- By Stingray, Thai Intel’s national security journalist
China‘s US$1 billion new oil and gas rig, according to the Washington Post, is slowly moving towards the Pacific Waters-perhaps towards disputed China and Philippines Waters-and Philippines is conducting “War Games” in preparations.
Yet Philippines have also called for a rush ASEAN meeting on the Pacific Waters-for the creation of a “Zone of Peace, Freedom and Cooperation.” The move, could be seen as a warning to China, to be cautious, or it could be related to setting up the situation, for a confrontation with China.
Apart from the establishment of the zone, Phillipines president said days ago, quote: “China will be reasonable, if it can save face.”
The following is from InterAksyon.com
Phillipines hosting ASEAN meet on West PH Sea
22-Sep-11, 8:58 AM
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is hosting a meeting of maritime legal experts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Thursday and Friday to discuss the Aquino government’s proposal for a “Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation” in the West Philippine Sea, also known as the South China Sea.
The holding of the meeting was agreed on during the 44th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bali when the Philippines presented its proposal to set up the ZoPFF/C and offered to host the event.
The proposal is the offshoot of heightened tensions over Chinese incursions early this year into disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea.
The maritime legal experts will meet at the Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City, where they will seek to common understanding on the proposal.
Their findings will be reported to the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, which will then make recommendations for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers to consider before the 19th ASEAN Summit in Bali this November.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
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