Carlyle A. Thayer, Emeritus Professor from the Australian Defence Force Academy talked about the deployment of eight batteries of what are reported to be part of China's HQ-9 air defence system in the Spratly Islands. "This is a demonstration that at short notice China can deploy similar systems in the Spratlys on the pretext of a threat from the United States, Thayer said. According to Thayer, up until now concerns by the United States and other countries about militarisation of the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) have focused on China's artificial islands in the East Sea. Woody Island in the Paracels has been militarised for quite some time. Its airfield was recently extended to 3,048m. Woody houses hangars and military aircraft. This past year the latest model J-11 BH/BHS jet fighters were deployed there. An off-shore island houses a major SIGINT base. Other photos that have appeared recently shows a marked step up in construction on two sites - North … [Read more...] about Australian expert’s opinions on Chinese deployment of air defences on Spratly Islands
Tree island
Truong Sa islanders overcome Tembin Storm’s consequences
Tembin, landed in the Philippines on Dec. 23, leaving behind 200 people dead and dozens of others missing, may also hit a number of Mekong Delta localities. The “bang qua vuong” (or barringtonia asiatica) tree on Truong Sa Island District fell after the storm At 4pm on Dec. 24, the storm’s center was 120km east of Vietnam’s Truong Sa Lon Island, the fourth largest one in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, with sustained wind speeds of 115-135km per hour. According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), the storm might hit southern localities from Ba Ria - Vung Tau to Ca Mau provinces in the evening of Dec. 25. Up to now, 45 fishing ships of the provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, and Ba Ria - Vung Tau found shelters and over 200 fishermen were provided with medical services and necessities. According to the initial statistics, nearly 80 solar panels and hundreds of trees on the archipelago were swept … [Read more...] about Truong Sa islanders overcome Tembin Storm’s consequences
Vietnam’s first sea and island festival opens
Vietnam's first sea and island festival kicks off in Dong Hoi City, the central province of Quang Binh, on June 4. The festival also marks the International Year of Biodiversity, World Environment Day on June 5 and World Oceans Day on June 8. The week-long event will include a series of programs including a fair promoting the sea-based economy and meetings to commemorate World Environment Day and the World Ocean Day. A sand painting contest for students, an exhibition of photos of oceans and islands and many other activities will be held during the festival. In related news, an international seminar on biodiversity, included in festival activities, was held on June 3, attended by representatives of more than 20 countries and preservation organizations around the world. Scientists have a strong sense that the world is experiencing the fastest die-off rate for species on Earth since the period of the 6th extinction. Vietnamese scientists and local authorities have pledged to … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s first sea and island festival opens
Museum on Phu Quoc Island opens for animal lovers
For those who eventually get bored relaxing on white sands and paddling in crystal blue waters, PhuQuocIsland's sightseeing list has something else to tempt bird and dog lovers. It is the Coi Nguon (Root) Museum, in DuongDongTown, in the southern province of Kien Giang - a 40,000sq.m outdoor exhibition area where curator and owner Huynh Phuoc Hue displays artefacts and shows his flock of over 60 rare sea eagles. Already established on the sightseeing circuit, Hue says about 200 tourists visit the museum everyday. Natural preservation area "It all started a few years ago when I rescued two injured birds from a couple of fishermen who caught them in their nets. I have been breeding them ever since," Hue says. Hue's efforts to raise the eagles has won him praise from Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Van Ha Phong. "The sea eagles are well cared for at CoiNguonMuseum and I hope he will get expert help to safely release them back into the wild." With a wing span of 1.5m, … [Read more...] about Museum on Phu Quoc Island opens for animal lovers
Spring flower festival arouses love for sea and island
Spring Flower Festival 2012 in Ho Chi Minh City and the spring flower markets will be themed on the Truong Sa Islands with the imitation of its sovereignty landmark made from flowers and fossil shells collected from the archipelago. The HCMC Park and Green Tree Company announced the theme of the Spring Flower Festival. As scheduled, the HCMC Spring Flower Festival 2012 will be held at the International Square in District 3 and Tao Dan Park in District 1 from January 18 to 28, 2012. The annual festival will feature around 8,000 exhibits of bonsai trees, ornamental plants, orchids, cacti, apricots and peach blossoms, ornamental birds and fishes, fruit arrangements and rock gardens contributed by hundreds of local and foreign artisans from various flower clubs. Visitors will have a chance to enjoy other cultural activities as well such as, don ca tai tu performance (southern amateur traditional music), folk games and a painting and calligraphy exhibition. The annual festival is a … [Read more...] about Spring flower festival arouses love for sea and island