November 2017
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Diplomatic initiative revived to counter China’s growing influence
NEW DELHI — Alongside the gladhanding, strutting and tweets from world leaders at two Asian summits over the past few days, one of the most important geopolitical developments came from a low-key meeting between civil servants from four countries. Officials from the United States, Japan, Australia and India met on Sunday (Nov 12) […]
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Navy stops Panatag patrol
National security adviser says decision meant to ease tension in disputed waters BOLINAO, Pangasinan — The Navy has stopped sending patrols to the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to ease tension with China, the national security adviser, Hermogenes Esperon Jr., said here last week. “We do not send Navy ships to the area anymore. We […]
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Duterte, Trump hit South China Sea ‘militarization’
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Donald Trump criticized the “militarization” of the disputed South China Sea as the two parties held their first bilateral meeting. “Both sides reiterated their commitment to uphold their principles including the freedom of navigation and overflight, and the exercise of self-restraint,” said a […]
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ASEAN avoids hitting China in Chairman’s Statement
ASEAN evades reference to China’s militarization of the South China Sea, as it hails the ‘positive momentum’ in Southeast Asia’s ties with China ASEAN CHAIR. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte chairs the 31st ASEAN Summit, where Southeast Asian leaders avoid directly criticizing China over its militarization of the disputed South China Sea. Malacañang photo […]
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Heat on China in the Indian Ocean: As France comes calling, why is India the focal point for global powers?
NEW DELHI: Another global power, this time France, is looking to set the ball rolling on increasing its cooperation with New Delhi in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This will be a key area of focus at two upcoming high-level exchanges between France and India set close to each other. The aim undoubtedly is […]
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Will China Scuttle ExxonMobil’s South China Sea Gas Project With Vietnam?
Last week, economic leaders from around the Asia-Pacific region gathered for the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ meeting held in the pleasant seaside resort city of Da Nang, Vietnam. Established in 1989, APEC is a regional economic forum comprising 21 member states, including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the United […]
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Trump’s Russia, Duterte’s China
Siegfried and Roy had a long-running and very successful act at the Mirage Casino in Las Vegas. The act featured two white tigers that did marvelous tricks at the crack of the trainers’ whips. Then one day, one of the tigers attacked Roy and mauled him within an inch of his life. The act has […]
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Why Shinzo Abe stopped prodding Beijing on the South China Sea
During the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila this week, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was careful not to mention disputes in the South China Sea, while Chinese leaders called for both countries to build on the positive momentum. Chinese analysts said tensions appeared to be easing between the two neighbours amid […]
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BALANCING CHINA: HOW THE UNITED STATES AND ITS PARTNERS CAN CHECK CHINESE NAVAL EXPANSION
For 70 years, the U.S. military has dominated the seas and skies of East Asia, enjoying almost total freedom of movement and the ability to deny such freedom to enemies. Now, however, China has acquired advanced missiles and launch platforms that may be able to destroy U.S. ships, aircraft, and bases within 500 […]
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Duterte: China backs binding Code of Conduct in South China Sea
CHINA is in favor of instituting a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte said at the conclusion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit hosted by Manila. Duterte said that this gesture on the part of China was one of the outcomes of the 50th […]