China to begin deep water drilling in disputed sea

China's first deep water oil drill is ready to start production in the South China Sea amid an ongoing standoff with the Philippines in another section of the contested waters.

The official Xinhua News Agency says China National Offshore Oil Corporation's rig will start operations on Wednesday in an area 320 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Hong Kong. It will drill at a depth of 1,500 meters (almost 5,000 feet), Xinhua said in a report today.

Meanwhile, ships from China and the Philippines continue a standoff over Scarborough Shoal to the southeast. It's been going on since April 10 when the Philippine navy accused Chinese boats of fishing illegally. Both countries claim the shoal.

AP