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Duterte says China's Xi threatened war if Philippines drills for oil
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Last year the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines for the right to access resources inside of contested area. During a recent meeting, Mr. Duterte brought up the matter, and claims he was told by his friend in China that there would be war if he arbitrarily authorizes drilling for oil without further discussion. However, the Chinese are continuing to stall said discussions pending further rulings by other claimants. Philippines has a rock solid alliance with the USA, and they already recently started to build up military capacity and capabilities on another contested island.
Although I feel certain the two parties will work it out, the strong tones used by Xi underline their continued effort to bully neighboring states into submission and should clearly demonstrate why the USA is committed to the strong relationships we have with our partners in Asia Pacific.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday Chinese counterpart China Xi Jinping had warned him there would be war if Manila tried to enforce an arbitration ruling and drill for oil in a disputed part of the South China Sea.
In remarks that could infuriate China, Duterte hit back at domestic critics who said he has gone soft on Beijing by refusing to push it to comply with an award last year by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which ruled largely in favor of the Philippines.
Duterte said he discussed it with Xi when the two met in Beijing on Monday, and got a firm, but friendly warning.
"We intend to drill oil there, if it's yours, well, that's your view, but my view is, I can drill the oil, if there is some inside the bowels of the earth because it is ours," Duterte said in a speech, recalling his conversation with Xi.
"His response to me, 'we're friends, we don't want to quarrel with you, we want to maintain the presence of warm relationship, but if you force the issue, we'll go to war."
The Hague award clarifies Philippine sovereign rights in its 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone to access offshore oil and gas fields, including the Reed Bank, 85 nautical miles off its coast.
It also invalidated China's nine-dash line claim on its maps denoting sovereignty over most of the South China Sea.
... China did not want to bring up the arbitral ruling at a time when other claimant countries, like Vietnam, might also decide to file cases against it at the arbitration tribunal.
a reply to: worldstarcountry
Duterte's face in that photo seems to imply that this is true, AND President Xi said this right before they said "Cheese"
I wouldn't doubt it!
Duterte's face in that photo seems to imply that this is true, AND President Xi said this right before they said "Cheese"
I wouldn't doubt it!
edit on 19-5-2017 by FamCore because: (no reason given)
a reply to: FamCore
He certainly appears a bit uneasy. I would not blame him though, Philippines is like a spec on the world, and China is this massive dragon just kind of coercing its way with their neighbors how it sees fit. Luckily we got Philippines back, and I seriously doubt Xi was doing anything more than private intimidation knowing USA and Philippines have a strong relationship.
He certainly appears a bit uneasy. I would not blame him though, Philippines is like a spec on the world, and China is this massive dragon just kind of coercing its way with their neighbors how it sees fit. Luckily we got Philippines back, and I seriously doubt Xi was doing anything more than private intimidation knowing USA and Philippines have a strong relationship.
a reply to: worldstarcountry
Great point - and the financial district over there is a big part of US trade and connection with the East
great thread!
USA and Philippines have a strong relationship.
Great point - and the financial district over there is a big part of US trade and connection with the East
great thread!
a reply to: worldstarcountry
I read that earlier today. Duterte needs a better tailor, first of all. Secondly, he won't start a war with China...but the Philippines should be able to drill for oil on their own property if they so choose.
Duterte has made some concessions with Chinese fisheries operating in Phil. territorial waters... Not really sure why because the Chinese are destroying reefs and overfishing...basically depleting the future of those waters.
[url=https://qz.com/948980/china-has-fished-itself-out-of-its-own-waters-so-chinese-fishermen-are-now-sticking-their-rods-in-other-nations-seas]link[/ url]
19-5-2017 by kelbtalfenek because: (no reason given)
I read that earlier today. Duterte needs a better tailor, first of all. Secondly, he won't start a war with China...but the Philippines should be able to drill for oil on their own property if they so choose.
Duterte has made some concessions with Chinese fisheries operating in Phil. territorial waters... Not really sure why because the Chinese are destroying reefs and overfishing...basically depleting the future of those waters.
[url=https://qz.com/948980/china-has-fished-itself-out-of-its-own-waters-so-chinese-fishermen-are-now-sticking-their-rods-in-other-nations-seas]link[/ url]
19-5-2017 by kelbtalfenek because: (no reason given)
edit on 19-5-2017 by kelbtalfenek because: (no reason given)
edit
on 19-5-2017 by kelbtalfenek because: (no reason given)
edit on 19-5-2017 by kelbtalfenek because: (no reason given)
I find this to be a very interesting article and thread. Going to S+F.
What an interesting view from inside the discussions of leaders.
What an interesting view from inside the discussions of leaders.
a reply to: kelbtalfenek
China would very much dispute the "their own property" part of your statement. This the Spratly region we're talking about here, which is contested by about 5 countries.
That said, I doubt China would actually declare war or attack. China is really more just trying to scare western drilling companies out of agreeing to drill it for Duerte. He doesn't have the technology to do it on his own.
China would very much dispute the "their own property" part of your statement. This the Spratly region we're talking about here, which is contested by about 5 countries.
That said, I doubt China would actually declare war or attack. China is really more just trying to scare western drilling companies out of agreeing to drill it for Duerte. He doesn't have the technology to do it on his own.
a reply to: Flyingclaydisk
I agree that China does dispute the ownership of it...however it was ruled as part of the Philippines. China does not recognize international jurisdiction in the matter of territory disputes.
I agree that China does dispute the ownership of it...however it was ruled as part of the Philippines. China does not recognize international jurisdiction in the matter of territory disputes.
After dutertes latest stunt of banning smoking hope china stomps his ass into the ground .
