U.S. NAVY COMMANDER WARNS OF POSSIBLE SOUTH CHINA SEA ARMS RACE?
TOKYO. Japan - The U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander has
warned of a possible arms race in the disputed South China Sea which could
engulf the region, as nations become increasingly tempted to use military force
to settle territorial spats instead of international law.
Commander Admiral Scott Swift urged nations, like China, to
seek arbitration to settle maritime disputes.
"My concern is that after many decades of peace and
prosperity, we may be seeing the leading edge of a return of "might makes
it right" to the region," Swift said on Monday in a speech in Hawaii,
according to a copy seen by Reuters.
"Claimants and non-claimants alike are transferring
larger shares of national wealth to develop more capable naval forces beyond
what is needed merely for self defense," Swift said.
Asked about Swift's comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman Hong Lei said: "Certain countries are exaggerating tensions in
the South China Sea region, which is in reality to create confusion and meddle
in the South China Sea".
China is resolutely opposed to this."
China is resolutely opposed to this."
China's Defense Ministry said certain countries were conducting
"a big show of force" in the South China Sea.
US CONDEMNS CHINA’S LAND RECLAMATION IN SOUTH CHINA SEA
The US has condemned China's land reclamation in the South China Sea, saying it is out of step with international rules.
Defence secretary Ash Carter called for an "immediate and lasting halt" of the works during the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, an international security conference, in Singapore on Saturday.
"First, we want a peaceful resolution of all disputes. To that end, there should be an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants," Carter said at the conference.
Source: Al Jazeera
PHILIPPINES CLAIM OVER DISPUTED TERRITORIES STRENGTHEN?
MANILA, Philippines - Two days before China comes out with its
official maps that highlight territories in South China Sea, which are
also being claimed by the Philippines, Spanish Ambassador to Manila
Jorge Domecq(photo) said his country is willing to turn over to the Philippines
some 70 of the latter's historical maps. 
Domecq made the announcement on Tuesday at the sidelines of the sixth
Tribuna España-Filipinas, a high-dialogue between the two countries
held at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City.
During the event, Domecq was asked what could Spain contribute to
further strengthen the Philippines' claim over the disputed territories
in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) given that Madrid and
Manila shared hundreds of years of historical heritage.
Sen. Edgardo Angara also owns a vast collection of Philippine maps
dating back to Spanish colonial times, which include an old map showing
that Scarborough (Panatag or Bajo de Masinloc) Shoal belongs to the
Philippines. China refers to the rock fomation as Huangyan Island.
According to Angara, it is clear that the shoal was part of the
Philippines' cartography during the Spanish colonial area.
The senator
said there is map made in 1734 that shows that Panatag was already part
of the Phillippine Islands, which was then under Spanish colonial rule.
China has been firm on its stand that it owns the entire South China
Sea, citing its historical inheritance and the nine-dash-line on its
ancient map.
- But a senior official from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), who requested anonimity for lack of authority to speak on the matter, said that with or without the old maps from Spain, the Philippines would win its case against China.
Source: Agency
US COMPELLED TO DEFEND PHILIPPINES IF CHINA ATTACKS
MANILA - The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has argued that the United States is compelled to come to the defence of the country in the event of an attack by a third country.Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said: "Article V of the Mutual Defence Treaty further provides that an armed attack on either of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on: the metropolitan territory of either of the parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean, and, its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific."
- The Philippines had long held the perception that country can always fall back on its long alliance with the US under the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT) in the event of an attack from another country. But this relationship is being put to the test as Manila comes closest to an actual armed confrontation with China.
- Last April, the navy accosted four Chinese fishing vessels that entered a sea territory that the Philippines claims as its own.
- Scarborough Shoal — the disputed area, is just 120 nautical miles from Zambales province, but is being claiCertain Philippine politicians like Senator Francis Escudero have said that the 1951 MDT's provisions are vague on the issue of the US defending the country in the event of an attack, but Del Rosario says otherwise.
Secretary (Hillary) Clinton was asked by a correspondent from ABS-CBN this question: "What will America do if China attacks Filipino forces in the Spratly Islands? Clinton's reply was: "Well, as to your first question, the United States honours our Mutual Defence Treaty and our strategic alliance with the Philippines. I'm not going to discuss hypothetical events, but I want to underscore our commitment to the defence of the Philippines."
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