Exclusive
By Raïssa Robles
Filipinos groaning from high power bills might have good reason to be concerned about China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Philippine government officials have expressed apprehension that China may be after the oil and gas-rich areas there, including the Sampaguita gas field recently discovered by an oil exploration firm under contract with the Philippine government.
Philippine officials are concerned because the country’s energy future is at stake.
Department of Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr said in a recent media briefing, which I attended, that “the Malampaya (gas) reservoirs are good until 2024″ or only for the next 12 years.
Malampaya gas now provides 40% of the power requirements of Luzon where most of the country’s economic activities are located.
The gas is currently being piped to three power plants in Batangas which produce a combined 2,700 megawatts.
Philippines’ biggest gas find
Shortly after the DOE’s media briefing last month, a major gas find bigger than Malampaya was announced by Forum Energy Plc in the Sampaguita gas field located in Recto Bank, internationally known as the Reed Bank.
This discovery might not have taken place if the Philippine military, on orders of its Commander-in-Chief President Benigno Aquino, had not secured Forum’s survey ship which Chinese vessels had threatened to ram this March 11, 2012.
The harassment of Forum’s survey ship actually started over a year ago when two Chinese patrol boats visibly stalked the survey ship on March 2, 2011. This prompted the Philippines to lodge a diplomatic protest with China then.
At that time, the president’s spokesman Edwin Lacierda told a news briefing:
The administration has always asserted that it will dismiss out of hand any claim to what are considered integral parts of Philippine territory, such as the Recto Bank (Reed Bank) in western Palawan.
Recto Bank is some 80 nautical miles northwest of Palawan or well within the Philippines’ maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).
Lacierda also said:
Concerning our defense posture, the administration is determined to improve the capabilities of our military and Coast Guard to enable the effective patrol and protection of our national territory and exclusive economic zone.
President Aquino, during his State of the Nation address in July last year (SONA), also emphasized Philippine sovereignty over Recto Bank when he said:
Malinaw ang pahiwatig natin ngayon sa buong mundo: Ang sa Pilipinas ay sa Pilipinas; kapag tumapak ka sa Recto Bank, para ka na ring tumapak sa Recto Avenue.
[Our statement to the entire world is very clear: What is the Philippines’ is the Philippines; when you set foot on Recto Bank , it is as if you have set foot on Recto Avenue (a street in the Philippine capital of Manila) ]
On September 1 last year, following his SONA, President Aquino flew to Beijing to meet personally with President Hu Jintao. Both then issued a joint statement that, among others, said:
The two sides will discuss the establishment of a nautical highway that will infuse new energy to bilateral trade and economic activities between the two countries which complement and support the connectivity between ASEAN and China.
Both leaders exchanged views on the maritime disputes and agreed not to let the maritime disputes affect the broader picture of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to addressing the disputes through peaceful dialogue, to maintain continued regional peace, security, stability and an environment conducive to economic progress. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitments to respect and abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by China and the ASEAN member countries in 2002.
But a week after Aquino’s five-day visit to China, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad – one of the cabinet ministers closest to the president – said the country would be beefing up its defense over its gas fields.
Abad announced that the Philippines would spend P4.95 billion for buying helicopters and setting up radar stations in order to strengthen the country’s defense of its oil and gas assets near Palawan. Royalties from the Malampaya gas field would be used for this purpose.
Quietly, the Philippine military also told Philex Petroluem – Forum’s parent firm – to carry on with its survey of the Sampaguita gas field off Palawan. And it promised to secure the ship.
As a result, the survey recently confirmed and for the first time that the Sampaguita gas field – which had been an area of exploration since 1970 or 42 years ago – was indeed commercially viable. Its total reserves were estimated to be as high as 16.6 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas and 416 million barrels of oil. It was even bigger than the Malampaya gas field.
