Japan, Koreas, China and Taiwan regional issues

[Sandhi Yudha]

Communist China announced 8 countermeasures/punishment/revenge actions against the US in response to Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1555785135210971137

There are still a couple of merchant vessels sailing in the six exercise areas.

Merchant Ships Move out of China Military Drill Zones Around Taiwan

By Costas Paris More than 200 vessels that regularly navigate the waters around Taiwan have moved out from the six zones blocked by China's military for...

www.marketwatch.com

A lot of people on the internet are hoping/predicting/expecting that this visit to Taiwan will be the introduction of the beginning of the Third World War.

In my opinion it is unlikely that this will escalate into a full war. The costs and damage on the world economy, and specially china's economy is just too large. It will be a foolish act to attack Australia, Japan, South-Korea, Taiwan, US and "unfriendly ASEAN-countries". The whole world will regard china as a threat and enemy, and will strike back, and it is also unlikely that Russia will join china in an active military way in this war.

It is simply impossible for the US and China's neighbours to do nothing.
Besides that china will loose 95% of its market if they start a war.

Navy won’t back away from Taiwan in wake of Chinese belligerence, White House says

The U.S. 7th Fleet will send more aircraft and warships past Taiwan in the coming weeks.

www.stripes.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

It seems that communist china's military exercises are extended beyond Sunday.

China-Taiwan: Beijing conducts new military drills near island

The drills were due to end on Sunday but a statement said sea and air exercises were continuing.

www.bbc.com

Taiwan Vows to Resist Pressure as China Announces More Drills

Taiwan pledged it won’t succumb to pressure from China after days of air and sea military drills in areas all around the island, with hostilities set to continue even as world leaders urge an end to the strife.

www.bloomberg.com

A beautiful photo taken from a JMSDF-vessel.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1556414889043927043

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The Biden administration plans to formally ask Congress to approve an estimated $1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan that includes 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles. It is maybe a fraction of what they really need, but it's better than nothing.

No details are given about the type/model of the missiles.

Biden administration to ask Congress to approve $1.1B arms sale to Taiwan

Fears have grown in recent years that China is positioning itself to take Taiwan by military force.

www.politico.com

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

The Biden administration plans to formally ask Congress to approve an estimated $1.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan that includes 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles. It is maybe a fraction of what they really need, but it's better than nothing.

No details are given about the type/model of the missiles.

Biden administration to ask Congress to approve $1.1B arms sale to Taiwan

Fears have grown in recent years that China is positioning itself to take Taiwan by military force.

www.politico.com

The article does mention what's supposedly included. Maybe you read the headline and skimmed over the content by accident?

"The package, which is still in an early stage, includes 60 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles for $355 million, 100 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical air-to-air missiles for $85.6 million, and $655.4 million for a surveillance radar contract extension, the people said. The Sidewinder missiles will arm Taipei’s U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets."

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The article does mention what's supposedly included. Maybe you read the headline and skimmed over the content by accident?

"The package, which is still in an early stage, includes 60 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles for $355 million, 100 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical air-to-air missiles for $85.6 million, and $655.4 million for a surveillance radar contract extension, the people said. The Sidewinder missiles will arm Taipei’s U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets."

Thank you....
I just see it now. -_-

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The defence command for Kinmen, a group of Taiwan-controlled islands opposite the Chinese cities Xiamen and Quanzhou, said in a statement released by Taiwan’s defence ministry that the UAV entered restricted airspace over Lion Islet just after midday local time (05:00 BST).

Shi Islet is a very small island located 1 km from Lieyu Islet and 4 km (2.5 mi) from Xiamen Island (Amoy).

It is unknown what kind of UAV entered Taiwan's airspace, but this seems to be the first time that Taiwan shoots down a chinese UAV.

Taiwan shoots down a civilian drone over island off China coast

Move comes after Taiwan said it will use live ammunition to bring down Chinese drones flying over its territory.

www.aljazeera.com

Taiwan shoots down drone off Chinese coast for first time

Action near islet comes after Taipei vowed to take tough measures to deal with increase in such intrusions

www.theguardian.com

Taiwan Shoots Down Unidentified Drone by China Coastline

www.voanews.com

We just have to wait and see how china reacts against this evil capitalistic provocative attack...




And now about china's promise for "countermeasures" because of America's willingness to export for more than $1,1 billion of defence equipment to Taiwan.

