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VICE article on why China is not pleased with this.
The bill received widespread bipartisan backing in Congress, amid a growing acknowledgment that the U.S. is facing an increased threat from Russia and China.
The bill is considered particularly tough on China, targeting several areas of concern for the Pentagon, including the increased Chinese military activity in the South China Sea, Beijing’s pursuit of cutting-edge U.S. technology and the spread of Communist Party propaganda at American institutions.
China’s commerce, defense and foreign ministries all issued statements slamming the bill’s proposals. The commerce ministry focused on a ban on Chinese telecommunications giants Huawei and ZTE.
The U.S. government and government contractors will now largely be blocked from using the companies’ products in the future, though in non-critical systems some products will still be allowed. China’s foreign ministry pointed out that the act was passed despite Beijing’s strong objections, and it was dissatisfied with the “negative content related to China.”This is big news, since essentially President Obama let China grab the shoals in the West Philippine sea, pressuring PresPnoy not to send our tiny military to oppose them when they started chasing out our fishermen and roping off the islets.
But now, the US is again showing it's willing to defend their allies here in SEAsia from Chinese aggression.
What will Duterte do? He is so cynical about the US (letting China grab the area and essentially making the Philippines without allies if the opposed the sealane grab). So Duterte has tried to make nice with China, but China, instead of helping, just stole more land, and the locals oppose his trying to make friendly with China.
so at the SONA he said we'd oppose China's continued aggression.
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related item: Long analysis of China at StrategyPage.
this is the part about the West Philippine sea issue:
Chinese claims on Filipino territory are asserted relatively discreetly but relentlessly and many Filipinos are persuaded to submit rather than fight. At the same time, a growing number of prominent Filipinos have become more outspoken in their protests and warnings of the damage Chinese domination could inflict. This now includes the sometimes pro-China Filipino president.
This drew a public rebuke from China. At the same time China keeps offering economic deals that seem favorable, but in fact, give China more access to Filipino assets or territory in return for not much.
China is slowly asserting its possession over areas where it has built bases on seven artificial islands (by dredging up sand). China offers seemingly attractive joint exploration deals to look for oil, gas and other resources in offshore areas where, by international law, Filipinos should be in charge but where China acts like it is already a partner.
China offers small gifts (usually of military equipment) and promises of large investments (that often do not appear) and makes loud protests at anything it objects to; like Filipinos displaying banners saying; "Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China." Displaying such banners is legal in the Philippines but not in China.
This is the point for Filipinos that Chinese officials don’t quite comprehend.here is the part that confirms what I've been saying about Obama letting them get away with it:
For nearly a decade, until 2017, the United States refused to pressure China to back off on its claims, even though a UN-backed tribunal ruled that China had violated international law and a treaty China itself had signed, but seizing Filipino maritime territory.
China ignored that ruling (“set it aside”) and continued to build new bases and coerce other nations to recognize these claims. Now the United States is challenging the Chinese claims but so far China is ignoring those challenges (American warships and aircraft passing through waters and airspace China insists is now part of China.)
Because of the more forceful attitude of the Americans (and British, Australians and others) Filipinos are unsure which is best; resist or submit. Either way, China is going to hurt the Philippines. If there is resistance China will seek to impose economic damage. If there is submission the Philippines loses valuable territory forever.-------------------
Ironically, the only thing I read about this in the news was the MSM complaining that Trumpieboy didn't mention McCain's name when he signed the bill.
Sigh. And then they wonder why no one trusts the MSM.
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