Neutering & Defanging Chinese Threat (09-08-2014)

vijaykarthik · Post by **vijaykarthik** » 01 Dec 2014 16:02

Oh, was this linked before?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brahmachell ... relations/

I sometimes wonder what kind of decisions are really made at the highest of levels. Brilliant at doing this kind of stupid stuff. Mein gott. What surprises me is that a NDA govt can repeatedly fall for these tricks too... when I expect them to take a more realistic and practical view and fight back hard.

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 01 Dec 2014 16:52

No, i wanted to post the link, but the forbes site was under hack attack by the SEA. What is interesting is mainstream experts like BC are starting to expound Indo-Tibet instead of Indo-China and realize that it was rank stupid of Sub Swamy and GoI to take credit for the route to KM/Shiv Bhoomi. I mentioned this to Swamy on twitter to stop gloating about a new route as by doing so he is knowlingly/unknowingly endorsing the Han Chinese aggression on our spiritual bhoomi. Key point in all dealings at our Northern borders is HAn Chinese legitimacy. That legitimacy doesn't come with some Emperors sitting in london/ beijing signing on and off lands that only we Indics have travelled to and revered for 1000s and 1000s of years. Those emperors under what kind of international legitimacy have the right to rule, decide and issue visas to Indics to visit Shiv Bhoomi. If one looks at the irony and stupidity we are displaying its like we talk about how we deflected invaders like Alexander who came from 4000 kms away to our borders but yet irony, irony, irony x100 times, we literally invited and welcomed Han emperors from 4000 kms away and gladly, tail wagging without any shame got fellow Dharmics colonized and gave our most holy spots to the Han! Tibet i have maintained for several years now is the key to Indian FP maturity and the establishment of the strength of Indian Dharmic ethos. Our stand in Tibet and KM/Shiv Bhoomi will ultimately define the character of our Nation.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 01 Dec 2014 19:43

harbans wrote: Tibet i have maintained for several years now is the key to Indian FP maturity and the establishment of the strength of Indian Dharmic ethos. Our stand in Tibet and KM/Shiv Bhoomi will ultimately define the character of our Nation.

It will be liberation for India and final freedom for Indians

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 02 Dec 2014 06:37

Indian Ocean has to remain a zone of peace, says Ajit Doval -Meera Srinivasan, The Hindu

The Indian Ocean has to necessarily remain a zone of peace, if it has to contribute to the prosperity of different nations, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval said on Monday.

He was delivering the keynote address at the ‘Galle Dialogue 2014’, held in Sri Lanka’s southern coastal town of Galle. Evoking a 1971 UNGA resolution, on the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace, Mr. Doval said it was important to revisit the resolution then mooted by Sri Lanka “calling upon great powers not to allow escalation and expansion of military presence in the Indian Ocean.”

Mr. Doval’s remarks come at a time when India has been voicing serious concern over China’s growing military presence in the island. In October, Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was in New Delhi for a meeting with Mr. Doval and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley where India raised the issue of a Chinese submarine calling at the Colombo port.

In his address on Monday, Mr. Doval said India has been a status-quoist power in the region for 5,000 years, but had no aggressive design or strategic reason for dominance detrimental to any other country.

He called for cooperation between countries to tackle challenges such as piracy, drug smuggling and human trafficking. Over 100 representatives from 36 countries participated in the event with the theme ‘Cooperation & Collaboration for Maritime Prosperity,’ organised by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 02 Dec 2014 08:01

China may be adding carrier might to meet regional threats - Atul Aneja, The Hindu

China’s military planners maybe considering construction of at least three aircraft carriers — central to the assertion of “sea control” in regional waters — as part of their response to the “Asia Pivot” of the United States.

China’s Communist Party affiliated daily “ Global Times ” has run an article that cites “military experts” who “confirm that a country needs at least three carriers to form a basic battle force”. That would always ensure the availability of at least one of the three carriers for operations.

But the article, which first appeared in China Newsweek magazine, also quotes Russian media reports that China plans to introduce four platforms, including the Liaoning — the aircraft carrier, used for training, which was purchased from Ukraine and commissioned by China in 2012.

Analysts say the heated debate in Chinese military circles over the size and capability of the Navy has been energised by the “Asia Pivot” or the “rebalancing” strategy of the Obama administration. The U.S. is firm on roping in its allies — especially Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Philippines — to strengthen forces around China’s periphery.

The Global Times pointed out that out of two or more ships, China will first build a Type 001A carrier. Quoting the Canadian publication Kanwa Defence Review , the article claims construction of the first ship began at the end of 2013 by the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, based in Dalian. The second indigenous carrier would be built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai.

The first two platforms are likely to be of standard size with a displacement between 30,000-40,000 tons, making them equivalent to the INS Vikramaditya of the Indian navy.

Notwithstanding the “blue water” attributes of carrier task forces, Chinese planners appear to be focusing on the South China Sea as the preferred area of deployment because of “the heightened territorial tensions” that prevail along this expanse.

The Chinese have also intensively debated the merits and the technological challenges posed by nuclear-powered engines to propel these giant ships. China is likely to use its recently developed R0110 heavy gas turbine engine in the first carrier and possibly integrate an atomic engine for the second carrier.

China already has a fleet of nuclear powered and armed submarines, but safe integration of nuclear engines on aircraft carriers, which do not release impermissible radiation, continue to pose serious technological hurdles.

The composition of carrier task forces — battle groups of ships and submarines which supports and sails with the carrier, imparting it greater protection and punch— has been central to the Chinese military debate.

The article reveals that when the carrier Liaoning was returning to Qingdao, its home base, on October 27, it was accompanied by at least eight surface vessels and submarines in formation, signalling the possible size of a future task force. China is manufacturing large numbers of 052D type destroyers and 054A type frigates to train alongside the Liaoning — a situation, which would eliminate the problem of “escort ships” once future carriers are commissioned, the daily observed.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 02 Dec 2014 08:49

SAARC Membership: India blocks China's entry for the time being - Dipanjan Roy Chaudhry, Economic Times

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 03 Dec 2014 06:31

Rattled by Chinese submarines, India rebuilds its submarine fleet - Economic Times

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 03 Dec 2014 07:46

China, Maldives sign preliminary accord on bridge construction Atul Aneja, The Hindu

China and Maldives — a major element of the Beijing-sponsored Maritime Silk Road project — have signed an accord to conduct preliminary study on constructing a bridge that would connect capital Male with the city’s international airport.

