China making gains in South China Sea; Encounters with USA and Japanese jets
CIA Map of Territorial Claims in the South China Sea
China has put together an agreement related to the South China Sea:
19 May 2017
BEIJING
A framework agreement between China and the Association of Southeast Asia Nations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea marks a potentially significant step toward cooling tensions in the strategic waterway, analysts said Friday.
While details of the agreement reached Thursday weren’t disclosed, it is a definite sign of progress on reaching a final code of conduct that the parties committed to 15 years ago, the experts said.
Until recently, progress has been slow amid disputes over the body of water that China claims virtually in its entirety.
For China, the code of conduct is a means to achieving its goal of keeping the U.S. and its allies from intervening in the matter in the name of freedom of navigation or maintaining regional stability, said Huang Jing, an expert on the region at National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
“China can say, ‘Look we have already reached agreements, are behaving ourselves, so no need for you Americans or others to come in and get in our business,'” Huang said in a telephone interview.
The agreement suits China’s goal of managing rather than solving the disputes, with Beijing still certain that it will eventually reach solutions through bilateral talks, Huang said.
For the 10 ASEAN member states, meanwhile, the agreement offers a chance to freeze further Chinese advances in the region at a time when the Trump administration has turned its focus away from the region with the abandonment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other developments, Huang said.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said the text of the framework would remain secret for now, and Philippine officials said it would be submitted to foreign ministers for consideration in August.
Huang said it likely contains clauses barring the use of force or unilateral changes to facts on the ground, such as the construction of man-made islands by China that it has equipped with airfields and military installations.
“The ASEAN countries known they can’t fight the Chinese or count on America so it’s best to work with China to stabilize the status quo,” Huang said. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article151467032.html#storylink=cpy
Many in the region are concerned that the USA will not help them, so they are deciding it is best to make some type of deal with China. Time reported the following:
While the U.S. Is Distracted, Beijing Is Winning the Battle to Control the South China Sea
Remember the furore over the South China Sea? The Chinese do. Americans seem preoccupied, though, with Russia’s social media war on the U.S., and North Korea’s nuclear program. These, combined with huge gaps in the Trump administration’s foreign policy team, may be handing Beijing almost complete control of the South China Sea. So have deft Chinese diplomacy and a pro-Beijing change of guard in former bitter rival, the Philippines.
On Thursday, China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed a framework for a code of conduct that will apply to the disputed waterway in the latest sign of waning U.S. influence. Almost a third of the world’s trade, worth $5 trillion annually, passes through the South China Sea, which Beijing claims in its entirety and the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan do in part.
Having stalled on code of conduct for over a decade, China, perhaps seeing a decisive tip in its favor, is now pushing to see a draft by a provisional deadline of August. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin even gave a not-so-subtle message for the U.S. to stay out of it: “We hope that our consultations on the code are not subject to any outside interference,” he said on Thursday.
“The leadership in Beijing must think that its won the lottery,” says Professor Nick Bisley, an Asia specialist at Australia’s La Trobe University. “It signals that ASEAN is prepared to bend on certain issues, which must be favorable to Beijing.” 05/18/17 http://time.com/4785577/south-china-sea-us-china-control/
The USA has tended to support those that oppose China’s positions on the South China Sea–but not enough that the USA has enough of their confidence.
There have also been some military aircraft issues in the region:
19 May 2017
A pair of incidents involving fighter jets from China, Japan and the US over the South and East China seas has escalated an already tense situation. Several nations have claims of sovereignty over parts of the region.
Japan dispatched four planes, including two F-15 fighters and an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) plane to waters surrounding the islets, Japan’s Defense Ministry said on Friday.
“This is escalating the situation and is absolutely unacceptable,” Japan’s Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said. “We regard this as a serious infringement of Japan’s sovereignty.”
Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s senior government spokesman, said Japan had lodged a “strong protest,” accusing China of “unilaterally escalating” tensions.
China’s claims to sovereignty over the parts of the sea – and its estimated 11 billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas – have antagonized competing claims from Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
The incident takes to 13 the number of intrusions this year by Chinese coastguard ships in the contested waters, Japan’s coast guard said. Coast guard ships from the two nations routinely patrol the area. …
Two Chinese fighter jets conducted what the US called an “unprofessional” intercept of an American radiation sensing surveillance plane over the East China Sea, the US Air Force said on Friday.
The incident occurred Wednesday when a pair of Chinese SU-30 jets approached a WC-135 Constant Phoenix aircraft conducting a routine mission in international airspace in accordance with international law, Pacific Air Forces spokeswoman Lt. Col. Lori Hodge said in a statement. …
Meanwhile, Manila and Beijing are holding direct talks on the South China Sea for the first time later on Friday.
By agreeing to bilateral negotiations, the Philippines weakens the position of other countries involved in the dispute. It also potentially impedes efforts for a multilateral solution and exposes China’s ability to control the agenda in the South China Sea and US unwillingness to antagonize Beijing over the dispute. http://www.dw.com/en/chinese-japanese-us-jets-intercept-over-disputed-territory/a-38897597
So, China is projecting military influence in the region. While the USA and Japan are present, many in Asia are concluding that they should hedge their bets and work closer with China.
The USA does not want a real war with China and China realizes that. A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
So, what is expected to happen in that region?
