Finally, the US steps in.

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/politics/9...e-east-sea.html

Robert Gates, US defence secretary, on June 4 warned that there were “increasing concerns” about recent Chinese provocations in the East Sea and other disputed waters in Asia.
VN condemns Chinese intrusion

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates (photo: Reuters)
Vietnam and the Philippines have in recent weeks accused China of engaging in aggressive behaviour in the East Sea, escalating a long-running dispute over the waters.

“I fear that without rules of the road and agreed approaches to dealing with these problems that there will be clashes,” Mr Gates told the Shangri-La Dialogue, a high-profile Asian defence forum.

But asked whether the Chinese actions undermined Beijing’s mantra that China was pursuing a “peaceful rise”, Mr Gates said: “I don’t think it has risen to that level yet”.

Just over a week ago, Vietnam accused China of a “serious violation” of international law after Chinese coast guard vessels cut the cables of an oil exploration ship of PetroVietnam, the state energy company.

Then, last week, Manila protested to China over the unloading of construction materials by a Chinese vessel on a reef claimed by the Philippines, which raised fears that Beijing might abandon a nine-year old commitment not to start new construction on disputed land features in the East Sea.

While Mr Gates expressed concern about the increase in incidents, his comments appeared to mark a sharp reversal from the tougher approach taken by the US government last year. At the same conference in 2010, Mr Gates called on China to adhere to international law. The following month, Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state, angered Beijing during a visit to Vietnam by declaring the South China Sea a national interest of the US.

Last year’s heightened US rhetoric came partly in response to appeals from south-east Asian countries for a stronger US role in the region to balance China. But the resulting tension between Beijing and Washington later raised concerns that the incumbent global naval power and a rising China could get into a conflict in their neighbourhood.

Najib Razak, prime minister of Malaysia, highlighted those concerns on Friday in calling for a security order that would not force countries in the region to choose between two blocs.

Meanwhile, Beijing continues to pledge that it is pursuing a “peaceful rise”. This doctrine includes assurances that China’s increasing economic, political and military clout will not pose a threat to any other country, and that Beijing will not seek the role of a hegemon.

General Liang Guanglie, China’s defence minister and the highest-ranking delegate Beijing has ever sent to the Shangri-La Dialogue, is expected to reiterate this message when he addresses the summit on June 5.

Washington’s softer line on China comes as the two countries are seeking to deepen their military dialogue which the US is reluctant to see disrupted again.

On Friday, the US and Chinese delegations held bilateral talks which both sides described as cordial. Last month, Chen Bingde, the People’s Liberation Army’s Chief of General Staff, paid a week-long visit to the US.

Mr Gates, who was making his final visit to Asia before stepping down as Pentagon chief later this month, told the forum that the US would maintain “robust military engagement” and increase port calls and naval engagements in the region. He also dismissed concerns that pressures on the Pentagon budget, as the US addresses its fiscal deficit, coupled with rising Chinese military budgets meant US influence in the region would wane.

“I will bet you a $100 that five years from now the United States’ influence in this region is as strong if not stronger than it is today,” he said.

does uncle sam even have $100 in his pocket to make a bet?

us won't pick side in this dispute. trust me, ASEAN vs china hm....

I believe the U.S has an interest to contain China and preserve free-navigation in the South China sea. It is only wise to seek this opportunity.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, as the old saying goes.

The US will not get involved because Israel won't let it. Israel will make the US focus on the Middle East only. That is why the Chinese tongue is growing dangerously

I'm starting to believe that the US is absolutely necessary for balanced peace and prosperity in Asia. Asian countries would be wise to think of ways to strategically defend their interests now with the help of the world's only superpower because in the future, China will not yield in projecting her power. However, I'm optimistic that with a unified voice, the Asian community can balance out the interests of various parties with fairness. Unity will be the key.

