Philippines leader pokes fun at Beijing’s South China Sea claims, praises Japan

Speaking in an interview with ABS-CBN television, Aquino said that China had proposed the joint development of the South China Sea while at the same time claiming nearly all of the strategically sensitive waters.

A satellite image taken on April 2 this year of what is claimed to be an under-construction airstrip in the disputed South China Sea by Beijing.

Earlier this month, the US boosted its military presence on the Philippines in order to “protect” the country’s armed forces in the disputed South China Sea.

Adm. Harry Harris, the current head of Pacific Command, who has described Beijing’s reclamation activities as the construction of a “great wall of sand”, said last week he favored patrolling within the 12-mile boundary in some cases, including around the Fiery Cross Reef, where the Chinese are constructing a runway.

The Chinese media believes that the disputes over the islands should not be an issues between the US and China, since the latter has “strong historical proof and legal support” to claim its sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea.

During testimony before the U.S. Senate, Harris warned that China is putting peace and stability in the Asia Pacific “at risk” with its military buildup and maritime encroachment. However, China does not obstruct the passage of cargo ships, which bring $5 trillion in trade per year. It is also is said to contain large undersea energy reserves while serving as a major worldwide fishing zone.

Though it has been going on for years, China’s buildup in the South China Sea was largely ignored by the Obama administration until tensions among the regional states, mainly Vietnam and Philippines, increased several years ago.

“And they’re also building deep water port facilities there which could put their deep water ships there, their combatant ships there, which gives them an extra capability”, he said.

China’s unsafe military expansion in the South China Sea and its ongoing cyber-war against millions of American people here at home must be addressed now.

Washington interferes in territorial disputes, accuses China and steps up its military supports for other countries of the region at the same time.

Shear earlier testified that China could deploy both offensive and defensive systems on the islands, including long-range radars, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

He said China’s actions, including the construction of military bases on reclaimed atolls, could draw neighbours closer to the United States. Apart from the airfield, China is building seawalls on the island for an artificial harbor. Beijing has announced the islands will be used for military purposes.

Bill Gertz is a journalist and author who has spent decades covering defense and national security affairs. Top USA officials, including National Security Advisor Susan Rice, publicly vow that America will “sail, fly, and operate anywhere that worldwide law permits”.