The Sampaguita gas field discovery – 90 nautical miles northwest of Palawan – is nowhere near Scarborough Shoal (which is northwest of Zambales in the island of Luzon) where the tense standoff between armed Philippine and Chinese vessels is now taking place.
Earlier, I wrote about the competing claims of the Philippines and China on Scarborough Shoal. See – Why get so riled up over some rocks under the sea?
This piece will be about the competing claims, especially in the Spratlys or what China calls the Nansha Islands. A lot of articles have been written about how many islands each country is claiming.
I would like to write about what is really important for the Philippines in this area – the oil and gas lying beneath the West Philippine Sea.
First, please take a look at the map below which shows the various countries’ claims in the area. China has enclosed all its claims in a “nine-dashed line” – which is shown here as a red line.
The next map, posted by the US Energy Information Administration but which it obtained from the US Central Intelligence Agency, shows the oil wells that each country has in actual operation. Notice that most of these oil wells are actually within China’s nine-dashed line.
Notice that Malaysia and Brunei have many oil wells in actual operation.
In contrast, notice that the Philippines has only ONE oil well in actual operation, plus ONE “new field discovery.”
Please note, too, that the Philippines’ ONE oil well in actual operation – the Malampaya gas field – is right on China’s claimed nine-dashed line.
The Philippines’ maritime area northwest of Palawan is believed to be rich in untapped oil and gas deposits.
However, while the Philippines has been offering for tender the oil exploration blocs in northwest Palawan for decades, it was only in recent years that China became quite adamant about its ownership rights of the area covering these exploration blocs.
In the mid-1990s, the quarrel between China and the Philippines centered more on fishing rights rather than on oil exploration blocs. (NOTE: At the end of this piece, I have added a list of the various military encounters between China and other claimant states. This list shows that the Philippine military has engaged China, Vietnam and Malaysia through the years.)
One senior Philippine government official traced China’s interest in Recto Bank to the joint survey that China and the the Philippines signed in September 2004. The official, who spoke to me on condition of anonymity, said:
The truth is, there’s nothing in the Spratlys (or Nansha islands) but coral and endangered beautiful fish. There are no oil resources there.
The resources are in Recto Bank which China started claiming only after the previous administration (of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) entered into a Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) with China in 2004.
Forum’s recent gas find is on Recto Bank, which is also near the Camago-Malampaya fields now in operation. The US Energy Information Administration (US EIA) noted that:
The Filipino Malampaya and Camago fields are in waters claimed by China. Both fields are estimated to contain a combined amount of 2.3 to 4.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves. The Philippines has proceeded with development of the fields and linked the gas output to three power plants via a 312-mile pipeline. There have been no objections from China regarding this development. The Malampaya came on stream in October 2001.
Indonesia also came under protest by China after the former found gas-rich fields off Natuna Islands, the US EIA noted:
Indonesia’s claim was undisputed until China released an official map with unclear maritime boundaries indicating that Chinese-claimed waters in the South China Sea may extend into the waters around the Natuna Islands.
But the US EIA added:
Indonesia responded in 1996 by holding large military exercises in the Natuna Islands region. Since then, Indonesia has begun major natural gas production in the Natuna area without China voicing any objection. Indonesia has been exporting Natuna gas to Singapore’s Jurong island via a 400-mile undersea pipeline since 2001.
As of 2008, the Natuna fields are estimated to have close to 46 trillion cubic feet of recoverable reserves – dwarfing Forum’s Sampaguita gas field.
As for Malaysia, the US EIA also noted:
Many Malaysian natural gas fields located offshore Sarawak are also claimed by China, but to date, China has not specifically objected to their development. Discoveries of oil in 2002 and 2004 (by Murphy Oil and Shell Malaysia, respectively) off the coast of Sabah have contributed to the dispute between Malaysia and Brunei over offshore rights. Brunei had asserted a 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off its coastline in 2000. Negotiations between the two governments to resolve the issue are ongoing.
