IMOA
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Philippines’ Duterte calls China a friend amid South China Sea tensions
MANILA (BLOOMBERG) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is maintaining a friendly tone towards China, even after defence officials raised concerns over an increased Chinese presence around a disputed island in the South China Sea. China isn’t after Philippine territory and hasn’t asked for anything in exchange for the weapons and aid it has given the […]
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China May Deploy New Maritime Surveillance Platforms in South China Sea
Networked platforms could aid Chinese enforcement against regional fishermen. China’s Ministry of National Defense has publicized new lightweight, remote sensing platforms, hinting that they may be deployed for military application in the South China Sea to aid protecting island construction and monitoring contested areas. The platforms were debuted recently at the 2019 Langkawi International Maritime […]
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South China Sea: US warship spotted with HUGE number of F-35 fighter jets as tensions boil
SOUTH China Sea tensions surged after a US Navy warship was spotted carrying twice the amount of fighter jets than usual. The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp was on its way to the annual Balikatan exercises in the Philippines, according to reports. The ship was carrying at least 10 F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, the […]
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Balikatan vs China? Drills not aimed at any country, says U.S.
US Balikatan Exercise Director Chris McPhillips says the purpose of the exercises is to develop cooperation among Filipino, American, and Australian soldiers MANILA, Philippines – After US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave an assurance that his country would defend the Philippines in case of any armed attack in the South China Sea, will the […]
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China allays fears of conflict over Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island
China is prepared to cooperate with the Philippines to verify the alleged presence of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island and handle the issue through “friendly and diplomatic channels,” allaying fears of an outbreak of conflict over the issue. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua made the assurance after the Philippine government moved to protest […]
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Russia and China Forced America’s Hand on the INF Treaty
Moscow was violating the treaty and Beijing has had thirty years to build its own missiles. In 2017, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (“PLA”) announced plans to bring down its 2.3 million strong forces below 1 million with the Army’s share falling below 50 percent. Then last year the PLA slashed three-hundred-thousand ground troops from […]
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‘Short of War’: No Peace in the South China Sea
China’s ongoing construction efforts have created a situation where (in the words of the Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Philip Davidson) Beijing is ‘capable of controlling the South China Sea in all scenarios short of war with the United States’. The absence of outright war reflects not only China’s ability to move the […]
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No adjustments for South China Sea as Philippines, US kick off joint drills
MANILA, Philippines — Despite previous pronouncements of United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on the South China Sea, the annual joint military exercises between Filipino and American troops will not reflect the maritime dispute. In his visit to Manila last month, the top American diplomat assured the Philippines that the US is ready to […]
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Philippines alarmed by roughly 200 Chinese ships spotted near disputed South China Sea isle this year
MANILA – Some 200 Chinese ships have been spotted near the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island in the South China Sea since the start of the year, triggering alarm in the Philippine military. Philippine soldiers will continue their patrols in the disputed area, military chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. said, adding that Chinese fishing vessels have repeatedly […]
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How the Public Can Visit the Disputed, Undeveloped South China Sea
TAIPEI — A beaching ramp due for completion this year – and warily watched by China – will give curious reporters something new to see when the Philippine military next escorts them to Thitu Island. Media pay attention to the 37-hectare (90 acres) islet west of the main Philippine archipelago because it’s the front line […]