Let me see if I understand the maritime law aspects of this. The Spratley Islands, which for the most part aren't really islands at all, have no real strategic or economic importance in and of themselves. The sole reason for this conflict is to determine boundaries for territorial waters and the economic exclusion zone (EEZ, I'm not going to type that all out again ). Essentially, it's the same quest for territory we've seen for thousands of years.

Just give up. Have all the ten or so nations who have claimed territory there go home; call it international waters, and stop killing each other over stupid stuff. Especially when the Chinese are involved. They've got a bit more cannon fodder available than the Vietnamese.

Originally Posted by c/Commander

Let me see if I understand the maritime law aspects of this. The Spratley Islands, which for the most part aren't really islands at all, have no real strategic or economic importance in and of themselves. The sole reason for this conflict is to determine boundaries for territorial waters and the economic exclusion zone (EEZ, I'm not going to type that all out again ). Essentially, it's the same quest for territory we've seen for thousands of years.

Just give up. Have all the ten or so nations who have claimed territory there go home; call it international waters, and stop killing each other over stupid stuff. Especially when the Chinese are involved. They've got a bit more cannon fodder available than the Vietnamese.

It is about oil and who has the most area for off shore drilling and the income it provides to the nation that has it. If it were to be declared international waters British Petroleum could drill.

Originally Posted by Chukpike

It is about oil and who has the most area for off shore drilling and the income it provides to the nation that has it. If it were to be declared international waters British Petroleum could drill.

BP doesn't generally use automatic weapons to stake a claim, so I would see that as an improvement.

Originally Posted by c/Commander

Let me see if I understand the maritime law aspects of this. The Spratley Islands, which for the most part aren't really islands at all, have no real strategic or economic importance in and of themselves. The sole reason for this conflict is to determine boundaries for territorial waters and the economic exclusion zone (EEZ, I'm not going to type that all out again ). Essentially, it's the same quest for territory we've seen for thousands of years.

Just give up. Have all the ten or so nations who have claimed territory there go home; call it international waters, and stop killing each other over stupid stuff. Especially when the Chinese are involved. They've got a bit more cannon fodder available than the Vietnamese.

The problem is : Some countries in the southern area like Viets, Malaysia, ect. controlled already those tiny islands by stationing troops in the history, over several hundreds years. And they´ll continue stationing troops till the end of the game

Since 1950, after occupying Tibet, China started claiming sovereignty over Spratly islands.
Before this skirmish 1988, China had occupied nothing and hadn´t ever occupied anything in Spratly islands, even her state media confirmed that China is the first one that discovered Spratly islands ( like Columbus, lol). and has the right to control them .

Yeah. Well if your going to put a landing force into contested territory it might be nice if you at least give em the means to fight back or defend themselves. Poor tactical planning.

Have found another image : China landed troops on a reef , Fiery Cross Reef, Jan. 1988, nearby a large island of vietnam.
It was fallow before China´s landing

Wow, the vietnamese actually did worse then the Agentinians at the Falklands..Atleast they got some sort of support..

We blew it. We could have had an improved Los Angeles class nearby and hit the Chinese destroyers with a spread of torpedoes and/or harpoon cruise missiles then silently slipped away.

That would have been so obvious.

Originally Posted by c/Commander

Just give up. Have all the ten or so nations who have claimed territory there go home; call it international waters, and stop killing each other over stupid stuff. Especially when the Chinese are involved. They've got a bit more cannon fodder available than the Vietnamese.

thats the problem. why secede land to the Chinese that isn't historically theirs. Abet it was a tactical mistake by the viets. it is still important that they made a stand. maybe a little to schoolyard politics but you don't back down from a bully.