WesWorld

Quoted

the Zhuhai is outside what Russia claims as the 3nm territorial water boundary; but it's inside the 12nm limit that (if I recall correctly) China claims. The Chinese are thus in a murky gray area regarding "territorial waters". While both Russia and the US may still claim the 3-mile limit (for now), the Zhuhai cannot pass the Bering Strait without getting within the 12-nm limit that China itself claims.

As far as I know, the Russians also claim 12nm as the limit of territorial waters and that claim was made a long time ago (early days with Adm K.). Therefore, since China also claims 12nm as the limits of their territorial waters, they should respect Russia's claim.

Also did a quick measurement with Google Earth and Big Diomede Island is ~20nm from the Russian mainland so the 12nm limit from the mainland and Big Diomede island will overlap. Passing west of the Island means passing through Russian territorial waters.

Quoted

we are still in international waters - Position 65.60 ° North 168.94° West - CEC"

No they are not... That position actually puts them at less than 6nm of Big Diomede Island which is well within Russian Territorial waters. I think the Russians are extremely generous letting the Chinese that close.

Quoted

I see several issues with SOP Step 3 - if it is even possible, getting a reconnaissance aircraft to the vicinity of the Bering Strait will take time. Detouring around Russian, Chosenian, and Japanese air space will require very inventive navigation. I am also wondering if it is even useful in this instance.

Well, a one-way trip directly to that area is already about 4000 kilometers. Looking at the recon planes in the Chinese ency, none of them have a range of 8000 km and they would still need extra fuel in order to hang around the area for a while... so I guess that the plane would need to have a range of at least 10,000 kilometers. Now take the detour into account, a plane from Taiwan would have to fly more than 7000 kilometers just to get to the area and would probably need ~17000 km range minimum.

Quoted

I understand your "issues", but it is the fastest possible way of help and "showing" flag in this case and time. Sending ships or other "help" will sure take more time. Of course meanwhile diplomatic relations will be intensified to find for both sides a satisfactionable solution.

The problem is that the flag that needs to be shown might be shot down along the route using the fastest possible way.

Quoted from "Rooijen10"

Quoted

the Zhuhai is outside what Russia claims as the 3nm territorial water boundary; but it's inside the 12nm limit that (if I recall correctly) China claims. The Chinese are thus in a murky gray area regarding "territorial waters". While both Russia and the US may still claim the 3-mile limit (for now), the Zhuhai cannot pass the Bering Strait without getting within the 12-nm limit that China itself claims.

As far as I know, the Russians also claim 12nm as the limit of territorial waters and that claim was made a long time ago (early days with Adm K.).

...hm.

A quick search doesn't outright confirm this (yet), but I've found one or two statements by AdmK that would seem to make more sense, assuming that this is correct.

Let me consider this, because if true, it will pretty substantially change the implications of what might come next.

I have to agree with Walter, if China steadfastly claims a 12 nm limit it would seem odd that they would not recognize the same with other nations, more notably if on a peaceful mission and they did not wish to antagonize others. Also, if Walter is correct even with a 9 nm limit, Diomedes position would give the Chinese a 2 nm channel (theoretically) to sail between. That doesn't leave much for error, sailing on the east side seemed like a better choice....and popcorn sales would suffer.

Quoted from "thesmilingassassin"

I have to agree with Walter, if China steadfastly claims a 12 nm limit it would seem odd that they would not recognize the same with other nations, more notably if on a peaceful mission and they did not wish to antagonize others. Also, if Walter is correct even with a 9 nm limit, Diomedes position would give the Chinese a 2 nm channel (theoretically) to sail between. That doesn't leave much for error, sailing on the east side seemed like a better choice....and popcorn sales would suffer.

A final statement from my side:

Brock had written the coordinates without talking to me, so equal what you are all thinking and equal what the coordinates say ..... all this happens in international waters. And I think that's what he also intended.

And i think Brock will agree with me.

I'm just waiting for the storyline! Hurry up I need to get some popcorn ready!!

Thursday 5. February - late evening - Forbidden City Beijing

The Russian Ambassador in Beijing is immediately being summoned to the chinese government, to give an explanation about the "Zhuhai Incident" in the Bering Strait.

Big Diomede Island
February 5th

"Three minutes," Leytenant Elena Borisova reported, her eye on her watch.

"No response?" Podpolkovnik Volkova said in surprise. "Certainly we have woken them up, but can they be so surprised? Very well - batteries, prepare to fire on the target v-"

"Incoming radio transmission from the target ship," Volkova's radio officer reported, leaning out from behind the curtain that separated the communication room from the rest of the command bunker.