Xinhua is reporting that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a pre-feasibility study of the project has been signed. This would be followed by a full-scale project feasibility study, yielding a design plan, which would result in the two sides exploring possible funding options for the project.

Deepening engagement

In September, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Male that he hoped that the bridge would be named “China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.”

Analysts point out that the project underscores a deepening engagement between China and Maldives, which is a major cog in the establishment of the 21st century Maritime Silk Route visualised by China.

Though details are still sketchy, the Chinese hope to revive a maritime route that would start from its Fujian province, cross the Malacca Straits and transit through the Indian Ocean via India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Nairobi in Kenya.

It would finally cross the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal to terminate at Venice. Venice would also be end of the New Silk Route —a land corridor that would start in Xian in China and travel through Central Asia, before entering Europe.

India’s concerns

China’s Maritime Silk Route has raised concerns in India, which opposes the militarisation of the Indian Ocean. Speaking at a conference in Galle, Sri Lanka, on Monday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval stressed during his keynote address that Indian Ocean must remain a zone of peace.

The Hindu had earlier reported that evoking a 1971 UNGA resolution on the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace, Mr. Doval said it was important to revisit the resolution mooted by Sri Lanka then “calling upon great powers not to allow escalation and expansion of military presence in the Indian Ocean.”

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 03 Dec 2014 11:41

Dozen monasteries of Drukpa Buddhist lineage taken over by monks with strong financial backing - Economic Times

As the report says, multiple events seem to have precipitated this Chinese action. The Chinese are nervous and hugely suspicious when it comes to minorities and dissidents, especially in Xinjiang and Tibet. The Wu Jing are constantly watching everywhere to nip in the bud any signs of resistance or dissidence. It was the brutal suppression of the Tibetans under Deng Xiaoping's governorship that elevated to him to the Presidency. Tibet is a quarter of China with the Tibetan pleatue extending into the provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan and Qinghai and even Gansu in the south, east and north east respectively. In fact more Tibetans live in those areas jutting into these Chinese provinces (which China calls as Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures in contrast to Tibet itself known as Tibet Autonomous Region, TAR) than in TAR itself. The CCP does not consider the Tibetans in TAP as Tibetans thus angering them even more. Once upon a time, under the Tibetan king Gampo, Tibet had extended upto the old imperial capital of Xi'an and the King demanded and got a bride from the Chinese emperor, his own niece.

If Tibet was needed as a buffer by the Chinese earlier, now they need it as a launch pad for offence against India now that they have dramatically built the infrastructure there. They do not want that advantage to be nullified by Indian border construction activities, a prime reason for incursions apart, of course from the incremental lebensraum. Tibet is also an important source of water, apart from offering an opportunity for China to control water flow to India, a programme on which China is steadfastly working in the absence of any treaties (whether China would honour any treaty it entered into is a moot point anyway). Tibet also gives enormous power to China to control not only Tibetan but also Indian religious and spiritual access to holy sites such as Manasarovar & Mt. Kailash. God knows what riches are buried beneath the cold desert too. So, China has a laser-like focus on Tibet which it will never give up under any condition. Besides, once one province loosens from control, it will be easy for others too and China has quite a few non-Han and not-happy minority regions, if not entire provinces, around its periphery.

Like in Xinjiang, the CCP implements a subjugation programme in Tibet in every possible way. At the slightest suspicion, senior monks disappear never to be heard of again and the junior monks are sent away for the dreaded 're-education' class for years, the monasteries are closed down. Major Tibetan towns have a Chinese quarter exclusively for the Han migrants even as the Tibetan side slides deeper and deeper into squalor. The one good thing is that the Han may not swamp Tibet as they did Xinjiang because at 17000 ft., the Han would find it difficult to live. Deng himself managed Tibet from Beijing.

It is quite clear that this latest monastery occupation programme has been implemented by CCP through the Beijing-based puppet Panchen Lama.

vijaykarthik · Post by **vijaykarthik** » 03 Dec 2014 12:04

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/partl ... sis-629202

In the meanwhile. Damn. The Chinese at it again. Reckon we need to start moving closer towards Tibet, SCS, ECS everywhere and claim that all issues have to be discussed in a bilateral manner and get stuff done.

I wonder - why never a move from the Indian side to stray into Tibet a few times? Hope it starts happening someday. That way, we can created FoG too.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 03 Dec 2014 15:50

We neglected our submarine arm for sometime and are paying the price now.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 03 Dec 2014 16:44

We on BR have been "crying like prophets in the wilderness" for over a decade+,last century actually warning about the Chinese maritime masterplan which no one in the GOI took seriously.It has all come to pass.Catching up requires a concerted effort immediately as well as urgent purchases of subs from abroad today,not waiting for the laborious process of selecting the P-75I sub design. Indonesia had earlier plans of acquiring ex-Russian Kilos,about 12,both new and refurbished. Russia has two Amurs in service. Earlier reports indicated that they were offered.German U-boats too are possibiities. We shoud discusss the acquisition of more N-boats and conventional boats when Pres.Putin arrives.

http://www.maritime-executive.com/artic ... 2014-12-02

December 02, 2014
Chinese Submarines Prompt Indian Fleet Rebuild
BY MAREX

India is speeding up a navy modernisation programme and leaning on its neighbours to curb Chinese submarine activity in the Indian Ocean, as nations in the region become increasingly jittery over Beijing's growing undersea prowess.

Just months after a stand-off along the disputed border dividing India and China in the Himalayas, Chinese submarines have shown up in Sri Lanka, the island nation off India's southern coast. China has also strengthened ties with the Maldives, the Indian Ocean archipelago.

China's moves reflect its determination to beef up its presence in the Indian Ocean, through which four-fifths of its oil imports pass, and coincides with escalating tension in the disputed South China Sea, where Beijing's naval superiority has rattled its neighbours.

"We should be worried the way we have run down our submarine fleet. But with China bearing down on us, the way it is on the Himalayas, the South China Sea and now the Indian Ocean, we should be even more worried," said Arun Prakash, former chief of the Indian navy.

"Fortunately, there are signs this government has woken up to the crisis," he said. "But it will take time to rebuild. We should hope that we don't get into a face-off with the Chinese, that our diplomacy and alliances will keep things in check."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has ordered an accelerated tendering process to build six conventional diesel-electric submarines at an estimated cost of 500 billion rupees ($8.1 billion), in addition to six similar submarines that French firm DCNS is assembling in Mumbai port to replace a nearly 30-year-old fleet hit by a run of accidents.