Wow people have short memories. This guy was talking mad smack about the USA/western alliances less than a year ago and threatened to cut ties and
side with China. I hope the disloyal prick gets everything coming to him.
a reply to: worldstarcountry
There was a Forbes article that says if Philippines go to war against China, the US will abandon them because they feel like Philippines is not worth fighting for. When that happens, China will simply annex Philippines as part of its territory.
www.forbes.com...
There was a Forbes article that says if Philippines go to war against China, the US will abandon them because they feel like Philippines is not worth fighting for. When that happens, China will simply annex Philippines as part of its territory.
www.forbes.com...
edit on
5/19/2017 by starwarsisreal because: (no reason given)
a reply to: starwarsisreal
That was just an opinion piece from a guy that seemingly does not understand the severity of having a launch point and listening post in such a location. USA always aides its allies when necessary. All we need to do is commit our oil companies to drilling for Philippines with warships in the area, and its a done deal.
That was just an opinion piece from a guy that seemingly does not understand the severity of having a launch point and listening post in such a location. USA always aides its allies when necessary. All we need to do is commit our oil companies to drilling for Philippines with warships in the area, and its a done deal.
a reply to: starwarsisreal
The strategic value of forward naval base in the Pacific should not be underestimated, especially in today's political climate and with China running rampant over the region. This coupled with heated political tensions over Taiwan further underscore the value of this location.
Duterte is pretty much an wildman and idiot, but not even he is dumb enough to overlook this value. He can make all sorts of "noise" in the media (which they eat up) about American politics, but behind the scenes you can bet your backside he's all but best-buddies with the US military complex! Else, Duterte better be practicing up on his "please" and "thank you's" in mainland Chinese...and he knows it.
The strategic value of forward naval base in the Pacific should not be underestimated, especially in today's political climate and with China running rampant over the region. This coupled with heated political tensions over Taiwan further underscore the value of this location.
Duterte is pretty much an wildman and idiot, but not even he is dumb enough to overlook this value. He can make all sorts of "noise" in the media (which they eat up) about American politics, but behind the scenes you can bet your backside he's all but best-buddies with the US military complex! Else, Duterte better be practicing up on his "please" and "thank you's" in mainland Chinese...and he knows it.
a reply to: Flyingclaydisk
a reply to: worldstarcountry
But if you look at the American people now, many of them are tired of war after the US debacle in the Middle East.
I'm pretty sure should war broke out, more people will be against it because to them its really Philippines' problem not theirs. If China annex the Philippines and attach it as part of its new Chinese empire, with the except of the US military and Government, nobody would care.
China knows this too.
Now if China starts threatening Taiwan and Japan and via their proxy North Korea, South Korea, that's a whole different story.
a reply to: worldstarcountry
But if you look at the American people now, many of them are tired of war after the US debacle in the Middle East.
I'm pretty sure should war broke out, more people will be against it because to them its really Philippines' problem not theirs. If China annex the Philippines and attach it as part of its new Chinese empire, with the except of the US military and Government, nobody would care.
China knows this too.
Now if China starts threatening Taiwan and Japan and via their proxy North Korea, South Korea, that's a whole different story.
edit on
5/20/2017 by starwarsisreal because: (no reason given)
a reply to: worldstarcountry
Certainly undermines China's claims of not militarizing islands and wanting to seek diplomatic solutions. Whats even funnier, at least to me, is China just declared what types of vessels can come near the fake islands, citing UNCLOS.
The very same UNCLOS they rejected to build artifical islands.
The very same UNCLOS they rejected with regards to the arbitration (where they lost)
The very same UNCLos they rejected by claiming the fake islands extend sovereign territory.
Playing both sides of the street is a good way to get hit by traffic from both directions.
Certainly undermines China's claims of not militarizing islands and wanting to seek diplomatic solutions. Whats even funnier, at least to me, is China just declared what types of vessels can come near the fake islands, citing UNCLOS.
The very same UNCLOS they rejected to build artifical islands.
The very same UNCLOS they rejected with regards to the arbitration (where they lost)
The very same UNCLos they rejected by claiming the fake islands extend sovereign territory.
Playing both sides of the street is a good way to get hit by traffic from both directions.
a reply to: worldstarcountry
I've been telling my wife for months Duterte trying to cozy up to China will backfire on him.
I've been telling my wife for months Duterte trying to cozy up to China will backfire on him.
a reply to: starwarsisreal
There are a LOT of Filipinos in America. And if the US let it happen to the PI, other asians would worry they would be next ... plus we have a treaty with the PI, so it would signal the US won't honor any treaty.
There are a LOT of Filipinos in America. And if the US let it happen to the PI, other asians would worry they would be next ... plus we have a treaty with the PI, so it would signal the US won't honor any treaty.
a reply to: Flyingclaydisk
For a while he wasn't. Obama and the Democrats destroyed our relationship with them when they said they wouldn't go through with arms deals unless Duterte did what they wanted and stopped doing what the people of the PI voted him to do.
www.newsweek.com...
www.reuters.com...
For a while he wasn't. Obama and the Democrats destroyed our relationship with them when they said they wouldn't go through with arms deals unless Duterte did what they wanted and stopped doing what the people of the PI voted him to do.
Philippines: U.S. Stops Sale of 26,000 Assault Rifles Amid Duterte Drug War Concerns
www.newsweek.com...
Philippine leader tells Obama 'go to hell', says can buy arms from Russia, China
www.reuters.com...
originally posted by: JaredCondon
Wow people have short memories. This guy was talking mad smack about the USA/western alliances less than a year ago and threatened to cut ties and side with China. I hope the disloyal prick gets everything coming to him.
That was because Obama decided to stop selling him arms unless he followed their orders. You are somewhat ill-informed. Duterte's problem with America is America trying to tell the PI what to do and demanding they fall in line.