South China Sea becomes disputed territory in energy fight

Home to a population that consumes 20 percent of the world’s energy, China sees the waterways as indispensable to its economic health.

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“We can’t stand up to the military power of China, but we can still resist,” said Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, with a confiscated Chinese boat at Western Command headquarters in Puerto Princesa, Philippines.

Andrew Higgins / The Washington Post

The Philippine military detained these crew members from a Chinese vessel. China is attempting to harness resources to which the Philippines and other nations lay claim.

Andrew Higgins / The Washington Post

Outside the Chinese Consulate in the financial district of Makati, east of Manila, demonstrators protest the alleged Chinese military incursions into the disputed Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea. The area is believed to be rich with natural gas deposits.

Bullit Marquez / AP

In May 2011, workers in Shanghai celebrate the launch of Offshore Oil 981, China’s first deep-water drilling rig.

Tu Zhili / ImagineChina

A naval base, seen in April 2010, has been built on the cay of the Spratlys.

Zha Chunming / Xinhua via AP

Vietnamese sailors patrol on Phan Vinh Island in the Spratly archipelago. In May, Vietnam accused China of slicing cables from an oil survey ship.

Vietnam News Agency / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, right, leads an expedition along the shores of Pagasa Island, in the disputed Spratlys.

Rolex dela Pena / Pool

The South China Sea, seen from Sabbang beach in the Philippines.

Andrew Higgins / The Washington Post

When the governor of Palawan, Philippines, flew in a military plane over Pagasa island this summer, China accused him of trespassing on its territory. Pagasa is a Philippine-controlled area.

Rolex dela Pena / Pool

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