Posted on 05/11/2012 12:25:01 PM PDT by robowombat
China told its citizens Thursday they were not safe in the Philippines and its state media warned of war, as a month-long row over rival claims in the South China Sea threatened to spill out of control.
Chinese travel agencies announced they had suspended tours to the Philippines, under government orders, and the embassy in Manila advised its nationals already in the country to stay indoors ahead of planned protests.
"Avoid going out at all if possible, and if not, to avoid going out alone. If you come across any demonstrations, leave the area, do not stay to watch," the embassy's advisory said.
The safety alerts came as government-controlled media in China warned the country was prepared to go to war to end the stand-off over Scarborough Shoal -- small islands in the South China Sea that both nations claim as their own.
"No matter how willing we are to discuss the issue, the current Philippine leadership is intent on pressing us into a corner where there is no other option left but the use of arms," the China Daily said in an editorial.
"Manila is living in a fantasy world if it mistakes our forbearance for timidity."
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China was committed to a peaceful resolution.
But the editorial echoed other warnings in recent weeks in the state-run media that China was prepared to use its massive military advantage to crush the Philippines' challenge for the shoal.
The two nations have had non-military vessels stationed at the shoal since April 8 in an effort to assert their sovereignty to the area.
The dispute began when Philippine authorities detected Chinese ships fishing there. They attempted to arrest the crew, but were blocked by Chinese surveillance vessels that were quickly deployed to the area.
The Philippines insists its claims to the area are backed by international law, as the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
The shoal sits about 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The nearest major Chinese landmass is 1,200 kilometres northwest of the shoal, according to Filipino navy maps.
But China claims virtually all of the South China Sea as its territory, even waters close to the coasts of the Philippines and other Asian countries.
Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia also claim parts of the sea, which is believed to sit atop vast oil and gas resources. The rival claims have for decades made the waters one of Asia's potential military flashpoints.
The Philippines, which admits to having an extremely weak military, has repeatedly said it wants to solve the stand-off over the shoal through diplomatic means.
But it has also said it secured a pledge from the United States, its main military ally, to protect the Philippines from attacks in the South China Sea.
A coalition of Filipino activist groups is planning to hold rallies at Chinese embassies around the world on Friday to support the Philippines in the dispute.
Organisers are hoping thousands of people will attend what they expect to be the biggest of the rallies, in Manila, and the Chinese embassy's safety alert was circulated chiefly to warn its nationals about that protest.
But Jackson Gan, a Filipino-Chinese businessman who is one the rally's organisers, said there was no need for such a warning because the protest would not target individuals and there had been no inciting of violence.
"This is going to be peaceful. No burning of Chinese flags, just singing of patriotic songs and making our presence felt," Gan told AFP.
Philippine foreign department spokesman Raul Hernandez also said Chinese nationals were in no danger of being attacked because of the diplomatic tensions.
"The Philippines remains a safe and welcoming country," he told AFP, adding Friday's protesters would not target Chinese people.
"There is nothing for our Chinese friends to be apprehensive about regarding this protest action."
Americans would do well to ponder on that film and think what it might be a warning of.
You’re absolutely right.
But most Americans are too complacent and ignorant of what we are facing in the world. They will see the “warning” when it kicks their behinds into the next county. Or literally kills them.
BTW, I have Victory at Sea on CD’s.
You forgot about the events of 1861-1865.
You’re right. We’re due for far worse.
America under Obama WILL DO NOTHING, and the Chinese know it.
All they have to do is blip the US treasuries and currency markets with their huge holdings, and the Messiah will be on his knees BEGGING them to take the entire Phillipines, in fear of losing reelection..
Given the range of Chinese & Korean (NK) rocketry I think that the defensive line needs to be further out — like Australia. The Philippines won’t be housing any major bases unless they are Chinese.
Someone wants the Straits of Molocca and any oil in the vicinity.....
Oil Choke Points (there are 7)
http://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/graph.jpg
Malay Archipelago
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/359679/Malay-Archipelago
“Dangerous Straits”
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/10/malacca-strait-pirates/pirates-text
And, recall that Malaysia and Thailand are experiencing AQ violence. Someones elses wants the Straits of Molacca.
Molacca Mosque
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulau_Melaka
read the Congressional Research Study on the Chinese Second and Third Island Defense Chain. Second includes Guam. Anderson AFB is a major target. Hawaii is in China’s Third Defense Chain.
China is using the same UNCLOS to tell Japan it can’t have Okinotorishima Shoal, yet is ignoring the UNCLOS over Scarborough Shoal.
http://www.9abc.net/index.php/archives/3697
(bad English, but you can understand enough details)
“they’re going to take care of any threat the Philippines has to offer pretty fast if the shooting starts.”
Agree with what you say. I believe though its the chinese whos making the threats - which means that they would be on offense. Thereby the chinese are the one’s who would be obligated to project power.
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