And just in case anyone thinks the recent incidents mark a unique spike in regional conflict, a bit of history...
http://205.254.135.7/countries/regio...s.cfm?fips=SCS
Military Clashes in the South China Sea* Since 1970 (to 2002)
1974 China, Vietnam
China seized the Paracels from Vietnam, with 18 of its troops killed in clashes on one of the islands.
1988 China, Vietnam
Chinese and Vietnamese navies clashed at Johnson Reef in the Spratlys. Several Vietnamese boats were sunk and over 70 sailors killed.
1992 China, Vietnam
Vietnam accused China of landing troops on Da Luc Reef. China seized almost 20 Vietnamese cargo ships transporting goods from Hong Kong from June - September.
1994 China, Vietnam
China and Vietnam had naval confrontations within Vietnam's internationally recognized territorial waters over Vietnam's Tu Chinh oil exploration blocks 133, 134, and 135. Chinese claim the area as part of their Wan' Bei-21 (WAB-21) block.
1995 China, Philippines
China occupied Philippine-claimed Mischief Reef. Philippine military evicted the Chinese in March and destroyed Chinese markers.
1995 Taiwan, Vietnam
Taiwanese artillery fired on a Vietnamese supply ship.
1996 China, Philippines
In January, Chinese vessels engaged in a 90-minute gun battle with a Philippine navy gunboat near the island of Capone, off the west coast of Luzon, north of Manila.
1997 China, Philippines
The Philippine navy ordered a Chinese speedboat and two fishing boats to leave Scarborough Shoal in April; the Philippine navy later removed Chinese markers and raised its flag. China sent three warships to survey the Philippine-occupied islands of Panata and Kota.
1998 Philippines, Vietnam
In January, Vietnamese soldiers fired on a Philippine fishing boat near Tennent (Pigeon) Reef.
1999 China, Philippines
In May, a Chinese fishing boat was sunk in a collision with Philippine warship. In July, another Chinese fishing boat was sunk in a collision with a Philippine warship.
1999 China, Philippines
In May, Chinese warships were accused of harassing a Philippine navy vessel after it ran aground near the Spratlys.
1999 Philippines, Vietnam
In October, Vietnamese troops fired upon a Philippine air force plane on reconnaissance in the Spratlys.
1999 Malaysia, Philippines
In October, Philippine defense sources reported that 2 Malaysian fighter planes and 2 Philippine air force surveillance planes nearly engaged over a Malaysian-occupied reef in the Spratlys. The Malaysian Defense Ministry stated that it was not a stand-off.
2000 China, Philippines
In May, Philippine troops opened fire on Chinese fishermen, killing one and arresting 7.
2001 China, Philippines
During first three months, the Filipino navy boarded 14 Chinese flagged boats, confiscated their catches, and ejected vessels out of contested portions of the Spratlys.
2001 China, Philippines
In March, the Philippines sent a gunboat to Scarborough Shoal to, "to ward off any attempt by China to erect structures on the rock".
2002 Philippines, Vietnam
In August, Vietnamese troops fired warning shots at Filipino military reconnaissance planes circling over the Spratlys.
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose...
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