By Evan Pliego
China’s disputes with its neighboring countries in the South Chinese Sea could be traced back to the end of WW2 when Japan began renouncing claims to the South Chinese sea, along with the surrounding areas. Many countries like the Philippines and the US became involved with oil production because the South Chinese sea was rich with petroleum.
China and the Philippines have been in a contested naval dispute since around 1999, when China began attempting to restrict replies to a Philippine military base on Shoal. Although China claims the South China Sea, in 2016 the international tribunal at the Hague ruled that the Philippines has economic rights to a 200-mile zone. Just last month—around 4 in the morning—a Philippine Coast Guard ship that was carrying the television crew of 60 Minutes had been rammed by a Chinese ship while only 60 nautical miles from the Philippine coast, leaving a 3.5 foot hole in the hull. The ship was located inside said 200 mile zone, although China has made it clear that they do not recognize it. China’s long history of conflict with the Philippines has luckily not turned into something more serious. Although, if it does, it may entice US’s intervention because the Philippines are one of America’s oldest Non-NATO allies.
beniciapaw.com 