The country's first indigenously built nuclear submarine - loaded with nuclear-tipped missiles and headed for sea trials this month - joins the fleet in late 2016. In the meantime, India is in talks with Russia to lease a second nuclear-propelled submarine, navy officials told Reuters.

The government has already turned to industrial group Larsen & Toubro Ltd, which built the hull for the first submarine, to manufacture two more nuclear submarines, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Elsewhere in the region, Australia is planning to buy up to 12 stealth submarines from Japan, while Vietnam plans to acquire as many as four additional Kilo-class submarines to add to its current fleet of two. Taiwan is seeking U.S. technology to build up its own submarine fleet.

Japan, locked in a dispute with China over islands claimed by both nations, is increasing its fleet of diesel-electric attack submarines to 22 from 16 over the next decade or so.

OUTNUMBERED

India's navy currently has only 13 ageing diesel-electric submarines, only half of which are operational at any given time due to refits. Last year, one of its submarines sank after explosions and a fire while it was docked in Mumbai.

China is estimated to have 60 conventional submarines and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, including three armed with nuclear weapons.

Ma Jiali, an expert at the China Reform Forum's Centre for Strategic Studies which is affiliated with the Central Party School, said Beijing's top concern in the Indian Ocean was safeguarding the passage of its commodities, especially oil.

"There are many voices in India who believe the Indian Ocean belongs solely to India, and no other country belongs there. That line of thought is common - but of course it shouldn't be viewed like that. Our (China's) view is that there should be dialogue and discussion between China and India."

With India building its navy to about 150 ships, including two aircraft carriers, and China holding around 800 in its naval fleet, the two are more likely than not to run into each other, naval officials and experts say.

David Brewster, a strategic affairs visiting fellow at the Australian National University, said India will do everything it can to recover its dominant position in the Indian Ocean.

It may seek naval cooperation with Japan and Australia, and expand a military base on the Andaman Islands which lie about 140 km (87 miles) from the Malacca Straits, he said.

"India sees the presence of any Chinese naval vessel as an intrusion. There is a big ramp-up in their presence, which is clearly intended to send a message to India," said Brewster.

India has engaged in intense diplomacy with Sri Lanka about the Chinese submarine presence, reminding it that New Delhi must be informed of such port calls under a maritime pact they signed this year along with the Maldives.

India has also muscled into an $8 billion deep water port that Bangladesh wants to develop in Sonadia in the Bay of Bengal, with the Adani Group submitting a proposal in October. China Harbour Engineering Company, an early bidder, was the front-runner.

"If China continues down this path and continues with this level of presence in the Indian Ocean then the Indians will feel they need to respond," said Brewster.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 04 Dec 2014 06:04

Indian Navy monitoring infra development by China inorts around India: Adm. RK Dhowan

vijaykarthik · Post by **vijaykarthik** » 04 Dec 2014 06:32

WOW. Another day, another irritation.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/china ... tan-629443

Now PoK is called just "P". Damn. Now they are creating FoG and we are blissfully unaware. Damn again.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 04 Dec 2014 07:46

On GB, we have to take a lot of blame ourselves. We never raised our voice on GB as much as we did for the rest of POK. During Gilani's PMship, GB was given a provincial status by TSP.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 04 Dec 2014 11:27

Xi's powers worrying neighbours, says Obama - ToI

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that Chinese President Xi Jinping had consolidated power more quickly than any Chinese leader in decades, raising human rights concerns and worrying China's neighbors.

Obama, who met Xi last month in Beijing, told the Business Roundtable group of top US chief executives that the Chinese leader had won respect in the short time since he had taken over.

"He has consolidated power faster and more comprehensively than probably anybody since Deng Xiaoping," Obama said, referring to the man who led China from 1978 to 1992.

"And everybody's been impressed by his ... clout inside of China after only a year and a half or two years."

But Obama said there were negative sides to Xi's rise.

"There are dangers in that. On issues of human rights, on issues of clamping down on dissent. He taps into a nationalism that worries his neighbors," Obama said, noting maritime disputes in the region.

"On the other hand, I think they have a very strong interest in maintaining good relations with the United States. And my visit was a demonstration of their interest in managing this relationship effectively."

Obama said the United States wants to show China that it wants a constructive "win-win" relationship while also insisting on fixing problems such as commercial cyber theft.

"It is indisputable that they engage in it, and it is a problem. And we push them hard on it."

Obama encouraged the chief executives to speak out when they were being "strong-armed" on those issues despite risks that their businesses could be penalized in China for doing so.

The president said he was confident the United States could manage its relationship with China in a way that was productive for the world.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 05 Dec 2014 03:42

Comparison with China's moves on Africa unwarranted: India - Economic Times

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 05 Dec 2014 13:06

China invites India for Indo-Pacific Partnership - Atul Aneja, The Hindu

How can an Indo-Pacific Partnership be complete without India?

China is looking towards India for establishing an “Indo-Pacific era,” based on shared interests in developing new routes to Europe, and avoiding the “Asia Pivot” doctrine of the United States.

People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese government is running a commentary that analyses India’s “Look East” and “Act East” foreign policy that is being steered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The commentary, which first appeared in the Global Times — a daily affiliated with the Communist Party of China — acknowledges that Mr. Modi “wants a peaceful and stable periphery that will allow him to concentrate on domestic economic structural reform and infrastructure building.” It points out that the Prime Minister wants India to become a manufacturing hub, and deliver his promise of building “a powerful India in a decade.”

In pursuit of its ambitious goals, the six-month old government needs to maintain “stable relations with China, Pakistan and other countries, and needs to absorb investment and technologies from countries like China, Japan and Singapore,” the daily observed.

The write-up, acknowledges that the “Indian government and scholars” have not endorsed the “Indo-Pacific geo-strategy” scripted by countries such as the United States and Japan, which aims to “balance and even contain China’s increasing influence in the Asia-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean”. It asserts that the “Indo-Pacific” construct, of which India is seen as the “linchpin” was first used by Australian scholars, following the Obama administration’s strategic rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific. Also called the “Asia Pivot,” the Mr. Obama “rebalance” doctrine aims is to amass forces on China’s periphery with the help of allies — chiefly Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Philippines.

Without biting into a collective US-led approach, India “has enhanced its strategic and military cooperation with countries around China, such as Japan, Vietnam and Australia.”

The commentary, advocates that China and India should overcome both foreign and domestic problems so that an “Indo-Pacific era” can commence. This can happen with the pursuit of an “Indo-Pacific” geo-economic plan that includes the establishment of the Silk Road economic belt, as well as the complementary 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (MSR), aimed at the massive Asia-centered development of Eurasia. The daily observes that Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor (BIMC) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are part of this grand inter-continental plan.

