News
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ASEAN, China kick off first maritime exercise
The naval drills involve more than 1,000 personnel and eight ships. ZHANJIANG: The first-ever maritime exercise held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China started on Monday (Oct 22) in the southern Chinese city of Zhanjiang. Over the next six days, the navies of ASEAN and China will plan and conduct field […]
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China FURY as defiant British Navy vows to sail through South China Sea
The Royal Navy has said it should “showcase” support for allies in the Asia Pacific region and resist China which is claiming Britain is provoking them. Senior Royal Navy officer, Admiral Sir Philip Jones said: “If you are going to have a different interpretation of that convention to the majority of nations then that has […]
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US moves worsening South China Sea row
Recently, the South China Sea seems to be witnessing “polarized” opposition between China and the US as seen from the stinging speech by US Vice President Mike Pence that slammed China’s South China Sea policy and America’s frequent muscle-flexing in the waters. The US, together with its allies and partners, is using political, diplomatic and […]
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Recent developments surrounding the South China Sea
Recent developments surrounding the South China Sea BEIJING — A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves: ___ EDITOR’S NOTE: This […]
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‘We will not be intimidated’ — Mattis doubles down on US vow to counter China’s attempts to dominate the South China Sea
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released U.S. Navy Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met his Chinese counterpart Thursday to discuss a host of tense issues. The meeting focused heavily on the South China Sea, but tensions persist. Speaking with allies Friday, the secretary called on US partners to counter Chinese […]
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Mohamad Sabu: Respect South China Sea as neutral and safe area
SINGAPORE: Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said Malaysia would continue to insist on the South China Sea to remain a free zone from any military competition and enhancement. Speaking to Bernama, Mohamad said Malaysia was firm on its stance despite the big powers, like the United States and China giving their assurance to make the international […]
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US, China back military air rules to avoid mishaps in South China Sea
The United States, China and several other countries on Saturday agreed in principle to guidelines on preventing unplanned warplane encounters, the latest effort to avoid military confrontations in Asia. Risks of chance encounters between military aircraft spiralling out of control have risen in recent years as Beijing becomes ever more assertive in the South China […]
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Malaysia says China and U.S. should not flex military muscle in South China Sea
SINGAPORE – The South China Sea should not be a theater for the United States and China to show off their military capabilities as they vie for influence in the region, Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamad Sabu said Saturday. “Warships, B-52s, anything, we don’t want them to show force in this area. They understand our […]
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Asean questions China and US over near-collision in South China Sea
South-east Asian defence chiefs were worried enough about tensions between China and the US in the South China Sea to seek an explanation from the two powers at a just-concluded key security summit, and received some reassurance in return. Speaking to reporters at the end of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and its expanded […]
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China, SE Asia to hold maritime drill to ease tensions
SINGAPORE – China and Southeast Asian states will hold their first joint maritime exercises next week, officials said Friday, in a move aimed at easing tensions but which may spark US alarm. Beijing’s expansive claims to the South China Sea have long been a source of friction with rival claimants in Southeast Asia, as well […]
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ASEAN agrees to guidelines on air encounters, boosts counter-terrorism cooperation
SINGAPORE: ASEAN defence ministers inked the world’s first multilateral air guidelines on Friday (Oct 19), in a move aimed at managing unexpected encounters between military aircraft especially over contested areas like the South China Sea. The ministers also strengthened regional counter-terrorism cooperation and established a network against chemical, biological and radiological threats. The defence chiefs […]
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US B-52 bombers tore through the South China Sea in a power play ahead of a sit-down between the US and Chinese defense chiefs
Two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers fly over the Pacific Ocean during a routine training mission Pacific Air Forces Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart Gen. Wei Fenghe, the Chinese defense minister, met Thursday to discuss a number of issues, particularly their disputes in the South China Sea. Two days prior, […]