George Amurao, Asia Times: China eyes Philippines’ strategic eastern shores
Manila's allowance for a Chinese state-funded think tank to conduct 'scientific' research at Benham Rise has raised concerns of ulterior motives.
After consolidating control over Philippine-claimed features in the South China Sea, China is now casting its gaze on the island nation’s eastern waters opening onto the Pacific Ocean.
Last week, Filipino Congressman Gary Alejano revealed in a privilege speech that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) had approved a Chinese state-funded think tank’s request to conduct a scientific survey of the Benham Rise, a seismically active 13 million hectare underwater plateau.
As part of the agreement, China’s Institute of Oceanology of Chinese Academy of Sciences (IO-CAS) will work with a team from the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute. Largely undeveloped, the marine feature is believed to be rich in natural gas, heavy metals, fisheries and other resources.
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WNU Editor: Using the playbook on the eastern shores of the Philippines as they have did on the western shores in the South China Sea .... who is to stop China if they should decide to build an artificial island(s) in these waters, and when completed then make their territorial claims. It may sound far-fetch .... but this is exactly what happened when China started to explore and construct artificial islands in the South China Sea .... most were not concerned until China completed their island construction, built their defenses, and then lay claim to the the entire region. But it does not even stop there .... need I remind everyone that the Chinese believe they also have a claim to the Arctic .... China Lays Claim To The Arctic (March 9, 2010)
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