Within a few days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Country C suddenly held a temporary press conference.
At the conference, the spokesperson directly expressed to the outside world, "Our country solemnly declares to all foreign governnts, organizations, and individuals that from midnight tomorrow, for seventy-two hours, our country will carry out large-scale civil engineering projects at the following coordinates in the South China Sea.
A no-fly zone is hereby established, and we hope the relevant parties take notice to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings and exercise caution. We thank everyone for their cooperation and attention. Thank you!"
With all kinds of sophisticated equipnt already in use, the ministry's press conference employed holographic imaging displays, and the spokesperson no longer needed to stand in front of a microphone and instead wore a button-sized microphone pinned to their collar. Enjoy more content from empire
The spokesperson did not give the dia any chance to ask questions, and after speaking, they swiftly left the conference. However, their statent caused a significant uproar amongst the public.
"Continuing island construction? Veering from a low-profile to a high-profile land reclamation," read the headlines.
"Intent on dominating East Asia, Country C's desire to hinder the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is evident!"
"It's rumored that facilities on islands belonging to the Philippines and Vietnam have already begun to be dismantled, and personnel have started to withdraw under the supervision of Country C's coast guard."
Various news pieces flooded the internet, particularly in foreign dia, which exaggerated the issue. The South China Sea issue had cooled down considerably over the past few months, with the focus primarily on issues like the Star Alliance, the transformation of Erald Sea Star, and Country C's transition.
Since the rise of the Star Alliance as Earth's dominant force, the complaints of the other claimant states in the South China Sea had significantly decreased. Even before the appearance of the Star Alliance, tensions had already started to ease.
The Philippines and Vietnam caved in rather quickly; Country C used a mix of threats and incentives—if they refused, even their governnts could be uprooted. Now, with Country C's aerospace fleet flying everywhere, erasing a regi with a flick of the wrist was hardly an issue.
Malaysia had actually withdrawn from three reefs in the southern part of the Spratly Islands three months ago without making any noise and avoided ntioning it to the public, as those remote islands were far removed from people's lives.
Online discussions about this unexpected announcent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also exploded.
Bai Zhongqi also kept tabs on the public opinion in real-ti. He not only followed forums and platforms that shared his viewpoint but also captured different perspectives. However, dostically, netizens shared a consistent attitude towards the South China Sea issue.
"This ti, we're resolutely dealing with the South China Sea issue! The no-fly zone is so massive and covers all the islands in the Spratly Islands; we'll definitely take back all the islands this ti," netizens said.
"It's good to have powerful strength. Now no one dares to provoke us. We just claim them back, and no one dares to make a peep."
"They must be using Iridium Star technology to expand the islands. Maybe they can even enlarge so of the reefs to the size of towns."
On the other hand, Bai Zhongqi also quickly noticed reactions from other countries.
Eagle Sauce, which had now beco notorious for desperately trying to assert its presence, had its Loquacious President tweeting imdiately after learning of the situation, saying, "Look, the people of C Country are interfering with our vital freedom of navigation.
We maintain that is international waters, not C Country's backyard, and our aircraft carriers are there, and we will ignore any no-fly zones."
No sooner had the Loquacious President posted than those who habitually criticized him responded.
"Mr. President, do you think the nuclear submarines on the White House lawn are not majestic enough that you want an aircraft carrier there instead?"
"No, because Trump is not working from the White House anymore."
"My God, can you use your corn-filled head to think and pick an opponent you can manage? Right now, the Star Alliance is No.1; don't let your arrogance cost our young n their lives."
"As much as I dislike the people from C Country, that is a problem 8000 miles away. Mr. President, where are the job opportunities you promised? Why am I still receiving unemploynt benefits?"
"(Confused face emoji) Maybe this ti we can see a sea-based aircraft carrier versus a space-based one?"
"I love Ivanka!" (random fog)
Watching these creative comnts from Lighthouse Country netizens, Bai Zhongqi couldn't help but smile. He was unconcerned about whether the Lighthouse Country's fleet would intervene or not; Country C was not unprepared, having made many preparations for this operation.
Country C itself had been brewing even tougher asures. In recent months, military construction had been at the forefront of all reforms. Not only had the Army of Country C honed its skills in the previous battle affairs in the northern part of Erald Sea Star, but the Navy of Country C had also progressed significantly.
Everyone knew that if the United States were to take any irrational actions in the South China Sea, the Navy of Country C would certainly respond comprehensively.
The newly commissioned Type 001A aircraft carrier, Shandong, had set sail from its moorings the day before the Ministry spokesperson's announcent, bringing with its escort fleet to the South China Sea.
This aircraft carrier had undergone comprehensive modifications, rendering its combat capabilities vastly superior to its original design. Equipped with a micro high-efficiency fission reactor, an improved transmission system, and propulsion system, this carrier could reach speeds exceeding 50 knots, even faster than Lighthouse Country's 3000-ton littoral combat ships.
The aircraft stationed aboard Shandong included the modified J-15 Flying Shark and Killer Bee unmanned aerial vehicles, unmatched by Lighthouse Country's current F-18E/F or F-35C in terms of combat radius, firepower, and avionics.
The main escorting vessels were the magic-modified types of the 052D and 054A, which, despite negligible external differences in appearance, had undergone substantial internal changes. Coupled with an Attack Nuclear Submarine and a supply ship, this formation constituted Country C's aircraft carrier battle group.
Plainly speaking, though this was still a typical Arican-style aircraft carrier battle group setup, its combat capabilities were incomparable to those of the Nimitz Class or Ford Class carrier groups.
The naval underwater fleet of Country C now primarily consisted of three components: two aircraft carrier groups, a general-purpose escort fleet, and a small escort fleet for shallow and inland waters.
In this scenario, although the Navy of Country C had set up a space fleet for secondary support, any combat, if it happened, would be conducted by the surface fleet.
The Shandong aircraft carrier battle group would take on full mariti security for the island-building project.
Bai Zhongqi, naturally, would not stand idly by, but he was also not going to intervene directly. Half of the various defensive weapons on Earth's orbit were now aid at the ground. In the event of any incident in the South China Sea, Bai Zhongqi could call on Earth's orbital defense platforms to strike and repel.
Upon the announcent of the island-building schedule, the United States Navy's carrier battle group, led by USS Stennis, brazenly entered the South China Sea from Indonesian waters. At this ti, Bai Zhongqi also arrived above the South China Sea in a spacecraft, ready to deploy the Holand Stone.
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