OVER 200 fishing vessels believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia were sighted in line formation at the Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef) on March 7, 2021, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said.
In a statement late Saturday night, March 20, the NTF-WPS said the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the presence of “around 220 Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel.”
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China moving on Taiwan is a Fait Accompli. Always has been. These are just opening moves. There will be others. US influence is being challenged and reduced throughout the Pacific. This is the perfect time for all our enemies to mobilize. It’s a matter of cultural honor to the Chinese. They have to subdue Taiwan and rid the region of US influence.
Expanding influence and footprint via fishing boats is classic.
Biden/Harris/whoever committing ground troops anywhere in the Pacific is unlikely. They will not come to Taiwan’s rescue. They’re on their own. We will “cheer” them from the sidelines. It’ll strictly be a US/China Show naval engagement settled by backchannel negotiations.
I always want to be wrong but I’ve spent some surveillance time there and it’s my gut feeling.
Your gut is right on.
I served on intel ships. Mainly we stood offshore but we could also launch small ‘fishing’ boats to hug close in. I’m still psychically invested in that area. I wish Taiwan well. Fishing boats are always China’s first move. Under this administration would be a good time for China to move; before elections that could possibly upset any metrics, they see as favorable.
Imagine if China was to move on Taiwan today with who we have in the White House. If I was China that’s exactly what I would do. The U.S. looks like a Gerbil humping a ripe cantaloupe.