Recent Developments Surrounding the South China Sea

On it's face, utilizing USCG Cutters may sound good as a less-threatening platform to patrol disputed Marine Territories claimed by China, but what happens if China elevates it's defensive posture without notice and threatens the USCG Cutter on patrol with a Chinese Naval Vessel with greater defensive and offensive capabilities? Or a North Korean Naval Vessel, under orders from Kim Jong-un and Pyongyang, decides to further incite the US by harassing, damaging or even sinking a Cutter? No one knows how far Kim Jung-un is willing to go, and he has attacked, damaged and sunk other Asian neighbor's military and civilian vessels in the past. Such an incident could lead to the damaging or destruction of a valuable CG asset. A National Security Cutter (as a minimum, one would expect) with a MK110 57mm "big" gun for offense and a CIWZ 20mm Gatling Gun system for close-in defense, is lightly armed compared to other Warships. I am not in any way suggesting that the Coast Guard couldn't or wouldn't perform this mission as directed. I do not want to see a CG Cutter placed in a situation that could escalate to the point where it would minimally capable of defending itself, when a USN Warship might be the better platform if the proverbial "sh*t hits the fan". Just my .02 cents worth.

Trump's bold move of a simple symbolic telephone call the the people in Taiwan signaled a heads up to the Chinamen that the US will no longer consider the status quo in the Pacific adhered and acquiesced to by prior administrations. While playing nice with the Chicoms, has only resulted in their total freedom to encroach and expand their sphere of influence in the Pacific right under our very noses. Our current knee-walking POTUS has been a principal player in this passivity-play in which the Chicoms eventually take over the entire region. What are we gonna do then? Nobody knows.

interesting information and update... thanks