January 2021
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Biden and China: The biggest issue for all Asia
WILL the new administration of President Joseph Biden escalate or moderate the rivalry between China and the United States for dominance in Asia? More than any other issue, how that geopolitical question is answered will have the greatest impact on the region in the 2020s, and most especially on the Philippines. (The follow-up article on […]
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Biden-led US to recognize PH arbitral win in South China Sea row, says envoy
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 21) — The Philippines’ arbitral victory in the West Philippine Sea dispute will continue to be recognized by the Biden administration in line with the strengthened ties between the two states, the country’s envoy maintained. Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez expressed confidence on Thursday that relations […]
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‘Criminal State’ China Intensifying Human Rights Abuses, Say British MPs
LONDON – The Chinese Communist party has intensified an assault on all human rights throughout China, and those interacting with the regime should do so in the knowledge they are interacting with ‘a criminal state’, says a new report from the human rights commission of Britain’s ruling Conservative Party. From the incarceration of millions of […]
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Chinese Survey Ship Caught ‘Running Dark’ Give Clues to Underwater Drone Operations
A Chinese government survey ship was intercepted “running dark” without broadcasting its position via AIS (Automated Information System by Indonesian officials. The incident is latest twist in an ongoing maritime saga which has also seen Chinese uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) found in Indonesia’s territorial waters. The survey ship, Xiang Yang Hong 03, left its base […]
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Locsin lauds Manila-Beijing ties on Chinese foreign minister’s third official visit to Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — The country’s top diplomat celebrated what he called the mutual support and growing trust between Manila and Beijing as he welcomed his Chinese counterpart for the third time on Saturday. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Manila for an official visit on Friday and is expected to depart on Saturday. Wang […]
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China to fund $940m Philippine railway linking former US bases
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-to-fund-940m-Philippine-railway-linking-former-US-bases
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China offers free Covid-19 vaccines, loans to Philippines as Wang Yi wraps up Southeast Asia tour
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi came to Manila bearing gifts, promising half a million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, US$1.34 billion in loan pledges for infrastructure projects and US$77 million (500 million yuan) in grants, underlining Beijing’s support for its “closest neighbour” in the twilight of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration and before Joe Biden becomes US […]
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China promises to donate 500,000 vaccine doses to PH
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16) — China will donate half a million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines, its State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced in a bilateral meeting with his Filipino counterpart, Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, Jr. on Saturday. Wang informed Locsin of the Chinese government’s “intention” to donate […]
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Vietnam’s omission from Chinese foreign minister’s Southeast Asia tour tells a story, observers say
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up his latest trip to Southeast Asia on Saturday, during which he sought to stabilise relations in the region ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden as US president. But of the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Wang has visited in recent months, […]
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‘South China Sea strategic benefit’ if Beijing builds tunnel to holiday island Hainan
A senior adviser to the Chinese government is calling for a proposed road and rail tunnel between mainland China and itssouthern island province of Hainanto be put back on the agenda, to boost the island’s economy and help Beijing gain a foothold in theSouth China Sea , covering 2021 to 2025, was released last November.Wu […]