Thread by @MT_Strat

1/ #China’s #Maritime Forces push hard in #SouthChinaSea despite – or because of – #coronavirus #pandemic.
–@inquirerdotnet
>bit.ly/2RrK639
>bit.ly/2xbP3WZ
—
#natsec #strategy

https://twitter.com/ngaphambbc/status/1246279169975123969

2/ #China unleashes #maritime power to press #EastAsia & #IndoPacific hegemony while #USNavy and US & other governments deal w/#coronavirus #pandemic:
–@RadioFreeAsia
>bit.ly/2RrwuEM
–@ShaolinTom/@Newsweek
>bit.ly/3aZZ5Jp
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#nationalsecurity #natsec #strategy

3/ #China combines #softpower w/ #maritime power in unrelenting pursuit of its international realignment goals even as – or because of – #coronavirus #pandemic rages through #SEAsia:
–@SBengali/@latimes
>lat.ms/2y3z8Kc
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#nationalsecurity #natsec #strategy #IndoPacific

USNavy destroyer #USSBarry (#DDG52) makes “routine” #TaiwanStrait transit while #China holds major military exercise in #EastChinaSea nearby. #Taiwan reported Chinese H-6 bombers & J-11 fighters again exercised above waters to its southwest.
–@Reuters
>reut.rs/3aZ7YTi

https://twitter.com/USPacificFleet/status/1248757236983197696

w/@TheRealCVN71 sidelined in #Guam for #COVID19 outbreak & @Gipper_76 awaiting crew isolated in #Japan, #China sends #Liaoning flotilla through #MiyakoStrait, S past #Taiwan, twd #SouthChinaSea…even as #USSBarry was in #TaiwanStrait
–@ShaolinTom/@Newsweek
bit.ly/2VrVRaJ

As #COVID19 hits US forces, #China, #Russia & #Iran probe & provoke:
•#IRGCN swarms #USSLewisBPuller & 5 other vessels
>bit.ly/2VgdlIv
•USN #P8A dangerous encounter w/RuAF #Su35
>bit.ly/3evxkdw
•Full speed ahead in China’s near seas
>bit.ly/34FhXuO

More details emerge about #Russia’s #Su35 unsafe maneuver within just 25 feet of a #USNavy #P8A.
–R.Sisk/@Militarydotcom
>bit.ly/2KfaN76
–@USNavyEurope
>bit.ly/3bjy2J4

#Russia|n #Su35 Fighter Conducts 2nd Unsafe, Unprofessional Intercept of #USNavy #P8A on Sunday. Again, fighter makes high speed passes 25’ off nose, putting P-8 in wake turbulence & jet exhaust.
–@USNavyEurope
>bit.ly/3aoELQG
video:
>

#USSAmerica (#LHA6) with @31stMEU & its #F35-equipped Air Combat Element embarked, #USSBunkerHill (#CG52) & #USSBarry (#DDG52) demonstrate clear message in the #SouthChinaSea against #China’s #pandemic-related #maritime opportunism in area.
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#FreedomOfTheSeas #seapower #strategy

https://twitter.com/USPacificFleet/status/1252701928829550592

.@USNavy, @Australian_Navy Team Up In #SouthChinaSea:
#HMASParramatta (FFG 154) joins @Amphib7FLT (#LHA6/#ESG7).
‘To bring this much combat capability together here signals to our #allies & partners our deep commitment.’–Cdr,ESG7
>bit.ly/3eLf8g8
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#IndoPacific #strategy

ICYMI In opportunistic #pandemic #strategy, #China moves to tighten grip on claimed #SouthChinaSea islands, sets two new administrative districts for the #Paracels (#Xisha) & #MacclesfieldBank (#Zhongsha) and the #Spratlys (#Nansha)
–@KinlingLo/@SCMPNews
>bit.ly/2yqRpl0

ICYMI Continuing pursuit of perceived #pandemic opportunities in #SouthChinaSea, #China confronts #Vietnam, #Malaysia on undersea #oil, gas & mineral resources in #EEZ’s
–@AnanthalakshmiA, @rozlatiff/@Reuters
>reut.rs/34QMQMR
–@AsiaMTI
>bit.ly/3eMVj8u
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#strategy

ICYMI …plus #China just published 80 names of #SouthChinaSea #geographic features incl. islands, reefs & seabed entities…using imperial #strategy and ignoring #UNCLOS legal rules
–@RadioFreeAsia
>bit.ly/3apXuLJ
–CNR China site
>bit.ly/34T8hgc
—
#globalorder

ICYMI #HudongZhonghua Shipyard in #Shanghai Launches #China’s Second #Type075 #Yushen-class #LHD: Tugs pulled it from #shipbuilding dock, maneuvered to berth next to sister ship
–@xaviervav/@navalnewscom
>bit.ly/2VR27cw
vid >
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#seapower #strategy

#POTUS tells #USNavy to fire on & destroy #IRGCN armed boats engaged in any harassment of USN ships.
#DepSecDef: an important warning to the #Iran|ians
#VCJCS: USN ship Captains fully understand when to shoot
–@USNINews
>bit.ly/3cEzWEj
—
#ROE #hostileintent #PersianGulf

https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1252932181447630848

1/ @Reuters:
•Two US warships are operating in the #SouthChinaSea. Sources say they were near a standoff btwn #China’s #HaiyangDizhi8 survey ship & #Malaysia’s #WestCapella exploration vessel. Any comment?
•Has China asked Malaysia’s ship to leave?
>bit.ly/34VtoyC

2/ Geng Shuang 耿爽/@MFA_China:
•The #SouthChinaSea situation is steadily improving. We hope outside countries will respect regional countries' efforts.
•China’s survey ship #HaiyangDizhi8 is conducting normal ops in waters under Chinese jurisdiction…
>bit.ly/34VtoyC