This morning's key headlines from
GenerationalDynamics.com
- U.S. aircraft carrier and Vietnam show force in the South China Sea
- Chinese fisherman killed while fishing in South Korean waters
- Israel navy intercepts activist ship trying to break Gaza blockade
U.S. aircraft carrier and Vietnam show force in the South China Sea
USS George Washington nuclear powered aircraft carrier in South China Sea on Saturday (AP)
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington cruised
through the South China Sea on Saturday, in a show of force to
counter China's claim to the entire region. China is demanding
sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, including areas
historically belonging to other countries, and has established
a military base in the Paracel Islands to be able to use its
vast military power to enforce its demands militarily. One of the
nations that China is threatening militarily is Vietnam, and
Vietnamese security and government officials were flown onto the
aircraft carrier to take part in the show of military force.
The United States says that it takes no sides in the territorial
disputes between China and all of its neighbors, but says it
wants the disputes settled according to international law, and
wants to guarantee freedom of passage through the South China
Sea for all commercial traffic. AP
Chinese fisherman killed while fishing in South Korean waters
South Korea expressed regret Friday over the death of a Chinese
fisherman who was with a group of 30 Chinese vessels fishing in South
Korean waters. The Chinese fishermen used knives and clubs on South
Korean Coast Guard officers attempting to board the fishing vessels.
The South Koreans responded by firing rubber bullets, and one of the
Chinese fishermen was killed. China is protesting the incident. So
far this year, the South Korean coast guard has seized 130 Chinese
fishing boats for poaching. Chinese fishermen consider the risk
acceptable because the fish stocks off the South Korean coast are much
richer (in quantity and quality) than off China (where overfishing has
done a lot of damage).
Yonhap and
Strategy Page
Israel navy intercepts activist ship trying to break Gaza blockade
Israel's navy has seized the Swedish ship "Estelle" of pro-Palestinian
activists attempting to land at a Gaza port, thereby breaking Israel's
blockade of Gaza. It was carrying 30 activists from Europe, Canada
and Israel, humanitarian cargo such as cement and goodwill items such
as children's books. The Israeli navy boarded the ship without
incident and towed it to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The activists
are expected to be deported, and the humanitarian aid will be
transported overland to Gaza.
Jerusalem Post
Permanent web link to this article
Receive daily World View columns by e-mail