Beijing, China (The Adobo Chronicles) – Tensions continue to build in the South China Sea as China escalates both rhetoric and physical presence in the disputed territories in the Spratlys, a group of islands also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The Spratly Islands are important for a number of reasons: the area holds potentially significant, but largely unexplored, reserves of oil and natural gas; it is a productive area for world fishing;  and it is one of the busiest areas of commercial shipping traffic.

News from various sources shows that China has not only started oil drilling operations in the area, but is also quietly attempting to build an artificial island, reclaiming parts of the sea to establish an aircraft runway.  Movements by Chinese supply ships have also been reported near at least two reefs in the disputed territories.

In yet another move by China to pursue what some world leaders are calling its “expansionist policy,” the Chinese government has formally filed papers before the United Nations claiming ownership of Manila’s Chinatown in the Binondo district, the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594.

Sources close to the Beijing government told The Adobo Chronicles that if successful in its attempt to lay claim on Manila’s Chinatown, the Chinese government will build a wall around it and require passports and visas for non-Chinese citizens to dine or shop within what will be officially called Chinese Walled City.  The wall that will be built will mimic that of the Great Wall of China.

The government of Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino is still studying the matter and is not ready to issue a response or statement.