There have been some quite testy diplomatic exchanges of late....

There have been some quite testy diplomatic exchanges of late. Tensions started getting quite high with the arrival of the fishing fleet near the Ayungin Shoal.
http://www.eurasiareview.com/04072013-china-fishing-to-expand-maritime-territories-analysis/

I'm not sure that the Cessna will go far in defending the territory
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/07/01/960438/air-force-vows-defend-phl-territory

aand as for the US and their Asia pivot, well..
http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/opinion/33128-stopping-china-by-compromise

It is interesting to do a google earth search for some of these specks of rock - some great photos posted of some pretty lonely outposts.