China to neighbors: Stop oil search in Spratlys

China to neighbors: Stop oil search in Spratlys

news.yahoo.com

MANILA, Philippines – China warned Asian neighbors Thursday to stop searching for oil near the disputed Spratly Islands and vowed to assert its sovereignty over the potentially petroleum-rich territory in the South China Sea despite rival claims.

China and the Philippines have swapped diplomatic protests over the islands, with Filipino officials accusing Chinese forces of intruding into Manila-claimed areas six times since February and of firing shots in at least one incident. Beijing denied the allegation Thursday and said it would use violence only when attacked.

Vietnam, meanwhile,

(visit the link for the full news article)

He said China has not started to drill for oil in the contested region, and warned other claimants to stop any oil exploration in the Chinese-claimed area without Beijing's permission. China claims the entire South China Sea.

"We're calling on other parties to stop searching for the possibility of exploiting resources in these areas where China has its claims," he told reporters.

He said China is open to engaging other claimant countries in jointly exploring for oil and gas in the region.

Asked what would happen if countries defy China, Liu said that Beijing would assert its right over the disputed region diplomatically. "We will never use force unless we are attacked," he said.

In Vietnam, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga said in a press briefing Thursday that a Chinese fishing boat supported by two patrol vessels that morning damaged the exploration cable of the seismic survey boat operated by state-owned PetroVietnam.

She said the actions of the Chinese boats were "completely premeditated" and "seriously violating Vietnam's sovereign rights."

The incident came just two weeks after Chinese patrol boats cut another cable on a survey boat off its central coast. Hanoi says both incidents occurred well within the 200 nautical miles guaranteed to Vietnam as an exclusive economic zone by international law.

Nga said Vietnam's Foreign Ministry officials met Thursday with Chinese Embassy officials to lodge protests. Last weekend, in rare protests spurred by Facebook and text messages, thousands of Vietnamese took to the streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, demanding that China stay out of Vietnamese waters.

In the most serious incident reported by the Philippines, a Chinese navy vessel allegedly fired Feb. 25 to scare away Filipino fishermen from Jackson Atoll, which is claimed by Manila and relatively close to the Philippine shore.

The Philippine government also accused two Chinese patrol boats of harassing a Philippine oil exploration ship on March 2 into leaving a vast area called the Reed Bank. A Philippine general scrambled two military aircraft, which arrived after the Chinese vessels had left, the Philippine military said.

Liu said no Chinese vessel fired on Filipino fishermen but suggested that Chinese forces took action to keep the exploration ship from the Reed Bank.

Another World War? Or perhaps an Asian War. I wonder what the U.S. would do if it flares up. I figure they would provide diplomatic support instead of militarily because they are dealing with China. Its possible they could provide weapons to Vietnam and other countries. China could find an excuse to conquer all of Asia.

news.yahoo.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

One thing we know about Vietnam and that is they are not afraid to fight a low down, dirty war against anyone that tries to occupy their land. Ask the Japanese, French and US. All have taken a shot at Ho Chi Mihn and came up short.

Yep saw that...

China is pissed. They think all those islands belong to them... I say Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines should call China's bluff.

reply to post by Vitchilo


Not unless they got something to back it up. They got themselves a new aircraft carrier as well as new ships, amphibious, frigates, destroyers and subs. I would say they will able to implement its words backed by action in a few more years as they complete the carrier and get the aircraft as well as training and so on.
www.washingtonpost.com... 9/AGR8zpMH_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The carrier, once launched, is expected to primarily serve as a training vessel for the navy and naval pilots who have been practicing landing aircraft on scale models. But specialists who study the People’s Liberation Army expect China to move quickly to build its own seaworthy carriers.

Even so, the launch of the first carrier is expected to raise the stakes for Washington and jangle the already edgy nerves of China’s neighbors upset with what they see as Beijing’s more assertive posture to enforce claims to disputed territories.

