RP stunned by report of Chinese warships in Spratlys
RP stunned by report of Chinese warships in Spratlys
MANILA (Agencies): The Philippine government was Monday checking reports that China had deployed warships near the disputed Spratly islands chain, saying it would be a "major disturbance" if true.
President Gloria Arroyo's spokesman did not rule out a diplomatic protest could be filed after The Washington Times wrote that classified intelligence reports indicated a dozen Chinese ships were seen in the Spratly area.
"If that report is true, it's a major development," spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said. "(It would be) a major disturbance to the implicit agreement that we maintain that we don't disturb the status quo of the Spratlys."
News of the increased naval activity follows an announcement by the Manila government in April that it was investigating reports about China fortifying structures it had built on Mischief Reef, a reef claimed by Manila in the disputed island chain.
Tiglao would not directly answer whether Manila would lodge an official protest, saying the report still had to be verified.
The Washington newspaper said officials familiar with the intelligence reports said the Chinese ship deployments included Luhu-class destroyers.
The Philippines has been on guard for any Chinese attempts to expand their presence in the Spratlys following China's establishment in 1998 of fortified structures on Mischief Reef, an outcrop claimed by both countries.
The Chinese say the structure is a fishermen's shelter but the Philippines believes it has a military purpose.
The paper cited U.S. intelligence officials as saying the warships were raising tensions between the Philippines and China because they contradicted assurances from Beijing that it would keep its naval vessels away from the Spratly islands.
The paper quoted U.S. officials speculating that China was following the same pattern it used in occupying Mischief Reef, sending first fishing vessels to the area, followed by the deployment of warships.
China claims "indisputable sovereignty" over the disputed Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea, which are believed to sit on vast mineral resources. The island are claimed in whole or part by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. The South China Sea is important for trade and commercial links in the region.
Meanwhile, Taiwan Premier Chang Chun-hsiung on Monday called for a peaceful settlement to territorial disputes in the South China Sea amid reports Beijing is increasing naval deployments there.
"We have been promoting peace in the South China Sea," Chang said in his trip to the Tungsha Island, around a hundred miles to the north of the disputed Spratly Islands group.
He urged countries in the region to tackle the dispute according to the principles of "peaceful settlement, joint exploration and sharing of resources."
Taiwan occupies Taiping Island, the largest of the Spratlys.
However Chang was also cautious about the lingering tensions which military analysts have said could prove to be one of the flashpoints in the region.
"We know the South China Sea issues are ever changing and complicated. Training must be beefed up to safeguard the sovereignty and territory," he said.
The Philippines has been on its guard for any Chinese attempts to expand their presence in the Spratlys following China's establishment in 1998 of fortified structures on Mischief Reef, an outcrop claimed by both countries.
The Chinese say the structure is a fishermen's shelter but the Philippines believes it has a military purpose.