MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese military general has revealed their strategy to take over Panatag Shoal off Zambales province. China Daily Mail reported that in a recent television interview, Major General Zhang Zhaozhong said that China’s navy has been wrapping the disputed island like a “cabbage” with warships.
China calls the shoal, which is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical miles exclusive economic zone, as Huangyan Island. It claims virtually the entire South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.
In the online news site’s transcript of the interview, Zhang explained at length China’s strategy to a television host who called the Philippines’ activities in the territory “rude” and “barbaric.”
“We have begun to take measures to seal and control the areas around the Huangyan Island, seal and control continuously up till now,” the Chinese news site quoted Zhang as saying.
The Chinese military added that they have been employing the “cabbage” strategy to secure the island from the Philippines by having constant surveillance and assigning administrative fishing vessels, besides warships, in the territory.
Gen. Zhang said: “If Filipinos want to enter the area, even the outermost area, they must first ask permission from our navy. Then they must also ask permission from our fishery administration ships and marine surveillance ships if they will be allowed to enter.”
The Chinese General also noted that there are smaller islands manned by few Filipino troopers and that there are no drinking water or food supplies available in those islands. Philippine vessels that provide food and water supplies to the troopers will not be allowed to pass the Chinese naval blockade. Under the Chinese cabbage strategy, the Filipino troopers will be forced to vacate even the small islands. (Source: Philstar.com)