"That's more like it," Volkova said. "Hold. Let's see what excuses these intruders have to offer for themselves." She waited impatiently as the radio officers finished jotting down the message and brought it to her, where she scanned it with criticial eye. "...'Stop firing immediately - will hold position until further notice'... They say they're stopping? Fire control, what is the target ship currently doing? Course and speed!"

"Target vessel currently slowing quickly; speed dropping below five knots. Their course appears to be... zero-four-five. Range one-six-five-five-zero meters. Speed three knots, still slowing."

Volkova seated herself and put her hands together in an expression of deep thought. After a few moments, she roused herself again. "Battery Gangut, can you lead the target vessel by a kilometer without firing into the American side of the line? To make another warning shot?"

The girl who served as a telephone talker to Battery Gangut relayed the message. Twenty seconds later, she replied "Kapitan Dimitrova says the target ship is already too close to the international date line. We cannot fire any more shots across his bow without firing into the American sector."

"Very well," Volkova said. The only limitation she had been given was to avoid firing into the American sector - waters that, even though the Americans did not directly claim, were attributed to their control.

Before she could make a final decision, Leytenant Borisova spoke up. "Podpolkovnik, a radio intercept indicates an American ship is in the area; we are detecting their radio-location set. The range is still too long for positive radio-detection contact of our own, however."

"Probably one of the American coast guard vessels," Volkova said. "Coming to investigate... I think the Bear is in the region. We should probably inform them what's going on. In the meantime - Battery Gangut will prepare to fire further warning shots. Increase the range so we fire overhead the target vessel, not hitting under any circumstance. Await my command." She quickly scribbled out two different radio messages, and handed them to the waiting radio officer. "First message is to Senyavin; send in fleet code. Second message to Chinese vessel, open channel."

"Yes ma'am."

<Ostrov Ratmanova Central Command to Cruiser Senyavin: identify whether unknown vessel approaching from SE is American guardship. Once positively identified, advise them of situation. Provide periodic updates.>

<Ostrov Ratmanova Central Command to Chinese Warship: your presence represents an aggressive challenge to the security interests of the Russian Federation. Your government and your ship have received and ignored multiple warnings. If you attempt to pass this fortification, we will sink you. If you pass this fortification, our cruiser will sink you. If you evade our cruiser, our aircraft will sink you. Turn around immediately. No further warnings will be provided.>

"Battery Gangut, fire your warning shots," Volkova ordered. "Do not reload the guns until he shows us his intentions."



USCGC Bear, the Bering Strait
February 5th

Captain Edward H. Smith glassed the northwestern horizon and his ship Bear - the most modern icebreaker in American service - crunched her way through the sea ice toward the Bering Strait. Bear's deployment was unexpected: she'd been ordered to drop her expedition to assess seal and otter stocks in the Bering Sea, and dispatched only a day prior to make all speed to the strait, with no reasons given. However, only moments before, the community on Little Diomede Island had reported gunfire - quote - 'the Russians are shooting at a ship.'

Perhaps that might help us figure out what the big problem is... or perhaps not. Smith mentally reviewed everything he remembered about the area. Big Diomede Island lay on the Russian side of the strait, and the Ruskies - in the manner that they always did - had fortified it with old battleship guns. A lot of firepower, although Smith didn't remember all of the specifics. That didn't even take into account the maritime patrol aircraft on the island's air base.

"Radio message incoming," an ensign reported.

"Read it."

"Message says: "Russian cruiser 'Admiral Senyavin' to American ship bearing to our southeast. Please identify.' That's all."

"Send this response," Smith ordered. "'United States Coast Guard Cutter Bear responding to Russian cruiser Admiral Senyavin: we have received reports from Little Diomede Island of gunfire and have been ordered to investigate. Please advise at once. Over.'"

A few minutes went by before the Russian cruiser responded. "'Coast Defense batteries have fired warning shots on Chinese warship attempting to pass Bering Strait. 'Senyavin' and icebreaker are operating in area to assist in diverting Chinese incursion. Request your presence and assistance at once.'"

"Assistance?" Smith asked, dumbfounded. "What do they expect us to do?"

The Bear's XO frowned. "I'm more interested in this Chinese warship. What are the Chinese doing this far north?"

"No idea," Smith said. "But they obviously flipped off the Russians. You ever heard of them doing something like this, XO?"

"Never, sir." The XO considered. "Normally they're pretty friendly anytime I've been on a ship passing through to the Arctic. Didn't they garrison Big Diomede with a mostly female coast defense unit?"

"Think so," Smith said, vaguely remembering that the Russians did that. He thought it was a recipe for trouble, himself.

"Maybe," the XO said slyly, "it's just the wrong time in the month?"

