China fires back at US over environment, South China Sea

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

BEIJING (AP) — U.S.-China friction flared again Monday, with Beijing firing back at accusations by Washington that it is a leading cause of global environmental damage and has reneged on its promise not to militarize the South China Sea.

A document issued last week by the State Department cited China’s record on issues from greenhouse gas emissions to air and water and soil pollution, illegal logging and wildlife trafficking.

“While the Chinese people have suffered the worst environmental impacts of its actions, Beijing also threatens the global economy and global health by unsustainably exploiting natural resources and exporting its willful disregard for the environment,” the document said.

Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus followed that with a statement Sunday saying China has “pursued a reckless and provocative militarization” of disputed outposts in the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands, adding that China’s ruling Communist Party “does not honor its words or commitments.”



FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2019, file photo, Chinese People's Liberation Navy sailors stand in formation on the deck of a type 054A guided missile frigate "Wuhu" as it docks at Manila's South Harbor for a four-day port call in Manila, Philippines. U.S.-China friction has flared again, with Beijing firing back at accusations by Washington that it is a leading cause of global environmental damage and has reneged on its promise not to militarize the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/beijing-wildlife-south-china-sea-environment-china-e3d8183d8b7eaeca381fc3add8b97749

[Chainfire]

1. That is some squared away looking sailors.

We really need to be poking our fingers in the eyes of a nation with 3.4 billion people and a modern military.....Maybe they will end up fulfilling the Japanese dream, and making the Pacific into a Chinese pond. It doesn't help a damn bit that we have a dumb ass with no historical perspective leading our nation.

If Trump succeeds in dragging the US down the rabbit hole we are tottering on the edge of, China will be the next nation to be the Alpha Dog of the world. Maybe it is their turn.

[Sapient Donkey]

3. Does China really need to be poking their fingers in the eyes of its regional neighbors and the US?

The US is guilty of plenty of it's own overreach, but that doesn't mean China can be allowed claim large portions of territory for itself, and declare international airspace and water as its own. These freedom of navigation operations were taking place during Obama's admin, would be taking place under Clinton if she was in office, and will continue to take place under the Biden administration. It's also not just the US that perform these freedom of navigation patrols. The UK, France, Japan and India have also performed these operations in order to ensure these busy international waterways remain unimpeded. The world is changing, it's not just the US & Friends that throw their weight around. Wrong is wrong no matter who does it.

[ancianita]

2. Sounds like Trump's trying to start something. Not good.

Wonder how Duterte sees this flare-up.

[Evolve Dammit]

4. They make everything. We don't anymore. Sad fact. I think we need serious leadership NOW.

The exported jobs are going to bite us in the ass. Thanks to the Wall Street and corporate profiteers, we have lost a lot. I have witnessed much of it personally.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

5. Another massive dose of U.S. plutocrat hypocrisy.

Especially after our new environmental laws took hold decades ago, U.S. corporations found ways to outsource our pollution to China and other environmentally lax nations, just so we can enjoy the cheap dime-store products from Walmart with no restraint.

Moving the operations of foundries, forges, metals mills, chemical plants and other highly polluting processes across the pond just moved the damage to human health to a different area of our planet.

Similar saving occurred by moving manufacturing jobs overseas, as that skirts our laws and regulations on workplace health and safety, and at a huge discount per hour.

So, China then made trillions of dollars off us from those products and we get pissed when they flex their economic muscle and buy guns and butter for themselves.


KY.......... ........