World View: Australia Joins Japan, Vietnam, Philippines in Opposing China

Breitbart's Big Peace ^ | July 11, 2014 | John J. Xenakis

[2ndDivisionVet]

---snip---

Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines have been forming an alliance against China, as China has been moving to annex other countries' territories in the South and East China Seas. Relations between Vietnam and China have become particularly hostile since China deployed an oil rig in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). (See "China's neighbors react to new South China Sea claims" from last week.)

Now Australia is signaling that it is also joining this alliance. The change in policy was indicated in a statement by Australia's foreign minister, Julie Bishop, during a visit by Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe to Australia to meet Australia's prime minister, Tony Abbott. Like many of China's neighbors, Australia had had a policy of being careful not to anger China, for fear of retaliation.

But there was a major confrontation last November, after China announced an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), demanding that any foreign aircraft flying into the East China Sea would have to inform China's military beforehand. ("24-Nov-13 World View -- In new escalation, China demands to control air space over Japan's Senkaku islands".)

Julie Bishop was visiting Beijing at that time and complained about the unilateral declaration of the ADIZ. According to reports, China's foreign minister told her that the ADIZ was none of her business, and he "famously tore strips off her," with cameras rolling. ("Tear strips off somebody" is apparently an Australian expression meaning to severely scold someone.)

So now, Bishop is explaining that she's learned some lessons from that experience....

[Gen.Blather]

They need to add India, South Korea, Taiwan and Israel to the mix. Israel has all the technology they need India, Taiwan and South Korea each bring something to the party. Between them they could be a regional super power. Such a power would keep China at bay without firing a shot, as the US used to do when we had an effective president.

[Former Proud Canadian]

For obvious reasons the four countries you mention are not too eager to anger Beijing. India would probably prefer to lead from behind on this one. South Korea is caught, as always, between the two Asian superpowers and it hates both of them. Taiwan's status as an independent country and one of China's biggest investors will give them pause.

Israel is a regional power and that region does not reach into the South China Sea.

[Gen.Blather]

“Israel is a regional power and that region does not reach into the South China Sea. “

I’m not disagreeing with anything you said. I worked for Israeli owned (at the time) Tadiran. They sold weapons all over the far east. I’m not talking about rifles, though they sold them as well. I mean airplanes, vehicles, radars, serious big money items. They have a long-standing relationship everywhere we do and places we don’t. Yes, they’re a local power, but I suspect they’re really a local super power and could, if they desired, reach anywhere.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Agreed.

Of course, this would all settle down fairly quickly if the world's hyper power with the huge, powerful navy took the lead on this. They don't even seem to be leading from behind right now.

[Ben Ficklin]

In lieu of the US Senate ratifying the Law Of the Sea Treaty, the US has pursued multilateral negotiation. Bush couldn't get LOST ratified, nor was Obama able.

The Arctic is negotiated within the Arctic Council. Falklands, Argentina, Chile within the OAS. South China Sea within ASEAN.

Within Asean, Thailand keeps voting with China, and China wants to negotiate bilaterally, or knock them off one at a time.

The GOP NeoCons, who are blocking LOST, desire to settle this with Gun-Boat diplomacy, or as you say: "huge, powerful navy".

The outliers who have not ratified are US, Turkey, Syria, Israel, and Iran.