro-Union America-first side overruling anti-military pro-appeasement pro-Wall St. instinct?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Anyway, economy and military affairs are now going to be all rolled up into one.

[chuck_the_tv_out]

this has nothing to do with Obama. contrary to popular believe, the President doesn’t run every thing

[TigerLikesRooster]

Apparently Chinese expert is expressing the similar view. From the article(final passage):

He told the China Daily: “Obama seeks cooperation with China. But some hawkish US military officers don't like it, which led to the spat over the sea confrontation."

[DB]

I'm getting cynical in my old age...

At this point I wouldn't be surprised if all this is being staged to give Obama gravitas in international affairs. A deal made between Hillary and the Chinese...

[valkyry1]

Who knows, maybe Obama is smart enough to listen to his Generals here.

[valkyry1]

Thats another consideration also.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

I am sure we will now be innundated with posts telling us how “great it is to Free Trade with Communist China”.

Yeah, right....

[TigerLikesRooster]

Two countries working together to stage an international incident for domestic consumption does happen, even though we are not sure this one qualifies.

[MimirsWell]

From Obama or not, this is a move in the right direction for America. There is no peace without strength. And all the strength is useless unless your enemy sees it before he decides to go ahead with his misadventure. As the Chinese themselves believe, “if you are fighting a battle, you have already lost” or something like that. I think it will be best to put China swiftly in its place-within 12 nautical miles of its coastline.

I think they are testing US-resolve to see if the time is ripe for a move on Taiwan. America’s response will tell them that it is not.

[TigerLikesRooster]

And the chant of “Death to Gold.” :-)

[familyop]

Actually, that's warships--plural, and quite a few of them. (see comment #14)

US warships head for South China Sea after standoff
From The Times ^ | March 12, 2009 | Tim Reid in Washington

Excerpt of excerpt:

"US warships head for South China Sea after standoffTim Reid in Washington A potential conflict was brewing last night in the South China Sea after President Obama dispatched heavily armed American destroyers to the scene of a naval standoff between the US and China at the weekend."

[familyop]

...fleets.

[MimirsWell]

Now the local bully is whimpering because he unwittingly bit off more than he can ever chew. Nice - I’d like to see this happen to China more often.

[Political Junkie Too]

Maybe China was hoping for easy pickings, like with the spy plane they downed early in the Bush administration.

-PJ

[BigCinBigD]

I heard that when the Impecccable doused the Chinese boats with water the crews striped to their underwear and put Wal*Mart shopping bags over their heads to keep their hair dry.

[tanuki]

We actually (GASP!) responded? Color me shocked!

[familyop]

And very sincerely, it’s a great day to have friends in India :-)

[Dallas59]

It can’t be the fault of BushCheneyHaliburtonIraqWotGuantanamo. Who could be blamed for these “tensions”?