A diplomatic source told The Hindu that India has not yet made up its mind on endorsing China’s proposal of the 21st century MSR, but is ready to participate in the development of an economic corridor that would comprise Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar. The source pointed out, incidents such as the visit of a Chinese submarine to Sri Lanka, and Beijing’s intentions in Maldives need to be ironed out in order to boost confidence for larger projects.

In a veiled reference to the “Asia Pivot,” the daily asserts that China and India can overcome their obstacles, “if New Delhi steers clear of foreign backed attempts to “establish an exclusive political, military and economic alliance from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean, which would lead to strategic and military competition and even conflict.” Besides, the border row between the two countries — “the largest obstacle for bilateral relations” — can only be resolved through “mutual understanding and mutual accommodation,” the daily opined.

The article cautioned the Modi government to avoid the “misconception” that China should make concessions on border disputes because Beijing is facing pressure from the east. Besides, it should not be assumed that “China would turn to India for help to digest its excess capacity and huge foreign reserves”.

The Chinese commentary is laced with future promises while demanding present compliance from India. China does not yet realize that the tide has completely turned within India. Simultaneously, the tide is also picking up against the arrogant behaviour of China against its neighbours in the SCS region. So, China must give up its condescending & patronising attitude for a start before seeing some progress.

Such commentaries are now appearing more frequently and it betrays a certain nervousness on the part of the Chinese. India, under Modi, will play its cards very close to its chest and every Chinese move will be more than matched.

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 05 Dec 2014 17:20

A view on Sino - Russian partnership from Niticentral:

http://www.niticentral.com/2014/12/05/r ... 48210.html

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 08 Dec 2014 10:11

China November trade surplus leaps to a record 54.47 Billion

vijaykarthik · Post by **vijaykarthik** » 08 Dec 2014 14:19

How is it that China controls its trade figures so much. Controls its currency so much. Controls its GDP so much. Its a broken mathematics and numbers typically don't add up at all.

BTW, Dec 15th is the deadline given to China, on the UNCLOS case, to respond.

"China has long rejected arbitration, insisting it would resolve disputes bilaterally. The tribunal has given China until December 15 to reply in the case."

http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/ ... scmp_today

India should make some noises now... about how important rule of land, maritime interest etc etc is. And how important the sanctity of UNCLOS is etc etc. Bah. What we are having is silence instead.

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 09 Dec 2014 00:06

China sentences 8 to death for attacks in Xinjiang

BEIJING: A Chinese court on Monday sentenced eight people to death on charges of leading terror groups and setting off explosives in two attacks that left 46 people dead in the far western region of Xinjiang, home of the Muslim Uighur minority, state media said.

The Urumqi Intermediate People's Court in the capital of Xinjiang also handed out suspended death sentences to five others, China Central Television said, without mentioning when the trials were held.

In a separate case, the same court jailed seven minority students of a prominent Uighur scholar for three to eight years after convicting them of separatism, rights lawyer Li Fangping said Monday.

Violence linked to Xinjiang has killed about 400 people in and outside the region over the past 20 months. Beijing has blamed the attacks on radical separatists with foreign ties, although critics and human rights advocates say Uighurs have chafed under the repressive rule of the Han Chinese-dominated government.

Uighurs also complain of economic disenfranchisement with the inflow of Han Chinese to their homeland. Beijing says it is pumping investments into the region to help it grow.

Most attacks have been mounted against state targets, such as police stations, military checkpoints and government buildings, but assailants also have struck at civilians in several recent incidents, slashing at crowds with knives or setting off bombs at train stations and commercial areas.

On April 30, as Chinese President Xi Jinping was wrapping up a tour to the ethnic region, an explosion shook a train station in the regional capital, killing three people, including two attackers.

CCTV said two men were sentenced to death in the train attack. The defendants said on national television that they were instructed by a man outside China to carry out the attack. CCTV said the man was connected to the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, a group that China has designated a terrorist organization.

About three weeks later, on May 22, four men drove two SUVs through a crowded market in central Urumqi and tossed explosives out of the car windows, killing themselves and 39 others.

Initial state media reports said that attack was the work of a five-member terror group, including the assailants who died. However, CCTV said on Monday that six people were sentenced to death on charges of terrorism, use of explosives and endangering public safety. It did not explain why the number of suspects grew.

Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress, said the harsh sentences were politically motivated and the defendants had no chance of a fair trial. ``China will never seek the root causes in its extreme (ethnic) policies,'' he said in a statement.

Authorities responded to the attacks by launching a one-year crackdown on violence in Xinjiang, where security was already tight following riots in Urumqi in 2009 that left nearly 200 people dead, according to official count.

Among those sentenced in the clampdown is Ilham Tohti, a former economics professor at Minzu University of China in Beijing. Known for his candid criticisms of Chinese ethnic policies in his home region of Xinjiang, he was found guilty of separatism and sentenced to life imprisonment in September. Authorities accused him of fanning ethnic hatred, advocating violence and instigating terror through his classroom teaching and a website on Uighur issues.

Seven of his students — six Uighurs and one ethnic Yi — who helped him run the website were accused of being part of a criminal gang led by him. At least three had testified against Ilham Tohti on national television.

While Beijing insists there are no flaws in its ethnic policies, the top leadership has made some adjustments. It has agreed to provide free high school education in southern Xinjiang, which has the highest concentration of Uighurs, and promised employment for at least one member of each household in the poverty-stricken region.

Cheers

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 10 Dec 2014 05:12

http://blogs.cfr.org/asia/2014/12/09/zu ... i-jinping/

...understanding the future of China under Xi Jinping is worth a few minutes of every American’s time.

Every Indian's time, too?

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 12 Dec 2014 03:39

China's Xinjiang to ban burqas in public

BEIJING: Authorities in the capital of the mainly Muslim Uighur homeland of Xinjiang voted to ban the wearing of burqas in public, media said on Thursday, as China confronts unrest with tough measures that critics have labelled discriminatory.

Hundreds have died in ethnic clashes across the restive far western region in recent months, with Beijing vowing to "strike hard" against violence.

The local legislature of Urumqi on Wednesday "considered and adopted 'Regulations for the banning of wearing of burqas in public areas in Urumqi'", the Sina web news portal said.

The measure will next go to the regional legislature to "examine and then to implement it", the report added.

China has previously launched drives to discourage women from covering their faces, and security officials often log details of those wearing burqas, an Islamic garment that covers the eyes as well as the whole face and body.

