China’s defense minister warns US against further South China Sea patrols.

China’s defense minister warns US against further South China Sea patrols.(RT).

China’s defense minister has urged the US not to threaten its sovereignty as well as the nation’s security interests following last week’s incident involving a US naval patrol in the South China Sea.

The concerns were expressed by Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan to US Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur, where the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense chiefs meeting is taking place.

Chang stressed that the US should not pursue any other dangerous actions that threaten China’s security interests.

Last Tuesday, the USS Lassen passed through a 12-mile limit around Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands archipelago. The reef is one of seven that China has artificially reinforced to support its claim on the archipelago and the sea around it.

Beijing protested the USS Lassen mission in the South China Sea, accusing the US of escalating tensions in the region.

"The actions of the US warship have threatened China's sovereignty and security interests, jeopardized the safety of personnel and facilities on the reefs, and damaged regional peace and stability,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The US replied to the criticism by stating it would sail and fly wherever it wants in international waters and airspace.

“The US has conducted naval operations in the South China Sea in recent days and will conduct similar operations in the future,” Carter said.

Beijing responded by conducting training for its naval jets in the same area a few days later.

Chinese attack sub allegedly tails US #AircraftCarrier https://t.co/xXBRd8xwvk #USSReagan pic.twitter.com/TsX8HssUQf

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) November 4, 2015

UAE slams Pakistan vote on Yemen, KSA's Grand Mufti calls for mandatory conscription.

UAE slams Pakistan vote on Yemen. (khaleejtimes).


Dubai — The UAE on Friday strongly condemned a Pakistani decision to stay out of the conflict in Yemen, rejecting Saudi demands for Islamabad to join its military coalition against Houthi rebels.

“The Arabian Gulf is in a dangerous confrontation, its strategic security is on the edge, and the moment of truth distinguishes between the real ally and the ally of media and statements,” Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash tweeted after a unanimous resolution passed by a special session of Pakistan’s parliament.

The resolution, however, backed the government’s commitment to protect Saudi Arabia’s territory, which has so far not been threatened by the conflict.

Gargash said Pakistan is required to show a clear stand in favour of its strategic relations with the six-nation Arab Gulf cooperation Council, as contradictory and ambiguous views on this serious matter will have a heavy price to pay.

“This is nothing but another chapter of laggard impartial stand,” Gargash said, criticising identical views held by Turkey and Iran about the armed conflict in Yemen, as affirmed by the Turkish foreign minister, who had said a political way out of the crisis is the responsibility of Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Tehran seems to be more important to Islamabad and Ankara than the Gulf countries, Gargash added. “Though our economic and investment assets are inevitable, political support is missing at critical moments,” Gargash said.

“The vague and contradictory stands of Pakistan and Turkey are an absolute proof that Arab security — from Libya to Yemen — is the responsibility of none but Arab countries, and the crisis is a real test for neighbouring countries.”

The Pakistan parliament resolution turned down long-standing ally Riyadh’s request for troops, ships and warplanes, saying: “Pakistan should play a mediating role and not get involved in fighting in Yemen.”

“Parliament of Pakistan...underscores the need for continued efforts by the government of Pakistan to find a peaceful resolution of the crisis,” the resolution said.

“(Parliament) desires that Pakistan should maintain neutrality in the Yemen conflict so as to be able to play a proactive diplomatic role to end the crisis.”

Riyadh — The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al Shaikh, who is also chairman of the senior scholars authority has called for military conscription of youth.

Shaikh Abdul Aziz said: “We must prepare our youth properly to become a shield for us in the holy war against the enemies of religion and the nation.”

In his Friday sermon at Imam Turki bin Abdullah mosque in Riyadh, he said: “We should well look after our youth and prepare them for enlistment, which will enable them dis-charge their duties effectively.”

“This step is important for our youth towards their religion and for protecting their homeland,” he said, adding that the nation should always be prepared to face enemies. Hmmmm.....The Arabs should know better then to Trust Erdogan he would be all to happy to put the UAE under 'Ottoman' rule.

