Opinion,

I did Engineering for fun, having spent years as an armourer; ran a Defence Dept Engineering Workshop; spent more years as a Metrologist etc., formalising it was fun.

Haven't you realised yet that there is no such language as Chinese?

Dear Is Mise,

I do recall enrolling in Chinese 101. But if as you say there is no such language as Chinese then the Sinologists are going to have a lot of explaining to do.

Anyway, getting back to the topic at hand, it looks like tension is really building up over the South China Sea dispute. Look what I just found on the web posted over the last day:

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/03/vietnam-south-china-sea-tensions-rise-160314072842269.html

and

http://www.morningnewsusa.com/south-china-sea-row-australia-malaysia-india-us-mull-next-move-china-2364111.html

I suppose according to the pro-China lobby on The Forum, Vietnam and Malaysia should also be labelled racist and paranoid because of their anti-Chinese stand. Isn't it amazing how some people will believe anything if they think they are in line to pick up a free fake $40K Rolex. 'Yes folks! Dip your hand into the lucky dip China bag folks and see what you get. Is it a Rolex? Is it a raw unpeeled onion? Yes folks step right up and try your luck!'

If you have a look on the map in this next article you might understand why the smaller countries around the South China Sea are so worried about China's intentions. That's China's claim in the red line.

http://www.breakingnews.com/topic/south-china-sea-dispute/

PS. I just noticed this one from today which is even more alarming:

http://www.morningnewsusa.com/wwiii-russia-joins-south-china-sea-dispute-as-ally-to-china-and-brunei-2322235.html

I have been guessing all along that Russia and China had a secret pact.

"I have been guessing all along...." Agree.

Here's the latest update:

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/03/16/1563591/china-eus-south-china-sea-position-dont-look-us

I think China is using the old 'It's not us, it's you' routine.

I don't think China is going to withdraw its aim of annexing the South China Sea. It wants the undersea resources (especially oil) and it will be able to build a long string of offensive military bases within a stone's throw of Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia. From there it will be able to build up an enormous armada for an invasion of Australia, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.