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I like the comparison to the current China situation at the end of the article. It's true, China's military power and aggression are always being hyped, but whe

by veddox 11y ago

I like the comparison to the current China situation at the end of the article. It's true, China's military power and aggression are always being hyped, but when you get down to it, when is the last time you heard about a Chinese cruiser in the Mediterranean, or a Chinese aircraft carrier off Greenland? And yet the States are moving their naval task forces across the world all the time. Perhaps we really are experiencing a similar twisting of the public view of military politics as happened back then.

harmegido 11y ago
I think this is absolutely what is meant by the value of history being in preventing previous mistakes. The lessons here could also likely be applied to Iran.
nl 11y ago
While I agree with your point, accuracy is important even when it undermines what I'm agreeing with. when is the last time you heard about a Chinese cruiser in the Mediterranean "On the Chinese side, the vessels involved were fewer in number but consisted of newer models including two Type 054A frigates, the Linyi and Weifang. Type 054A frigates are multirole warships and have been deployed for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden since 2009. Also, among other tasks, in January 2014, a ship of the same class was sent to escort Syrian chemical weapons destined for destruction. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently has 18 Type 054A frigates in service. The third Chinese vessel to participate in Joint Sea 2015 was the Type 903 replenishment ship Weishanhu."[1] Ok, it was two frigates instead of a cruiser, but still... or a Chinese aircraft carrier off Greenland. I haven't heard of that. But: "Five Chinese navy ships are currently operating in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska, Pentagon officials said Wednesday, marking the first time the U.S. military has seen Chinese naval activity in the area.... “This would be a first in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands,” one defense official said of the Chinese ships, which have been operating in international waters. “I don’t think we’d characterize anything they’re doing as threatening,” the official said."[2] [1] http://thediplomat.com/2015/05/china-and-russia-conclude-naval-drill-in-mediterranean/ http://thediplomat.com/2015/05/china-and-russia-conclude-nav... [2] http://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-watches-as-chinese-navy-ships-sail-in-bering-sea-1441216258 http://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-watches-as-chinese-navy...
- Retric 11y ago
  If you look at a globe the Bering sea is close to China. Greenland is easily 4 times as far away.
  - nl 11y ago
    I believe the OP's point was about if the Chinese navy was expanding its area of operations, not specifically if it was operating off Greenland.
- veddox 11y ago
  Hm, thanks for pointing these occasions out, I had never actually heard about them!
- deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]
tomohawk 11y ago
No, but they are building a military installation far out in the south china sea, and making claims that well established shipping lanes of strategic importance to many countries are now owned by them. They have harassed, threatened, and sunk Vietnamese, Filipino, and other countries sovereign vessels and aircraft. This is naked, calculated aggression to achieve territorial aims. On the other hand, the US has treaty commitments to many countries for mutual self defense, and is probably over committed.
rrggrr 11y ago
The Chinese military stopped US forces cold during the Korea war, a feat the Russians never accomplished. Chinese contributions in material, training and personnel led to Vietnam's victory during its war. Until Ukraine Russia was unable to take and hold territory after WWII. China's accomplishments in cyberespionage against the US are unmatched, and you won't find Chinese hardware running global telecom networks. Everyone relies upon Chinese manufacturing for the elements of basic military supply. In sum, Russia presented a real danger of global war by accident or incompetence. China presents a real danger to its neighbors for reasons that would make this post tl;dr.
- curiousjorge 11y ago
  incorrect about vietnam war, it was Soviet efforts that made US air power useless because of an American spy gave out the codes and Soviets knew ahead of time where the strikes would take place and advise their VietCong fighters to launch in the air.
- cafard 11y ago
  And after the US left, China tried its own little invasion of Vietnam, and suffered badly.

by veddox 11y ago

harmegido 11y ago

I think this is absolutely what is meant by the value of history being in preventing previous mistakes. The lessons here could also likely be applied to Iran.

nl 11y ago

While I agree with your point, accuracy is important even when it undermines what I'm agreeing with. when is the last time you heard about a Chinese cruiser in the Mediterranean "On the Chinese side, the vessels involved were fewer in number but consisted of newer models including two Type 054A frigates, the Linyi and Weifang. Type 054A frigates are multirole warships and have been deployed for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden since 2009. Also, among other tasks, in January 2014, a ship of the same class was sent to escort Syrian chemical weapons destined for destruction. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently has 18 Type 054A frigates in service. The third Chinese vessel to participate in Joint Sea 2015 was the Type 903 replenishment ship Weishanhu."[1] Ok, it was two frigates instead of a cruiser, but still... or a Chinese aircraft carrier off Greenland. I haven't heard of that. But: "Five Chinese navy ships are currently operating in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska, Pentagon officials said Wednesday, marking the first time the U.S. military has seen Chinese naval activity in the area.... “This would be a first in the vicinity of the Aleutian Islands,” one defense official said of the Chinese ships, which have been operating in international waters. “I don’t think we’d characterize anything they’re doing as threatening,” the official said."[2] [1] http://thediplomat.com/2015/05/china-and-russia-conclude-naval-drill-in-mediterranean/ http://thediplomat.com/2015/05/china-and-russia-conclude-nav... [2] http://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-watches-as-chinese-navy-ships-sail-in-bering-sea-1441216258 http://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-watches-as-chinese-navy...

Retric 11y ago
If you look at a globe the Bering sea is close to China. Greenland is easily 4 times as far away.
- nl 11y ago
  I believe the OP's point was about if the Chinese navy was expanding its area of operations, not specifically if it was operating off Greenland.
veddox 11y ago
Hm, thanks for pointing these occasions out, I had never actually heard about them!
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]

tomohawk 11y ago

No, but they are building a military installation far out in the south china sea, and making claims that well established shipping lanes of strategic importance to many countries are now owned by them. They have harassed, threatened, and sunk Vietnamese, Filipino, and other countries sovereign vessels and aircraft. This is naked, calculated aggression to achieve territorial aims. On the other hand, the US has treaty commitments to many countries for mutual self defense, and is probably over committed.

rrggrr 11y ago

The Chinese military stopped US forces cold during the Korea war, a feat the Russians never accomplished. Chinese contributions in material, training and personnel led to Vietnam's victory during its war. Until Ukraine Russia was unable to take and hold territory after WWII. China's accomplishments in cyberespionage against the US are unmatched, and you won't find Chinese hardware running global telecom networks. Everyone relies upon Chinese manufacturing for the elements of basic military supply. In sum, Russia presented a real danger of global war by accident or incompetence. China presents a real danger to its neighbors for reasons that would make this post tl;dr.

curiousjorge 11y ago
incorrect about vietnam war, it was Soviet efforts that made US air power useless because of an American spy gave out the codes and Soviets knew ahead of time where the strikes would take place and advise their VietCong fighters to launch in the air.
cafard 11y ago
And after the US left, China tried its own little invasion of Vietnam, and suffered badly.