India steps into Philippines-China spat over South China Sea

[Shardul.....the lion]

NEW DELHI: As the Philippines braces for anti-China protests on Friday, India has stepped into the hottest South China Sea dispute to counsel restraint.

In an unusual statement that signals India's growing interests in South China Sea, the MEA on Thursday weighed in on the growing dispute between China and the Philippines. Admitting Indian concern about the events, the MEA spokesperson said, "Maintenance of peace and security in the region is of vital interest to the international community. India urges both countries to exercise restraint and resolve the issue diplomatically according to principles of international law."

India not only has a growing presence in oil and gas exploration off Vietnam in the South China Sea, there has been an Indian presence in helping to keep the sea lanes safe and open for some time now. Besides, India is also signaling to the Southeast Asian nations that it remains engaged about the issues that concern them.

According to reports, over 1,000 people are expected to protest in Manila on Friday against what the Philippines calls a sovereignty dispute over a set of islands. While, China calls them Huangyan Islands, the Philippines calls them Scarborough Shoal. This week Beijing has asked Manila to ensure security of its citizens, asked its citizens to stay indoors, etc.

The People's Liberation Army Daily, the official voice of Chinese military, has also published a commentary on Thursday titled, "Never Expect to Take Away Half an Inch of China's Territory." It said, "We never tolerate any unreasonable embarrassment with blind patience, not to mention that the issue matters for China's territorial integrity, national dignity, and even social stability.

"For anyone who tries to snatch the sovereignty over Huangyan Islands, not only will the Chinese government not agree; the Chinese people will not agree; and the Chinese army will not agree."

In early April, Filipino naval forces intercepted eight Chinese fishing vessels in the disputed islands, boarded them and forced China to back off. It was then seen to be part of China's new aggressive policy in the region. But things heated up last week, when China asked the Philippines to withdraw all its vessels from the island.

Any conflict in that region would affect Indian economic interests. But equally, China has been commenting on issues that New Delhi considers its own bilateral ones - like Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's recent whistle-stop India visit. And, India's commentary on the South China Sea issue has to be seen in that light.


India steps into Philippines-China spat over South China Sea - The Times of India

 

[below_freezing]

I think its time to ensure the human rights of Dalits and tribals in India.

 

[praveen007]

yes, it is.
But before that , human rights of ordinary citizen of china matters most which must be restore and incresed to the acceptable levels, dont you think so.

 

[Zero_wing]

Ya this true media something you uncivilized hordes don't have

 

[shuntmaster]

I think its time to ensure the human rights of Dalits and tribals in India.

Thats nice you have so much concern for the underpreviledged in India. So, what is your suggestion that Chinese can do to "ensure the human rights of Dalits and tribals in India"?

 

[Holmes]

I think its time to ensure the human rights of Dalits and tribals in India.

 

[punnu83]

I think its time to ensure the human rights of Dalits and tribals in India.

something happeniing here people.

 

[BanglaBhoot]

I think its time to ensure the human rights of Dalits and tribals in India.

Yes please do and do it quickly .......

 

[VelocuR]

Look at the map, be realistic. India just .........

 

[below_freezing]

Thats nice you have so much concern for the underpreviledged in India. So, what is your suggestion that Chinese can do to "ensure the human rights of Dalits and tribals in India"?

giving them the tools and skills they need to compete.

 

[Shardul.....the lion]

Look at the map, be realistic. India just barking.

India is just telling to resolve issue peacefully without use of force. We do not want powerful nations using their newly gained power to bully smaller neighbours into submission.

Admitting Indian concern about the events, the MEA spokesperson said, "Maintenance of peace and security in the region is of vital interest to the international community. India urges both countries to exercise restraint and resolve the issue diplomatically according to principles of international law

 

[jbond197]

giving them the tools and skills they need to compete.

Go ahead, nobody is stopping you!! Ask Bangladeshis as they are dying to earn a few bucks helping you!!

We too have our bit of tools and skills to be supplied to appropriate groups in your mainland.. Let the game get started.. Believe me, there will be many players!!

 

[ChinaToday]

Sorry to disappoint every one

http://www.defence.pk/forums/world-...-drilling-off-vietnam-losing-proposition.html

 

[below_freezing]

Go ahead, nobody is stopping you!! Ask Bangladeshis as they are dying to earn a few bucks helping you!!

We too have our bit of tools and skills to be supplied to appropriate groups in your mainland.. Let the game get started.. Believe me, there will be many players!!

You've been supplying them for 50 years. There's nothing you can do to us that you haven't already done.

 

[jbond197]

The waters in the South China Sea are rougher than ever, stirred up by an escalating row over rival claims in the region. China appears more ready than ever to flex its muscle to wrestle control.

The month-long dispute between China and the Philippines over claims in the South China Sea has risen to a new level of concern, with hints of economic retaliation and even war.

The two are among six nations - together with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam - that have staked claims to waters and island groups in the South China Sea.

The area is home to heavy shipping lanes, rich fishing waters and, perhaps most important, a potential wealth of mineral resources.

Locked in a standoff

Since early April, China and the Philippines have been locked in a standoff at the Scarborough Shoal where they have stationed non-military vessels. Both claim to own the string of small islands in the South China Sea, about 230 kilometers from the Philippines and more than 1,200 kilometers from China.

Beijing has suspended tourist travel to the Philippines and stiffened inspections on the country's fruit. China is the single biggest buyer of Philippine bananas.

Through government-controlled media, China has also warned of military intervention, if the dispute escalates any further.

"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.

Gerhard Will, a South East Asia expert with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin, said the Beijing government has hinted at military intervention in the national press in recent weeks but has now used an English-language media channel "to spread the message globally."

Perceived threats

A civic group in the Philippines has called for protests on Friday.

The government has already lodged diplomatic protests, alerting foreign governments over what it views as a Chinese threat to freedom of navigation.

Manilahas also warned that it is prepared to back its territorial claims with military equipment supplied by the United States.

Many experts believe any further escalation of the dispute will inevitably pull in the US.

"There's a lot of talk in Asia right now about the role of the US in this dispute," said Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt, head of the Beijing office of the International Crisis Group (ICG). "Certainly, if it goes any further, it will involve the US."

Kleine-Ahlbrandt added that she didn't see the situation "de-escalating" at the moment. "Both sides are not willing to back down," she told DW.

Expert Will agrees. "The situation is clearly escalating and becoming more difficult," he told DW. "The Philippines have close relations with the United States. And many there now want the US to show its colors."

US involvement

The Philippine government said Wednesday the US government has pledged to protect it from attacks in the South China Sea.

The two countries recently engaged in joint military exercises.

This week, the US Defense Department also announced a 10-month deployment of a new class of warships to Singapore, in a move almost certain to make China unhappy.

South China Sea dispute escalates, US on standby | Asia | DW.DE | 10.05.2012

More players joining in.. Chinis will soon back off..

You've been supplying them for 50 years. There's nothing you can do to us that you haven't already done.

The same goes for you so stop bsing now..