"XO, you are a terrible person," Smith said with a weary sigh. "Another joke like that and I'll make sure you're assigned to count seals in Alaska."

"Already too late for that, sir," the XO grinned.

onboard of HICMS Zhuhai

Hmm.

Well, this is looking increasingly unlikely to end well for the Chinese...

Quoted from "Brockpaine"

Hmm.

Well, this is looking increasingly unlikely to end well for the Chinese...

OOC: <Opens another bag of pop corn>

Big Diomede Island
February 5th

"Target vessel appears to be getting underway again, ma'am," one of the women at the fire-control table reported.

Ariadne Volkova frowned and stared at the message the Chinese ship had just transmitted in reply. Unfortunately, the Chinese had found the one loophole that they could abuse: they were moving onto the American side of the strait, counting on the fact that the Russians would be reluctant to offer any insult, real or perceived, to the Americans.

"Can we still shoot the target before it crosses into the American side?" Volkova asked.

"No ma'am. They're still heading up the Bering Strait."

"Well, that's unfortunate," Volkova said, tossing down the copy of the Zhuhai's response. "New message to Senyavin - send in the clear so the target hears it. And the Americans. 'Fortress HQ to Senyavin. Intruding vessel refuses to turn around and is continuing up the Bering Strait in American territorial zone. Pursue and sink hostile vessel as soon as it leaves the American twelve-mile limit. Acknowledge!' Cut and send. Then telephone to Major Aleksandrov at the airfield. Tell him to ready his strike aircraft."



The Admiral Senyavin, the Bering Sea
February 5th

"Acknowledge receipt," Kapitan Grishin ordered. "Send order to Svyatogor: make best speed west of islands, then turn northeast'."

Svyatogor's captain expressed concern: the Chinese warship had three large guns and could seriously damage the Russian icebreaker; and without him, Senyavin could not push through the sea ice alone. Kapitan Grishin dismissed the icebreaker captain's concerns, although not without misgivings. "We'll need to finish this quickly to prevent any damage to the Svyatogor," he instructed the gunners. "Load and train the main battery."



USCGC Bear, the Bering Strait
February 5th

"Are they mad?" Captain Smith said as he got his first actual look at the situation. The Chinese ship - barely identifiable in the Arctic dawn as Zhuhai - was still heading north, now on the American side of the Bering Strait.

"The Russians, sir? Or the Chinese?" the Bear's XO likewise stared at the situation through the Bear's binoculars.

"The Chinese!" Smith said. "I understand what the Russians are doing, at least; they want to keep the Chinese out of the area, same as us. It's this Chinese captain who astounds me. The Russians massively outgun him, and yet their captain is not giving any concern whatsoever for the safety of his ship or crew. It's criminal."

"Do they think they're calling the Russian bluf?"

"I don't think the Russians are bluffing," Smith admitted. "They don't trust the Chinese - who does, these days? They're going to sink that poor Chinese idiot and then brazen out the political storm."

"I think you're right, sir."

Unfortunately, knowing what was about to happen didn't mean Smith could stop it, although he had good intentions.

"Send a radio message to the Zhuhai," Smith ordered, writing it down hastily. <USCGC Bear to Chinese ship Zhuhai. If you continue on your current course you place your ship in peril. Please turn around at once to avoid international incident. If you turn around we will escort you clear.>

The Bear's XO nodded in thought. "What position do we need to take here, sir?"

"We don't want the Chinese poking their noses up here," Smith said. "We agree with the Russians on that, at least. But they've clearly got orders to do something about it, unlike us. I dare say the State Department would prefer me to do everything I can to avoid a war starting... but I fear the best service we'll be able to do is help the Russians recover survivors while the State Department lodges a complaint with one side or another."

Thursday 5. February – american territorial waters of the Bering Strait - on board of the expedition ship HICMS Zhuhai

Now we know why Swampy's Filipino icebreakers always had battleship guns on them!

To protect against exploding penquin's of course!

Big Diomede Island
February 5th

"Wireless traffic from target vessel, ma'am," the radio officer reported.

"Oh?" Volkova asked. She was not entirely surprised until the officer handed her the message. "Well! It took them long enough to see sense."

"They're turning around?" Leytenant Borisova asked, once her commander had passed off the message. "A little late to avoid an incident."

"It will do well enough for our purposes," Volkova said. "Is the warship indeed turning back?"

"Yes ma'am," the plotting officer agreed. "The American guardship Bear is steering to meet her."

"Good. Then the Americans will escort the target vessel back out to the Bering Sea, and probably feel quite pleased that they have helped avoid a worse international incident. In the meantime - let's send a message to the Senyavin, and a response to the target vessel."

