News
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[ANALYSIS] Scarborough Shoal and its threat to Philippine centers of gravity
It is our economic assets, our commerce, and way of life that can now be threatened by the Chinese. Green Aura is a harbinger of things to come. Unceasingly had drummed into them the utterance of The Times: “You are lions led by packasses.” – Francisque Sarcey, in Paris During the Siege, 1871 The harassment of the Liberian registered…
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Philippines’ PXP eyes Malampaya facilities for South China Sea gas project
MANILA (Reuters) – PXP Energy Corp said on Tuesday it has submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Philippines’ Department of Energy to develop and utilize the Malampaya natural gas facilities in the South China Sea for a planned integrated gas hub venture. The Malampaya gas-to-power project, developed and operated by Shell Philippines Exploration BV on behalf of joint venture…
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Is Donald Trump’s administration ceding Southeast Asia to an ever-aggressive China?
In the recently concluded 7th Asean-US Summit in Bangkok, it was widely reported that only the Thai, Laotian and Vietnamese heads of state showed up. The former was the chair of Asean (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the latter is taking over as Asean chair and Laos is the current coordinator for Asean-US relations; hence, the absolute minimum…
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Analyst warns PH vs joint exploration with China in disputed S. China Sea
WASHINGTON, DC—A senior analyst of a US-based think-tank has warned the Philippines against entering into joint exploration of South China Sea resources with China, saying it might compromise Philippine sovereignty. Speaking to Filipino journalists, RAND Corporation’s Derek Grossman said the Philippines should weigh the costs and benefits of a joint exploration with China in Reed Bank in the disputed…
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Can Beijing use lessons learned by Europe to ease South China Sea tensions?
The head of a Beijing-funded think tank says China can benefit from Europe’s experience in settling maritime disputes as it seeks to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, but experts say a copycat approach will not work. Speaking at the EU-China Experts’ Seminar on Maritime Security at the end of last month, Wu Shicun, president of the National…
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Carpio hits rare awards given to outgoing Chinese envoy
MANILA, Philippines — Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has criticized the government’s awarding of rare honors to outgoing Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua. The ambassador, who is set to end his post this November after serving for five years, was recently awarded with the Order of Sikatuna and Congressional Medal of Achievement. “Our national heroes who…
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Sovereign rights protected in MOU with China, says Carpio
MANILA – Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio believes China will comply with the arbitral ruling in the South China Sea with the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the Philippines on joint oil and gas exploration. “Yes, I believe so, and to quote Secretary Teddyboy Locsin: ‘We are almost there,’” Carpio said in a speech he delivered at…
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Vietnam mulls legal action over South China Sea dispute
HANOI — Vietnam could explore legal action among various options in its territorial dispute with powerful neighbor China in the South China Sea, a senior government official said on Wednesday. Frictions have grown between the two communist-run nations since Beijing in July sent a ship for a months-long seismic survey to an area internationally designated as Vietnam’s exclusive economic…
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Maritime law expert cautions Philippine on Code of Conduct
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines should tread carefully in adopting a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea as such document would only legitimize Beijing’s incredible maritime claim, according to a maritime law expert. In an interview with “The Chiefs” Thursday night on One News-Cignal TV, Jay Batongbacal, director of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and…
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Accepting The Nine-Dash-Line? Philippines To Resume Stamping Controversial Chinese Passports
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime H. Morente has released a statement that Chinese regular e-passports will have Philippine visas stamped directly on them instead of a separate paper. The question remains: Is this an action simply to address security concerns or is it a sign that the Philippines is growing more accepting of the Nine-Dash Line,…
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China fury: Beijing launches furious attack on Pompeo ‘Stop JABBERING!’
CHINA has launched a stinging attack on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, branding his recent criticism of the Chinese Communist Party “extremely dangerous” and ordering him to stop “jabbering on”. Last month, Mr Pompeo stepped up US rhetoric against China’s ruling Communist Party, saying Beijing was focused on international domination and needed to be confronted, prompting China to…
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China Warns Vietnam to Not ‘Complicate’ South China Sea Dispute By Seeking Legal Arbitration
On Friday, China pushed back on a suggestion from a senior Vietnamese official that the country would be willing to pursue international arbitration over its disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. On Wednesday, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, speaking at a conference, said that Hanoi would look to arbitration and litigation if negotiations with China…