Would America Really Go to War Over the South China Sea?

Would America Really Go to War Over the South China Sea?

What would America do if China starts to build an island base on Scarborough Shoal, declares an ADIZ over the Spratlys, or in some other way plainly takes steps to strengthen still further its grip on the South China Sea in defiance of international law and American demands? President Obama ought to think about this very carefully as he visits China for the last time as President, because it has become the question that will define the future of the US-China relationship.

North Korea fires submarine-launched ballistic missile towards Japan

North Korea fires submarine-launched ballistic missile towards Japan

North Korea fired a submarine-launched missile on Wednesday that flew about 500 km (311 miles) towards Japan, a show of improving technological capability for the isolated country that has conducted a series of launches in defiance of UN sanctions. Having the ability to fire a missile from a submarine could help North Korea evade a…

Japan to upgrade 200 F-15 jets, doubling missile payload amid E. China Sea tensions

Japan to upgrade 200 F-15 jets, doubling missile payload amid E. China Sea tensions

Japan’s Defense Ministry wants its 200 F-15 fighter jets to carry twice as many air-to-air missiles as they do now, in a bid to prepare for a possible confrontation with Chinese Air Force around disputed East China Sea islands. The Defense Ministry is likely to request more budgetary allocations to upgrade capabilities of its US-built…

Red line – China warned Japan against joining US freedom of navigation stunts

Red line – China warned Japan against joining US freedom of navigation stunts

Beijing warned Tokyo of a harsh response if it ever crossed a “red line” in deciding to sail with US warships near disputed waters surrounding China’s artificially reclaimed islands under the pretext of the Freedom of Navigation principle, Japanese media reported. The warning to Japan reportedly came just ahead of the Hague international arbitration court’s…

Japan discovers Chinese pier for warships near disputed islands

Japan discovers Chinese pier for warships near disputed islands

China has constructed a vanguard “pier for warships” on an islet off the port city of Wenzhou, Japanese media warned, calling the development a boost of Beijing’s claims on the Tokyo-administered Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands and disputed waters around them. The new 80-meter-long installation, already dubbed the “pier for warships” by the Japanese media, was allegedly…

Chinese Navy holds deep-sea combat drills in Sea of Japan amid mounting tensions

Chinese Navy holds deep-sea combat drills in Sea of Japan amid mounting tensions

China’s navy has carried out deep-sea military exercises in the Sea of Japan, just days after Tokyo warned against escalating tensions in the region following a record number of Chinese government vessels being spotted around a group of disputed islands. As reported by the Xinhua newspaper, citing a source in the navy, the exercises started…