Yup, I rather see free-navigation between nations than this^. It is best for all if the sea if open for trades, transportation, and etc...The U.S intervention is necessary, after all, it is the only hyper power with capability to project its power anywhere in the corner of the world. All the U.S needs to do is call in its carriers then China will back off. Even if one do not trust the U.S, between the two evil, China is the worse of the two if you look at the claims above and the action or the deeds that she has done (i.e killing fishermen, harassing Neighbor ships). With Chinese in control of the sea, the future is bleak.

The international cummunity cannot afford to have conflicts/wars in the Indian Ocean which has three most important bodies of water: Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and South China Sea.


The South China Sea can be thought of as part of the Indian Ocean as well.

hahaha lol the only reason why the US is softeing towards china right now is cuz vietnam is the one doing the pressure-cooking. mark my words, when vietnam stops with their anti-china tantrum the US will be back in business.

Ask India. China gave nukes to Pakistan.


No...there is also the Philippines which is a big ally of US. China harassed Philippines too and I'll bet you that the US won't let that happen again. The funny thing is that Chinese boats harassed US warships too. Either China is really cocky or has no control whatsoever over their navy.

No doubt. Asian countries need the US to reassert its influence in Asia in order to keep the imperialistic Chinese at bay. The US in this case is a lesser of the two evils long live uncle Sam!

idiot. it seems you know nothing about pakistan nuclear development.

for the record, dr. abdul qadeer khan who worked for URENCO group and was able to smuggle secret nuclear blueprint into pakistan. pakistan govt then secretly buying up wesern material to build a nuclear facility and the rest is history. china has nothing to do with pakistan nuclear development.

That's fine, doesn't bother us any. In the first Korean war we killed 50000 US soldiers, 1 million UN soldiers and 2 million Korean civilians with weapons 50 years behind the times, I can't imagine what would happen to South Korea today. If South Korea wants to become a chess piece between China and US, it might come with a penalty.

That's bit a harsh comment, S.Korea didn't even lay finger on South China Sea.
This is exactly why neighboring Asian nations fear China.

Play the victim AGAIN???!!!
If you kept your mouth shut no one would even think of korea.But again,you people are such attention whores that you drag korea into every topic.It amazes me how you can always find a way to victimize yourself.God,you are really disgusting people,you really are.

So Koreans can't say anything when this is practically open forum? ONLY CHINESE can say, wow what kind of world are you living?
Don't be too aggressive, I'm not here to play game.

I wasn't the one who brought up Korea into this discussion, go and read the threads carefully.

overreacting much? it amazes me how someone can be so hyper sensitive wow...

Please don't generalize, and don't point fingers.. its provocative and it tells a lot about your character more than anything else. Peace and be happy ^^

People whinge about the US but they keep the whole region together. China is more of a threat with their sponsorship of rogue states like Nk ,Burma,etc. without Uncle Sam's presence, they wold have annexed all neighbouring countries by now.

BS. We occupied all of North Korea in 1953, and on 1 word of Mr Kim, every last soldier left. We occupied Northeast India in 1962, and we left after the ceasefire was signed. China has not occupied 1 single inch of foreign land for 100 years. On the contrary, when Qing Dynasty and ROC were weak, neighboring countries like maggots feasting on a corpse stole our land. When ROC made the claims to the South China Sea 70 years ago not 1 country complained, so why complain now after gas and oil are discovered? Hypocrites.

On the other hand, when US soldiers kill a Korean woman or rape a Japanese woman your governments are totally helpless, powerless to do anything. The American will just step on the plane and leave, and you are there with a traumatized family, left with nothing and no ability to get any justice. How does that feel?

The USA is great at playing lip service.

French and American stays in Vietnam for around 100 years (1887-1975) but the Chinese stays around 1,000 years (111 BC to 938AD and 1407 to 1427).

Wow, calm down my friend.
No need for such harsh words...
But it's between Vietnamese government and Chinese government, there's no need for flaming from another country...

Chinese government is not good at diplomacy, at least so it seems...

My Vietnamese friends don't be so upset, war is no good for China, I think that's also true for Vietnam

Again, as individuals, especially to what the governments want to do, we have no control whatsoever, just express your feelings, don't be personal, it's not like every1 voted to make what has happened.