June 2016
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Yasay to China: Join us in resolving sea row
SUMMARY MANILA, Philippines – Incoming Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr urged China on Wednesday, June 8, to join the Philippines in peacefully resolving their dispute over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). “I would just simply invite China to join us, as we would join them, in making sure that we will be […]
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Why Beijing Will Increase Its South China Sea Activities In The Next Few Months
China has called on the Philippines to stop its international court proceedings on the South China Sea territorial disputes, but also stressed that it was still open to dialogue with Manila to settle the issue. The call on Wednesday from the foreign ministry comes ahead of a ruling expected from the Permanent Court of Arbitration […]
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Europeans in the South China Sea
France has thrown its hat into the acrimonious South China Sea debate, calling for more European naval patrols in a contested waterway that is at the center of a growing dispute between China and the United States and its Asian allies. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, speaking Sunday at a three-day security conference in […]
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Kerry warns Beijing over air defense zone for South China Sea
U.S. officials have expressed concern that an international court ruling expected in coming weeks on a case brought by the Philippines against China over its South China Sea claims could prompt Beijing to declare an air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, as it did over the East China Sea in 2013. “We would consider an […]
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China Must Explain Sea Plans to Small Nations, New Zealand Says
China should explain its island building program in the South China Sea or it will continue to fuel insecurity among countries whose economies depend on free trade, including smaller nations many miles away, New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said. “What we are looking to see from the Chinese is some better understanding about what […]
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China hits out at US, Philippines over South China Sea, says ‘doesn’t fear trouble’
SINGAPORE – A senior Chinese defence official on Sunday (June 5) slammed the United States for double standards and irresponsible behaviour on the South China Sea dispute and scolded the Philippines for taking the spat to an UN arbitration court, saying that China “does not fear trouble” when it comes to upholding its sovereignty. “We […]
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Tensions escalate over South China Sea claims
Singapore – Asia’s largest defence summit concluded on Sunday amid growing fears of a legal and military showdown in the South China Sea over China’s rapid construction of artificial islands with ports, airstrips and helipads in one of the world’s most bitterly contested waterways. At the weekend-long Shangri-La Dialogue , Chinese military officials vowed to […]
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Maritime Spat Simmers as U.S., China Talk
SINGAPORE—China pushed back strongly against U.S. criticism of its stance on maritime disputes as the two sides prepared for economic and security talks expected to be dominated by tensions over the South China Sea. http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-china-trade-barbs-over-south-china-sea-at-shangri-la-dialogue-1465133442
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France to Push for Coordinated EU Patrols in South China Sea
France will urge European Union nations to coordinate navy patrols to ensure a “regular and visible” presence in the disputed South China Sea, in the latest sign of international push back to China’s expanded military clout in the area. The French government views the protection of freedom of the seas as critical from an economic […]
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The South China Sea has been shared, never owned by one power
I refer to the article by former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa (“On South China Sea disputes, China stands on the side of history, logic and the law”, May 25). Readers should welcome Mr Tung’s call for greater understanding of the different countries’ positions on the South China Sea and for a better understanding of its […]