China flexes muscle; maintains ‘indisputable sovereignty’ over Spratlys By Michaela P. del Callar 12/10/2010

China flexes muscle; maintains ‘indisputable sovereignty’ over Spratlys

By Michaela P. del Callar

12/10/2010

China yesterday maintained “indisputable sovereignty” over the contested South China Sea territories amid reports that they have built new structures in the area, a violation of a non-binding code of conduct it signed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

In a statement, Chinese Embassy spokesman Sun Yi said China’s ownership in the territories, also known as the Spratlys, dates back to ancient times.

“China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha islands and their adjacent waters,” Sun said, but neither denied nor confirmed that China has been erecting new structures in one of its claimed territories in the area.

Seen as one of Asia’s major flashpoints, the South China Sea territories — a cluster of islands, shoals, islets, atolls, cays and reefs — are said to be harboring rich minerals and oil reserves. It is claimed in part or in whole by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan. China refers to the Spratlys as Nansha Islands.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20101210nat1.html