GMA News
May 27, 2015
(Updated 5:36 a.m., May 28, 2015) A defense analyst on Wednesday said that China's activities in the West Philippine Sea could be the beginning of a "Great Wall of the Seas" plan which would create a security barrier around islands and waters China is claiming.
University of the Philippines and National Defense College of the Philippines professor Chester Cabalza explained that the "Great Wall" could reach the East China Sea where both China and Japan are claiming the Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands.
Cabalza added a large part of the world's trade sails through the disputed waters, and whoever manages to control the South China, East China, and West Philippine Seas could acquire great power and wealth.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and the Law of the Sea director Prof. Jay Batongbacal said that China's lighthouse projects in the Calderon and Mabini Reefs would strengthen its hold on the West Philippine Sea and would improve China's ability to monitor activities in the area.
However, Batongbacal added that the Philippines should pay less attention on the lighthouses, and more on the facilities China was building in the reclaimed islands.
He also warned that escalating tensions over the West Philippine Sea could cause accidents or errors in judgement, which would create even bigger problems.
To avoid this, Batongbacal said that all countries involved in the dispute should continue with peaceful talks and discussions.
Meantime, the Department of National Defense said the government would add China's lighthouse projects in the Philippines' diplomatic protest, with DND Public Affairs Service director Arsenio Andolong also warning of China's overall strategy.
University of the Philippines and National Defense College of the Philippines professor Chester Cabalza explained that the "Great Wall" could reach the East China Sea where both China and Japan are claiming the Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands.
Cabalza added a large part of the world's trade sails through the disputed waters, and whoever manages to control the South China, East China, and West Philippine Seas could acquire great power and wealth.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and the Law of the Sea director Prof. Jay Batongbacal said that China's lighthouse projects in the Calderon and Mabini Reefs would strengthen its hold on the West Philippine Sea and would improve China's ability to monitor activities in the area.
However, Batongbacal added that the Philippines should pay less attention on the lighthouses, and more on the facilities China was building in the reclaimed islands.
He also warned that escalating tensions over the West Philippine Sea could cause accidents or errors in judgement, which would create even bigger problems.
To avoid this, Batongbacal said that all countries involved in the dispute should continue with peaceful talks and discussions.
Meantime, the Department of National Defense said the government would add China's lighthouse projects in the Philippines' diplomatic protest, with DND Public Affairs Service director Arsenio Andolong also warning of China's overall strategy.
More from: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/494254/news/nation/china-s-west-phl-sea-activities-could-be-part-of-great-wall-plan-analyst
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