South China Sea Brief: October 22, 2021
1. China's survey ships
China's survey ship Haiyang Dizhi 10 left Indonesian waters on the morning of October 21, several days ahead of the ASEAN summit. It appears that it heads to the Spratly Islands again.
But China Coast Guard 6305 is still lingering in the area. After the survey ship left, it was seen heading to Clyde Boudreaux drilling rig.
I guess it left because China does not want to let its incursions become a hot topic when the ASEAN summit is ongoing. The Da Yang Hao also left Malaysian water earlier.
Indonesia Takes Cautious Stance as Chinese Survey Ship Lingers - Benar News
“I think Indonesia is very carefully selective about how and when it reacts and responds to China’s assertiveness, which I’d even call provocation, in the Natuna Sea,” said Huong Le Thu, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
She said many Indonesian thinkers are confident they can deal with China through dialogue, and that that takes time. But she added that in the meantime, “China has been modernizing its military capability, reclaiming islands in the South China Sea and growing in ambition.”
“I don’t think we have all the time like many in Jakarta would assume,” Huong said.
Chinese Vessel Leaves Malaysian Exclusive Economic Zone 2 Weeks After Protest - Benar News
The statement from the Foreign Ministry added that Malaysia “had also protested against the previous encroachments by other foreign vessels into our waters.”
Malaysia had always been cautious in dealing with China, its biggest trading partner, but the strong wording this time suggested that the Malaysian leadership was under pressure to show a firmer attitude against Beijing’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
The analyst Lockman said he doubted that Malaysia’s protest “was decisive in this regard, but it probably helped by further publicizing China’s actions.”
Meanwhile, survey ship Ramform Sovereign has started conducting a 3D seismic survey in the Sarawak basin offshore Malaysia.
The survey area is next to Indonesian waters, where Haiyang Dizhi 10 has been operating last two months.
Malaysia expects more Chinese boats in South China Sea as Petronas drills for oil - South China Morning Post
“I think for as long as Petronas is working on Kasawari, we can expect China to be visiting that area perhaps more often,” he said.
“We have always protested. I have lost count of the number of protest notes we have sent to China. We will be steadfast and continue to respond diplomatically to them.”
PH protests radio challenges, sirens by Chinese vessels in South China Sea - ABS CBN
In a tweet, the ministry said Chinese government vessels made "unlawful issuance of over 200 radio challenges, sounding of sirens, and blowing of horns" against Philippine authorities "conducting legitimate, customary, and routine patrols over and around" its "territory and maritime zones."
"These provocative acts threaten the peace, good order, and security of the South China Sea and run contrary to China's obligations under international law," the DFA said.
The agency did not specify when the incidents happened.
As expected,
China defies Philippine protests, says ‘law enforcement activities’ in South China Sea to continue - GMA News
"China's position on the South China Sea issue is consistent and clear-cut. It is legitimate and reasonable for China's maritime law enforcement authorities to conduct law enforcement activities in waters under China's jurisdiction in accordance with domestic laws and international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," Wang told a press briefing in Beijing on Oct.21.
2. Military movements
There are some air activities in the South China Sea on October 21.
Two Australia's P-8 planes conducted patrols in the South China Sea after taking off from Singapore. At least one plane flew near the Paracel Islands.
On the evening, flight tracking data showed that a U.S. Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft was flying along China's southern coast.
And for the third time within a week, another B-1B bomber flew over the South China Sea. This time, the bomber flew through the sea on its way to Diego Garcia base.
Meanwhile, some Chinese aircraft were spotted on Woody Island on October 21. China's fighter jets were deployed to the island years ago. But every time they were seen at that area, my record showed that they were conducting exercises.
China's Liaoning aircraft carrier is conducting training in the Bohai Sea.
CMV-22B Osprey flight suggests USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier is going to sail back to the South China Sea after Malabar Exercise and Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) 2021 in the Bay of Bengal.
Clips circulated online shows that a J-10S fighter jet crashed in Henan today - DW News
3. Others
China conducted two hypersonic weapons tests this summer - The Financial Times
On July 27 the Chinese military launched a rocket that used a “fractional orbital bombardment” system to propel a nuclear-capable “hypersonic glide vehicle” around the earth for the first time, according to four people familiar with US intelligence assessments.
The Financial Times this week reported that the first test was in August, rather than at the end of July. China subsequently conducted a second hypersonic test on August 13, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Three people familiar with the first test in July said it stunned the Pentagon and US intelligence because China managed to demonstrate a brand new weapons capability, although they declined to elaborate on the details.
Senators Counter China Expansion In South and East China Seas With New Bill - Newsweek
US prepares anti-China sanctions, Vietnam reiterates call for compliance with int'l law - VNExpress
US politicians push new bill to sanction China on maritime issue, ‘will receive retaliation if it passes’ - Global Times
Biden sparks confusion with commitment to Taiwan’s defence if Beijing attacks - SCMP
Burns: Keep strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan - Politico