CHINA, OIL AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

CHINA HUNGRY FOR OIL, IS POTENTIAL THREAT

China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea appear to be motivated by a hunger to exploit the area's resources, say Philippines.

AsiaOne, July 24, 2011

Using uncharacteristic forceful language for a diplomat, Foreign Secretary Alberto del Rosario trashed China's claim over the entire West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) area, calling it "baseless" and a "potential threat" to navigation in the region at the opening of Asia's biggest security conference in the Indonesian resort island of Bali Saturday.

China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea appear to be motivated by a hunger to exploit the area's rich oil and gas resources, Del Rosario said.

In remarks at the 18th Asean Regional Forum (ARF) "retreat session" yesterday, Del Rosario said the Chinese claim had no validity under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), to which China is a signatory.

China's claim to all of the West Philippine Sea is based on a Chinese map with nine dashes outlining its territory.

This so-called "9-dash claim" to the West Philippine Sea would be rejected by an international court, said Del Rosario.

The Unclos gives a country sovereignty of up to 22 kilometers (12 nautical miles) from its coast, including islands.

There is also the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that gives jurisdiction over natural resources, scientific research and building structures up to 370 kilometers (200 nautical miles).

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