The package includes a contract with a value of $655,4 million for the Surveillance Radar Program (SRP), which will provide "improved situational awareness and threat warning capabilities critical to regional security".

It also includes 100 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $85,6 million and $355 million for 60 AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II missiles and four 4 ATM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II exercise missiles. For more details we can check the DSCA-website.

VS wil wapens leveren aan Taiwan, China kondigt 'tegenmaatregelen' aan

Het gaat om een wapenpakket ter waarde van omgerekend 1,1 miljard euro. Het Congres moet er nog over beslissen.

nos.nl

US approves $1.1bn Taiwan arms sale, angering China

Beijing called on the US to revoke the missiles-and-radar deal or face "counter-measures".

www.bbc.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

This image appeared today on Twitter, but there are no other sources yet which can confirm this incident or can give us more details.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1567660716441878529

Edit.
In the period 2010-2012 there were multiple incidents with Chinese, Japanese and Taiwanese ships and activists.
The photo above can be from one of these incidents.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The State Department approved earlier this month an additional $1,1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including logistics support for Taipei’s Surveillance Radar Program, 60 AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles and 100 AIM-9X Block II missiles.

But on Wednesday the Senate advanced a sprawling bill that would give Taiwan the same benefits as major non-NATO allies, provide $6,5 billion in military aid, expedite arms sales and prioritize the transfer of excess U.S. defense articles there.
The initial bill would have provided $4,5 billion through 2026, and now the committee amended the legislation with a $2 billion increase.

So we can expext soon a reaction and comments from Taiwan's western neighbour.

Senate advances $6.5 billion Taiwan military aid bill

The Foreign Relations Committee advanced the Taiwan Policy Act 17-5 after amending certain provisions to address the White House’s concerns.

www.defensenews.com

 

[ngatimozart]

The State Department approved earlier this month an additional $1,1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including logistics support for Taipei’s Surveillance Radar Program, 60 AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles and 100 AIM-9X Block II missiles.

But on Wednesday the Senate advanced a sprawling bill that would give Taiwan the same benefits as major non-NATO allies, provide $6,5 billion in military aid, expedite arms sales and prioritize the transfer of excess U.S. defense articles there.
The initial bill would have provided $4,5 billion through 2026, and now the committee amended the legislation with a $2 billion increase.

So we can expext soon a reaction and comments from Taiwan's western neighbour.

Senate advances $6.5 billion Taiwan military aid bill

The Foreign Relations Committee advanced the Taiwan Policy Act 17-5 after amending certain provisions to address the White House’s concerns.

www.defensenews.com

Yep, will be screeching and howls of indignation from Beijing. Much like toddlers when they're told no.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The U.S. government has agreed to let Taiwan buy the NASAMS air defense missile system, Up Media reports

美國同意軍售NASAMS防空系統　空軍重啟「天隼二號」力拚排入2024年預算--上報

美國在8月24日宣布新一波規模近30億美元軍援烏克蘭，其中包括6套「國家先進防空系統」（NASAMS），據指出，......

www.upmedia.mg

According to the news report, the Taiwanese will be allowed to buy the latest variant of NASAMS which can fire the AIM-9X, AMRAAM, and AMRAAM-ER missiles, and on 2 September the approval was already given to sell Taiwan 100 AIM-9X Block II missiles.

 

[ngatimozart]

The U.S. government has agreed to let Taiwan buy the NASAMS air defense missile system, Up Media reports

美國同意軍售NASAMS防空系統　空軍重啟「天隼二號」力拚排入2024年預算--上報

美國在8月24日宣布新一波規模近30億美元軍援烏克蘭，其中包括6套「國家先進防空系統」（NASAMS），據指出，......

www.upmedia.mg

According to the news report, the Taiwanese will be allowed to buy the latest variant of NASAMS which can fire the AIM-9X, AMRAAM, and AMRAAM-ER missiles, and on 2 September the approval was already given to sell Taiwan 100 AIM-9X Block II missiles.

That's gonna cause a lot of shrieking from across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing will certainly have no sense of humour about it.

 

[swerve]

The U.S. government has agreed to let Taiwan buy the NASAMS air defense missile system, Up Media reports

美國同意軍售NASAMS防空系統　空軍重啟「天隼二號」力拚排入2024年預算--上報

美國在8月24日宣布新一波規模近30億美元軍援烏克蘭，其中包括6套「國家先進防空系統」（NASAMS），據指出，......

www.upmedia.mg

According to the news report, the Taiwanese will be allowed to buy the latest variant of NASAMS which can fire the AIM-9X, AMRAAM, and AMRAAM-ER missiles, and on 2 September the approval was already given to sell Taiwan 100 AIM-9X Block II missiles.

