Over the last few months, satellite imagery has revealed that China is stepping up its aggression in the South China Sea. They have built 8 new mini islands in the region since January and have since placed military weapons and stocks of missiles on the newly constructed land masses.
Claiming that the region within the 9 Dash Line belongs to them, China has also recently increased the number of fishing and military boats planted around the tiny islands located in the region. Pressure has been mounting.
Yesterday, China commissioned troops on their islands to began a systematic invasion of all islands in the South China Sea. Vietnam and the Philippines claim possession of many of the islands that China has begun to occupy and have ordered their military to protect the islands with force if necessary.
Last night protests erupted on one of the Philippine islands as the Chinese attempted to land their military. The U.N. estimates 15 civilian casualties thus far, but observers fear that there is likely to be more violence and confrontations over the next seveal days.
Being that the Philippines is a traditional ally of the U.S., President Rodrigo Duterte has contacted President Trump asking for military back-up. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is worried for the safety of the island's inhabitants. Duterte claims he has attempted to negotiate, but by what he says, Xingping is not holding back and wants complete control of the islands. In an official statement to the media, China declared, "China is making no moves to take land or sea regions with are not already part of the one China."
Duterte has asked Rex Tillerson and the American government to fulfill it's commitments to it's ally the Philippines. Among other request, the Philippines is asking for two loaded aircraft carriers with a few hundred troops. U.S.
MEMBERS OF THE CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED TO
ASSESS, DEBATE AND RECOMMEND A PLAN OF ACTION IN RESPONSE...