[aegiscg47]

There's a showdown coming over the Spratleys and several other island groups in that part of the world. Fishing, mineral, and oil exploration rights are the central issue here and several countries are buying all the arms they can for the eventual conflict. The Philippines was supposed to take an issue over a few of the islands to the UN Security Council the other day, but I haven't heard what happened(probably nothing). It will be interesting to see how far China goes.

[coldphoenix]

China seems to have played its hand a little early. Remember the Japanese islands’ dispute?.. They also have had skirmishes with Vietnam before...
India and Vietnam are actually increasing military co-operation with a eye firmly on ensuring China does not get trigger happy and try to take the islands by force.
It wouldn’t be China’s best interest if all the smaller countries banded together with a little muscle added in by India and possibly the US.