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China warns against U.S. interference in island ownership battle
Jul.28 (China Military News cited from Postmedia News and written By Aileen McCabe) — Opposition is gathering in China to Washington’s renewed “national interest” in the territorial disputes over more than 200 tiny islands in the South China Sea.
In an editorial, the official China Daily accused the U.S. of trying to “rekindle the feud” over ownership of the islands and warned its neighbours in Southeast Asia that Washington’s policy is “directed against China and intended to stir up trouble in those countries that have territorial disputes with the nation.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton apparently took China by surprise when she told a forum of Southeast Asian nations in Hanoi that the U.S. considered it to be in its own interest to help settle the myriad of claims over the island territories.
Her statement was good news for many of the nations embroiled in disputes …
Trouble Brews in the South China Sea
The South China Sea is one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, an extremely productive fishing area, and is reported to contain vast deposits of oil and natural gas. The Sea is bordered by Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam, each of which claim all or part of the Sea. After several quiet years, unresolved sovereignty issues and competition over resources are increasing political tension. For Asian countries in the midst of a period of high economic growth, the South China Sea is set to become a core national security concern.
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It is interesting to compare the South China Sea, which has no reliable figures of proven oil and natural gas deposits, to other energy-rich regions. Only five countries have proven reserves over 100 billion barrels of oil and only Saudi Arabia tops 200 billion barrels (bbl). Estimates of the South China Sea reserves reach 213 bbl. Regarding natural gas, only Russia and Iran have proven reserves of over 1,000 tcf; the South China Sea could contain up to 2,000 tcf [trillion cubic foot], according to several Chinese studies. Comparing proven reserves of energy-rich countries to the minimally explored South China Sea is not an entirely accurate evaluation but it does highlight the critical role this area will come to play as Asian countries continue to lead global demand for energy. Reliable estimates of oil and gas deposits this close to home could change the way countries like China and India pursue their energy supply.
ICE case study: Spratly Islands Dispute
The Spratly Islands of the South China Sea are a potential tinder box in the region. Approximately 44 of the 51 small islands and reefs are claimed or occupied by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei. The conflict is the result of overlapping sovereignty claims to various Spratly Islands thought to possess substantial natural resources — chiefly oil, natural gas, and seafood. Disputes have been propelled by an aggressive China, eager to meet growing energy demands that outstrip its supply capability. Overlapping claims resulted in several military incidents since 1974 and in several countries awarding foreign companies exploration rights in the same area of the South China Sea.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
