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    June 15, 2011

Philippines Says it Removed Disputed South China Sea Markers

   VOA News
   Photo: AP

   Military officials in the Philippines say their navy has removed a
   number of marker posts from shoals and reefs in the South China Sea
   that are mutually claimed by the Philippines and China.
   Officials said Wednesday the posts were removed in May, shortly before
   the government protested that China had offloaded building materials
   and erected the markers in areas claimed by the Philippines as its
   exclusive economic zone. China replied that it was acting lawfully in
   areas under its administration.
   Dispute with Vietnam
   China is embroiled in a similar dispute with Vietnam after Chinese
   vessels twice interfered with oil survey ships operating off Vietnam's
   coast.
   The Philippines and Vietnam have both sought U.S. backing in the
   disputes, drawing a sharp rebuke from China.
   US reassurance
   Speaking Tuesday at an event attended by President Benigno Aquino, U.S.
   Ambassador Harry Thomas assured the Philippines of U.S. support "in all
   subjects" including the South China Sea and the Spratly Islands.
   The remarks are likely to further anger China, which said Tuesday it is
   "firmly opposed" to foreign involvement in the regional disputes. it
   also warned other Asian nations to refrain from "irresponsible"
   comments on their competing maritime claims.
   The comments appeared in the Liberation Army Daily, the newspaper of
   the Chinese military. They followed the introduction of a congressional
   resolution by two U.S. senators that accuses Beijing of using force in
   the disputes and calls for the U.S. military to "assert and defend
   freedom of navigation rights" in the South China Sea.
   Furious response
   China responded furiously last year after the United States joined
   several countries at a regional security summit in calling for a
   multilateral approach to resolving South China Sea disputes. Secretary
   of State Hillary Clinton also declared a U.S. national interest in
   maintaining free navigation through the waterway.
   China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia claim all
   or part of the Spratly Islands. China, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim
   the Paracels.
   China says its claims date back for centuries.