Chinese militia boats cross Indian, ASEAN warships exercising in South China Sea

[BlueWavePsych]

Source: Reuters

NEW DELHI/HANOI, May 8 (Reuters) - Boats belonging to a Chinese maritime militia approached an area where navies of India and ASEAN countries were taking part in drills in the South China Sea, two Indian sources said on Monday.

An independent expert in Vietnam said Beijing appeared to be using the militia to intimidate and disrupt the naval exercise.

Beijing has not responded to Reuters queries about the alleged incident and its possible motives. The Indian and Vietnamese governments declined to comment.

The two-day sea phase of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME 2023) began on Sunday with naval ships and aircraft from India, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei taking part.



Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-militia-boats-cross-indian-asean-warships-exercising-south-china-sea-2023-05-08/

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Nice to see QUAD and ASEAN coming together against a common enemy.

Related story: NATO to open Japan office to enable Indo-Pacific consultation, Nikkei Asia reports

[msfiddlestix]

1. Sort of reminds me of incidents and scenes in the scripts for Netflix's Pine Gap and Secret City

Even though there is mention of Australia, cuz they obviously are not involved in these drills.

but they are watching closely, no doubt

[MarineCombatEngineer]

2. Can't wait for our resident China apologists to show up

and tell us how the US and or NATO provoke China into this action.
In 3.2..1...

[sir pball]

6. Damn, that was RIGHT on cue! nt

[MarineCombatEngineer]

7. Yep, I knew it was coming,

now I'm expecting the other one to show up soon and spout the same crap.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

3. China is ensuring open passage of sea lanes, just as America is doing with its $850 billion a

year military, so it is claimed..it’s an expensive business! Gander and goose, or hypocrisy?

Since no one is talking or complaining what is the actual news here?? Reuters?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

8. .....

China is ensuring open passage of sea lanes

Gotta hand it to ya, this is good humor.

[AZLD4Candidate]

4. China today in Asia has become Japan in the 1930s in Asia; the most hated country on the continent

[pecosbob]

5. The Navy is moving back in at Subic Bay in the Philippines

It's to be used by U.S., Australian and New Zealand submarine and surface forces. I would think this should have a stabilizing influence on the Philippines as they have been the target of much of this marine harassment by the Chinese.

[Red Mountain]

9. Chinese have a bit of an energy problem

in the case of a conflict. They import most of their oil from the ME.

Quite a lot from Russia, probably more in the future......but they need that ME oil.

They won't get it.