The Bible tells of a time when there will be a confederation of the ‘kings of the east’ that will get together:
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)
This will include Russia, China, Korea, Japan, possibly even the Philippines. Things will one day dramatically change, militarily, in Asia, in terms of cooperation.
Notice also the following:
50:41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north,
And a great nation and many kings
Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance;
They are cruel and shall not show mercy.
Their voice shall roar like the sea;
They shall ride on horses,
Set in array, like a man for the battle,
Against you, O daughter of Babylon.43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them,
And his hands grow feeble;
Anguish has taken hold of him,
Pangs as of a woman in childbirth…”(Jeremiah 50:41-43).
Russia is in the north. A confederation led by Russia and a great nation (seemingly China as it is the greatest nation in terms of population), and various others “from the ends of the earth” will get together. From the vantage point of the Middle East, Russia and China are “from the ends of the earth,” as are many of the nations in Asia.
Notice that one day, this will concern the “daughter of Babylon.” The end time Babylonian power, will be European (watch also Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?). It will one day be very concerned about what this force will do. This is also shown in other scriptures (cf. Daniel 11:44-45; see also The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy). The European empire is prophesied to be destroyed by a combined northern and eastern force. Yet, before that happens, Europe will eliminate the USA per Daniel 11:39 (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses)–Europe is taking steps for that even now (see European Technology and the Beast of Revelation).
Getting back to China, it needs to be understood that China does not just want territory and rights in the South China Sea. It also wants to dethrone the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency (watch also America’s Day of Reckoning 2017 Dollar Collapse?) and lead the world. Its Silk Road project is a way to get influence throughout Asia (watch also Is China paving roads to Armageddon?). Similar to what is prophesied for the European Beast of Revelation 13, China is using economic and forceful means to pursue its objectives. But China will NOT be the dominant leader of the world after the USA–Bible prophecy clearly points to Europe for this (for more details, see Europa, the Beast, and Revelation ).
The latest military incidents in the South and East China Sea also show that China wants to send a message to the world that it does not fear the USA or others. While that may not be entirely correct, all should realize that China hopes to become strong enough that the USA would not dare to take military steps that could provoke it.
The USA, itself, tends to be focusing on how to deal with China, North Korea, Iran, Russia and the Middle East (which is where its President Trump is to be heading today), which is part of why it will not see what is happening in Europe. The current world order dominated by the USA, and formerly by the UK is being changed. The Bible shows that the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) is getting nearer–and that will greatly affect the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand which have descendants from Jacob also known as Israel.
China is trying to rise up and spread its influence. So is Europe. We are getting closer to the time when the dominance by the Anglo-Saxon descended nations is going to end–it will be a time of trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).
The Bible tells of the final time of the Gentiles. (Luke 21:23-24; Revelation 11:2). This at least partially means that this is the time when the descendants of Israel will no longer dominate the world scene. We are getting closer to that time and the start of the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21; see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?).
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Is China paving roads to Armageddon? China is working on something known as the ‘Silk Road’ project or the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. NBC reports that China intends to spend one trillion dollars to build roads, bridges, railroads, and maritime facilities to reach from China to Europe and China to the Middle East. Over 60 nations, including Russia, are involved with this. Could this Silk Road project possibly produce thoroughfares that could be used by troops that will amass at Armageddon? Dr. Thiel discusses this project and some of its potential prophetic ramifications in this video.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters
Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel. Here is a link to a version of this article in Spanish: ¿Prueban los caracteres chinos la exactitud de la Biblia?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy and a video sermonette available: Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now? Another could be Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code).
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
Armageddon Who is involved and when will this gathering happen? Here is also a video from Dr. Thiel, from Tel Megiddo in Israel: Armageddon.
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Where did the Korean people come from? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? Here is a machine-translated link to that article in Korean: 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?; here is a link to that article in Mandarin Chinese: 在预言中的韩国：有任何证人吗？
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Do You Know That Babylon is Forming? How is the final Babylon forming? Are Protestants such as Joel Osteen and Kenneth Copeland are endorsing something dangerous? Could Pope Francis be the ‘False Prophet’ that the Bible warns against? Is an antipope expected to endorse a one-world religion? Here is a link to a related written article In Vatican City: New Babylon more openly forming!
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
The Large Hadron Collider has Military Potential Some say this European project is only peaceful. So why is it working on capturing antimatter? Here is a link to a related video: Could the Large Hadron Collider lead to destruction?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2026 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2017, 2018, or 2019? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Could a Donald Trump presidency be apocalyptic? A related video is titled: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic?
Trump Presidency Magic 8 Ball or Bible Prophecy? BBC reported that one might as well use a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’ to try to predict what will happen in the remaining time of Donald Trump’s presidency. What is a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’? Dr. Thiel not only explains that, but also briefly goes over 10 biblically-based warnings he wrote would happen if Donald Trump were elected that have already began to come to pass. He also goes over something he wrote back in 2008 that the Trump presidency is also helping lead to fulfillment. Should you trust Bible prophecy or not? Dr. Thiel says that Bible prophecy can be trusted, despite the view of skeptics and others that either overlook or despise the Bible. This is a video.
Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse This 188 page book is for people truly interested in prophecies related to Donald Trump and the United States, including learning about several that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon for $12.99 from the following link: Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse.
Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse-Kindle Edition This electronic version of the 188 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse-Kindle Edition.
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