[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 14196-14197]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     AN END TO CHINESE HOSTILITIES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cao) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the ongoing maritime 
conflict in the South China Sea and the need for the United States to 
support long-term sovereignty of the Vietnamese people. Given this 
conflict will destabilize trade and peace in this region, this is a 
matter of great importance for all of us in this esteemed body.
  Since the summer of 2009, reports of maritime disputes in the South 
China Sea have risen. I continue to hear of aggression from Chinese 
ships and submarines interfering with the freedom of navigation of 
neighboring Asian countries. I also hear of aggressive actions being 
taken towards United States interests as well, and this is particularly 
troubling and unacceptable.
  According to reports, China has committed aggressive maritime acts 
against Southeast Asian countries including Japan, the Philippines, 
Taiwan, Malaysia, and especially the people of Vietnam.
  China claims vast ocean territory that includes many islands and 
extends into much of the South China Sea. If we were to look at the map 
of the South China Sea, we see that China is here, Vietnam is here, the 
Philippines is here, and Malaysia is located here. And China, being the 
farthest away from the Paracel Islands, as well as the Spratly Islands, 
claims to have dominion over all of them. These claims, along with 
their aggressive presence, has caused tensions between the people of 
Southeast Asia and China to grow.
  The conflict in the South China Sea is hindering free navigation of 
these waters, which could negatively affect commercial interests and 
regional security. This would directly affect the livelihoods of 
peaceful people in these nations. The time has come for the United 
States to take a strong stance against China's harassment before these 
actions escalate into hostile confrontation.
  China's hostile relationship has been reported to have gone so far as 
to commit aggressive actions towards Vietnamese citizens. As a 
Vietnamese American, I am especially interested in the territorial 
integrity of my native country. And I am concerned to hear reports 
outlining aggressive actions towards Vietnamese citizens, especially 
fishermen, that have resulted in injuries, damages to their fishing 
vessels and, in severe cases, death.
  The goal of the United States diplomacy should be to recognize the 
tensions in this region and to concentrate on first alleviating this 
tension. The United States should strongly consider advocating for 
China's release of disputed territories like the Spratly and Paracel 
Islands and to ensure multilateral dialogue and action to resolve the 
ongoing maritime dispute.
  What is the basis for China's aggression?
  Many experts ascribe China's aggression toward its neighbors as 
stemming from its ever-increasing appetite for energy. There is no 
question China continues to seek additional sources of energy, 
particularly across Africa, where their influence continues to grow.
  According to reports, China's oil consumption is expected to double 
over the next 25 years, from 7.2 million barrels per day in 2006 to 
15.3 million barrels per day in 2030.
  China's natural gas consumption is expected to more than triple in 
that same period of time, from 2 trillion cubic feet in 2006 to 6.8 
trillion cubic feet in 2030.
  It has been reported that, in addition to substantive fishing 
resources, the disputed areas contain oil and natural gas reserves. 
Further, the islands are in China's pathway as their economy continues 
to expand. This may be why China is racing to secure its maritime 
territory, to secure these areas for their oil and natural gas 
exploration, and to assist in their economic expansion.
  However, credible reports indicate that China has claimed lands 
beyond Taiwan, which may point to China's intention of expanding its 
power over a much larger area, in direct conflict with the interests of 
its neighbors.
  While some explain China's territorial behavior as strategic to 
secure their access to energy resources, others strongly believe 
China's intentions may be going further to gain territory to impose its 
influence.
  What is certain, however, is that while China appears to be 
negotiating, we cannot underestimate their appetite for influence. When 
we are talking about China's track record, China has a history of 
aggressive actions which have been the source of tension in Southeast 
Asia.
  In 1974, China seized the Western Paracel Islands from Vietnam. In 
1988, China seized six of the Spratly Islands from Vietnam and sank 
three Vietnamese ships, claiming 70 Vietnamese lives. In 2007, China 
fired upon Vietnamese fishermen in the disputed area, killing one and 
wounding six others.
  The Vietnamese American community has denounced China's claim to 
territory in the Spratly and Paracel Islands as unofficial, with no 
legal, historical or factual basis. China, in turn, ordered a ban on 
all Vietnamese fishing in these disputed territories until August 1, 
2009; and during this ban, approximately 50 Vietnamese fishermen were 
detained.
  China's actions infringe upon the sovereignty of the Vietnamese 
people to freely navigate crucial waterways that support their 
livelihoods, which is a direct violation of international treaties.
  China's harassment is not limited to their neighbors. China has also 
engaged in hostile confrontations with U.S. vessels traveling through 
the disputed area.
  Given these violations, it is time that the United States take 
aggressive action against China, and to, hopefully, resolve these 
disputes without resorting to any force.
  We must pursue a peaceful resolution to this conflict in the South 
China Sea, and the United States must take actions in doing so.
  In 2001, a Chinese Naval vessel attacked the USNS Bowditch, a U.S. 
surveillance ship, in the Yellow Sea, and, in another occasion, a 
Chinese Navy F-8 fighter collided with a U.S. Navy EP-3 reconnaissance 
plane in international airspace over the South China Sea. China 
detained the 24 U.S. crew members for 11 days.
  In 2009, there were reports of aggressive encounters with the Chinese 
Navy and unarmed U.S. ocean surveillance ships, which were freely 
operating in international waters in the Yellow Sea and the South China 
Sea. A U.S. destroyer was called to escort the surveillance ships as 
they continued their operations and avoid further hostility from the 
Chinese Navy.
  China's aggression poses a threat to the U.S.-China relationship, 
too. And, there is no excuse for these territorial disputes potentially 
pitting two powerful nations against each other.
  The maritime disputes over the South China Sea must be addressed 
immediately to protect the United States' regional relationships and 
agreements.
  For example, the United States is involved in the U.S.-Japan Security 
Treaty that covers the Senkaku Islands, which are actively disputed. If 
tensions increase for these islands, Japan might seek assistance from 
the United States against China.
  Likewise, the United States continues to collaborate with the 
Philippines, and, if regional tensions were to rise, the Philippines, 
too, might seek assistance from the United States against China.
  China has test-fired missiles at enemies trespassing onto claimed 
Chinese territory.

[[Page 14197]]

This may trigger other countries to expand their naval forces as well, 
which may cause more tension in these disputed waters.
  I appreciate Secretary Clinton's statements on Friday that the 
resolution to the South China Sea dispute is a ``national interest'' to 
the United States, and I agree with her that we must seek a peaceful 
solution.
  United officials including Secretary Clinton must demonstrate their 
strong concern for China's hostile actions, which are causing a 
disruption of free navigation.
  At the same time, China needs to recognize and honor the freedom of 
navigation of all neighboring nations as well as the United States.
  While the Chinese Foreign Minister said yesterday that the United 
States should not internationalize the South China Sea issue, which 
could worsen matters and complicate the situation, as an influential 
nation, we must not remain neutral and passive.
  We must take action to end Chinese harassment--not only to ensure the 
freedom of navigation, but also to restore the respect and interests of 
the U.S. and these Asian nations.

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