China’s objections with Manila intensified last year
In July 11 last year, the Philippines offered for bidding oil exploration Blocs 3 and 4, northwest of Palawan. China vigorously registered its objections over this.
The two blocs are part of the area where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allowed China and Vietnam to undertake a seismic survey in 2004, DOE Undersecretary Layug confirmed to me in a recent interview.
Next month is the deadline for the submission of the bids.
The JMSU was signed on September 1, 2004 by China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Philippine National Oil Company.
Barry Wain of the Far Eastern Economic Review called the JMSU “Manila’s bungle in the South China Sea.”
Thanks to the JMSU, Wain said:
The Philippines also has made breathtaking concessions in agreeing to the area for study, including parts of its own continental shelf not even claimed by China and Vietnam. Through its actions, Manila has given a certain legitimacy to China’s legally spurious “historic claim” to most of the South China Sea.
Why did the Philippines do this? I’ll be writing about this later on in another article.
___________________________
Military Clashes and Incidents in the South China Sea between 1970 and 2002
[NOTE: I have highlighted in red those which involved the Philippine military.]
1974 – Between China & Vietnam – China seized the Paracels from Vietnam, with 18 of its troops killed in clashes on one of the islands.
1988 – Between China & Vietnam – Chinese and Vietnamese navies clashed at Johnson Reef in the Spratlys. Several Vietnamese boats were sunk and over 70 sailors killed.
1992 – Between Vietnam & China – 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 – Between 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 – Between China & the Philippines – China occupied Philippine-claimed Mischief Reef. Philippine military evicted the Chinese in March and destroyed Chinese markers.
1995 – Between Taiwan & Vietnam – Taiwanese artillery fired on a Vietnamese supply ship.
1996 – Between China and the 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 – Between the Philippines & China – 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 – Between Vietnam & the Philippines – In January, Vietnamese soldiers fired on a Philippine fishing boat near Tennent (Pigeon) Reef.
1999 – Between the Philippines & China – 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 – Between China & the Philippines – In May, Chinese warships were accused of harassing a Philippine navy vessel after it ran aground near the Spratlys.
1999 – Between Vietnam and the Philippines – In October, Vietnamese troops fired upon a Philippine air force plane on reconnaissance in the Spratlys.
1999 – Between Malaysia & the 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 – Between the Philippines & China – In May, Philippine troops opened fire on Chinese fishermen, killing one and arresting seven.
2001 – Between the Philippines & China – 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 – Between the Philippines & China – 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 – Between Vietnam & the Philippines – In August, Vietnamese troops fired warning shots at Filipino military reconnaissance planes circling over the Spratlys.
baycas says
TOWARDS A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
A White Paper by the WPS Informal Expert Group
http://bavierablogonintlrelations.blogspot.com/2012/09/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-ja-x.html
raissa says
Thanks for this, Baycas.
Ed says
I think this should be investigated if there is binding legal agreement which GMA sign and approved ,JDV is also instrumental on this issue he kept quiete in this issue to cover up his influence in the congress.Howeve as Aquino admin said the agreement is already null.
This the reason why China is building up a preasurre to do bilateral agree to weeken tha ASEAN and divide in take advanatges for the exploration of the resources .They have a good think tank in china.Strategy play the role.See what they did they not participate in policing the trouble nation.
They concentrate in the Economy ,let the wester n country waste thier resources ,For two decaced they succeed .US and his allied countries suffer economic growth.
Which country take adavantages is only China ,there is no fair game in economic policy ,always take advantages due to thier low labor resources.
Now is high time for them to look for resources to maintain thier economy.
They penetrated Africa,No they have cooperation with Pakistan putting up ports for commercial and military base,in Sri Lanka also so they encircling India which they border disputes.Going bak to Pakistan if they succed they are building Pipiline from Pakistan al the way to China. So who take advantages in after US policing the area again.
In short is building Military based while waiting for the deployment of thier first carrier to be deployed not later by 2012. They have blue water navy already in Philippines they are building based in disputed are a listening device for milatry use.