A "Project Beauty" campaign in the predominantly Uighur city of Kashgar saw a publicity offensive encouraging women not to wear traditional Islamic clothing.

Authorities in another Xinjiang city, Karamay, in August banned people wearing hijabs, niqabs, burqas, or clothing with the Islamic star and crescent symbolfrom local buses. Rights groups say that harsh police treatment of Uighurs and campaigns against some religious practices has stoked violence.

Beijing has blamed "separatists" from Xinjiang for a wave of deadlyAZ incidents in and beyond the region, which have been labelled "terrorism" by Beijing.

Several hundred people have died this year, and Xinjiang witnessed its bloodiest incident since 2009 when 37 civilians and 59 "terrorists" were killed in an attack on a police station and government offices in Shache county, also known as Yarkand, in July.

Five years ago, rioting involving Uighurs and members of China's Han majority left around 200 people dead in Urumqi.

China defends its policies in Xinjiang, arguing that it has boosted economic development in the area and that it upholds minority and religious rights in a country with 56 recognized ethnic groups.

Cheers

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 14 Dec 2014 04:32

China says Silk Road is taking shape despite India's reluctance to join - Saibal Dasgupta, ToI

BEIING: China is confident that its Silk Road Economic Belt plan has basically taken shape although India, a crucial link in the program, has not yet agreed to join it. Chinese leaders are still persuading India to join it.

"The Silk Road Economic Belt will be characterized by openness and reciprocity, and China welcomes all sides' participation in the plan and sharing of the benefits," Chinese vice foreign minister Cheng Guoping told journalists.

The statement comes ahead of vice premier Li Keqiang's upcoming tour to Kazakhstan and Thailand, where he will push for infrastructure projects connected with the program. He will also attend the meeting of the prime ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries. China is also trying to enlist SCO's support for its program.

The Silk Road belt initiative involves building road, rail and industrial infrastructure connecting countries on the ancient Silk Route. Besides, South Asia, China is trying to link countries in central Europe and Russia.

Kazakhstan, which can give China a passage to Eurasia and has come forward with the proposal of linking its own development projects with the Silk Road plan, hopes to link its own development plan.

Cheng said there are many advantages to China-Kazakhstan cooperation, which include a joint-venture logistics base to enhance connectivity in the areas of highways, railways, ports, air routes, and oil and gas pipelines.

"China is very willing to communicate with every other SCO member on its respective development strategy and the plan for regional economic cooperation," said Wang Shouwen, assistant minister of commerce, also at a media briefing.

The Chinese premier will put forward "practical measures" to boost cooperation among the SCO members on security, trade, investment, finance, agriculture, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges, with a view to the long-term development of the bloc.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 16 Dec 2014 16:51

Rijiju calls for reopening Assam-China road link - Suhasini Haider, The Hindu

Union Minister of State for Home Kieran Rijiju pushed for the re-opening of the ‘Stillwell road’, as a trade route from Assam to China’s Yunnan province. “When the Stillwell Road was closed in 1962 [after the Sino-Indian war], the movement of border trade was also restricted. Re-opening this road would open up numerous options,” he said.

The statement is significant as the government has so far been silent on progress of the ‘BCIM’ corridor that runs from India to China via Bangladesh and Myanmar, and could run over the ‘Stillwell’ route built during the Second World War.

The issue was raised by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to India, but only found a passing reference in the India-China joint statement. Tensions over the LAC between India and China since then have also slowed progress on discussions over the trade route.

The Minister, speaking at Pune’s Symbiosis University on the Modi Government’s ‘Look East Act East’ policy, stressed the need for closer integration of the States of the north-east with the rest of the country.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 16 Dec 2014 16:59

New Silk Road needs SCO security cover, says China - Atul Aneja, The Hindu

China is pushing for a collective security arrangement, with Russia and Central Asian countries as partners, which would focus on countering mega-terror strikes along the New Silk Road.

On Monday, visiting Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, proposed in Astana, the capital of neghbouring Kazakhstan, that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)—a six nation grouping led by Beijing and Moscow---should become the guardian of Eurasia.

Mr. Li was amplifying the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s proposal of establishing an economic belt along New Silk Road, which would run through Eurasia, hosting a network of roads, railways, energy pipelines and fiber optic highways. Brand new industrial parks and cities would emerge along the Eurasian landmass feeding from the high quality infrastructure that is being planned.

The Chinese want to open up the transportation channel from the Pacific to the Baltic Sea, from which would mutate a communication network that would also connect with East Asia, West Asia, and South Asia.

Once established, the Silk Road Economic Belt could shift the balance of power in Eurasia towards the East with China and Russia, which is now feverishly developing its energy rich “Far East,” as its two poles.

But worried about the security of this mammoth enterprise, Mr. Li saw in the SCO, a “pillar” on which Eurasia’s peaceful development would rest. Most of the countries along the New Silk Road are vulnerable to security blowouts brought about by ethnic separatists or extremists, not averse to undertaking terror strikes.

During his address to the 13th meeting of Prime Ministers of SCO in the Kazhak capital, Mr. Li called for a new center which would foresee future security challenges to Eurasia. He also called upon partners to hone mechanisms that would to curb terrorism, and target drug trafficking, along with cyber-crimes.

Well aware of the threats posed by extremism, and the derailment that they could cause of the promising New Silk Road projects, the SCO members have made considerable preparations for countering terrorism.

In August they held their biggest joint military exercise, fielding 7,000 troops, including special forces, to defeat a simulated threat posed by a 2000 strong externally backed terror group to topple and bring about “regime change” in a SCO member-state. The Chinese pitched in with J-10, J-11 fighter jets, JH-7 fighter bombers, and KJ-2000 airborne early warning and control aircraft, as well as WZ-10 and WZ-19 attack helicopters.

Russia contributed 60 armoured vehicles, including 40 BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles and T-72 main battle tanks, and more than 20 missile and artillery systems. The Chinese justified the large scale of the exercise by pointing out that the threat of terrorism spilling into Central Asia from Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries has ballooned. The exercises would therefore serve as a deterrent to the “three forces of terrorism, extremism and separatism in the region”.

