Comments by "" (@craigkdillon) on "Geopolitics of the South China Sea" video.

  1. I am surprised by your sloppy and inaccurate representation of what is going on there. You use the word "claims" very loosely, inferring that that claims of all the nations are similar. In fact, you said that the other nations "mirror" China's claims. They do not mirror China's claims. Let me explain. Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei make ONLY the EEZ claims as defined and allowed by the UN. China makes the UNIQUE claim of SOVEREIGNTY. "Sovereignty" means that China wants to treat the SCS as if it was an internal waterway, a river or estuary. If allowed, China would control all sea and air traffic. China could legally blockade the countries of the region, without it being an act of war. China challenges ships, but also challenges all planes flying over the SCS, forcing them to identify themselves and get China's "permission" to fly over.
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  2. I am disappointed in you, Caspian Report. IMO, resources is the cover, not the reason for China's claims to the SCS. By controlling the SCS, China can effectively blockade Taiwan, Japan, and SK, thus reducing them to dependent states. China forces ships to stop in the SCS, thus reinforcing China's claims of sovereignty. Morover, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia would also be diminished to dependent states with full China sovereignty over the SCS. The issue is geo-political, not resources. Surprised you didn't see that. You are usually so good at geopolitics.
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  3. I am very surprised you set up the video saying the countries around the SCS have competing claims. THEY DON"T --- ALL the countries merely claim their EEZ rights. They DO NO CLAIM SOVEREIGNTY. ONLY China claims FULL SOVEREIGNTY over the SCS. Sorry to shout, but I know you know this -- so why the misinformation??? Are you taking the side of China??? SO IT SEEMS. If not, then correct the misinformation AT THE START of the video.
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  4. China will not have it easy. 1. India's navy now has porting rights at Cam Rahn Bay. 2. India is selling Brahmos & Akash missiles to Vietnam. 3. India is training Vietnam's navy on using its Russian made subs. India is selling naval ships to V. 4. Vietnam, India, US, Japan, and Australia hold joint naval exercises regularly. 5. Xi's military bullying is causing regional countries to lower their trading relationship with China. China's export economy will be hurt by this, especially long term, IMO. China will find that bullying and threatening is not a way to establish healthy relationships in the region. Xi seems to be operating as if China is the Middle Kingdom, and all countries are supposed to allow hegemony and dominion to China. Well, all those countries are proud too, and there will be push back. Japan, India, and Vietnam are already increasing their military budgets. So, China's new military assets will bring the advantage it seeks. Remember, it takes a lot more money and assets to project power, especially over the sea.
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