News
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White Paper on Asia-Pacific Security Reveals China’s Regional Ambitions
A Chinese national flag flutters at the headquarters of a commercial bank on a financial street near the headquarters of the People’s Bank of China, China’s central bank, in central Beijing November 24, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon/Files A Chinese national flag flutters at the headquarters of a commercial bank on a financial street near the headquarters of the People’s Bank…
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Turbulence in South China Sea: India Offers Missile to Vietnam
India to Test Nuclear-Capable Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile In fact, India has been helping Vietnam’s defence modernization when it is trying in confrontation with China on the South China Sea issue. It recently underwrote the costs of four patrol boats that it will build especially for Vietnam. Akash is a medium range air-to-air missile system developed by India’s Defense Research and…
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As Trump era looms, Beijing fortifies the South China Sea
Since last year’s surprising election of Donald Trump, Beijing has looked to up the stakes and increase its leverage in the disputed South China Sea. This past December, China seized a U.S. Navy unmanned underwater vehicle near the Philippines. The seizure was made outside of Beijing’s expansive and ambiguous “nine-dash line.” While the drone was eventually returned to Washington, the…
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Abe’s PH visit more beneficial for Japan: analyst
MANILA – The visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Philippines is more beneficial for Japan since Tokyo is moving towards a more stable and secured position in the region, an analyst said. Historian and University of the Philippines-Diliman Professor Ricardo Jose thinks Japan gained more during Abe’s visit since they are in need of more allies due…
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Code of Conduct in South China Sea seen completed mid-2017
The long-delayed framework for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea may be finally completed by the middle of the year, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said on Wednesday. In a press briefing, Yasay said the Philippines, as chairman of this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will intensify efforts to fast track the discussions on…
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How China wins the South China Sea war without firing a shot
China is engaged in a broad-ranging information warfare campaign as part of a covert effort to take control of the South China Sea — in the words of ancient strategist Sun Tzu, without firing a shot. The Chinese cyber attacks have been carried out extensively on regional states along with political influence operations designed to falsely convince the international community…
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Beijing’s South China Sea island buildup ‘for military purposes’
Asia Times is not responsible for the opinions, facts or any media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report. The head of one of America’s secret spy agencies recently disclosed that China is seeking to control the South China Sea through the covert development of military facilities on thousands of acres of reclaimed islands. Robert…
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Maritime disputes in the South China Sea
While China has refused to accept the ruling, it has conducted air patrols over disputed areas, and said that it would hold war games with Russia No one expected the international arbitration court to be the last word that China had no legal basis to claim longstanding rights over most of the South China Sea, which is rich in resources…
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BC’s Tales of the Pacific: China’s strategy in the South China Sea
IN chess, a good strategy is to move your pieces into position to strike but not to reveal your strength until you lower the boom. Lead your opponent into complacency then attack when there is nothing he can do. Two years ago this column raised alarm about China’s ongoing construction in the South China Sea. Not that I was the…
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A Closer Look at the Growing US-China Rivalry in the South China Sea
A look at what a new report says about rising tensions between Washington and Beijing on a contentious issue. A sharpening dispute between the United States and China over Freedom of Navigation (FON) in the Western Pacific was again thrust into the headlines last month following the Chinese navy’s brazen theft of an American underwater drone beyond even Beijing’s wildly…
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Staying friends with all powers works best for small nations
The People’s Republic of China flag and the US Stars and Stripes fly along Pennsylvania Avenue near the US Capitol, on Jan 18, 2011. Singapore’s relations with China are in the spotlight, following a series of spats with the rising power. One writer calls on Singapore to be more understanding of China and step away from the embrace of the…
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China’s proliferation of South China Sea runways looks impressive, but air power has limits
It’s no secret what the mainland is doing in the South China Sea. No one is surprised when they hear of another dredging operation to reclaim an island, or when another runway pops up on satellite imagery where before there were only idyllic, turquoise waters. The recent arrival of fighter aircraft along with evidence of anti-aircraft reinforcements is meant as…