News
-
One of the World’s Biggest Fisheries Is on the Verge of Collapse
Major disputes in the South China Sea are putting critical habitat—and the food supply of millions—at risk. PUERTO PRINCESA, PHILIPPINESOne time Christopher Tubo caught a 660-pound blue marlin in the South China Sea. That was years ago, when the fishing there was good, he says. He would come home from a trip with dozens of […]
-
Reading the South China Sea
Two recent books offer a helpful guide to Southeast Asia’s most complex maritime dispute. Asian Waters, the new book by veteran Asia journalist Humphrey Hawksley, recently became my ideal travel companion on a long flight to Australia, en route to the South China Sea. For any other reader hoping to navigate those troubled waters, or […]
-
Rodrigo Duterte says Chinese military island bases are there to oppose US, not Philippines
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte tried to allay fears over China’s construction of military bases on man-made islands in the South China Sea, saying they are a defence against the US, not made to attack Asian states. “It’s not intended for us,” he said in a speech to Chinese-Filipino businessmen on Monday. “The contending ideological powers […]
-
China takes over Radio Australia frequencies after ABC drops shortwave
The Radio Australia logo. It is identical to the ABC’s lissajous curve logo, but in silver. A Chinese station has taken over some of the shortwave radio frequencies once used by the ABC in the Pacific region, following the broadcaster’s decision to end shortwave services. The ABC insisted at the time the shortwave technology was […]
-
In China, universities seek to plant ‘Xi Thought’ in minds of students
BEIJING (Reuters) – Armed with interactive online courses, generous funding and new dedicated research institutes, China’s universities are on the frontlines of an effort to promote the thinking of President Xi Jinping to China and the world. Since October, many universities across China have placed “Xi Thought” at the core of their curricula – the […]
-
How Beijing is winning control of the South China Sea
Erratic US policy and fraying alliances give China a free hand SINGAPORE — Even by his outspoken standards, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s account of a conversation he had with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, was startling. During a meeting between the two leaders in Beijing in May 2017, the subject turned to whether the Philippines […]
-
Pimentel: We need more facts on South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines — Amid reports that China has installed anti-cruise ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles and electronic jammers in the South China Sea, the Philippine government still need more information on the militarization in the disputed waters, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said Monday. The Senate is set to hold a hearing on President Rodrigo Duterte’s […]
-
A full-blown trade war between America and China looks likely
As Donald Trump threatens further tariffs on Chinese imports, the prospect of a deal is receding IT IS becoming increasingly likely that the phoney trade war between America and China will develop into the real thing. On June 15th the Trump administration published two lists of Chinese products it plans to hit with tariffs of […]
-
FORGET THE WARSHIPS: MALAYSIAN PM MAHATHIR’S PEACE FORMULA FOR SOUTH CHINA SEA
‘Someday, somebody might make some mistakes and there will be a fight, some ships will be lost, and there might be a war,’ warns the Malaysian prime minister Keep out the warships and instead have joint small-boat patrols – that is Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s prescription for maintaining peace in the disputed and resource-rich […]
-
States was turning a blind eye to abuses across the world.
“China expresses regret at the U.S. decision to withdraw from the U.N. Human Rights Council,” foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular briefing. “China will continue, working with all sides, to make its contribution to the healthy development of human rights around the world via constructive dialogue and cooperation,” he added. Asked about […]
-
Duterte: China taking of PH fisherman’s catch ‘not outright seizure’
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte downplayed the taking of Filipino fishermen’s catch by the China Coast Guard, saying it was a “barter” exchange and thus does not count as seizure. “It was a barter in exchange for fish. The problem is the valuation…We could not understand each other here. It was not an […]
-
Rodrigo Duterte says Chinese military island bases are there to oppose US, not Philippines
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte tried to allay fears over China’s construction of military bases on man-made islands in the South China Sea, saying they are a defence against the US, not made to attack Asian states. “It’s not intended for us,” he said in a speech to Chinese-Filipino businessmen on Monday. “The contending ideological powers […]