Why China Wants South China Sea

The Diplomat ^ | July 18, 2011 | Tetsuo Kotani

[sukhoi-30mki]

Why China Wants South China Sea

East Asia | Security | China

July 18, 2011By Tetsuo Kotani

Beijing is interested in more than just energy and fishery resources. The area is also integral to its nuclear submarine strategy.

In an effort to underscore its importance to Asia, geostrategist Nicholas Spykman once described it as the ‘Asiatic Mediterranean.’ More recently, it has been dubbed the ‘Chinese Caribbean.’ And, just as Rome and the United States have sought control over the Mediterranean and Caribbean, China now seeks dominance over the South China Sea.

It’s clear that China’s claims and recent assertiveness have increased tensions in this key body of water. Yet while most attention has focused on Beijing’s appetite for fishery and energy resources, from a submariner’s perspective, the semi-closed sea is integral to China’s nuclear strategy. And without understanding the nuclear dimension of the South China Sea disputes, China’s maritime expansion makes little sense.

Possessing a credible sea-based nuclear deterrent is a priority for China's military strategy. China’s single Type 092, or Xia-class, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, equipped with short-range JL-1 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), has never conducted a deterrent patrol from the Bohai Sea since its introduction in the 1980s. However, China is on the verge of acquiring credible second-strike capabilities with the anticipated introduction of JL-2 SLBMs (with an estimated range of 8,000 kilometres) coupled with DF-31 and DF-31A road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). In addition, China plans to introduce up to five Type 094, or Jin-class, SSBNs outfitted with the JL-2 missiles, while constructing an underwater submarine base on Hainan Island in the South China Sea.

It’s clear, then, that China is making every effort to keep the South China Sea off limits, just as the Soviet Union did in the Sea of Okhotsk d

[expatguy]

Ten years ago I might have agreed with you - but I've lived over here since 1988 and I have watched the hegemony slowly fade.

Sorry FRiend, the USA is in decline, I'm not a defeatist but a realist - dont for a minute think that the US will go to war with China over the Philippines.

America's biggest concern right now should be the economy.

[mylife]

The economy is our biggest challenge and we cant piss the Chinee off.

We can however find their weakness and bargaining points.
We hold the advantage on this naval stuff.

[Sequoyah101]

And I am doubtful we have the tools, talent or money but what are those things without resolve or cajones?

[familyop]

Ping of interest?

[familyop]

How long before China controls the route through the Indian Ocean?

[Cronos]

if Barry wins again in 2012, then this very well MAY happen. That’s why it is super important to not only defeat him, but crush him and the demoncrats so they never try to foist an enemy of the state as president ever again. Obambi should lose by a greater margin than Carter did

[Cronos]

Of course the US holds the advantage in naval matters. Academically speaking if we just take the USNavy, it can go up against the navies of the Russians, Brits, French, Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Germans, Israelis, Philippines, South Koreans, Italians, Spaniards, Brazilians COMBINED and still crush them easily.

However, two things:

1. That is NOW -- we don't know what will be the situation in 2030, maybe not even 2020
2. it also takes political will besides ability.

[Cronos]

Not gonna happen. The Indians won’t allow it and the Indians, Vietnamese, Singaporeans,Australians plus the Indonesians and Malaysians all co-operate to some extent to prevent this.

[expatguy]

I never claimed that we dont have the ability (we do) we simply don’t have the resolve or will.

[Cronos]

that comment was directed to mylife. I agreed with your statements

[mylife]

I don’t disagree.
I am only saying that at present we control the seas.

[Jeff Head]

Check out what you can find.

Here's a sino-defence site on the Type 094. They believed the second one was completed in 2007:

TYPE 094 Jin Class SSBN

Remember, there was only one, older SSGN that the Chinese had...so when you start seeing that one and two or three others with the classic humpback for their missiles, you know that they now have more of the newer ones. In that picture above, in the background you can see the entrance to the tunnel to their underground sub facility.

Here's another pic of a single one. The hump is longer on these than on the older sub.

The first one was spotted in 2006.

The Federation of American Scientists indicated that two more had been sighted in March of this year...which would raise the number of the new boats to either three or four.

[Jeff Head]

Here's some more photos. These are all photos of subs that are larger than the single, older Xia class that the PLAN had.

Anothjer site about the Jin Class

GlobalSecurity also has a pretty good site regarding the Type 094 indicating that up to three have been launched to date. Lots of info out there.

[AfricanChristian]

The US shouldn’t bother too much about China and the South China sea. Asia is not Latin America. Asia cannot be dominated by a hegemon the way the US dominated the Western hemisphere.

Right next to China is a wary Russia and a very wary Japan. South Korea is no slouch either and India can match China man for man. To this we add Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia and Vietnam.

China is outnumbered here - easily.

China has been very stupid about the way it goes about relating with other Asian nations. And it’s stupid actions are further isolating it.

[dfwgator]

China wants to create the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere, just with them in charge, instead of the Japanese.

[ken21]

yes.

africa’s rife with chicom scouts, small businesses, etc,

not to mention china’s natal selection of boys leads to

millions of males looking elsewhere for wives.