News
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The sea as the focal point
THE Chinese referred to Southeast Asia (SEA) in ancient times as Nanyang, or the “southern seas.” In some ways, this name can be traced to the same logic that gave SEA the name Suvarnadvipa, or “land of gold” for the South Asians: they are rooted in the commercial relations of SEA with both neighboring giants. Trade between SEA and China…
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Philippines taking aim at China’s sea militias
Manila poised to form new paramilitary marine units to counter China’s ‘gray zone’ tactics in South China Sea MANILA – A “gray zone” arms race is emerging in the South China Sea, where China’s rising use of para-military forces to assert its contested claims could soon be met by rival maritime militias from Southeast Asia. Long outgunned and outspent by…
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South China Sea: Beijing in ‘grey arms race’ as Philippines PUSH BACK in deadly conflict
CHINA is facing a growing pushback from the Philippines in the South China Sea as the two countries assert their claims over a disputed ‘grey zone’ in the waters. The Philippines is building up a greater sea-based military force, known as the Cafgu Active Auxiliary Service, to defend waters it believes are within its control, analysts say. It follows similar…
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US wants to cooperate with Indonesia ‘in new ways’ on South China Sea
JAKARTA – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday (Oct 29) rejected China’s “unlawful claims” in the South China Sea and pledged to cooperate with Indonesia “in new ways” to ensure maritime security in the area. He praised Indonesia’s “decisive action” in safeguarding its maritime sovereignty in the waters surrounding Natuna Islands. “I am looking forward to cooperating together…
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Pompeo Hails Indonesia’s ‘decisive Action’ On Maritime Security In South China Sea
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lauded Indonesia’s “decisive action” to protect its maritime sovereignty around the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lauded Indonesia’s “decisive action” to protect its maritime sovereignty around the Natuna Islands, which China claims as its territory. The top US diplomat is on a five-legged tour to Asia…
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South China Sea: Panicked Beijing holds crisis talks with US is bid to prevent conflict
CHINESE military chiefs have held crisis talks with their US counterparts against a backdrop of soaring tensions in the South China Sea after reports the US was planning drone strike in the troubled region. The emergency meeting came as US Defence Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Asian countries to co-operate with Washington in confronting security…
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Light at the end of the tunnel?
Last Oct. 15, 2020, President Duterte announced the lifting of the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The Aquino administration imposed the moratorium in 2014 due to the harassment by Chinese coast guard vessels of Philippine commissioned ships undertaking seismic surveys in the Reed Bank. Forum Energy, which was awarded by the Philippine government…
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Pompeo Heads to South Asia as US-China Tensions Escalate
STATE DEPARTMENT – U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo embarks on a week-long trip to South Asia on Sunday, as the United States looks to confront Chinese geopolitical and economic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The top U.S. diplomat is traveling to New Delhi, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Male, Maldives; and Jakarta, Indonesia from October 25-30. “On every stop I…
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Stupid miscalculation leads to war
A few days ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the Chinese Armed Forces to prepare for war with all their minds and energy. This happened during a visit to the military base in the southern province of Guangdong. During an inspection tour of the People’s Liberation Army Marine Corps in Chaozhu City, state news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as…
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Oil And Gas Development In West Philippine Sea And South China Sea Conflict – Analysis
After six years since 2014, the President Rodrigo R. Duterte finally lifted the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a unilateral action that Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi described as an exercise of sovereign rights of the Philippine government in accordance with existing international laws, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the…
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South China Sea region can’t be pushed by Washington’s military whims
Indonesia has rejected the US proposal to allow its P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance planes to land and refuel in the country, according to a Reuters report. This exclusive report is based on information from four senior Indonesian officials familiar with the matter. “We don’t want to be duped into an anti-China campaign,” former Indonesian ambassador to the US Dino Patti…
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US, Japan, Australia team up for naval exercises in South China Sea
The guided-missile destroyer John S. McCain linked up with the Royal Australian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force in the South China Sea to conduct naval exercises on Monday. The exercises, which signify the fifth time this year that the U.S. has conducted exercises in the 7th Fleet’s area of operations with Australia and Japan, aim to enhance…