So a big mistake for the allied forces didnt forcast what happened in past decade did they gain something eceonimical BIG NO . Who gain is China very simple logic.
This the way world order changed rapidly.we better watch out. China is expanding in space .In order to be in power or with level of US and Russia.
This is war of technology which put the country in front of others.Copying intelectual rights is not fair play which China take all the advantages for the past two decade of US Policing.
We should wake up which country we joined .
The first article 1 of UN seem not faloowed and respected
fjsingson says
Any revealing and insightful articles on Scarborough situation and mining in the Philippines?
Kind of quiet in CyberPlaza…. think mining will be the next fulcrum event in our country?
Mel says
jjvillamor says
I don’t think its just the natural resources. It’s also about the strategic sea lanes.
Alan says
For China it’s many things. For its leaders it’s all about the coming Politburo meeting this autumn, which will decide who the country’s leaders will be. Panatag Shoal presents an opportunity to rack up pogi points with the public. For the populace it’s a useful diversion made easier to pull off because of massive (not quite total) state censorship and control of the media. For the Chinese military it’s an opportunity to display strength not just to the populace ad hapless Filipinos but also to competitors such as Japan and the US. For the country as a whole it’s an opportunity to assert its strength and influence and make an effort to efface the humiliation the country underwent from the middle of the 19th century to the time the Communists won
jjvillamor says
For China’s legislators, the richest 70 of whom is richer than the entire US congress, entire supreme court, all cabinet members, and president combined, there is little doubt where their personal interest lies.
I wonder how rich their 70 “poorest” legislators are.
anonymous_coward says
This article was cited on the Asia Times Online article of Peter Lee – “The riddle of the Scarborough Shoals”
Greater China, May 19, 2012
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/NE19Ad03.html
Mel says
@anonymous_coward,
Thanks for the link. A good read.
Read related comment @ ‘Why get so riled up over some rocks under the sea?‘ #118.2
Mel says
Hey Raïssa
Your name and write-up was featured and mentioned in this article, Part 2 of 2.
Congrats.
but oops, the writer misspelt your name. LOL!
raissa says
Thanks, Mel.
The writer has a sense of humor.
Mel says
Mel says
Mel says
Was it a gaffe, a threat or a warning?
Mel says
See what medicinal baby capsules can do to a pretty news reader.
– http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2c913216495213d5df646910cba0a0a0/?vgnextoid=d83fa2930a037310VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=teaser&ss=China&s=News
Was there a formal apology on air?
None so far. That’s how proud & smart they think they really are.
Soon, they’ll claim planet earth as their own.
And the rest are aliens. Just visiting…
—
related comment.
CCTV ‘claims’ Philippines as Chinese territory
Mel says
You may ask, ‘what medicinal baby capsules’?
FDA tracking ‘fetus pills’ from China
For the latest world wide web news and possible epidemic reaching the asian region from China (who claims the whole of South China Sea for itself), google ‘Chinese-Made Infant Flesh Capsules’.
In my ‘ignorant’ opinion on this matter, this is modern day cannibalism.
BUT read a China man’s plight for freedom, who knew about this state sanctioned ‘one child policy’ being forced on a province in China. Is it a modern day genocide? Your answer is within reach of your finger tips.
Chen Guangcheng has no sight but his mind saw the human tragedies taking place in China
The International Criminal Court can have its handful of complainants if it has a political will to save humanity in modern day China.
netty says
http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/a-chinese-group-plans-to-construct-a-200-acre-china-city-in-michigan
It seems that China wants a piece or pieces (not peace) slices of land/islands to where they set their sights on. How can we believe that the U.S. can ever be defending the PH if we are in trouble with the Chinese? The U.S. is in huge debt with China and those countries that can afford to buy and make a mini government inside the American land that is “a safe location ” are welcome. This is inevitable collaboration of their powers and might when the time comes that can be very handy for self interest.. money and power…there are dramas and undisclosed truths that we don’t know. They could be oil, water resources, freedom to use the sea strait with the vast vessels for safety of their own people and to control others in encroaching their territory…..there are dramas and “undisclosed truths” that we don’t know. Raissa???
ric says
It makes me feel at ease that foreigners are banned from owning land by the Constitution of the Philippines.
