NationStates Jolt Archive

It had been many years, since the Han Empire conducted hydrological studies concerning the development of the Western islands in the South China Sea {all of these are RL-relative appelations, not to say that my country would literally call the South China Sea the "South China Sea" - since it's not directly south of the Philippines, and and there is no China}. It was therefore fitting that the Han Empire established another round of studies. For this purpose, the Imperial Navy was tasked to gather the following vessels for use in this project:

[1] GSS-88 surveillance vessel
[3] SSJ-92 patrol boats
[1] SSRJ-80 minesweeper vessel

This small task force would reconnoiter in Gwangju {RL Guangzhou}, before heading out to the Paracel Islands for surveys of the area. After a three day tenure, the task force would resupply at Malnira {RL Manila} before returning on a voyage to the Spratly Islands. The objectives of this missions are primarily to determine the feasibility of using the territory for military establishments, to begin exploitation of oil and natural gas reserves, and to consider possibly opening the islands to permanent civilian populations, under the Jonamdo {RL Philippines} Special Administrative Region Registry. The already present supply of fish and hydroagricultural products has elicited much attention to the economic prospects of their habitation, and thus prompted this call for a survey. General Advisories were given to passing civilian traffic for the arrival of these vessels, although no military exercises are expected to occur.

The task force has congregated in Gwangju, taking up supplies for the five day venture. The first day would be spent in approach to the Paracel Islands, the second, third, and fourth days spent performing reconnaissance, surveys, and other intelligence concerning the hydrological formations in the vicinity, the wealth of the islands, and their ability to sustain life. The fifth day would be spent in approach to the Philippines. No major storms were reported in approach during the five days, although thereafter, the task force would have to anchor in Malnira {Manila} for the duration of a storm funneling through the South China Sea. It would perhaps be a week at least before the survey could continue undeterred by the weather to perform surveys on the Spratly Islands.

The survey continues to maintain the Imperial Seal for legitimacy, in the assertion of the islands as territory of Han. If any country would protest, the Han Government could retaliate with documents dating back to the 2nd Century BCE, claiming the islands as part of the Han crown.

The task force set out Gwangju and has since spent two days performing surveys in the Paracel Islands. The results are proving rather ambiguous, although there seems to be no apparent petrochemical value near the islands. A few sites were selected for possible limited development of small communities in the islands, although it is difficult to gauge whether the islands will be able to much more than small fishing villages. In two days, the expedition will head for Malnira, to resupply and prepare for a trip to the Spratly Islands - the heart of the expedition. Already, oil deposits have been spotted near the islands, although no serious exploration has since followed.

The expedition ended early, as the meteorological indications showed that the storm system would be arriving earlier. The information already gathered was sufficient to deem the task force a success in their objectives, although the objectives were not all fully realized, mostly due to geographical limitations than actual operational faults. The task force would arrive in Malnira soon, to wait out the turbulent seas and make efforts to continue asserting Han hegemony over the islands.

*** EXCURSION ALERT ***

By Imperial Decree, the expedition to the Spratly Islands has been postponed on account of other pressing needs.

***IMPERIAL DECREE***

The nature of the threats have been reduced, despite the ongoing conflicts in Bhutan and UASR. The expedition shall continue as originally planned.