Philippines, U.S. to hold naval drills near disputed Scarborough shoal in South China Sea

MANILA - Philippine and American troops are set to hold naval exercises this month near a disputed shoal, which will almost certainly anger China with tension already high in the South China Sea.

China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, potentially rich in oil and gas and fisheries.

The Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim parts of the waters, and China has viewed with suspicion what it sees as U.S. moves to "provoke" tension by supporting its regional allies, notably Vietnam and the Philippines.

Five warships, including a U.S. guided-missile destroyer, and about 1,000 troops will take part in week-long Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises, which include live-fire drills 40 miles (64 km) off Zambales, on the western shores of the Philippine island of Luzon.

• The drills are to be held about 80 nautical miles distant from two or three ships of the Chinese coast guard are stationed on patrol off the disputed Scarborough Shoal, control of which China seized from the Philippines in 2012. 

 -----

In January 2013, the Philippines went to the arbitration court in The Hague to question China's "excessive" policy in the South China Sea, hoping the court would order China to pull its ships away from the rocky outcrop.
The exercises are aimed at strengthening the capabilities of both sides in amphibious operations, special operations and surface warfare, besides enhancing information-sharing, navy spokesman Lieutenant Rommel Rodriguez said...............http://www.todayonline.com/world/philippines-us-hold-naval-drills-near-disputed-shoal-schina-sea
19/6/14
--
-
Related:

• Philippines flies flag over Nansha Islands

• Manila says China reclaiming land in disputed sea

• Commentary: Manila to bear consequences for deliberate provocation

• ASEAN urges restraint in South China Sea disputes

• China blames U.S. for stoking tensions in South China Sea...

 ----

• China says will never send military to oil rig spat with Vietnam