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Reuters: Philippines worried, says more Chinese boats spotted at disputed shoal
The Philippines expressed "grave concern" on 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 on 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 coastguard 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 coastguard in the area is a cause of grave concern."
China's embassy in Manila could not be reached for comment.
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WNU Editor: If barges are there it tells me that China is about to reclaim and build an artificial island there. I am surprised that the Chinese are doing this while the G20 is underway.
Back in the old days, I used to think the height of cheekiness was to pee in a letter slot and then knock on the door and ask how far up the hall it went.
ReplyDeletewhy not now? what's the difference between doing this now or waiting until G20 is over? China will get the same non-reaction reaction from the world.
ReplyDeletei see this as China basically daring their adversaries to stop them. of course nobody will actually do anything. we all know Obama's red lines mean nothing. meanwhile, China's 9-dash line is looking like something that needs to be respected.
the Chinese realize that there is no political will in the west to stop them. it'll likely be a few more years before there is. by then, who knows what the world will look like.