Marine Oil 981: US should not get involved

China says the United States should not get involved in the disputes over the Spratly Islands since it is “not a party to the dispute”.
China's semi-sub drilling rig Marine Oil 981, HAI YANG SHI YOU 981, 船主 is headed for the Spratly Islands, a disputed area probably oil rich
The warning came as the Philippines and the United States prepare to hold joint naval exercises (CARAT) starting on June 28 at an undisclosed site where the Philippines’ Naval Forces West (Navforwest) operates. The site is believed to be in the Sulu Sea and nearby waters.China's increasing wealth pays for a big budget. Following its decade of spending increases, China's defense outlays are scheduled to rise another 12.7% in 2011 to 601 billion yuan (nearly $100 billion). That's far less than the U.S.'s $708 billion defense budget -- but the two are headed in opposite directions.

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