Chinese Navy has helped 10 countries to evacuate 225 nationals from Aden in Yemen conflict.

Chinese Navy has helped 10 countries to evacuate 225 nationals from Aden in Yemen conflict. (AR).

The Chinese government has helped 10 countries to evacuate 225 nationals in conflict-ridden Yemen on Thursday, April 2, 2015 following its own evacuation of 571 Chinese nationals.

Linyi missile frigate, carrying the 225 nationals of 10 countries, departed the Port of Aden in Yemen for Djibouti at 16:25 on Thursday, Beijing time, a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The people come from Pakistan, Ethiopia, Singapore, Italy, Germany, Poland, Ireland, Britain, Canada and Yemen.

The evacuation is at the requests of these countries and is humanitarian aid in nature, the press release said. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the evacuation, with the foreign ministry coordinating relevant countries and People's Liberation Army Navy dispatching warships to Port of Aden immediately, it said.

Chinese warships have also helped evacuate 8 foreigners from Romania, India and Egypt during its evacuation of Chinese nationals, it said. Hmmmm.....U.S....'Leading from behind, while exerting extreme patience'.  Read the full story here.

Pic: China's navy warship Linyi ferried 225 multinational evacuees from Aden port in #Yemen to Djibouti on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/pJp3UJXHEG

— CCTVNEWS (@cctvnews) April 3, 2015

 HT and Source:

#China helped 10 countries to evacuate 225 nationals from #Yemen #SaudiArabia http://t.co/V7zoUjuy5p @EjmAlrai pic.twitter.com/vrm36r0yMv
— маяковский (@moscow_ghost) April 3, 2015

Chinese newspaper warns of ‘small-scale war’ with Philippines.

Chinese newspaper warns of ‘small-scale war’ with Philippines.(GI).One of China’s most popular newspapers has warned of a potential “small-scale war” between Beijing and Manila as a result of their standoff at Panatag Shoal, or Scarborough Shoal as the area is known internationally. The Global Times, in an editorial published in its Chinese and English editions, said over the weekend that “China should be prepared to engage in a small-scale war at sea with the Philippines.” “Once the war erupts, China must take resolute action to deliver a clear message to the outside world that it does not want a war, but definitely has no fear of it,” the tabloid said. Malacañang and Philippine military officials were unfazed by the toughly worded editorial.
In a speech at Xavier School in Greenhills, San Juan City, President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday said his administration was raising international awareness on the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China to show the global community how Beijing was treating Manila. Mr. Aquino said the Philippines wanted to take the issue to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea but China’s cooperation was needed to resolve it. “Our weapon really here is for the world to know what we are doing,” the President said. “These nations could start thinking if this is how we are being treated—whether they are as big or as small as us—maybe there will come a time that they will get the same treatment [from China],” he said.
He maintained it was not his intention to escalate the problem with China. “We own the shoal,” Mr. Aquino said, referring to Panatag, which lies about 200 kilometers west of Zambales province. “For so long a time we own it and [we are] recognized by international law, especially under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). That’s the only thing that we’re asking.” Asked for comment on the Chinese paper’s editorial, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez said that “such irresponsible comments do not merit a response from us.” The Global Times is owned by the Chinese Communist Party’s mouthpiece, The People’s Daily. It has a reputation for publishing nationalistic editorials that are often highly critical of foreign governments and even Chinese officials.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario urged Beijing to concur with Manila’s proposal to resolve the territorial disputes between the two countries in accordance with the Unclos. In a press briefing, Alcantara said at least seven Chinese vessels remained in the vicinity of Panatag, including two small fishing boats anchored on the lagoon and three other fishing vessels off a sandbar. Alcantara said two Chinese maritime ships—the gunboat FLEC 310 and the surveillance ship CMS 71—had been sighted in the Panatag waters as of 8 p.m. Monday. Two more surveillance ships, the CMS 84 and 75, are believed to be replenishing provisions and refueling somewhere in the Chinese mainland, he added.Read the full story here.