Hong Kong media reported Monday, April 25 that as China seeks to project its power in the disputed West Philippine sea (South China sea) The Chinese is now preparing for the reclamation and construction on Panatag shoal (Scarborough shoal). An islet inside the exclusive economic zone claimed by the Philippines.
The South China Morning Post daily newspaper cited an anonymous source near the People’s Liberation Army saying, “No one can stop us” We will set-up a station on Scarborough Shoal, otherwise called Bajo de Masinloc, 230 kilometers (143 miles) off the Philippine coast. It is claimed by Manila but has been under Beijing’s control since 2012,
China’s plans to build up Scarborough Shoal also could be a response to an international court ruling anticipated later this month or early next month that is expected to rule in favor of Manila’s claims to the Spratlys.
It likewise takes after a declaration by the US and the Philippines that they would dispatch joint maritime patrol in the West Philippine sea.
China may also be moving quickly to build up Scarborough Shoal over concerns the next U.S. president will be tougher on Chinese maritime expansion.
U.S. Military analyst said that in order to get ahead of this potential confrontation, China will move this year to slice off the next piece of salami—the uninhabited shoals like at Scarborough.”
Scarborough was once used by the U.S. Navy as a bombing range in the early 1980s, something that could complicate the Chinese development plan.
Below is details of the militarization plan for Scarborough Shoal in the Spratly Islands were obtained by U.S. intelligence agencies over the last several months, according to defense officials.
The plans were confirmed last month when a website for Chinese military enthusiasts posted a detailed dredging plan for Scarborough Shoal, including a runway, power systems, residences, and harbor capable of supporting Chinese navy warships.
The website included satellite photographs purportedly based on a construction bid proposed by the “Huangyan Island Township,” a municipality created under what China claims is its regional authority on Sansha Island, located near China’s Hainan Island.
A graphic with one photo outlined the development plan, with three Chinese guided-missile frigates at a wharf at the southern opening of the shoal.
Other features include an airport and runway at the northern end, an electrical plan, a water treatment plant, a residential building, a hotel, and a “travel holiday” area.
The reported plan to develop and militarize Scarborough Shoal, however, has set off warning bells in both the Pentagon and State Department because of the area’s proximity to the Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally that recently agreed to enhance defense cooperation in the face of Chinese aggression.
Because of this report, six U.S. military aircraft that stayed behind at Clark Air Base after the 2016 Balikatan exercises have conducted a fly ops in the Scarborough Shoal according to the Pacific Air Forces.
“The A-10s and HH-60s conducted a flying mission through the international airspace in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal west of the Philippines providing air and maritime situational awareness,” said the Pacific Air Forces in a public statement on Thursday.
Also, read this U.S. fighter jets conduct fly ops on Scarborough Shoal
Their missions is to promote transparency and safety of movement in international waters and airspace, representing the US commitment to ally and partner nations and to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region’s continued stability now and for generations to come. – Jason E.
The Philippine Navy should start reclamation over the Scarborough shoals and construct a permanent military outpost with surface to air, surface to surface defense systems, a helipad, boat and ship docks there for our soldiers so they could effectively guard the area against further Chinese intrusions. Scarborough shoals is clearly within our 200NM EEZ and the Philippines has every single right to exert our sovereignty over that area. Unlike the Chinese who are clearly invading our territories. It is time to make a firm stand!
RIGHT! THE NAVY SHOULD STAY IN PATROL AT THAT ISLAND 27/7.
What is the Use of your Coast Guard ship and the Frigate the one Philippines bought to US why not use to implement our right according to 200NM as stated in UNCLOS. Chinese fisherman just try to go to 200NM of Russian EEZ and what they got there, they been apprehended and jailed and the ship was confiscated. Why not Philippines do that and we are binding with international Law and we have to impose that same as Ferdinand Marcos just safeguard our Territorial sea. Let Ninoy just use the Coast Guard and implement the UNCLOS and don’t be coward with this Chinese chinks because of no resistance from the Philippines Government that is why they just continued to invade out Sea. WAKE UP Pnoy and stand up with this Chinese Chinks Aggression.