Leona says
I cannot believe this news story that we had been “had” by the Americans, the warships we are buying have no “weapons” pala! And our officials are pleading with the sellers to put or give back the weapons of those ships we bought. Hahaha! Dyahe!
This nation is really always at the receiving ends. Always. My Goooolie (sabi niya) !
PNoy! Diid you know about this purchases? No weapons! Ano ito? For another price for the “guns” of those war boats? Vintage na, wala pa cannons at bala! Sling shots na lang siguro ang gamit ng mga navy personnel natin.
Lantaka puede siguro. Bala…ay lata ng sardinas. At least pag may tama, bukol din si koh ching hua!
Check-the-facts says
Most of the military equipment coming from the US is donated, we are not paying for it.
Leona says
All claims over these Islands are not resolved legally, by law, international or otherwise. China knows it has the muscles and armed force to deal with other claimants. What will stop the US by its Navy the 7th Fleet from also putting a claim over these Islands?
The reasons advanced by China can and is logically accepted, to include even the whole Philippine Islands by increasing their “lines of demarcations” later on after it succeeds to occupy all the islands it wants. It wants everything in that area!
Were these Islands also ceded by the US and Spain in the Treaty of Paris? I do not remember even after reading some portions of that Treat. And since, if I am correct, only the Islands of the Philippines were ceded, these unincluded Islands remains “res nullius” without an owner. USA may still claim it by “conquest” under International Laws, which it can against all other claimants. Would China believe it can challenge the US Navy? Or Vietnam? Or Taiwan? Or Malaysia? or Borneo? Or even our navy?
A long lull if the US Navy comes into these Islands. Peace reign for the moment. The future will tell what happens next.
Mel says
Is Rep. Gina de VENECIA playing politics, or doing a Maria Clara of old?
Mel says
Manuel Pangilinan was ‘…asked earlier if his group was willing to deal with China despite the latter’s incursion into Philippine territory, Pangilinan said: “That is a solution. I think we should be talking to Chinese companies.”‘
Mel says
NEGOTIATION to maximize tap use of minerals such as Natural Gas Deposits in the West Philippine Sea is the most civilized arrangement between countries (i.e. Phils. & China) with competing interests in the Spratly Islands.
The Recto Bank, near the Spratly Islands, may open up a mutually beneficial Business-Entrepreneurial Venture between countries, without resorting to primitive bullying, harassment and piracy to get its own way.
China has the dough, the Philippines has the fuel to make bread. They can both do business, build economic ties and provide better living standards to their own respective people. RESPECT is all that is needed to start trade and commerce from these mineral deposits.
Victin luz says
A win on win situation Mel Ok. Terms and condition must be properly monitored
After reviewing if the contracts are advantageous to or Country and to the Filipinos. Fair business deal.
Mel says
@Victin
Tama ka rin kabayan.
This situation can be turned around to benefit both countries, the asian region and ASEAN.
Chinese and Filipino asians are by nature entrepreneurial. Practical – hindi init ng ulo ang gagamitin. Parehong mayabang – pero mas mayabang ang Han chinese.
Ang magagawa ng gobyerno ng pilipinas ay patas at pantay ang contrata. Hindi ipapasubo ang bansa. Katulad ng ginawa ni GMA at mga kampon niyang pok-pok.
Si Manuel Pangilinan, walang mawawala sa kaniya. Binata, walang anak at pamilya. May yaman, anu pa ang hahangarin niya sa buhay? Huwag sana siyang sakim. Protektahan din nawa niya ang interest ng bansa niya. May awa ang Diyos na buhay.