100's a pretty small number, especially if they're for both aircraft & SAMs.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Japan plans to build a missile base at Ishigaki-jima, an island in the Okinawa Prefecture, which is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, about 300 km (186 mi) off the north eastern coast of Taiwan.

In Ishigaki, the construction of a Japanese military base is reopening old wounds

Fifty years after America's retrocession of the Okinawa archipelago to Japan, a project for an anti-missile base is dividing a population scarred by the Second World War and the years of occupation that followed, but worried about the economy.

www.lemonde.fr

Japan vaart nieuwe koers en bouwt raketbasis dichtbij Taiwan

Op Ishigaki wonen slechts 230.000 mensen. Zowel economisch als geografisch lag het eiland lange tijd buiten beeld van de nationale Japanse politiek. Het roer is in de laatste jaren volledig omgegooid.

nos.nl

And now something about the Takeshima Islands.

A Japanese academic has recently discovered a map published in the United States in 1897 that marks Takeshima, a group of islets claimed by both Japan and South Korea, as Japanese territory.

While South Korea controls the islets, its sovereignty over them is contested by Japan. North Korea also claims the territory, china does surprisingly not claim the islands. The Korean name is Dokdo (yes the same name of the LHD).

The Dokdo/Takeshima Islands consist of two main islets and numerous surrounding rocks. The islands are situated at a distance of 211 kilometres (114 nmi) from the main island of Japan (Honshu) and 216,8 kilometres (117,1 nmi) from mainland South Korea. The nearest Japanese island, Oki Islands, is at a distance of 157 kilometres (85 nmi), and the nearest Korean island, Ulleungdo, is 87,4 kilometres (47,2 nmi).

Takeshima listed as Japanese on U.S.-made map published in 1897 | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

www.asahi.com

 

[ngatimozart]

Japan plans to build a missile base at Ishigaki-jima, an island in the Okinawa Prefecture, which is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, about 300 km (186 mi) off the north eastern coast of Taiwan.

In Ishigaki, the construction of a Japanese military base is reopening old wounds

Fifty years after America's retrocession of the Okinawa archipelago to Japan, a project for an anti-missile base is dividing a population scarred by the Second World War and the years of occupation that followed, but worried about the economy.

www.lemonde.fr

Japan vaart nieuwe koers en bouwt raketbasis dichtbij Taiwan

Op Ishigaki wonen slechts 230.000 mensen. Zowel economisch als geografisch lag het eiland lange tijd buiten beeld van de nationale Japanse politiek. Het roer is in de laatste jaren volledig omgegooid.

nos.nl

And now something about the Takeshima Islands.

A Japanese academic has recently discovered a map published in the United States in 1897 that marks Takeshima, a group of islets claimed by both Japan and South Korea, as Japanese territory.

While South Korea controls the islets, its sovereignty over them is contested by Japan. North Korea also claims the territory, china does surprisingly not claim the islands. The Korean name is Dokdo (yes the same name of the LHD).

The Dokdo/Takeshima Islands consist of two main islets and numerous surrounding rocks. The islands are situated at a distance of 211 kilometres (114 nmi) from the main island of Japan (Honshu) and 216,8 kilometres (117,1 nmi) from mainland South Korea. The nearest Japanese island, Oki Islands, is at a distance of 157 kilometres (85 nmi), and the nearest Korean island, Ulleungdo, is 87,4 kilometres (47,2 nmi).

Takeshima listed as Japanese on U.S.-made map published in 1897 | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

www.asahi.com

That'll upset the Koreans and don't encourage the Chinese you naughty, naughty boy

 

[swerve]

And now something about the Takeshima Islands.

A Japanese academic has recently discovered a map published in the United States in 1897 that marks Takeshima, a group of islets claimed by both Japan and South Korea, as Japanese territory.

While South Korea controls the islets, its sovereignty over them is contested by Japan. North Korea also claims the territory, china does surprisingly not claim the islands. The Korean name is Dokdo (yes the same name of the LHD).

Not really surprising. To get to them by sea from China you have to sail through the Tsushima Strait or the western channel of the Korea Strait. It'd be a bit like Italy claiming Madeira or the Canaries.

