News
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All must respect UN Convention on the Law of Sea, India makes it stand clear ahead of Modi’s China visit
Hinting that China needs to abide by the Hague tribunal’s verdict on the South China Sea, Indian envoy to Vietnam P. Harish on Friday advocated that all parties must respect the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) while emphasizing that New Delhi has constantly advocated that freedom of passage in international waters is important for trade.…
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Chinese barges in Panatag irk Rody
MANILA, Philippines – More Chinese barges have appeared at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales, and for that President Duterte said he would confront Beijing’s Ambassador Zhao Jianhua. Duterte said he received intelligence reports last Thursday regarding the growing presence of Chinese barges in the area, about a hundred nautical miles from the coast of Zambales and several hundred miles from…
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Duterte: new Chinese barges at Scarborough; talks with Beijing to be premised on UN ruling
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte revealed Friday that he has received a report that China had recently brought in new barges to disputed areas in the Scarborough Shoal, wondering aloud if there is any new construction about to take place there, but said he will not initiate multilateral discussions on the South China Sea at next week’s ASEAN meeting. Nonetheless,…
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One Result Of China’s Buildup In South China Sea: Environmental Havoc
Coral rubble remains after “chopper” boats killed branching corals, which were subsequently further broken up by storm waves of blast fishing. John McManus/Rosenstiel School, University of Miami Just over a month ago, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued two important rulings. One soundly rejected Beijing’s extensive claim of sovereignty in the South China Sea. The other focused…
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Will Asia-Pacific tensions lead to conflict?
There is now a consensus among practitioners and analysts alike that the rules and institutions that have governed international affairs so effectively since the end of World War II are increasingly dysfunctional or altogether malfunctioning. This alarming phenomenon is broadly referred to as the “unravelling” and “disorder” of the global system. It afflicts the world trading system, featuring elusive multilateral…
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Philippines hails India’s South China Sea support as Modi heads to China
Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto Yasay said his government was “grateful” for India’s support in South China Sea dispute. He said its new President Duterte would meet PM Modi for the first time next week. The Philippines government has hailed India’s support for its case against China on the South China Sea and has called for deepening ties as…
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South China Sea Ruling: Who’s Taking Sides?
Support for China’s Position Appears Reduced Post-Verdict South China Sea dispute has implications for shipments of export cargo and import cargo in international trade. China appears to have lost support for its legal positions in the South China Sea dispute since an arbitration panel in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in a case brought against China over…
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South China Sea: Tribunal ruling will affect many other states’ claims
The July 12 tribunal ruling on a maritime dispute case brought by the Philippines against China helped to clarify international law on oceans and sets a high bar for what constitutes islands. It will have repercussions for many regional states’ claims. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) contains the most elaborate and complex dispute settlement…
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‘Philippines no longer needs Asean unified statement’
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is no longer concerned about getting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to issue a unified statement on the South China Sea as the July 12 ruling of an international court invalidating China’s massive maritime claim is enough “legal foundation” to support Manila’s position, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said Monday. He said…
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Critical Reefs Destroyed in Poachers’ Quest for World’s Biggest Clams
PUERTO PRINCESA, PHILIPPINESBiologist Ed Gomez was in his office at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute about 25 years ago when the phone rang. The woman on the line told him she worked as a broker and had a client who wanted to buy some of the young giant clams his team was culturing. “She said, ‘I have…
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Vietnam’s Three Strategic Options
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. China’s actions in the South China Sea are increasingly militaristic. Due to Vietnam’s lack of strong treaty allies, the country is particularly vulnerable compared to its peers. In response to Vietnam’s deteriorating security situation, it is likely to choose one of three strategies: 1) continue the current strategy of hedging between the…
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China must recognize South China Sea ruling – Yasay
China will be the “loser” if it does not recognize an international court ruling against its territorial claims in the South China Sea, Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay said Tuesday. An arbitration court in The Hague infuriated China in July when it ruled that China had no historical title over the South China Sea and it had breached the Philippines’…