News
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China’s defense spending is growing more slowly. But that doesn’t mean military tensions are easing
China announced Tuesday that military spending will grow at a slower pace than last year, but one analyst cautioned that it should not be interpreted to mean that military tensions with the United States will ease. At its annual parliamentary meeting, the National People’s Congress, Beijing set its 2019 defense spending at 7.5 percent higher […]
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Asean key to peace in South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) continues to play a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, including the disputed claims over the Spratlys. Maritime Institute of Malaysia (Mima) director-general First-Admiral (Rtd) Datuk Chin Yoon Chin said one of Asean’s important initiatives was the Declaration on the […]
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Lorenzana says 67-yr old MDT could become cause, not deterent, for chaos
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Tuesday said he didn’t believe that the ambiguity or vagueness of the Philippines-United States Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) will serve as a deterrent but, in fact, could even cause confusion and chaos during a crisis. “The fact that the security environment now is so vastly different and much more complex than […]
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[OPINION] Moving forward with Philippine-U.S. relations
‘It was an imperative for our disruptive northern neighbor to be forewarned of the significance of our mutual defense treaty alliance’ We, at the Stratbase ADR Institute Incorporated, fully welcome the official US statement that, “As the South China Sea is part of the Pacific, any armed attack on Philippine forces, aircraft, or public vessels […]
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Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Tuesday the defense department was checking a report that Chinese vessels have been blocking Filipino fishermen from approaching sandbars near Philippine-occupied Thitu Island, which is called Pag-asa by Filipinos, in the disputed waters.
Philippines worried defense treaty with U.S. may draw it into a war in South China Sea MANILA – The United States is more likely to be involved in a “shooting war” in the disputed South China Sea than the Philippines but the latter would be embroiled in such a conflict just the same because of […]
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Why US Navy’s South China Sea operations tighten squeeze on Southeast Asian nations caught between Washington and Beijing
Freedom of navigation operations conducted by the US and its allies in the South China Sea have heightened the dilemma faced by Southeast Asian nations caught between China and the United States, diplomatic sources and observers have said. Many say that the more frequent naval operations by the US and its allies in the contested […]
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Mutual defense treaty review needed: expert
MANILA — Although the United States repeatedly gave its assurance to the Philippine government that any armed attack against the Philippines, including on the disputed South China Sea, would trigger its defense pact, the government should still push for a review of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), a political expert said Thursday. “In case of […]
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US will defend PH in a South China Sea war? Don’t bet on it
IN another instance of Philippine media’s boundless faith in the country’s former colonial master, nearly all newspapers the other day banner-headlined US Secretary of State Michael Richard Pompeo’s claim that America will defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack by any country in the South China Sea. Don’t bet on it. US officials […]
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[ANALYSIS] America, China and the real star wars
Early this month, two United States Navy missile-guided destroyers sailed within 12 nautical miles off Mischief Reef, one of 7 man-made islands built by China in the disputed South China Sea, challenging Beijing’s excessive maritime claims in the East Asia and Pacific region. China’s claims are not recognized under international law after the Philippines won […]
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US Navy Frequents Taiwan Strait to Send China Message
TAIPAI, TAIWAN — Passage of two U.S. Navy ships through the Taiwan Strait in February, the fourth such move since mid-2018, shows Washington’s growing support for Taiwan against threats from China, Asia scholars said this week. Observers say the passages are aimed at showing China that the U.S. Navy has regularized patrols in the East […]
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Pompeo: ‘We remain committed to supporting the Philippines’ in South China Sea row
MANILA, Philippines – Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday reassured the Philippine government of the United States’ support amid the ongoing dispute in the South China Sea. “Our commitments under that treaty (U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty) are clear, our obligations are real, the South China Sea is certainly part of an important body of […]
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South China Sea covered by PH-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty – Pompeo
SUMMARY This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article. MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The United States on Friday, March 1, assured the Philippines that it will come to its aid if Philippine vessels or forces are attacked in the South China Sea, as provided under their […]