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SINGAPORE -(Dow Jones)- Several countries involved in the Spratlys Islands dispute are building up naval power and have completed new surveillance and military facilities, renewing tensions in the South China Sea, an analyst said Wednesday.
China and Malaysia have built new runways and heliports since 2002 while Taiwan and Vietnam have reinforced outposts on reefs and islands that they've staked a claim on, Rommel Banlaoi, executive director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research said at a seminar.
This has created a "security dilemma" in the South China Sea, he added.
China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines have staked claims on parts or the whole of the Spratlys, a chain of islands and reefs that are believed to be sitting on large oil and gas deposits.
The countries signed a declaration in 2002 that called on all claimants to resolve disputes peacefully and refrain from any action that could heighten tensions, such as military buildup and construction work.
China, Taiwan and Vietnam have protested against a controversial bill signed in the Philippines in March this year that defines its maritime boundaries in the Spratlys.
Except for Brunei, all the claimants are consolidating their surveillance and military structures in the South China Sea as effective occupation "is the best means" to claim under the international law, Banlaoi said.
"China is becoming more and more confident in asserting its claims because of (its) military capability," he said.
Between March and May this year, China has sent at least four patrol ships to the region, Banlaoi said.
Malaysia and Vietnam are also boosting their naval power, having either bought or ordered new submarines and ships, he added.
The Philippines has limited naval capability, which focuses mainly on tackling domestic issues.
Banlaoi said the Philippines will be asking the U.S. to help guard its interest in the South China Sea.
"We need more ships, airplanes and helicopters," he added.
-By Florence Tan, Dow Jones Newswires; 65-6415-4067; florence.tan@dowjones.com
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Publié le 04 novembre 2009 Copyright © 2009 Dowjones

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