Over the past year, China has seen a flare-up in territorial spats with Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam and seen its relations strained with South Korea — all of whom have turned to Washington for support.

China’s official news agency, Xinhua, reported Thursday that the PLA navy will hold an exercise in international waters in the Western Pacific in the second half of June. The brief report, which cited the Defense Ministry, did not confirm the location but said that foreign media have recently reported that the Chinese navy recently sailed near Okinawa, the Japanese island that is home to several U.S. military bases.

I live in Vietnam and I was gonna post this today after doing more reasearch... The Vietnamese people have been PROTESTING (believe that) at the Chinese embassies in Hanoi and HCM. From what I understand this is a big deal to the Vietnamese people, my girl friend keeps talking about war with China. The Viets I know all hate China, even the Chinese/Viets, so it's interesting to see how this will play out. I will post some supporting links later if I have time...

reply to post by deltaboy


This is not gonna be solved with peace, since the world runs on might makes right, no one can reject China's claim, because China has more power economically and militarily than its neighbors.

This is the problem, until we change this animalistic logic of might makes right, the world will remain the same.

China is just pushing its neighbors closer to the US. I bet we see an Asian alliance with said countries and the USA before to long. China will be boxed in just like the Soviets were.

Well It's about time... I was wondering when Aisa was going to get involved in this whole world apocolyptic we hate each other so lets blow each other up thing! (except for Japan... They've got enough to deal with!)

Who have we not added to the global meltdown party??? How about Venezuela or south/central America? We can save a spot for them. Lets hope they're not to late to shoot at another soverign countries territory or some BS like that.

The world is in upheaveal for sure!!!

Heck some lady at Starbucks wanted to fist fight me for the last pack of chocolate grahmm crackers at the counter the other day... I told her to get bent... Those were mine because I saw them first... Well that made her back down!!! She just flipped me the bird and grabbed something else! I swear I was ready to fight for those things! ( I mean really... have you ever tried them??).

EDIT-
I guess I should add an opinion to the actuall story topic as not to seem like I'm trying to derail this thread...

China is just a big lieing bully and they are holding most of the cards now. They can afford a prolonged military encounter because they hold the "note" on the majority of the world. I can remember 20 years ago when it was fun to buy stuff "made in China", almost a joke... They are the ones laughing now!
If china wants anything they are going to get it. The U.S. has little to say about that (we are spread kinda thin these days!) not to mention our economy is about to implode and China is holding the match!
Who is holding North Koreas trigger finger off the 'Nuke" button (yep China) Oh and not to mention Iran's trigger finger as well.
Can someone tell me I'm wrong... Please! If I don't have some happy news I may just go track that old biddy down at Starchucks and pee in her green tea!


It still doesn't mean I have to like it!

www.interaksyon.com...

Second time...

Vietnam says China fishing boat rams research ship

HANOI - Vietnam accused a Chinese fishing boat of intentionally ramming its exploration ship in the South China Sea on Thursday, further raising tensions between the two countries.

The incident occurred when the Viking 2, chartered by state oil and gas giant PetroVietnam, was conducting a seismic survey inside Vietnam's 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said.

"Despite the warning flag from the Vietnamese side the fishing boat No. 62226 intentionally rammed into the exploration cables of the Viking 2," Nguyen Phuong Nga told reporters.

A "cutting device" from the Chinese vessel got trapped in a net attached to the Viking 2, affecting the ship's ability to operate normally, Nga said, adding that two Chinese fishing enforcement vessels and other fishing boats arrived to assist the Chinese boat.

She said the area in question is completely under Vietnamese sovereignty according to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

On May 26 three Chinese marine surveillance vessels severed the exploration cables of another Vietnamese oil survey ship inside the 200 nautical mile zone, Vietnam alleged earlier.

Adding some support to my previous post...