In Astana, Prime Minister Li singled out Afghanistan as a country which needed support to maintain it “domestic stability” as well as for forging national reconciliation and economic reconstruction.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 16 Dec 2014 17:29

Opinion: The Expanding Assault on China’s South China Sea Claims
http://news.usni.org/2014/12/15/opinion ... 234c8f82d4
By: Scott Cheney-Peters
Published: December 15, 2014

Undated photo of ships of the China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in 2012. PLAN Photo via Press TV

China’s ambiguous claim to the South China Sea, approximately demarcated by a series of hash marks known as the “nine-dashed line,” faced objections from an expanding number of parties over the past two weeks. While a challenge from the United States came from an unsurprising source, actions by Indonesia and Vietnam were unexpected in their tone and timing.

On Dec. 5, the U.S. State Department released its analysis of the compatibility of China’s nine-dashed line with international law. The report attempted to set aside the issue of sovereignty and explore “several possible interpretations of the dashed-line claim and the extent to which those interpretations are consistent with the international law of the sea.” The analysis found that as a demarcation of claims to land features within the line and their conferred maritime territory, the least expansive interpretation, the claim is consistent with international law but reiterated that ultimate sovereignty is subject to resolution with the other claimants.

As a national boundary, the report went on, the line “would not have a proper legal basis under the law of the sea,” due to its unilateral nature and its inconsistent distance from land features that could confer maritime territory. Alternately, although many commentators have indicated China bases its claims on “historic” rights predating the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982, the report argued that the history China points to does not fit the narrow “category of historic claims recognized” in UNCLOS, under which historic rights may be conferred. Lastly, the report noted that because China has filed no formal claim supporting its nine-dashed line, the ambiguity over the exact nature and location of the line itself under international law undermines China’s argument that it possesses maritime rights to the circumscribed waters, concluding:

“For these reasons, unless China clarifies that the dashed-line claim reflects only a claim to islands within that line and any maritime zones that are generated from those land features in accordance with the international law of the sea, as reflected in the LOS Convention, its dashed-line claim does not accord with the international law of the sea.”

A map of China's shifting definition of the so-called Nine-Dash Line. US State Dept. Image

Although such analysis reflects prior U.S. policy positions, less expected were the pointed signals from Indonesia, which has built a reputation as a mediator among ASEAN states in dealing with China and striven to downplay the overlap by the nine-dashed line of its own claimed exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea from Natuna Island. On Tuesday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, senior Indonesian presidential adviser Luhut Binsar Panjaitan emphasized that the country was “very firm” that its “sovereignty cannot be negotiated,” while stressing the importance of dialogue to peacefully manage matters. Further, in response to a question from an audience member, Panjaitan stated that the development of gas fields offshore Natuna in cooperation with Chevron would “give a signal to China, ‘you cannot play a game here because of the presence of the U.S.’” Meanwhile Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti noted that after sinking Vietnamese vessels that the Indonesian navy said it had caught illegally fishing, it was considering sinking 5 Thai and 22 Chinese vessels also captured.

As Prashanth Parameswaran notes at The Diplomat, Indonesia is playing a balancing act—seeking at the same time to protect its sovereign interests as it attempts to align new president Joko Widodo (Jokowi)’s “Maritime Axis”/“Maritime Fulcrum” initiative with Xi Jinping’s “Maritime Silk Road” and play a leading role in China’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. To some observers, sinking the Thai and Chinese boats is now necessary to preserve Indonesia’s image of impartiality, while others believe such action may be redundant if China heeds the warning that such behavior will no longer be tolerated.

Vietnam, too, took surprise action over the nine-dashed line, in a move long-mooted but unexpected in its timing. Vietnam’s foreign ministry announced last week that it had filed papers with the Hague arbitral tribunal overseeing the case submitted by the Philippines, asking that its rights and interests be considered in the ruling. Vietnam supported the Philippines position arguing that China’s nine-dashed line is “without legal basis.” While a regional source in The South China Morning Post noted that the action was as much about protecting “Vietnamese interests vis-à-vis the Philippines as it is directed against China,” and Carlyle Thayer described it as “a cheap way of getting into the back door without joining the Philippines’ case,” Thayer also told Bloomberg News that it “raises the stature of the case in the eyes of the arbitrational tribunal.”

If the actions taken by the United States, Indonesia, and Vietnam were surprising, China’s reactions were not. On Dec. 7, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a white paper of its own on the Philippines’ arbitration case. The document states that China’s policy, as established in its 2006 statement on UNCLOS ratification, is to exclude maritime delimitation from compulsory arbitration. Additionally, the paper says that while the current arbitration is ostensibly about the compatibility of China’s nine-dashed line with international law, “the essence of the subject-matter” deals with a mater of maritime delimitation and territorial sovereignty. The paper goes on to say that until the matter of sovereignty of the land features in the South China Sea is conclusively settled it is impossible to determine the extent to which China’s claims exceed international law.

In effect, China is taking the position that only after it has conducted and concluded bilateral sovereignty negotiations will its nine-dashed line be open to critique. While the foreign ministry may be right that the Philippines is attempting to force the issue of territorial sovereignty, its argument that this prevents scrutiny of the nine-dashed line’s accordance with international law rings hollow.

At the end of the day, China has repeatedly stated, and its new policy paper affirms, that it will “neither accept nor participate in the arbitration” initiated by the Philippines. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei likewise remarked of Vietnam’s filing with the tribunal that “China will never accept such a claim.” So it is prudent to ask what benefit will come of the legal maneuvers. Some, such as Richard Javad Heydarian, a political-science professor at De La Salle University, point to the economic harm already incurred by the Philippines in opportunity costs and the danger of having created a worse domestic and international environment for settling the disputes. Yet given the lengthening list of states willing to stake a legal position on the matter and the moral weight of a potential court ruling, China can claim and attempt to enforce what it wants, but it will be increasingly clear that it is doing so in contravention of international law.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 17 Dec 2014 19:22

India steps up military rivalry with China amid growing distrust between the Asian giants - South China Morning Post

India has embarked on a series of crucial weapons-systems tests that will result in the first deployment by air, sea and land of nuclear weapons by rival powers in Asia in 2016.

The creation of what military planners call a nuclear theatre in South Asia would pit India against neighbouring foes China and Pakistan, nations with which India has fought a total of seven wars since 1947. The region comprises a population of 2.8 billion, nearly 39 per cent of the world's people, according to 2014 estimates by the US Census Bureau.

India fought a 1962 war with China and has had six conflicts with Pakistan since attaining independence in 1947, mostly territorial disputes left unresolved by departing British colonial rulers.

The strategic game change in South Asia comes as India perfects its ability to hit targets anywhere in China with nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles and establishes an ability to launch nuclear missiles from submarines.

The completion of India's air-, land- and sea-based nuclear weapon triumvirate would place it on rough strategic par with China, its major rival for power in South Asia and Pakistan's key ally.

