South China Sea Brief: September 24, 2021
I. Briefing
According to my source, a U.S. B-52H bomber from Guam flew over the South China Sea on September 24.
1. China's survey/research vessels
The Chinese survey ship Da Yang Hao has left the Fiery Cross Reef and sailed southwestward. With that course, it could appear in the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam or Indonesia tomorrow.
According to ship-tracking data, its destination is the South China Sea, with ETA is September 25, 8:00.
On September 23, two China Coast Guard vessels, 6307 and 5202, arrived in Fiery Cross Reef. Perhaps they are escorting Da Yang Hao.
2. China's exercises in the South China Sea
China is conducting military exercises in a large area north of the Paracel Islands from September 24 - 26.
Hainan MSA and Guangdong MSA also announced two more exercises: one is south of Sanya, and the other is east of Zhanjiang.
3. Aircraft carriers
USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier and USS Shiloh cruiser have entered the South China Sea this morning after transiting the Strait of Malacca.
Australia's Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2021 Task Group, including HMAS Canberra, HMAS Anzac và, and HMAS Sirius, has left Vietnam's Cam Ranh Port after four days visit.
The Carl Vinson Strike Group was spotted near Okinawa on September 23.
HMS Queen Elizabeth was still at Guam yesterday. It will take part in the Bersama Gold 21 Exercise from October 08 -16.
With these movements, I think there is a chance that we will see dual-carrier operations in the next few days. And an AUKUS exercise in the South China Sea?
The last time we saw a three-carrier naval force in the Western Pacific was in 2017. But the chance of tri-carrier operations is limited due to tropical storm Mindulle, which is forecast to head to Okinawa.
Here are the positions of aircraft carriers in the region:
II. Others:
According to my sources, Vietnam completed the installation of Dai Nguyet wellhead platform in Blocks 05-1b and 05-1c in the Nam Con Son Basin last week.
Vietnam protests China's dispatch of transport aircraft to Spratly islands - Hanoi Times
The Vietnamese spokesperson stressed that China's act infringes Vietnam's sovereignty over the islands of Paracel and Spratly, escalates militarization, goes against the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (referring to the South China Sea) (DOC), the Vietnam-China Agreement on Basic Principles Governing the Settlement of Sea-Related Issues, and the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
"Vietnam demands that China respect its sovereignty, stop and not to repeat any similar actions so as to make practical contributions to the development of Vietnam – China ties and a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment in the East Sea", Hang stated.
Vietnam spells out stance on AUKUS - Hanoi Times
"All countries strive for the same goal of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world over", Hang said, adding nations around the world are responsible for contributing to such a goal.
On Australia's plan to build a nuclear submarine fleet, Hang said: "The nuclear energy must be developed and used for peaceful purposes and serve socio-economic development, ensuring safety for humans and the environment".
If you find it difficult to understand, Alexander L. Vuving has a well-taken tweet.
The art of being a Vietnamese spokesperson is to say things that can be interpreted in opposite ways. Strategic ambiguity is an imperative of being next door to China. Let me translate this into plain English: Vietnam hopes AUKUS will contribute to regional peace and development.Vietnam responds to AUKUS and Australia's nuclear sub deal. https://t.co/QcqBuF6sKH https://t.co/LPwv42zvfc
Collin Koh @CollinSLKohHere is on China's bid to join TPP - Vietnamnet
In accordance with regulations on relevant procedures, economies seeking CPTPP membership need to meet criteria of the agreement as well as adhere to process and procedures for new members.
Regarding the application of Taiwan (China) to join the pact, Hang reaffirmed that the CPTPP is an open free trade agreement and Vietnam will closely consult other signatories on membership requirements.
24 Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan's ADIZ after CPTPP bid - Taiwan News
At 4:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported that 19 People's Liberation Army Airforce (PLAAF) aircraft, including 12 Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, two Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare (Y-8 ASW) planes, two Xian H-6 bombers, one Shaanxi Y-8 electronic warfare aircraft (Y-8 EW), and two Shenyang J-11 fighter jets, had penetrated into the southwestern corner of the ADIZ.
In a rare second report that same day, the MND at 7:15 p.m. announced that five additional Chinese military planes had entered the southwest corner of Taiwan's ADIZ. This time, two Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, one Shaanxi KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft (KJ-500 AEW&C), and two Shenyang J-11 fighters were spotted.