May 2015
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Why the Next US President Should Pivot to the South China Sea
A handful of Democrats and Republicans have expressed an interest in running for their party’s 2016 presidential nomination while others are considering. Whoever is elected as the next president of the United States, he/she should place higher priority on the South China Sea (SCS). Why? First, the SCS has emerged as a central aspect of […]
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DFA on PHL activity in South China Sea: Minor fixes not large-scale construction
The Philippines has done some minor “repairs and maintenance” work in Filipino-occupied areas within the country’s exclusive economic zone which is allowed under international law unlike the massive land reclamations by China which are far from its territory and grossly violates the law, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Tuesday. At the same time, Del […]
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China takes steps to control South China Sea
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Great Wall of Sand, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, USABeijing’s new land-reclamation strategy in the South China Sea has been ringing alarm bells in the region and has prompted the U.S. to accuse China of attempting to force its way to de facto control of disputed waters. Several high-definition satellite images surfaced this month of China’s land reclamation and construction on Mischief Reef in […]
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PLA Officials Say South China Sea Reclamation To Boost Search And Rescue Abilities In Region
In the past, China’s presence in the disputed South China Sea waters was based on what it says are historical claims to the area. Now, China is shifting its narrative from a so-called regional military “reclamation” effort based on sovereignty claims to one that boasts humanitarian contributions for the region. Despite international criticism, China has […]
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U.S. keeps watchful eye as China builds ‘Great Wall of Sand’
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Miliitarization, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USAABOVE THE EAST CHINA SEA — The crew of Pelican One keeps a watchful eye as the U.S. Navy patrol plane swoops low to identify a ship operating near waters off southwestern Japan that China now claims as its territory. After a radio check and a close look confirms the ship is a harmless Panama-flagged […]
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Tiny islands key to ownership of South China Sea
Airstrips, Artificial Islands, China, History, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, USAIn response, China says it’s “severely concerned” about the South East Asian nations’ statement. South East Asia says China’s actions have “eroded trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security and stability”. China retorts that what it’s doing is “entirely legal and shouldn’t be questioned”. Are the gloves coming off in the South China Sea […]
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Sea of troubles
Airstrip, Artificial Islands, China, Ecology, Environmental Impact, Militarization, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USAAMERICA and its friends in Asia have long worried about the South China Sea becoming a Chinese lake—a vast stretch of water, through which half the world’s commercial shipping passes, falling under the control of China’s fast-expanding navy and coastguard. In the past few months these fears have been amplified by satellite pictures showing Chinese […]
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US Rejects China’s Offer Over Disputed Islands
Washington: The United States on Friday swiftly rejected a suggestion by a top Chinese military official who said that disputed South China Sea islands could be used for international rescue and relief operations. Beijing has been roundly criticized by the West for construction work on islands in the South China Sea, including the building of […]
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‘China fabricating stories to cover up marine destruction in Spratlys’
Artificial Islands, China, Ecology, Environmental Impact, Food Security, Kalayaan Group of Islands, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysMANILA, Philippines – China is making up stories to cover up the massive destruction to marine life and the environment caused by Chinese reclamation projects in the disputed Spratlys, defense officials said. Peter Paul Galvez, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman, said China has resorted to concocting lies to defend its illegal and destructive reclamation […]
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Why China’s fake islands violate international law
Arbitration, Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, UNCLOSChina’s reclamation activities in disputed waters of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) damage the environment and violate international laws, international researchers said. “Large-scale reclamation work in the South China Sea using living coral reefs as building material is causing severe environmental damage. It is also against international law,” said Youna Lyons and Wong […]