News
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Palace calls for unity in addressing West PH Sea issue, exploration
With all the recent talk in the South China Sea, Malacañang has appealed for the public to unite to address the issue on the disputed waters. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement days after he revealed that there are ongoing talks between Filipino and Chinese firms on possible joint exploration in Service Contracts (SCs) […]
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South China Sea marine park proposed
A national park in the South China Sea is needed to better preserve the marine ecology in the region, deputies from China’s top legislature said Tuesday on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC). Protection of unique and rich resources in the South China Sea has always been given great […]
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China’s debt-trap diplomacy reaches the Philippines, which is likely to accept Chinese loans 1,100% more expensive than other options
The Philippines is close to accepting loans from China that are 1,100% more expensive than ones from Japan. The country’s chief economist said it will accept the loan as it needs “more friends,” as relations between the two countries warm after years of territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The loan is part of […]
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Malacañang: China, PH far from joint exploration agreement in the South China Sea
Roque: Arbitral ruling stands no matter what China does Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) — China and the Philippines are far from reaching a deal on joint exploration in the disputed South China Sea, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday. “We declared a moratorium on all exploration activities. Talks are ongoing, but we’re […]
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Philippine judge rules out South China Sea gas deal unless Beijing recognises Manila’s sovereignty
The Philippines has identified two areas in the crowded waterway suitable for joint exploration and the two countries are seeking ways to tackle the diplomatic and legal headaches of jointly exploring in the waters, but without addressing the issue of sovereignty. Reed Bank is claimed by both sides, but international law says it falls within […]
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Don’t call West Philippine Sea ‘disputed’, says Carpio
MANILA – Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Monday said it is incorrect to refer to the areas in the South China Sea formerly contested by the Philippines and China as “disputed.” Carpio, who was part of the team which argued for the Philippines’ ownership of the areas before the arbitration court, previously explained that […]
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Philippine judge rules out any China gas deal without sovereignty recognition
MANILA: Any deal between the Philippines and a Chinese firm to jointly explore for gas in the Reed Bank of the South China Sea will be illegal unless China recognises the southeast Asian nation’s sovereign rights there, a Philippine judge said on Monday. Manila has identified two areas in the crowded waterway suitable for joint […]
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US Carrier Group Headed to S. China Sea Waters Claimed by China
TAIPEI — A U.S. aircraft carrier group is preparing to sail through the contested South China Sea later this month, and observers expect an angry Beijing to register its opposition and quicken its militarization of small islands in the region. The group of ships led by the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and guided missile […]
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Compensation amount for breach of sea law as for Ukraine to be determined by Intl Tribunal, supposed to be significant
Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin says that the amount of compensation from Russia for violations of Ukraine’s rights in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait will be considerable, but the amount of compensation will be determined by the International Tribunal. “We deliberately do not call the amount, because Russia […]
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The Australian Navy may be preparing for a direct venture into the South China Sea
WHEN Malcolm Turnbull met Donald Trump, China was a big talking point. It’s what our Prime Minister didn’t say that may provoke the superpower. THE Australian Navy may be preparing for a direct independent venture into the South China Sea. Australia has traditionally avoided direct participation in freedom-of-navigation exercises so as not to affect diplomatic […]
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Analyst: ‘Careless dalliance’ with China could make Philippines a regional security threat
MANILA, Philippines — A lack of a coherent Philippine policy on China and its usual accommodation of Beijing’s interests may have contributed to the consolidation of Chinese military presence in the West Philippine Sea, an analyst said. According to Jose Antonio Custodio, a non-resident fellow of think tank Stratbase Albert Del Rosario Institute, a careless […]
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Can China defend South China Sea island bases?
CHINA has established military bases on islands built up in the South China Sea, including the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, but can Beijing defend them in an armed conflict? The question was posed by defense and security analyst Robert Farley in his article that appeared Feb. 19 in The National Interest, an American bimonthly international […]