This all started when the Chinese claimed this (image at bottom of the article) was their territory in 2009. Which is disputed land/sea between China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Taiwan in the South China Sea. Sorry I don't know how to insert an image.


news.bbc.co.uk...

Some of the issues that have happened with Vietnam in recent weeks...

Chinese ships firing warning shots on Vietnamese fishermen. More info in the article.

In the past two weeks, Vietnamese fishermen have reported a rash of violent Chinese intrusions into Vietnamese waters. Some fear the incursions are part of a Chinese plot to take the East Sea by force.

“I've never seen anything like it," he said. "Normally, fishing boats keep a distance from one another while fishing. Now they travel in tight groups accompanied by naval ships. It’s clear that they want to intrude into Vietnamese waters and occupy our traditional fishing grounds."

In the past two months, he said, the Chinese have fired on their boats and chased them out of the area. “We fishermen will never accept this occupation," he said. "These are Vietnamese waters."

What the VN government is contemplating in response. Has other links in the article about the issue. I was going to try to make this nice and easy for the readers but it's getting late, I'm going out of town tomorrow and I've lost the energy I had earlier today...

Vietnam is considering establishing fishery patrol teams to protect Vietnamese fishermen and boats within Vietnam’s territorial waters, as fishermen complained that Chinese boats are violating local fishing grounds. Under a proposal pending the government’ approval, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development would need nearly VND2.1 trillion (US$102.14 million) for building ten government fishery patrol boats and many others at 28 coastal provinces.

Clashes over oil vessels, cutting exploration cables...

[url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-06-09/vietnam-says-chinese-boat-harassed-petrovietnam-survey-ship.html

Tensions between China and Vietnam escalated over the weekend as each nation accused the other of violating its sovereignty in the oil-rich South China Sea. PetroVietnam, the state-owned oil and gas monopoly, said on Sunday that China had sabotaged Vietnamese oil exploration vessels, the latest accusation between the countries over the disputed waters. “When we conduct seismic survey and drilling operations, they [China] have aeroplanes flying over to survey our activities, they harass us with their vessels, and in extreme cases they cut our [exploration] cables,” said Do Van Hau, a senior PetroVietnam official.

What is most surprising to me is the people protesting, although the police did intervene. I don't think they will back down from the Chinese, they are very proud people and they love their country.

Hundreds of Vietnamese have turned out to protest against Chinese naval operations in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The demonstrations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City follow a confrontation last month between a Vietnamese oil and gas survey ship and Chinese patrol boats. They also carried signs that read: "Stop Chinese invasion of Vietnam's islands." They marched to the Chinese embassy, where Vietnamese police watched them for a time before leading them away.

The top officials make a rare statement on the issue. I wonder who will back down first? Especially which other countries rattling sabers as well...

Hanoi - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said Vietnam would protect its sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea, local media reported Thursday, raising the temperature of a simmering territorial dispute with China. The country's most powerful figure urged authorities 'to uphold the party and people's determination in safeguarding Vietnam's sovereignty,' the state-run Viet Nam News reported. President Nguyen Minh Triet echoed Dung's comments at a meeting in the north-eastern province of Quang Ninh, saying Vietnam was 'determined to protect' the islands, Viet Nam Net reported. 'We are ready to sacrifice everything to protect our homeland, our sea and island sovereignty,' he said.

Can't get all the links to some ofthe articles to work and I am tired of messing with it, search it more if it interest you. There's plenty more but I think you get the gist of the issue with the Vietnamese. I wanted to make this better but I'm out of juice and it's my first time doing multiple things in a post...

Take care!

Honestly, I'd just have some scuba divers in the water ready to plant timed charges onto the hulls of the Chinese boats. Plausible deniability!

IRM

I think China is just blowing smoke up their neighbors backsides. They have been bitching about that island belonging to them for some time even before 2009.
Personally I think if any of the smaller Asian nations just simply squatted on the island, China wouldn't do jack about it except complain even more. They may threaten, but I seriously doubt they will risk losing so much revenue by pissing off their neighbors to such a degree, they're stuck like chuck.

reply to post by deltaboy


Yeah this is becoming the next flash point. In recent years China has gone on offensive, making claims to territory and natural resources.

