The Spratlys are one of three archipelagos of the South China Sea which comprise more than 30,000 islands and reefs. Such small and remote islands have little economic value in themselves, but are important in establishing international boundaries. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from Vietnam, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Malaysia and the Philippines. Brunei has also claimed an EEZ in the southeastern part of the Spratlys encompassing just one area of small islands above mean high water (on Louisa Reef.)BEIJING/MANILA – China told its citizens Thursday they were not safe in the Philippines and its state media warned of war, as a month-long row over rival claims in the South China Sea threatened to spin out of control. Chinese travel agencies announced they had suspended tours to the Philippines, under government orders, and the embassy in Manila advised its nationals already in the country to stay indoors ahead of planned protests. “Avoid going out at all if possible, and if not, avoid going out alone. If you come across any demonstrations, leave the area, do not stay to watch,” the embassy's advisory said. The safety alerts came as government-controlled media in China warned the country was prepared to go to war to end the stand-off over Scarborough Shoal - small islands in the South China Sea that both nations claim as their own. “No matter how willing we are to discuss the issue, the current Philippine leadership is intent on pressing us into a corner where there is no other option left but the use of arms,” the China Daily said in an editorial. “Since ancient times, our nation has deemed war the last resort in handling state-to-state relations. But Manila is living in a fantasy world if it mistakes our forbearance for timidity.” China urged the Philippines to ensure the safety of its citizens ahead of planned anti-Chinese protests. A protest of about 1,000 people, organized for Friday in Manila by Philippine civil society and political groups, risks worsening strains over the disputed waters, thought to posses abundant oil and gas reserves and fishing stocks. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the protest plans have “aroused the concern and strong reaction of the Chinese public at home and abroad.” “China is paying close attention to the safety of the Chinese people and institutions in the Philippines, and demands that the Philippines provide effective assurances for their safety,” Hong told reporters at a regular press briefing. The two nations have had non-military vessels stationed at the shoal since April 8 in an effort to assert their sovereignty to the area. The dispute began when Philippine authorities detected Chinese ships fishing there. They attempted to arrest the crew, but were blocked by Chinese surveillance vessels that were quickly deployed to the area. The shoal sits about 230 km from the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The nearest major Chinese landmass is 1,200 kilometers northwest of the shoal, according to Filipino navy maps. The Philippines insists its claims to the area are backed by international law, as the shoal is well within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. But China claims virtually all of the South China Sea as its territory, even waters close to the coasts of the Philippines and other Asian countries. – Agencies See Typhoons and warships
