PREVIEW: This file features a conversation between John Batchelor and Jim Fanell, a retired US Navy intelligence captain, regarding China's aggression in the South China Sea. They discuss China's 2012 seizure of Scarborough Shoal and its continued efforts

The John Batchelor Show

PREVIEW: This file features a conversation between John Batchelor and Jim Fanell, a retired US Navy intelligence captain, regarding China's aggression in the South China Sea. They discuss China's 2012 seizure of Scarborough Shoal and its continued efforts to provoke the Philippines and assert "irregular" claims. Jim Fanell explains that China's declaration of Scarborough Shoal as its own, controlling access, is based on PRC law and constitutes aggression, aiming to dominate the Philippines militarily or diplomatically. Recently, a Chinese Navy destroyer and coast guard cutter chased a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, demonstrating China's intent to take full possession of Scarborough Shoal and deny Filipino access, showing a willingness to use increasing military force. This echoes the 2012 event when China took Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines without firing a shot under the Obama administration, with the awareness of Secretary Clinton and Kurt Campbell. More recently, the Chinese state government declared Scarborough Shoal a nature reserve, a "political warfare move" to force Filipinos to seek permission for access and threatening the use of force under Chinese law if they enter without authorization.