News
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AFP chief dares China to prove PHL’s alleged reclamation in disputed territories
Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. on Thursday dared China to prove its allegation that the Philippines has reclamation activities in some areas in the West Philippine Sea. In an interview with reporters after the Balikatan Exercises closing ceremony, Catapang denied China’s allegations, saying the Philippine government respects the rule set by the International Tribunal on the Law…
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Vietnam Buys Deadly New Missiles Capable of Hitting China
Vietnam is in the process of acquiring 50 anti-ship and land attack 3M-14E Klub supersonic cruise missiles for its burgeoning fleet of SSK Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines, Der Spiegel Online reports. According to the article, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) recently updated data on its website, based on information obtained from the United Nations’ register of conventional arms, indicating that…
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China says U.S. welcome to use civilian facilities in South China Sea
(Reuters) – The United States and other countries will be welcome to use civilian facilities China is building in the South China Sea for search and rescue and weather forecasting “when conditions are right”, China’s navy chief has told a senior U.S. officer. China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil…
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Beyond the territorial dispute in the South China Sea
Artificial Islands, China, Ecology, Environmental Impact, Fishing Rights, Food Security, Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysTHEY are some of the most destructive land reclamation projects in the country. But unlike other planned developments that have become controversial because of their adverse impact on the environment, these are all taking place almost under the radar. China’s land reclamation projects on reefs, islets and rocks in the Spratly Islands—and their impact not just on the country’s national,…
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China’s South China Sea Strategy Is Asia’s Worst Nightmare
Artificial Islands, China, Foreign Relations, Great Wall of Sand, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, StrategyIn a remarkable public speech at ASPI’s Future Surface Fleet conference last month, the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet—Admiral Harry B. Harris—criticized China for engaging in an “unprecedented land reclamation” effort, creating a “great wall of sand” in the South China Sea (SCS). He went on to point out: “When one looks at China’s pattern of provocative actions towards…
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ASEAN summit: Vietnam, Singapore call for COC by China on South China Sea issue
Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea DisputeNEW DELHI: With China showing no signs of climbing down from its claim in the South China Sea region and continuing with building artificial islands including airstrips in the region, some members of the ASEAN including Vietnam and Singapore at their just concluded summit have called for immediate Code of Conduct (COC) by Beijing and the regional grouping to manage…
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PNoy reports ‘substantial’ progress in pushing united ASEAN stand on South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday he sees “very, very substantial progress” in discussions within ASEAN of the South China Sea issues. Arriving in Manila from Malaysia, where he attended the 26th ASEAN Summit and pushed for asserting ASEAN centrality in facing China’s increasingly aggressive moves to control the strategic waters, Aquino said he was satisfied with…
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ASEAN leaders voice ‘serious’ concern over China’s reclamation activities
Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysLANGKAWI, Malaysia — Southeast Asian leaders on Tuesday expressed “serious concerns” over China’s land reclamation activities in disputed areas of the South China Sea, which they said could undermine peace, security and stability in the region. The stand was taken in the form of a “chairman’s statement” released by Malaysia one day after it hosted an annual summit of leaders…
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China ‘extremely concerned’ by ASEAN statement on disputed sea
Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, Foreign Relations, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysBEIJING – China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it was “extremely concerned” after leaders of Southeast Asian countries expressed worry about land reclamation and navigational freedom in the disputed South China Sea. China’s reclamation work in the South China Sea has become the latest source of tension with some of its smaller neighbours, several of whom have competing territorial…
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PNoy reports ‘substantial’ progress in pushing united ASEAN stand on South China Sea
Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, President Benigno Aquino III, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, UNCLOSMANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday he sees “very, very substantial progress” in discussions within ASEAN of the South China Sea issues. Arriving in Manila from Malaysia, where he attended the 26th ASEAN Summit and pushed for asserting ASEAN centrality in facing China’s increasingly aggressive moves to control the strategic waters, Aquino said he was satisfied with…
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The Rule of Law Is China’s Challenge in the South China Sea
News that the People’s Republic of China is claiming ownership of and enlarging the size of some disputed islands in the South China Sea, and building air strips to enhance its ability to project its air power in the region, has been met with predictable alarm by a variety of countries in the region and around the world. Most notably…