News
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World behind PH on maritime dispute
THERE is no backing out for the Philippine government from a petition for arbitration that it filed before a United Nations body to settle a maritime dispute with China, especially since more powerful countries are backing Manila’s stand, a Malacanang official said on Sunday. In an interview over state-run Radyo ng Bayan, Communications Secretary Herminio […]
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‘Leave Taiping issue alone’
A member of Taiwan’s coast guard speaks as he guides visiting journalists on Taiping island in the Spratlys chain in the South China Sea. Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou is appealing to the Permanent Court of Arbitration – expected to rule on the South China Sea dispute next month or in June – to “leave the […]
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The South China Sea: Vietnam’s Limited Diplomatic Options
Russia, the United States, Japan — who can help Vietnam square off against China? For Vietnam, 2016 seems fated to be a crucial year. Hanoi’s sovereignty disputes and related diplomatic efforts will be impacted by ongoing changes in Russia, China, and Japan and, yes, the results of the United States’ presidential election. The role of […]
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5 Chinese coast guard ships spotted in Scarborough shoal
INFANTA, Pangasinan—The Chinese Coast Guard has increased its presence in the West Philippine Sea by deploying five ships to patrol the Scarborough Shoal, making local fishermen more fearful about venturing back to the disputed isle. Carlos Montehermozo, a crew member of FB Joenel 3 based here, said he was surprised when they traveled to the […]
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Editorial: Back to the Philippines
America is dusting off a military alliance with the Philippines that languished in the back of the closet for decades. You can practically hear them at the Pentagon trying it on for size: Hey, how’d we ever forget about this great thing? A glance at a map of Asia, and recent headlines, shows why the […]
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A Scarborough ‘shoaldown’: An opportunity to push back against Beijing
Over the last few weeks any lingering doubts have surely been erased when it comes to China’s so-called ‘intentions’ in the South China Sea. There is clearly only one goal, a single strategic objective: to dominate this important body of water and ensure Beijing holds de-facto sovereignty from the waves that move from Malaysia all […]
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U.S. says China’s intentions in South China Sea raise tension and questions
REUTERS/U.S. NAVY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS A top U.S. official on Thursday said China’s land reclamation and militarization in the disputed South China Sea was raising tensions and serious questions about its intention. On a visit to Vietnam, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington would continue to play a constructive role in supporting its […]
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China’s island-building in the South China Sea is ruffling feathers worldwide
The Japanese destroyers Ariake and Setogiri make a port call at Vietnam’s Cam Ranh Bay on April 12. TOKYO A maritime security net is closing in on China in the South China Sea, where Beijing is building artificial islands on reefs to erect military facilities in disputed waters. The U.S. plans to start joint patrols […]
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DND: China’s landing of aircraft on Fiery Cross was provocative
Photo provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows construction on Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef in the Spratly Islands. STAR/Armed Forces of the Philippines, file MANILA, Philippines — China’s efforts to land a military plane to a Manila-claimed reef in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea was provocative, the Department of National […]
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Philippines Relying on Global Support in S. China Sea Dispute
FILE – Filipino student activists set fire mock Chinese ships to protest recent island-building and alleged militarization by China off the disputed Spratlys group of islands in the South China Sea, in Manila, March 3, 2016. FILE – Filipino student activists set fire mock Chinese ships to protest recent island-building and alleged militarization by China […]
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Tensions in South China Sea Set to Rise Further
Ambient tension in the South China Sea is high as Beijing continues to assertively push its claim for sovereignty over 3 million square kilometres, or 90 per cent of the South China Sea. Tension is set to rise further around April-end and early May when the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea delivers […]
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War in the South China Sea: Not Worth It
The latest in tensions between the United States and China is the landing of a Chinese military aircraft on Fiery Cross Reef, one of several man-made islands built by China in the Spratly Island chain in the South China Sea. The Chinese claim the landing was for a humanitarian operation to evacuate three ill workers, […]