General Discussion

LittleBlue

(10,362 posts)

34. That's the other point of the island

Fri Mar 4, 2016, 10:28 PM

Mar 2016

By building artificial islands, they essentially have stationary battle platforms. Make them big enough, and the Chinese can put much more firepower on them than the carrier group can carry.

The US is panicking because every year the island gets much bigger. But at least one of the islands has a runway, so they can launch aircraft to defend it. Eventually they'll get big enough to enforce their territorial claims.

I cannot fathom what the US is hoping to get by doing this. It does nothing but patriotically provoke the Chinese people to support their government.

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The U.S. just sent a carrier strike group to confront China [View all] Agnosticsherbet Mar 2016 OP

So what are they fighting over and why? nt valerief Mar 2016 #1

A massive illegal territory grab by China in the South China Sea. nt hack89 Mar 2016 #4

Here's a map of the area China claims. Just a little big Hortensis Mar 2016 #41

China's attempt to claim the entire South China Sea as a lake. Agnosticsherbet Mar 2016 #5

Thanks, but what does this take away from the U.S.? nt valerief Mar 2016 #9

It violates the sovereignty of every nation that must sail through the South China Sea Agnosticsherbet Mar 2016 #12

Thanks. You mean the U.S. will lose money via TPP trade. nt valerief Mar 2016 #15

No, the US would lose its money entirely. appal_jack Mar 2016 #38

Extremely good, succinct explanations, Agnostics. Hortensis Mar 2016 #42

They are building fucking islands out there as I recall. This is serious shit randys1 Mar 2016 #27

Freedom of Navigation through international waters. NutmegYankee Mar 2016 #6

Thanks, but how does this hurt the U.S.? nt valerief Mar 2016 #10

A lot of our merchant marine vessels sail these waters. NutmegYankee Mar 2016 #11

Thanks. I figured since just about all our commerce is with China, it shouldn't make valerief Mar 2016 #14

It's a lot more commerce than just China. NutmegYankee Mar 2016 #16

Taiwan, Phillipines, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan Nevernose Mar 2016 #17

Right, so it's really no threat, just something that can be used as valerief Mar 2016 #19

It IS a threat Nevernose Mar 2016 #24

Hmm. So there should be room for mutual comprehension Ghost Dog Mar 2016 #29

Valerief, the world has become an interdependent community. Hortensis Mar 2016 #44

It doesn't-- it just makes one wonder why we can have... TreasonousBastard Mar 2016 #18

Ah, I see. So China would be the policemen there, like we're the policemen everywhere else. nt valerief Mar 2016 #21

If they want to pick up the slack, i'm okay with that. Calista241 Mar 2016 #22

Sort of. Who knows how it would work out over the years... TreasonousBastard Mar 2016 #23

It really doesn't LittleBlue Mar 2016 #28

It's always friggin' oil!!!!! nt valerief Mar 2016 #37

I thought it was to ensure NK doesn't use their Nukes. yeoman6987 Mar 2016 #7

It has no bearing on nukes from North Korea. Agnosticsherbet Mar 2016 #13

They're fighting over whose dick is bigger AgerolanAmerican Mar 2016 #25

Link please! Lodestar Mar 2016 #2

Fixed, and here it is. Agnosticsherbet Mar 2016 #8

Let's hope they don't.... Wounded Bear Mar 2016 #3

3 Myths about Beijing’s South China Sea ambitions newthinking Mar 2016 #20

This ^^^ Ghost Dog Mar 2016 #31

This is so pointless LittleBlue Mar 2016 #26

If China can't keep foreign navies from sailing through, it's not sovereign territory NutmegYankee Mar 2016 #33

That's the other point of the island LittleBlue Mar 2016 #34

Fixed fortifications are a monument to the stupidity of man. NutmegYankee Mar 2016 #35

I will go out on a limb and say LittleBlue Mar 2016 #36

Then we hit it with B-2 stealth bombers. nt NickB79 Mar 2016 #39

The range of submarine launched missiles is several hundred miles. NutmegYankee Mar 2016 #40

Good idea. Then they can retaliate against our military facilities in Okinawa and South Korea LittleBlue Mar 2016 #45

It isn't us who would start an attack. NutmegYankee Mar 2016 #46

There won't be an attack at all. When China inevitably achieves military superiority LittleBlue Mar 2016 #47

LOL NutmegYankee Mar 2016 #48

Lol @ thinking the congress will approve a war with China when we couldn't even pass an LittleBlue Mar 2016 #49

Freedom of Navigation is a huge deal for our nation. NutmegYankee Mar 2016 #50

It really isn't. The average American doesn't care about LittleBlue Mar 2016 #52

It's not a big deal for you. NutmegYankee Mar 2016 #53

Dude, this isn't about free shipping lanes. Any ship can easily avoid these islands LittleBlue Mar 2016 #56

Or we'll just send a crazed tank commander. n/t PoliticAverse Mar 2016 #51

the u.s. waves its weenie, china chuckles... KG Mar 2016 #30

I think we are the ones who are supposed to get worked up about it. bemildred Mar 2016 #43

Message auto-removed Name removed Mar 2016 #32

No mention of subs in the article. Adsos Letter Mar 2016 #54

No one mentions the submarines attached to a battle group. Agnosticsherbet Mar 2016 #55

USA!! USA! How about a chorus of "God Bless America"!! Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2016 #57