"The reality of an arms race in South Asia is quite evident. For most Indian decision-makers, it is the China factor that remains the most important issue. [New] Delhi also fears a China-Pakistan axis, and so it feels the need to be prepared for a 'two-front' war," said Harsh V. Pant, an Asia security expert and professor of international relations at King's College London.

China possesses about 250 nuclear weapons and Pakistan has up to 120, compared with India's 110, according to a report published last month by the Council on Foreign Relations, a US research organisation. Only the United States and Russia possess more. The series of strategic events in South Asia started last Tuesday with the Indian military's first successful test of the 4,000-km range Agni-IV, the first Indian ballistic missile capable of delivering nuclear or conventional warheads deep into Chinese territory. It is scheduled to be deployed by India's strategic forces command in late 2015.

Later this month, India's strategic weapons trailblazer, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, is scheduled to test the road-mobile delivery platform of its first true intercontinental ballistic missile, the Agni-V. With a range of up to 5,400km, it would extend India's strategic reach to the rest of China when pressed into service in 2016.

The achievement of that key objective of India's land-based strategic weapons programme would be accompanied in 2016 by the Indian navy's deployment of its first nuclear weapons-carrying submarine.

Soon to begin sea trials, the Arihant is the first of three home-built Indian subs that would each carry either four or 12 missiles with a 3,500km or 700km range respectively, strongly suggesting a choice of mission between targets in China or Pakistan.

The likely deployment of India's first nuclear-armed submarine prompted China to dispatch its submarines on a tour of the Indian Ocean for the first time this year. Provocatively, the two conventionally armed submarines called at a Chinese-operated port in Sri Lanka.

"With China spreading its wings in the Indian Ocean, nuclear submarines are considered critical by India to attain a credible second-strike posture vis-a-vis China. The real story here is the growing China-India distrust and how that has impacted the defence acquisitions in South Asia," Pant said.

The strategic stakes in the Indian Ocean would be raised further if China were to agree to sell Pakistan the technology to build Chinese-designed nuclear-armed submarines.

China has added three of five Jin-class nuclear-armed submarines to its arsenal since 2010, each carrying a dozen ballistic missiles with a range of 2,900 miles, according to the US Office of Naval Intelligence. It hasn't yet conducted any operational patrols with the subs, according to the Council on Foreign Relations report.

Pakistani defence analysts said Pakistan was pursuing a deal for three nuclear submarines. The first would be built in China, and the other two at a Pakistani naval dockyard in Karachi. However, there's been no official comment from Pakistan or China since the deal first surfaced in the Pakistani media in 2013.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 18 Dec 2014 05:57

Chinese army intrudes again in Ladakh, pushed back after 3-hour stand-off - Deeptiman Tiwary, ToI

Barely two months after a fortnight long stand-off between Chinese and Indian forces was resolved in Ladakh, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) made another incursion on Tuesday leading to a standoff for over three hours. While the last standoff (in September) took place in Chumur-Dhemchok area, the latest one has been reported from near Chushul which is reeling under -30 degree celsius temperature.

Home ministry sources said the incursion began in much the same way as the September standoff with civilians from both sides quarreling over rights to the differently-perceived 40-odd sq km spread. As the quarrel escalated, sources said, Chinese PLA entered Indian territory to support its civilians.

At this, Indian forces rushed to the spot asked Chinese forces to retreat to their territory and managed to push them back after about three hours.

"This was not the same as the September standoff when matters had really escalated. But given that Chinese continue to come in despite unfavourable weather shows their intent to continue to needle us. Earlier incursions were never heard of in winters. For the past couple of years, they have become common. Our forces, however, are prepared and have been responding with equal force," said a home ministry official.

The incident is both a reflection of increasing Chinese aggression on the border and strengthening Indian assertion in the area. Government sources say the forces have been asked to be more proactive and assertive vis-a-vis China on the border, leading to daily patrolling along certain areas on the border and greater interception of Chinese soldiers when they move towards Indian side.

Forces used to earlier go to certain areas in Ladakh only once a week or on alternate days. This has now become a daily affair. "Also PLA soldiers used to earlier venture deep into Indian territory before being sent back. They are now being intercepted right at the border," said an official.

Both Indian and Chinese armies for long have been patrolling aggressively along the un-delineated 4,057-km long LAC, stretching from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, to strengthen their claims on disputed areas. Whenever troop face-offs occur, they are usually defused soon after.

But there was an "unusual'' 21-day face-off in April-May last year after PLA troops intruded 19 km into Depsang valley in DBO sector of eastern Ladakh, which had led India to push for "greater predictability and stability'' in tackling such incidents through the new border defence cooperation agreement (BDCA).

But despite the BDCA coming into force, there was again a prolonged military standoff, with around 1,000 soldiers from each side in an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation at Chumar and Demchok for over a fortnight this September. It had taken four flag meetings for both sides to agree to "restore the status quo ante as it existed on September 1".

Gyan · Post by **Gyan** » 18 Dec 2014 21:37

Retaliate against Chinese imports. Start by banning Chinese toys and then move up from there.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 19 Dec 2014 01:29

http://www.niticentral.com/2014/12/19/s ... 92191.html

South Korea to India: Prevent China from becoming regional hegemony

New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) South Korean Ambassador to India today called for checking a "resurgent China" and said the arms race in East Asia can be cause of concern."It is in the interest of the Asian region to prevent China, that has increased its defence budget to 750 per cent since the past two decades, from becoming a regional hegemony. The continuing arms race in the East Asia can be a concern for the regional countries, including India," Korean Ambassador Joon-gyu Lee said at an event here.Speaking at a conference titled: 'India and Korea: New Prospects for Bilateral Co-operation', the Ambassador called for strategic partnership between India and South Korea in strategic areas.India and Korea share common cultural, political and economic values. Right from having a political system based on liberal democracy to the cultural pathos, both the countries have a lot in common. The strengths of the Indian economy like defence, space research and airpower as well as Korea's strong shipping industry, can reap combined benefits for both the regions," he said.Lee also noted the importance of Indo-South Korean cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy and maritime security."Both India and Korea can exchange help with respect to nuclear energy and share crucial information among each other regarding maritime security. With India emerging as a strong force in SAARC and keeping in mind its 'Look East policy', there is a need for combining the wisdom of the region and ensure better co-operation among the regional countries. This unity of thoughts and action is also crucial for stopping the dominant forces," he said.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 19 Dec 2014 08:24

The South China Sea is contained by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan. Of these Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia had significant Indian influence (Hindu or Buddhist) for close to ten centuries at least that we know of. The Chams (Champa), Khmer et al built vast Hindu Kingdoms. The ruins at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, My Son, Jogjakarta etc are testimony to that. There are Hindu temples even in South China. Not for nothing, did the French term this area as Indo-China. We must revive this terminology and not concede anything to China.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 19 Dec 2014 09:24

Japan, U.S. put off revising defense guidelines until next year - Japan Times

Japan and the United States said Friday they will put revising the defense cooperation guidelines until the first half of next year, keeping in step with Tokyo’s efforts to legislate the use of the right to collective self-defense.

