IMOA
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The China Issue: Impressions of a military mind
For the last five decades, the Philippines has fought the communist insurgency whose roots and foundations originated from Communist China. In spite of China’s shift to a free market economy and becoming the second largest economy in the world, the foundations of its political system are still basically communist-inspired. Why then did the Philippines, a country founded on democratic…
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PH protests China districts, features in West PH Sea, asserts Hague ruling
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government on Thursday, April 30, launched a strong protest against China following its recent naming of districts and maritime features in the West Philippine Sea, asserting the 2016 Hague ruling that invalidated Beijing’s excessive claims in the waterway. Calling these actions a violation of Philippine sovereignty, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it…
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China’s self-declared districts in South China Sea illegal, says DFA
The Philippines on Thursday said it “strongly protests” China’s unilateral establishment of two administrative zones in the disputed South China Sea, calling it “illegal” and an infringement on Manila’s sovereignty. China announced on April 18 that its so-called districts of “Nansha” and “Xisha” will have authority over the Spratlys and the Paracels, respectively, under the authority of the local government…
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Malaysia committed to safeguarding its interests in S.China Sea – foreign minister
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia remains committed to safeguarding its interests and rights in the South China Sea, Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said on Thursday, amid a standoff between Chinese and Malaysian vessels in the disputed waters. U.S. and Australian warships arrived in the South China Sea this week near an area where a Chinese government survey vessel has been operating…
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Australia joins US warship in South China Sea as tensions grow
An Australian warship has joined the US Navy in a drill in the South China Sea as tensions rise again between Beijing, Malaysia and Vietnam over disputed waters. The Australian frigate HMAS Parramatta and three US warships arrived this week close to where the Chinese government survey ship Haiyang Dizhi 8 is suspected to be exploring for oil. A vessel…
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PH protests China’s aggressive moves in South China Sea during pandemic
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr on Wednesday, April 22, said the Philippines lodged two formal protests against China’s recent moves to asserts its claims in the South China Sea. Locsin said two diplomatic protests were filed against China’s recent pointing of a radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship in Philippine waters, as well as its…
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Beijing names islands in disputed South China Sea
BEIJING, China – China on Tuesday, April 21, defended its naming of 80 islands and other geographical features in the South China Sea in a move likely to anger neighbors as the country asserts its territorial claims. A joint announcement of the names on Sunday, April 19, from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Civil Affairs came…
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Chinese maritime patrol aircraft spotted on Kagitingan Reef
MANILA, Philippines—A Chinese maritime patrol aircraft has been spotted on Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef in the West Philippine Sea early this month, a satellite image showed. The image of a KQ-200 maritime patrol aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy was captured by ImageSat International (ISI)—a private satellite image provider—on the Chinese-occupied reef in the Spratly Islands last April…
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Left-wing leaders tell Palace: Counter Beijing’s expansion in South China Sea
MANILA – The Philippines should file a diplomatic protest and seek joint patrols with other countries to counter Beijing’s recent establishment of 2 administrative units on islands in the South China Sea, a new move to show assertiveness in the disputed waters despite the global emergency over the coronavirus crisis, left-wing leaders said Tuesday. While other claimants are preoccupied with…
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Del Rosario urges Duterte gov’t: Protest new Chinese districts in South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines – Former foreign secretary Albert del Rosario called on the Duterte government to file a diplomatic protest against China’s creation of two districts in the South China Sea, saying the Philippines must be “extra vigilant” in defending its sovereign rights even as it combats the coronavirus pandemic. “We…respectfully urge our government to protest this recent action of China,…