IMOA
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DFA: UN tribunal cannot enforce ruling on China sea row
MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations arbitral tribunal cannot enforce its ruling on the case filed by the Philippines against China’s excessive territorial claims, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday. Speaking to ANC’s Headstart, DFA Spokesman Charles Jose said whatever decision the tribunal may reach, it will be both legally binding to the Philippines and China since both…
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New China ambassador tries to mend fences with Philippines
Arbitration, China, Memorial, Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOSMANILA: China’s new ambassador to the Philippines on Tuesday met President Benigno Aquino to try to mend relations strained by a festering territorial dispute. Zhao Jianhua, who arrived in the Philippines over a month ago, briefly met Aquino after presenting his credentials, said presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte. “It went well,” she told reporters. Valte said the delay in Aquino receiving…
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Diaoyutai dispute pushes US and Japan closer: report
China’s efforts to antagonize Japan over the Diaoyutai islands (Diaoyu to China, Senkaku to Japan) islands dispute has only strengthened ties between Tokyo and Washington, reports the independent citizen journalism website Mingjing News. Japan is a huge beneficiary of its diplomatic ties with the US, the report said, adding that Washington has continued to provide important assistance to Tokyo at…
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Can the Chinese and US Air Forces Get Along?
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s visit to the PLAN aircraft carrier Liaoning has received a great deal of attention in the last few days. As Shannon Tiezi points out, Hagel will struggle to improve ties with Beijing while also increasing coordination with Tokyo. And yet the project of engaging with the Chinese military is not the same as making friends…
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PNoy: Philippines will fight to defend its interests
MANILA – President Benigno Aquino said Wednesday that Filipinos will fight for what is right and just for the country’s national interests. Speaking at the commemoration rites of the Day of Valor in Bataan Province to honor the World War II fighters, Aquino said, “Even back then, it was clear to all Filipinos: small though we may be, if we…
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US defence chief gets earful as China visit exposes tensions
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, China, Chuck Hagel, East China Sea, South China Sea Dispute, USATensions between China and the United States were on full display on Tuesday as Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel faced questions in Beijing about America’s position in bitter territorial disputes with regional U.S. allies. Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan, standing side-by-side with Hagel, called on the United States to restrain ally Japan and chided another U.S. ally, the Philippines. Then, Hagel…
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Threat to Philippines is threat to US – Goldberg
PILAR, Bataan: United States (US) Ambassador to Manila Philip Goldberg on Wednesday declared that any threat facing the Philippines is also a threat to America, stressing the need for the two countries to strengthen their military to respond better to man-made threats and natural disasters. “As treaty allies, when the Philippines faces threats or natural disasters, so do we,” said…
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Indonesia, South China Sea and the 11/10/9-dashed lines
There seems to be an obsession among political commentators in Asia and beyond that Indonesia has to admit that it is a claimant state in the South China Sea (SCS) dispute and, therefore, must surrender its role as a “mediator”. This is indeed laughable in the eyes of international law. This is my take on the matter. First, the very…
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WWII veteran supports Philippines’ case vs China
MANILA, Philippines — A 91-year-old Filipino veteran who fought against Japanese forces during World War II believes that armed conflict is no longer the way to solve matters today. Ricardo Madayag, among the veterans honored on Wednesday in commemoration of the Fall of Bataan, approved the Philippine government’s bid to settle the maritime row through the United Nations Tribunal on…
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Hagel, Chang air differences over disputed islands
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, China, Chuck Hagel, East China Sea, Japan, Philippines, South China Sea DisputeBEIJING (AP) — In a face-off between the defense chiefs of China and the U.S., Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told his Chinese counterpart on Tuesday that his country does not have the right to unilaterally establish an air defense zone over disputed islands with no consultation. And he said America will protect Japan, the Philippines and other allies locked in…