BEIJING, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Three Chinese ships on Sunday
patrolled the James Shoal, an area also claimed by Malaysia, and
soldiers and officers on board swore to safeguard its
sovereignty, in the latest sign of Beijing’s territorial
assertiveness in the South China Sea.
The group was made up of an amphibious landing craft, the
Changbaishan, and two destroyers, state news agency Xinhua said.
“During the ceremony held in the Zengmu Reef area, soldiers
and officers aboard swore an oath of determination to safeguard
the country’s sovereignty and maritime interests,” Xinhua said.
Zengmu Reef is the Chinese term for James Shoal.
Xinhua said the fleet commander Jiang Weilie “urged soldiers
and officers to always be prepared to fight, improve combat
capabilities and lead the forces to help build the country into
a maritime power”.
China is in an increasingly angry dispute with its
neighbours over claims to parts of the potentially oil and
gas-rich South China Sea. China lays claim to almost the whole
of the sea, which is criss-crossed by crucial shipping lanes.
Beijing regards the James Shoal as the southernmost part of
the country’s territory.
Last March, Malaysia protested against the incursion of four
Chinese ships in James Shoal, about 80 km (50 miles) off Sarawak
on Borneo island. Chinese sailors fired guns in the air during
the visit to the shoal. In April, a Chinese maritime
surveillance ship returned to James Shoal to leave behind steel
markers to assert its claim.
China upset the Philippines and the United States this month
when rules went into force demanding fishing boats seek
permission to enter waters under the jurisdiction of China’s
southern province of Hainan, an area the provincial government
says covers much of the South China Sea.
Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines also
claim other parts of the South China Sea. China has a separate
dispute with Japan in the East China Sea.
(Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee; Editing by Ron Popeski)
