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Oil-hungry ChiComs makes moves on Spratlys
From Geostrategy-Direct. Remember the info last week on Russian-Chinese oil deal falling through. It’s all about oil.
Aerial surveillance of the Spratlys, located near the western coast of the Philippines, show that a Chinese frigate and an ocean research ship were moored at Mischief Reef, located about 135 miles west of Palawan, Philippines. China has moved new markers on several reefs and shoals in the disputed Spratly Islands, U.S. officials said. Chinese troops were manning structures on the reef, which has been claimed by Philippines. Experts say China is nearing an energy crisis due to oil shortages. Beijing might reach outward to seize oil-rich territory to alleviate its energy woes. The Spratlys are claimed by China, Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Mexico, Morocco, Greenland, Uruguay, Samoa and Vietnam and are viewed as a potential flashpoint. China expanded its military structures in the Spratlys in 1998. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has been trying to reach a diplomatic solution to the disputed islands, which are believed to contain valuable gas and oil deposits.
Posted by: Alaska Paul in Emmonak 2003-11-13
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=21170