<Ostrov Ratmanova Central Command to intruding Chinese warship: we receive and acknowledge your message. No further action shall be undertaken provided you depart the area as indicated.>

<Ostrov Ratmanova Central Command to Admiral Senyavin: intruding Chinese vessel is turning south and will be escorted clear by American icebreaker guardship "Bear". Order to sink Chinese warship is rescinded, repeat order to sink Chinese warship is rescinded. Confirm and ackonowledge. Continue shadowing intruding Chinese warship in accordance with your orders from Pacific Fleet Commander, to confirm course and position.>

<Ostrov Ratmanova Central Command to American icebreaking guardship Bear. The Russian Federation thanks you for your timely assistance in this situation.>



Russian Embassy, Beijing
Grigori Adamov, the Russian ambassador to the Empire of China, set the official wire down on his desk with a bit of apprehension. He had only arrived in country four months prior, and his time thus far had been productively spent discussing trade, transportation, and other items of mutually-beneficial nature. But today, the Chinese were going to be extremely unhappy.

The official telex from Petrograd - where the hour was still very early in the morning - confirmed that the Chinese had seen fit to push ahead with their Arctic survey scheme, despite the ultimatum that Adamov himself had given to the Chinese government only two weeks before now.

Hand-delivered messages had confirmed what Adamov had guessed; the military had been instructed by the President to prevent the Chinese, by force if necessary, from passing the Bering Strait; and the telex now on his desk confirmed that the military was even now in the process of doing precisely that. The details were, at least for the moment, unimportant to Adamov, since the messages he had received by courier had explained what the military could and would do.

Adamov knew his Chinese counterpart in Petrograd was even now being jolted awake by a telephone call from the Peterhof, with a curt and peremptory summons to meet with President Fyodorov, who doubtless intended to vent the Russian displeasure. At least Adamov, several time-zones to the east in Beijing, would be awake when the Chinese Prime Minister summoned him - as must happen soon. Adamov ordered his car to be made ready.

At least Adamov seems like a man who prepares well in advance of growing storm clouds!

Thursday 5. February - on board of the expedition ship HICMS Zhuhai

Friday 6. February early morning - apartment of the chinese ambassador in Petrograd

Friday 6.February early morning - Forbidden City - Beijing



After 10 endless minutes.....

Adamov leaned forward. He had no written messages, but he'd received enough communications from the Foreign Ministry to have a ready answer. "In fact, I do have instructions from my government, Prime Minister. I venture to say that I will echo here the same statement your own ambassador, in Petrograd, has - or will shortly - receive from President Fyodorov.

"The Russian Federation views the actions of the Chinese Empire as highly confrontative in nature. You will recall, of course, in our first conversations about the matter of Chinese efforts in the Arctic, that I expressed my government's alarm at the possibility. Shortly thereafter, in response to the announcement of Zhuhai's current cruise, I delivered to your hand a diplomatic note communicating the Russian Federation's request to refrain, and advising your government that any expedition would be regarded as a challenge to the geo-strategic interests of the Russian Federation. China has no territory in the Arctic - no commercial investments - no allies to aid... only another power to provoke.

"Therefore, it is Petrograd's interpretation that you have forced this crisis upon us, yourself breaching the neutrality treaty. Did you think you could send a warship into one of Russia's most guarded security zones, in the face of a published ultimatum asking for you to refrain, and not receive a response?"

Adamov took a deep breath, but continued before the Chinese prime minister could answer. "The fact of the matter is, the Russian Federation has long expressed significant misgivings about China's current political course. Ten years ago, you had many allies - Japan, the Philippines, Joseon, Bharat. Where are they now? In Persia, you backed the opponents of your Bharati allies, prolonging the war and causing a rift between your countries. In the South China Sea, you warred against the Philippines, attempting to dictate by force what diplomacy would not give. In the Korean peninsula, you have antagonized the Empire of Japan and created one of your strongest enemies yet.

"In these things and more, Russia has maintained neutrality, continuing to trade goods and even, occasionally, equipment such as trucks useful for military purposes. We are one of the last powers among your immediate neighbors who looks upon you with any degree of neutrality... and yet you push us, when wisdom would advise greater care. This, Prime Minister, is why your Empire has forged so many enemies over the last decade.

"If you wish to add Russia to that list of enemies - if our neutrality in your wars means nothing to you - then by all means continue on your current course - ignoring and abrogating the treaty of neutrality, and sending a larger fleet to the Bering Strait. If you wish to maintain our neutrality, however, our price is simple. We recognize that China is an old and proud empire; so we will not make any demands but this: let this pass and don't push us again."

Adamov rose. "That is all, Mr. Prime Minister; I bid you good day."