Elena Lemi says
@Mel
Personally, I don’t trust him. He better explain 1st regarding the PLDT stocks.
Mel says
LOL!
Ayaw mong bitawan talaga. Nagtanim ka talaga ng sama ng luob.
LOL!
He’s now part owner [?] of The Phil Star. Why not ask Raïssa to do an interview or a piece on that ‘cornered robbery’ type of shares buy back scheme.
You’d never know, Raïssa already has some nuggets somewhere in her archives waiting to see the light of day.
Elena Lemi says
@Mel
I am not the only 1. I met some when I went to PLDT Makati office. There were lots who are senior citizens. Some came from far away provinces. What can you say about this?
I even heard that he is gay. With some love interest in Channel 5 & new beau, a basketball player of his team. Dami kong nalaman when I made the long wait in PLDT office.
Kaya I will be very vigilant with the contract of the oil drilling in Recto Bank. Parang “hawk eye” ika nga!
Mel says
I heard those too.
One time, they were rooting him for Kris A. when she was still available.
From magazine interviews I read many years ago, I recall he only sleeps an hour to two a day. Have regular late to early morning meetings. He was very close to his mother, that he visits her almost everyday at her retirement abode. I wonder if she is still alive.
With his personal sexual preference aside, the man is a ‘can do’ person. His rise to the corporate ladder was attributed to an Indonesian magnate who endowed MVP with utmost trust and confidence in his big business interests in the Phils.
At one interview, the late Cory A. was highly admired by this Indonesian magnate, and MVP made it possible for him to meet Cory in person.
Mel says
re “… Indonesian magnate who endowed MVP with utmost trust and confidence in his big business interests in the Phils.”
[RIP]
jjvillamor says
His sexual orientation should not be an issue. MVP seems to be an exceptional leader who get the job done
Elena Lemi says
@Mel
Let’s finish 1st Corona & Scarborough Shoal. It’s more urgent than the PLDT shares. Anyway I am not selling but acquiring pa.
Mel says
I wrote, “Chinese and Filipino asians are by nature entrepreneurial.”
Tuloy-tuloy nawa ang supporta ni PNoy at ng kaniyang administrasyon. Dahil sana niya ang Sari-Sari Convention sa Visayas at Mindanao din.
Hindi niyo ba alam, mas marami ang munting negosyong pa Sari-Sari o palengke kaysa sa palakihang shopping malls at kanda-siksikang bazaars?
It is still the number one job creation and income provider in the barrios, towns, provinces, cities and metropolitan urban areas – combined.
Mel says
erra…
DahilDALHIN sana niya ang Sari-Sari Convention sa Visayas at Mindanao din.Mel says
‘Pangilinan flew to Beijing a few days ago to meet with officials of the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corp. for a possible joint venture in Recto Bank in Western Palawan.’
Don’t be surprised if FFG Mike Arroyo detoured to pave a way or got involved in this recent, low profile dev’t. May it be his token restitution to mend his wrong former FG sin to his nation.
Mel says
“So I go back, if we are able to exploit these resources (in a manner) that redounds to benefits for the entire region, we will be less dependent on oil from the Middle East and North Africa,” Aquino said.
“President Aquino appointed Domingo Lee, his former nominee to become ambassador to China, and Cesar C. Zalamea as Special Envoys of the President to the People’s Republic of China with a term of six months each.”
pinoy_overseas says
@To all FilAm, @David
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is a major player and an insider since Pres Marcos time. So he is very credible on this and he knows what he is talking about.
Filipinos and Pnoy should learn to bet not only inside the Philippines but also outside the Philippines.
Pnoy should send Gen Danilo Lim immediately as ambassador to China and ask China to match and quadruple the US bid. Maybe China could help modernize the AFP and in return for China to have their fisherman fish in the Scarborough Shoal area from time to time especially during typhoon seasons.