Of course, these days Chinese claims are so silly that almost nothing's beyond them (coming soon: China claims the Isle of Wight, pointing out that the island has many Chinese restaurants so is obviously Chinese), but even so, it's not surprising that they haven't got round to claiming every island off eastern Asia. Yet.

The name's not a coincidence, y'know.

 

[Meriv90]

Not really surprising. To get to them by sea from China you have to sail through the Tsushima Strait or the western channel of the Korea Strait. It'd be a bit like Italy claiming Madeira or the Canaries.

You mean like the Genoese phase of the Canaries since we were the first ones to arrive

Genoese phase
The first visit by a European to the Canary Islands since antiquity was by Genoese captain Lanceloto Malocello traditionally dated 1312 (but probably a little later, between 1318–1325).[3] Malocello's motives were unclear - it is believed he might have been searching for traces of the Vivaldi brothers who had disappeared off Morocco, around Cape Non back in 1291.[a] Malocello made landfall (possibly shipwrecked) on Lanzarote island, and remained there for nearly twenty years. Malocello may have attempted to erect himself as a ruler among the aboriginal peoples and been eventually expelled by them.

According to some sources, shortly after his return to Europe, in 1336, Malocello led a return expedition to the Canaries, sponsored by the Portuguese crown.[5] However, the existence of this expedition has been dismissed by most modern historians, as being based on later forged documents.[6]




Portolan of Angelino Dulcert (1339) showing Lanzarote island
Evidently drawing from the information provided by Malocello, in 1339 appeared the portolan map by Angelino Dulcert of Majorca showing the Canary island of Lanzarote (named Insula de Lanzarotus Marocelus and marked by a Genoese shield), as well as the island of Forte Vetura (Fuerteventura) and Vegi Mari (Lobos).[7] Although earlier maps had shown fantastical depictions of the "Fortunate Islands" (on the basis of their mention in Pliny), this is the first European map where the actual Canary islands make a solid appearance (although Dulcert also includes some fantastic islands himself, notably Saint Brendan's Island, and three islands he names Primaria, Capraria and Canaria).[7]

In 1341, a three-ship expedition sponsored by King Afonso IV of Portugal, set out from Lisbon, commanded by Florentine captain Angiolino del Tegghia de Corbizzi and Genoese captain Nicoloso da Recco, and employing a mixed crew of Italians, Portuguese and Castilians. Cruising the archipelago for five months, the expedition mapped thirteen islands (seven major, six minor) and surveyed the primeval aboriginal inhabitants, the 'Guanches', bringing back four natives to Lisbon.Conquest of the Canary Islands - Wikipedia (This expedition would become the basis of later Portuguese claims of priority on the islands.)

But if we started to play chinese game of claiming it would be pretty bad lol

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Japan PM wants defence budget to reach 2% of GDP by 2027

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has told his cabinet to increase defence spending to two percent of GDP by 2027, up from a longstanding level of around one percent.

www.france24.com

The Japanese government has (reportedly) officially agreed to increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2027. Up until now there was speculation as to whether the recommendations of the LDP's legislators would be accepted in full. Discussions are now moving on to how to fund it, such as higher corporation tax, but it looks like the funding will be found somehow.

 

[swerve]

Wow!

I've seen suggestions that spending has been massaged down by shunting some things off to other budgets, but even if increasing the budget figure is partly achieved by moving to a definition more like NATO's, I think that's still a very big increase.

I imagine it'll mostly go to the navy & air force, but the army's ability to defend against enemy landings & retake lost islands will presumably be boosted.

Aha! He's allowed for including any really-defence-but-not-in-the-budget spending in the 2% without redefinition.
""We'll take budgetary measures to increase spending on defence and other outlays to two percent of current GDP by 2027,"

 

[swerve]

And Japan's just ordered another two KC-46. I expect there'll be more announcements.

 

[OPSSG]

And Japan's just ordered another two KC-46. I expect there'll be more announcements.

Agreed. Realistically, in the medium term, Japan needs to rationalise to a fleet of 10 to 12 KC-46A tankers; France operates 12 A330MRTT tankers and even Australia operates 7. The current number of tankers that Japan operates can’t support the sorties that the JASDF needs to fly at war.

One possible way forward is to modernise the 4 KC-767Js with like systems, when the KC-46A SDD matures.