Chinese media react sensitively to Korea`s naval fleet plans

Chinese media react sensitively to Korea`s naval fleet plans. January. 10, 2012 02:05. koh@donga.com.

Chinese media have responded sensitively to Korea`s plans to create a naval fleet for the Korean islets of Dokdo and Ieodo.

When The Dong-A Ilbo ran a related article Saturday, Shenzhen Satellite TV released a report headlined, “Why did Korea announce sensitive issues before President Lee Myung-bak`s visit to China?” A commentator at the Chinese broadcaster said, “Korea could have postponed the announcement. This goes against diplomatic protocol,” adding, “This shows Korea’s strategy of creating a Korea-led defense system in emergency situations.”

He also said the planned launch of the fleet is related to the new defense strategy of the U.S., adding that with Washington`s change to its existing plan to wage two wars at once, Seoul wants to secure independent reconnaissance and attack capability. "Korea has shown its military ambition." The Shenzhen Satellite TV reports were carried by Hong Kong’s Phoenix Satellite Television and other broadcasters.

Chien Lung, a news monitoring service jointly operated by Beijing-based media, discussed Dong-A`s report in detail, saying, “The new fleet is likely to be assigned at the Jeju Island naval base, whose construction will be completed in 2015." On Ieodo, Chien Lung said, "China`s Foreign Affairs Ministry has already said China and Korea have no territorial conflict over Ieodo, which is a deep sea rock, and that Korea`s unilateral actions have no legal effects."