DATE=12/1/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-242333
TITLE=CHINA / SPRATLYS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  CHINA IS EXPRESSING DISPLEASURE AT THE PHILIPPINE NAVY'S
DETENTION OF 20 CHINESE FISHERMEN NEAR MISCHIEF REEF, IN THE 
DISPUTED SPRATLY ISLANDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.  AS V-O-A'S 
STEPHANIE HO REPORTS FROM BEIJING, THE REEF IS CLAIMED BY BOTH 
BEIJING AND MANILA.

TEXT:  IN CHINA'S FIRST REACTION TO THE PHILIPPINE NAVY'S 
DETENTION  OF THE CHINESE FISHERMEN, FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN 
TANG GUOQIANG SAID TUESDAY BEIJING IS VERY CONCERNED BY THE 
INCIDENT.

HE CHARGED THE CHINESE FISHERMEN AND FISHING BOATS ARE BEING HELD
ILLEGALLY.  HE SAYS THE PHILIPPINES SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RELEASE 
THEM.  THE CHINESE SPOKESMAN ADDED THE PHILIPPINES SHOULD TAKE 
MEASURES TO AVOID SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN THE FUTURE.

THE PHILIPPINE NAVY DETAINED THE CHINESE FISHERMEN SUNDAY, NEAR 
THE DISPUTED SPRATLY ISLANDS -- A CLUSTER OF LARGELY-UNINHABITED 
ISLES AND REEFS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA CLAIMED WHOLLY OR IN PART 
BY CHINA, THE PHILIPPINES, VIETNAM, MALAYSIA, BRUNEI AND TAIWAN. 
THE AREA IS BELIEVED TO BE RICH IN OIL AND NATURAL GAS.

DIPLOMATIC TENSION FLARED LAST MONTH OVER MISCHIEF REEF, WHEN THE
PHILIPPINES ACCUSED CHINA OF SENDING ARMED NAVAL SHIPS TO THE 
AREA TO BUILD WHAT MANILA SAID LOOKED LIKE PERMANENT STRUCTURES 
FOR MILITARY USE.  PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA ORDERED 
STEPPED UP PATROLS AROUND THE REEF TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF WHAT 
HE CALLED INTRUDERS.

BEIJING HAS REJECTED MANILA'S PROTEST AND HAS REFUSED TO REMOVE 
THE  FACILITIES -- SAYING THEY ARE FISHERMEN'S SHELTERS WHICH 
NEEDED RENOVATION.

AT A REGIONAL ECONOMIC MEETING LAST MONTH, CHINESE PRESIDENT 
JIANG ZEMIN PROPOSED TO MR. ESTRADA THE TWO COUNTRIES JOINTLY USE
THE FACILITIES.  PHILIPPINE OFFICIALS ARE STUDYING THE OFFER. 
(SIGNED)

NEB / HO / GC / WD

01-Dec-98 4:28 AM EST (0928 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.