Updating the guidelines, originally planned for the end of this year, will likely come in May or later, a Japanese official said, given that the Abe administration is expected to submit relevant security legislation to the Diet after the nationwide local elections in April.

In a joint statement, Japan and the United States stressed the importance of ensuring that the upcoming revision will have substance, and strengthening the long-standing bilateral alliance to enhance deterrence. The statement was issued the foreign affairs and defense chiefs of both nations.

The agreement to revise the defense cooperation guidelines, which define the role and mission of the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, was reached in October 2013.

The revision will reflect China’s growing assertiveness, North Korea’s missile and nuclear development programs, and threats in new domains like cyberspace.

In an interim report released in October, Japan and the U.S. said they aim to expand the scope of defense cooperation by removing existing geographical limits. The goal is to ensure a “seamless” response amid the changing security environment.

The report didn’t go into detail, but it did say the new guidelines will “appropriately” reflect Japan’s reinterpretation in July of the war-renouncing Constitution to enable the exercise of the right to collective self-defense, or defending allies under armed attack.

Gyan · Post by **Gyan** » 19 Dec 2014 10:36

It is well known secret that Chinese bought off lot of babus and politicos in India to get entry for its imports especially telecom equipment. Inspite of their repeated border incursions we have never taken action on economic front where we hold all the cards. Lot of Chinese Dalals have bought off custom officials and they are able to under value the imports by upto 10 times & pay almost Nil duties. My recommended actions:-

1. Ban all Chinese products where desi alternatives exist like toys, tyres, steel products, furniture, consumer durables & electronics, power sector equipment, ships etc

2. Enter into Chinese import substitution with sweet heart deals with other foreign manufacturers like in Telecom sector encourage Alcatel, Ericsson. In Railways ABB, Bombardier etc. Tie up with other foreign manufacturers first and "thereafter" ban Chinese imports on security issues.

3. Post invoices of all Chinese imports filed with Customs so that General Public can evaluate and report under valuations.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 19 Dec 2014 15:19

SSridhar wrote:The South China Sea is contained by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan. Of these Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia had significant Indian influence (Hindu or Buddhist) for close to ten centuries at least that we know of. The Chams (Champa), Khmer et al built vast Hindu Kingdoms. The ruins at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, My Son, Jogjakarta etc are testimony to that. There are Hindu temples even in South China. Not for nothing, did the French term this area as Indo-China. We must revive this terminology and not concede anything to China.

It should be called Indo-China Sea, or it should be called Champa Sea, after the Ārya Kingdom of Chams, as it used to be called earlier also.

There really should be a joint declaration by India and ASEAN on this, on how to call the sea.

If each and every country in the region calls this sea by some other name, say Western Philippine Sea or Eastern Sea or something, their claims to this name remain localized, and the name is not accepted neither regionally nor world wide.

Calling the sea as Indo-China Sea or Champa Sea basically tells China that there is a very strong cultural and historical claim by another regional power, namely India on the region and the sea, and these claims cannot be dismissed. Of course, Republic of India need not assert any territorial claims, but the countries in the region can in the name of its past Ārya influence do so.

I personally think Champa Sea would be most appropriate name for the sea.

Later on ASEAN can make agreements with Japan, South Korea, NAFTA, EU, Russia, Union of South American Nations (USAN) and BIMSTEC to call the sea as Champa Sea.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 19 Dec 2014 15:49

RajeshA, that is a very good suggestion.

I prefer Champa Sea rather than the IndoChina Sea though in the current circumstances, the latter might be more appropriate. Champa Sea would be more indigenous to Indo-China and therefore more acceptable and less likely to ruffle feathers. The history behind such a name would also snuff out Chinese objections and the perennial Chinese enemy, the Vietnamese, would be delighted too and lend a ready support.

India must gently suggest this to friendlier ASEAN countries and build-up a case. Of all the ASEAN countries Laos and Cambodia may play truant because of their friendship with China (though both Cambodia, to a complete extent and Laos, to a significant extent had been under Hindu rulers from at least 8th until 15th centuries) while Indonesia may remain neutral, the rest may even accept it rather quickly. Of course, the suggestion must appear to be organic, not suggested from outside, so that it is germane to the on-going dispute.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 19 Dec 2014 15:56

Government taking steps to deal with China's influence in seas: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar - PTI, ET

India is taking counter steps to deal with the growing influence of China in neighbouring countries, particularly in their seas, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Lok Sabha, noting that modernisation of Navy was going on "quite well".

"We are responding. India is taking counter measures along maritime areas," he said during Question Hour.

The reply came after Adhir Ranjan Choudhary (Cong) asked what steps India was taking to check the growing influence of China in maritime areas of Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Maldives.

Parrikar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also visited a few neighbouring countries to improve bilateral ties.

He said the programme to modernise the Navy was going on "quite well" as six conventional submarines are being constructed while plans are afoot to make six more.

Parrikar, however, refused to divulge the status of the nuclear submarines saying it is a sensitive matter and cannot be disclosed.

He said there was no delay in ship building projects. Whatever small delay has taken place was due to technical difficulties.

"We are taking steps so that we can guarantee that there is minimum delay," he said.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 19 Dec 2014 16:12

SSridhar garu,

I think the process can be started by getting a few countries on board and then building on it. I think the first countries to bring on board should be Vietnam and Philippines. The next country should be Malaysia. From there one collects those who are more easily persuaded, and then go for the more difficult ones almost presenting them with a fait-accompli.

Also there should be an understanding that just because one uses the name of an Ārya Kingdom in Vietnam, it does not mean other countries in the region lose their claims w.r.t. Vietnam.

It just needs to be understood that Vietnam is indeed the most anti-Chinese country and thus a frontline country and secondly that the Chams were one of the most prominent of the kingdoms.

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 19 Dec 2014 16:21

^^^ The Army Chief is in Vietnam. It seems we are working hard with Vietnam.