Saturday, June 4, 2011

Why Tensions Are Rising In The South China Seas



Why The South China Sea Is Turning More Turbulent -- Christian Science Monitor

A US-China military rivalry may be behind China's recent aggressiveness in the South China Sea. On Sunday, Vietnam claims China cut the underwater cables of one of its survey ships.


Nearly a year after the US stepped into a simmering dispute between China and smaller countries in the region over potentially oil-rich islands in the South China Sea, tensions are rising again.

Since March, both Vietnam and the Philippines have accused Chinese forces of aggressive acts in disputed areas. Military experts say China’s sustained military buildup enables it to project more naval power in an oceanic region where the US Navy has long held sway. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates was due to meet Friday with his Chinese counterpart at a security summit in Singapore. “We are not trying to hold China down,” he told reporters Thursday.

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My Comment: It's all about oil and energy resources .... the Chinese want it, and are now positioning themselves to grab it. In regards to the U.S., the Chinese are just abiding their time .... they know that U.S. power and influence in the region is in decline, and that within 10 - 20 years it will be negligible. The other countries in the region understand that, and are not 'banding together' to counter this growing Chinese presence.

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