Ships Patrol Diayu Islands after US Remarks

In a May 5, 2014 article titled, "Ships Patrol Diayu Islands after US Remarks," from China News Daily via chinadaily.com, author Li Xiaokun describes an unstable situation brewing in the South China Sea. Since the recent Asian Pacific visit by President Obama last week, China has increased their patrols to the disputed Diayu islands near Japan's coast. Japan has officially nationalized these islands, which is recognized by the United States. China views this differently, calling Japan's annexation "illegal," while also ignoring President Obama's warning that the United States will act with the full force of the American military if China attacks Japanese territory. 

Also according to the article, there has been an agreement reached between the Russian and Chinese governments to perform joint maritime training exercises in the region.  The increased patrols and upcoming naval exercises with Russia are in response to recent American sanctions on Russia regarding Crimea and Ukraine aggression.  The patrols are not only increasing by China, however; Japan is also increasing their naval exercises. Japan's exercises are apparently focused primarily on landing troops for invasion, which China sees as a threat. 

It is really interesting to read news from mainland China's news sources because they offer a different point of view than Western news sources. For example, China News Daily employs proud, and almost condescending language when discussing the United States, Japan, and the Philippines. China news sources also describe US actions as weak and ineffective. This tension that is building is looking more and more dangerous now that the United States has many more bases, more support from the nations in the region, and a greater overall presence in the Asian Pacific in conjunction with Russia's recent involvement in Chinese maritime exercises. If Russia and China continue to work together against the United States and the other nations in the region, it could lead to conflict. 

More to come soon, I'm sure.

By Christopher M. Vacek

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2014-05/03/content_17480178.htm