Dear Loudmouth,

Thanks for posting that article. I didn't notice that one.

That is probably the most dramatic article posted to date. I think it really shows that China is intent on annexing the entire SCS and that it is ramping up its militarisation of the region in the face of escalating opposition.

I love the picture of Mabini Reef. That definitely aint no snapshot of a new Disneyworld China theme park they're putting together.

This SCS stuff is just amazing. And it's happening in my lifetime and I get to watch it and analyse it. Just imagine what it'll be like when China has fully fortified the entire SCS and locks out all the nations around it from entering it and using it. The pro-China camp in Australia must be in raptures. As for myself, I've just started to download a copy of the US refugee application forms.

Dear All,

Now that it is clear to all thinking people that China has for all intents and purposes achieved its aim of annexing the South China Sea is there anyone on The Forum who still believes that China can be trusted?

For the past thirty years Australians have been duped by its politicians and business leaders into believing that an integrative association with China would bring them peace and prosperity. To cite 'The Onion Eater': It's good for Australia .........' But now it's all become too clear exactly what China's underlying intentions have always been.

All you can do now is watch as China fortifies itself in the South China Sea and then like a swarm of locusts moves progressively south across SE Asia and into Australia. It's not a matter of if but just a matter of when. If a Turnbull or a Bishop comes back from a trip to Beijing assuring us that China has no further intentions outside of the South China Sea then I suggest you make plans to get out of the country as quick as possible.

But don't pay any attention to me. After all I'm just being racist and paranoid. And there probably isn't any such place as the South China Sea anyway.

Dear Mr Opinion,

What do you think the attributes of a learned person are?

I'm baffled by you think engineering's a second rate profession. 'Tis engineers more than anyone else who will shape our future. I understand you live in Sydney — are you unaware of what Bradfield did?

But perhaps even more baffling, and why I'm so suspicious of your claims, is: if you have several arts degrees and regard engineering as a second rate profession then why would you continue working as a engineer?

I wouldn't want to waste my time doing an arts degree. If I want to increase my understanding of arts, I can do so informally; I've no need of a piece of paper to prove it.

You're lucky you're not a betting man, as the advice of a civil engineer will always be better than the advice of someone who ignores the facts and bases his opinions on his own racial prejudice.

Most (but far from all) Taiwanese people regard themselves as Chinese. However it's no secret that they overwhelmingly oppose the PRC's military expansion in the SCS. So considering the context, it would be misleading not to regard them as separate.

As for whether China can be trusted is also a rather meaningless question. To make a meanignful question, specify what you're asking whether China can be trusted to do!

Dear Aidan,

I still work in engineering because it is the only trade in which I can derive a livelihood. Staying in engineering means I earn a reasonable income, while dabbling in Arts means I get to be smart.

I don't think you have the intellectual capacity to do an Arts degree. You wouldn't get past the first paragraph of an academic monograph in history, anthropology, sociology, etc. If I had a dollar for every engineer I heard say they can teach themselves in Arts I would be a rich man. Unfortunately the boast does not match the reality.

Just found this article which suggests that Indonesia will capitulate to China's demands for it to relinquish any of its rights to the South China Sea. Looks like being third time unlucky for the rulers in the Indonesian archipelago.

I think we should probably call this ongoing dispute in the SCS a 'Silent War' to indicate that not much noise is being made re offensive/defensive action but that the Chinese invasion and annexation of the SCS is definitely in progress.

I'm starting to wonder if China will decide to bypass Vietnam and Malaysia altogether and head straight into Australian waters now that it looks likely that Indonesia will not put up any resistance to the Chinese incursions. Indonesia could remain on friendly terms with Beijing and get an opportunity to settle some old scores with Australia as well as sharing in the access to the undersea gas/oil fields and fishing grounds off NW coast of Australia.

Fascinating stuff! It'll be interesting to see if my predictions work out. Still all subject to how future events pan out and I'm only guessing at this stage. But one thing I think I can call is that China has definitely won the silent Battle of the South China Sea.

PS. Here's the article:

http://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/china-provoked-jakarta-south-china-sea-dispute/