China’s Spratlys claim ‘baseless,’ spurred by hunger for oil — gov’t By Michaela P. del Callar 07/24/2011

DEL ROSARIO STEPS UP VERBAL OFFENSIVE

China’s Spratlys claim ‘baseless,’ spurred by hunger for oil — gov’t

By Michaela P. del Callar 07/24/2011

The government appeared to have stepped up its verbal offensive on China over a territorial dispute after Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario said its aggressive actions in the South China Sea appear motivated by a hunger to exploit the area’s rich oil and gas resources while branding as “baseless” its so-called historical 9-dash claim over the entire Spratly Islands.

Del Rosario, who is in Indonesia attending an Asian security forum, said China’s action is a “threat to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, Del Rosario said China’s behavior in the disputed waters raised concerns about how it would treat its neighbors as it became more powerful.

“I think the wealth of the area in terms of hydrocarbon assets could stimulate an increased interest in the area,” Del Rosario said when asked why China had, according to the Philippines, become more aggressive..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110724hed1.html