Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/cnforbiddennews Like us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/chinaforbiddennews Recently, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has clashed with The Philippines over Xisha oil exploration. Reportedly, nearly one hundred ships were involved in three days of repeated confrontations. Chinese maritime police boats used water cannons, and it is suggested that a war may be imminent. The relationship between China and The Philippines has also deteriorated over the South China Sea. On March12, The Philippines prosecuted 11 Chinese fishermen, who had been arrested in the disputed area. This has led to increased tensions in the South China Sea. The Filipino Judiciary charged the detained Chinese fishermen for "illegal poaching" at Puerto Princesa District Court of Palawan. Reportedly, nine Chinese fishermen were charged, and two minors will be repatriated. Under Filipino laws, they will face 12-20 years in prison. The fishermen were intercepted and detained on May 6 by Filipino military police. This took place in the waters near the Nansha Islands Half Moon Reef. The Philippines claimed they found 500 sea turtles on the Chinese fishing boats, and detained the men. China's state Global Times said that from information published by The Philippines, there is no clear evidence that the Chinese fishermen had caught sea turtles. It is more likely they purchased the turtles from Filipinos. Official state media also stated that The Philippines has continuously detained Chinese fishing boats since 2000. This reportedly has a very strong political overtone. When fishermen are arrested, they will be asked to sign a "confession" recognizing that they were involved in "illegal fishing in Filipino waters". This is to have the fishermen recognize The Philippines' sovereignty over the South China Sea. Professor Xia Ming, a political science expert from U.S. City University in New York, points out that The Philippines intends to announce its sovereignty over these disputed territories. It does so, by charging Chinese fishermen catching and selling endangered turtles. Xia Ming: "The Philippines not only arrested Chinese crew members, but also citizens of The Philippines. The prosecution can be based on "International Law", rather than related to territorial disputes to confront China." Xia Ming said that if the Chinese fishermen are given a long-term sentence, the CCP will be humiliated. Next, the CCP will certainly retaliate. The South China Sea would see more conflict On May 7 and May 9, a CCP Foreign Ministry spokesman said that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Islands, including Half Moon Reef and it's adjacent islands. Any action from The Philippines against Chinese fishermen are illegal and ineffective. The CCP Foreign Ministry also warned The Philippines not to take any provocative actions. It also called for the unconditionally release of the fishermen, and the return of their ships. It also asked that The Philippines ensure that no similar things will happen in the future. The CCP Embassy in the Philippines sent two officials to the court for mediation. They demanded the fishermen be released, and emphasized the location they were fishing in was part of Chinese territory. But The Philippines argues that they illegal caught endangered species in a cross-border area, and therefore rejected China's request. The South China Sea is a vital sea channel connecting China with the rest of the world. There are more than 40,000 vessels crossing the South China Sea each year. In addition, preliminary estimates indicate that the South China Sea oil reserves are as high as twenty billion tons. From a strategic military perspective, controlling Nansha Islands and the reefs is equivalent to direct control of vital traffic in Asia. In recent years, China has disputed this territory with The Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia. China has had many clashes with The Philippines over this. In 2012, the CCP and The Philippines had a confrontation over Huangyan Island, which lasted over a month. In March, 2014, The Philippines filed international arbitration to the U.N., and submitted thousands of pages of evidence. Clashes that were close to escalating war also occurred between the CCP and Vietnam at South China Sea. The CCP mobilized ocean surveillance ships and aircraft. Professor Xia Ming says that China, The Philippines and Vietnam, are using various strategies. 《神韵》2014世界巡演新亮点 http://www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org/

• published: 14 May 2014
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