China Steps Up Spratly Pressure

China uses remote system to plan flag on floor of SC Sea (Photo Credit: NY Times)

From AP wire reported in Salon

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao denied that his government committed any intrusion. He said China has not started to drill for oil there and warned others to stop any oil exploration in the area without Beijing's permission. China claims the entire South China Sea. "We're calling on other parties to stop searching for the possibility of exploiting resources in these areas where China has its claims," he told reporters.