UH OH! China Moves Warships and Construction Barges to Philippines "Scarborough Shoal"
Post by Newsroom
Sep 04, 2016
The Philippines expressed “grave concern” Sunday and demanded an explanation from China’s ambassador over what it said was an increasing number of Chinese boats near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
A Philippines Air Force plane flew over the rocky outcrop Saturday and spotted more boats than usual in a flotilla China has maintained since seizing the shoal after a tense standoff in 2012, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.
“There were four Chinese coast guard ships and six other vessels, including blue-colored barges, around Scarborough Shoal,” he said in a text message sent to reporters.
“The presence of many ships other than coast guard in the area is a cause of grave concern.”
The Chinese Embassy in Manila could not be reached for comment.
Though the shoal, located just 230 km (650 miles) from the main Philippine island of Luzon, is merely a few rocks poking above the sea, it is important to the Philippines because of its tranquil waters and rich stocks of fish.
Manila says China’s blockade of the shoal is a violation of international law.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he had received an “unsettling” intelligence report showing China had sent barges to Scarborough Shoal and had appeared to begin construction in the area for the first time.
The dispute has become more significant since the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on July 12 ruled that no one country has sovereign rights over activity in the Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground for Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese.
China has refused to recognise the ruling and the latest comment from the Philippines could cause a stir ahead of two regional summits in Laos from Tuesday, where leaders of Southeast Asian states as well as China, Japan and United States will meet.
Duterte wants China to abide by the ruling but has pledged not raise the issue next week. He wants to smooth the way for bilateral negotiations and last month sent former President Fidel Ramos as his special envoy to meet Chinese representatives in Hong Kong.
Lorenzana said Beijing had earlier this year tried to send dredging barges to the shoal, but there was no sign of any reclamation activity so far.
The United States has warned of “actions” if Beijing extends its military expansion to the Scarborough Shoal.
China has previously used barges to dredge sand for its seven man-made islands in the Spratly chain of the South China Sea.
“We don’t know yet if those barges are precursors of future dredging operations,” he said.
“If they try to construct anything in Scarborough it will have far-reaching adverse effect on the security situation.”
China’s maintains claims to almost the entire South China Sea, which is a vital waterway for global trade. Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam have competing jurisdictional claims.
U.S. President Barack Obama pressed his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Saturday on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, urging Beijing to uphold its legal obligations and stressing the United States’ commitments to its regional allies.
Tensions over the disputed waters between China and its neighbors were expected to hang over the Group of 20 summit, that opened in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou on Sunday.
If China has begun construction at Scarborough Shoal, there is likely to be a Naval Battle between China and the U.S./Philippines. Such a skirmish could lead to actual war within days.
https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/1952
A Philippines Air Force plane flew over the rocky outcrop Saturday and spotted more boats than usual in a flotilla China has maintained since seizing the shoal after a tense standoff in 2012, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.
“There were four Chinese coast guard ships and six other vessels, including blue-colored barges, around Scarborough Shoal,” he said in a text message sent to reporters.
“The presence of many ships other than coast guard in the area is a cause of grave concern.”
The Chinese Embassy in Manila could not be reached for comment.
Though the shoal, located just 230 km (650 miles) from the main Philippine island of Luzon, is merely a few rocks poking above the sea, it is important to the Philippines because of its tranquil waters and rich stocks of fish.
Manila says China’s blockade of the shoal is a violation of international law.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he had received an “unsettling” intelligence report showing China had sent barges to Scarborough Shoal and had appeared to begin construction in the area for the first time.
The dispute has become more significant since the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on July 12 ruled that no one country has sovereign rights over activity in the Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground for Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese.
China has refused to recognise the ruling and the latest comment from the Philippines could cause a stir ahead of two regional summits in Laos from Tuesday, where leaders of Southeast Asian states as well as China, Japan and United States will meet.
Duterte wants China to abide by the ruling but has pledged not raise the issue next week. He wants to smooth the way for bilateral negotiations and last month sent former President Fidel Ramos as his special envoy to meet Chinese representatives in Hong Kong.
Lorenzana said Beijing had earlier this year tried to send dredging barges to the shoal, but there was no sign of any reclamation activity so far.
The United States has warned of “actions” if Beijing extends its military expansion to the Scarborough Shoal.
China has previously used barges to dredge sand for its seven man-made islands in the Spratly chain of the South China Sea.
“We don’t know yet if those barges are precursors of future dredging operations,” he said.
“If they try to construct anything in Scarborough it will have far-reaching adverse effect on the security situation.”
China’s maintains claims to almost the entire South China Sea, which is a vital waterway for global trade. Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam have competing jurisdictional claims.
U.S. President Barack Obama pressed his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Saturday on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, urging Beijing to uphold its legal obligations and stressing the United States’ commitments to its regional allies.
Tensions over the disputed waters between China and its neighbors were expected to hang over the Group of 20 summit, that opened in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou on Sunday.
If China has begun construction at Scarborough Shoal, there is likely to be a Naval Battle between China and the U.S./Philippines. Such a skirmish could lead to actual war within days.
NEWSPAPER SAID "AFTER G-20 SUMMIT"
On August 13, the South China Morning Post reportedWhile SuperStation95 has provided coverage of this issue for months, the US mass-media has not covered these developments. If a battle breaks out, the American people will be completely blind-sided by it.“Since the G20 will be held in Hangzhou next month, and regional peace will be the main topic among leaders of the great powers, China will refrain from [acting on the] reclamation plan,” said a source, who requested anonymity.But Beijing might seize an opportunity to reclaim land at the atoll in the Spratly Islands before the Americans vote for a new president on November 8, he said.
https://www.superstation95.com/index.php/world/1952
No comments:
Post a Comment