News
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The price of double speak
Enough has been said about the resources of the West Philippine Sea, as well as on the economic and strategic interests the Philippines has — or should have! — in those features and marine zones it claims. I will take all that as given, and on that premise I bemoan the ambiguity of our official position in respect to our…
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The rise of Japanese militarism
What the growth and change of Japan’s armed forces means for the world. There, floating calmly in the still waters of Tokyo Bay, was Japan’s future. Stretching over 800 feet long, the JS Izumo warship’s size made it stand out even as its dark gray exterior fused with the gloomy December sky. The largest vessel in Japan’s naval fleet,…
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Beijing’s maritime militia, the scourge of South China Sea
The shock troops of Beijing’s maritime empire-building are far more humble than the fleet of modern warships that paraded off Qingdao on Tuesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. Even as President Xi Jinping was reviewing a sail-past of his new generation of guided missile destroyers and other modern…
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Pursue fishery cooperation in South China Sea, claimants urged
MANILA, Philippines — A regional fishing agreement among claimant states in the South China Sea is seen as another approach to manage the territorial disputes in the hotly-contested waters, which also happens to be one of the world’s most productive fishing zones in the world. Political scientist and defense analyst Dr. Clarita Carlos said the South China Sea dispute…
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US reportedly warns China over hostile non-naval vessels in South China Sea
The head of the U.S. Navy has warned China that hostile behavior from its coast guard and fishing boats will not be treated any differently from the Chinese navy, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. In an interview with the FT, Admiral John Richardson said he told Chinese vice-admiral Shen Jinlong in January that Washington will respond to aggressive…
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Declare South China Sea a ‘global common’ — expert
MANILA, Philippines — Instead engaging in military posturing to press maritime claims, a defense and security expert suggested all claimant states should agree to declare the entire South China Sea as a global common. Clarita Carlos, a political science and foreign policy professor of the University of the Philippines, said claimant states should also talk about regional fishing agreements.…
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Duterte urges restraint, caution in South China Sea
BEIJING – The Philippines and China should exercise “restraint and caution” to prevent an escalation of the tension in the South China Sea, President Duterte declared during his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The President pushed for peace and stability in the disputed waters after raising the Philippines’ concerns on the West Philippine Sea when he met…
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The Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte broached South China Sea ruling in meeting with China’s Xi Jinping
BEIJING – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in a meeting this week with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, brought up the thorny issue of a 2016 arbitration award favoring his country in a territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea, senior Philippine officials said Saturday. At the Thursday meeting in Beijing, Xi simply reiterated Beijing’s position of not…
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Duterte raised West Philippine Sea ‘irritants’ with Xi, Palace says
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to resolve issues like the reported presence of Chinese vessels in Philippine waters through bilateral dialogue, the Palace said. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing last week. It was their seventh time to meet. Presidential spokesperson Salvador…
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South China Sea: Tensions ERUPT as US destroyers make ‘illegal’ move through Taiwan Strait
SOUTH China Sea tensions have erupted following the transit of two US Navy destroyers through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday. The transit, which has been confirmed by officials, comes days after Beijing attacked France calling a similar transit “illegal”. There have been no reports of a response from China. The Pentagon said the voyage was to increase the frequency…
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In rare move, French warship passes through Taiwan Strait
WASHINGTON – A French warship passed through the strategic Taiwan Strait this month, U.S. officials told Reuters, a rare voyage by a vessel of a European country that is likely to be welcomed by Washington but increase tensions with Beijing. The passage is a sign that U.S. allies are increasingly asserting freedom of navigation in international waterways near China.…
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Giant clams still on sale in South China despite bans
The giant clam is still being traded illegally in Tanmen township, South China’s Hainan Province, even though the nation banned the trade in 2017, thepaper.cn reported Saturday. The Hainan provincial government has implemented a strict program for the protection of giant clams, prohibiting their removal and sale for reasons other than scientific research and other special cases from January 1,…