China has gone one step further and has pretty much claimed the entire South China Sea as their own. They also have a broad, and illegal, interpretation of the UN excusive economic zones, which allows countries who border an acean claim resources up to 200 miles out.

All this does is allows the claiming country to claim resources, but not territory. China sees it as resources and territory.

Tiawan, Japan, S. Korea, Vietnam, Phillipines, The United States, Russia...

China has issues with them all over territory.

Source
Some perspective -
The South China Sea, which is claimed by China in its entirety, is made up of:

south of mainland China and the island of Taiwan,
west of the Philippines,
north west of Sabah (Malaysia), Sarawak (Malaysia) and Brunei,
north of Indonesia,
north east of the Malay peninsula (Malaysia) and Singapore, and
east of Vietnam.

Just a few of the territorial disputes -

Indonesia, China, and Taiwan over waters NE of the Natuna Islands
The Philippines, China, and Taiwan over the Malampaya and Camago gas fields.
The Philippines, China, and Taiwan over Scarborough Shoal.
Vietnam, China, and Taiwan over waters west of the Spratly Islands. Some or all of the islands themselves are also disputed between Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
The Paracel Islands are disputed between the PRC/ROC and Vietnam.
Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam over areas in the Gulf of Thailand.
Singapore and Malaysia along the Strait of Johore and the Strait of Singapore.

The latest claims by China remind me of history, naming WWII. Japan was doing essentially the same thing, laying claims to resources.

Gee I wonder where all those posters are that love to B*tch and complain about U.S. imperialism. Yet here is China doing it but alas they are not saying a word about China pushing it's muscle around.

Well the smaller countries do have a point about their 200 mile economic zone, China does not unless those are their islands. I think they should spilt the land/ocean up equally or just share the resources equally, though it doesn't look like that or common sense will prevail.

If one country builds an oilrig you can bet another will try to knock it down which wreck havoc on the environment.

If I was the smaller countries I would unite together solely on these islands/oilfields and leave China out.

What's Chinca gonna do? Send they're navy out to blockade the Spratly's? The Chinese navy? Seriously? Maybe the U (Useless) N (Now) should get in on this. They know how to fix EVERYTHING!

Originally posted by CosmosKid
What's Chinca gonna do? Send they're navy out to blockade the Spratly's? The Chinese navy? Seriously? Maybe the U (Useless) N (Now) should get in on this. They know how to fix EVERYTHING!

China has recently been upgrading their Navy. They have purchased some aircraft carriers from Russia, and are working on their own domestic version.

China has moved its navy from brown water to green water and is pushing for blue water (coastal / regional / global).

If China does go after Vietnam, they wont need a navy since they share a border.

Vietnam announced today they will hold live fire drills. Things are heating up and the neither side is backing down. This reminds me of the North and South Korea standoff last fall.

www.ibtimes.com... tm

reply to post by Jeremiah Johnson


Add this to the fact that OPEC disagreed about increasing oil quotas (meaning same or less oil) and China surpasing US in energy consumes (meaning they need more).

If those islands, or the perimeter between them ot those islands coastal water, are energy-rich oil and /or natural gas...you have the answer : China is going imperialistic.

The situation is more complicated, because Malaesya, Phillipines AND Taiwan, along China and Vietnam consider those arhipelagoes to be theirs.

Both China and Vietnam are communists states...but also nationalistic ones, which goes over political alignememnt.Tbh, i don't see China (if situation will escalate and lead to war) to invade Vietnam by land.They know, i know, you know and especialy US know that the vietnamese are kinda good at guerilla warfare.

So, a land invasion by sea its more appealing, only by the fact that the vietnames coast is like 10 times longer than their land border with China.