China Relations Stabilize After Philippines Drops Spratly Plan

[TomSea]

China Relations Stabilize After Philippines Drops Spratly Plan

TAIPEI, TAIWAN —

Relations between China and the Philippines appear to be stabilizing after the Manila government backed away from a plan to militarize the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, known for his flamboyant speeches and fast-changing plans, stated April 6 that he would order troops to the Spratly Islands, part of the South China Sea that Beijing also claims. He made the pledge after receiving criticism following media reports that said he knew Chinese vessels were exploring last year off the Philippine Pacific coast.

Since then, Duterte has said the Philippines will just improve structures on as many as nine Spratly islets currently under its control and he will not visit the island of Pag-asa in person to plant the national flag. He had previously said he might go there on Philippine independence day, June 12.

Continued: http://www.voanews.com/a/china-philippines-spratly-islands/3809972.html

[Suppressed]

So China wins.

[skeeter]

So China wins.

So Japan's navy will continue to develop its offensive capacity. They'd better as they have the most to lose from China's current path.