Quote:
Originally Posted by spinoza
You think China's navy is only in the South China Sea and has a limited capacity? I'd be glad if you had some official sources.
I do have some anecdotal evidence - I've got some mates who've been diving the Burmah Banks other dive sites north of that for some years, and they say that almost every trip they make now they see a Chinese naval vessel. So they could have a minimal presence only, but I doubt it.
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If that is the case then so be it as I have no first hand sources but have always been under the impression that the Navy was the weak link of the Chinese forces and has limited blue water capability with a smaller fleet that the Royal Navy- I did know however they have masses of submarines. I was very quick to write them off but I can now see how you could have a situation in the Indian Ocean rivalling Jutland- considering Carrier Groups in the Gulf, then also Diego Garcia, Honolulu and Japan.
Which would therefore mean air power, I know full well that an air lift is in no way a substitute for getting in on the ground but it must be explored, even if it were to be abandoned on political grounds.
I don't see how we would lose the moral high ground though if we keep to the objective at hand, a totalitarian state comes to the aid of another totalitatian state who is preventing what will soon be 1 million people from urgent attention purely for their fears over self-preservation. Unless of course it is viewed through tainted eyes.
I feel sorry for the State Department as they really have their work cut out at the moment.