Manila says China has cut back force in Spratlys<\/p>\n
MANILA (Reuter): China has withdrawn seven of the nine ships
\nit deployed around a coral reef claimed by the Philippines in the
\ndisputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, military
\nofficials said yesterday.<\/p>\n
But the situation remained a cause for concern because the two
\nChinese vessels still in the area of Mischief Reef are both
\nwarships, said the officials who asked not to be named.<\/p>\n
A cluster of structures erected by the Chinese above the reef
\nwas also still there, the officials said.<\/p>\n
It was not clear whether the seven vessels which had left
\nwould return. Aerial reconnaissance showed the ships had left by
\nThursday morning and had not returned on Saturday afternoon, they
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The Philippines released photographs on Thursday showing
\nmilitary-looking Chinese vessels and substantial structures built
\non stilts above Mischief Reef, which is covered at high tide, in
\nwhat it said was a violation of international law.<\/p>\n
Manila says the reef is part of Kalayaan (Freedomland), the
\nname it has given to a group of eight small islands in the
\nSpratlys which it claims.<\/p>\n
China says it has built new facilities in the area, which it
\ncalls the Meijijiao, intended to ensure the safety of Chinese
\nfishermen working in the area.<\/p>\n
Long regarded as a potential Asian flashpoint, the Spratlys
\nare a cluster of islands, reefs and shoals believed to be rich in
\noil and minerals.<\/p>\n
They are claimed wholly or in part by China, the Philippines,
\nVietnam, Taiwan, Malaysian and Brunei.<\/p>\n
Military sources said armed forces chief Gen. Arturo Enrile
\nhad told President Fidel Ramos the Philippines would risk armed
\nconflict if it tried physically to assert its claim over Mischief
\nReef.<\/p>\n
Enrile cited the case of the Filipino fishing boat Princess
\nSeagull which sought shelter last Tuesday in a cove formed by the
\nreef, but was denied entry by what looked like a Chinese naval
\nvessel blocking the entrance.<\/p>\n
As the Princess Seagull approached, men were seen running
\nabout the deck of the Chinese ship as if to man \"battle
\nstations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot force our way into the area unless we are prepared
\nfor conflict,\" the sources quoted Enrile as writing in a report
\nto Ramos. \"We cannot dislodge them at this time.\"<\/p>\n
The Philippines, with few fighter planes and many aging ships,
\nhas one of the most ill-equipped navies and air forces in Asia.<\/p>",
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