News
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Hanoi Silent in Face of China’s Claim of Sovereignty in Vietnam’s EEZ
China’s claim this week of jurisdiction over waters claimed by Vietnam has met so far with official silence in Hanoi, which had earlier demanded that Beijing withdraw an oil survey ship and other vessels from what Vietnam calls its own exclusive economic zone. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng […]
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Raising arbitral ruling on South China Sea to UN an exercise in futility – Panelo
Bringing the country’s arbitral win on the West Philippine Sea dispute before the United Nations (UN) might only cause an adverse effect on the government’s current friendly negotiations with China to address the conflict, Malacañang said Friday. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo stated this in response to the proposal of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert […]
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South China Sea threat: US intervenes in region over Beijing’s ‘provocative’ actions
WASHINGTON wants to strengthen ties with its Southeast Asian allies amid growing tensions with Beijing over their actions in the South China Sea. David Stilwell, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee White House was committed to its efforts throughout the region. He said: […]
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China Coast Guard blocked resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal — DND
MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship blocked Filipino vessels conducting a resupply mission to a Philippine Navy ship stationed in the West Philippine Sea. The Department of National Defense (DND) reported that in May, a Chinese Coast Guard ship blocked the route of three Philippine civilian vessels on a resupply mission […]
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US seeks to expand cooperation with Philippines as China ‘undermines’ regional peace, stability
MANILA, Philippines — While the United States deems Beijing as a threat to the region, Washington sees an opportunity to strengthen ties with its Southeast Asian partners and allies. US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Trump administration is […]
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CHINA’S MILITARY EXPANSION IS A ‘HOLY S***’ MOMENT FOR AMERICA, SAYS THE NAVY SEAL COMMANDER WHO OVERSAW THE BIN LADEN RAID
Aformer Navy SEAL commander has warned that China’s break-neck military development is quickly making the huge nation America’s most significant global rival. Retired Admiral William McRaven—who headed the Joint Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014 and oversaw the operation that killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden—described Chinese military evolution as a “holy s***” […]
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‘Finally action’: Locsin thanks US for command facility donation
MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday thanked the United States following a report that it would give a Philippine military unit a command and control facility to help in monitoring the West Philippine Sea. The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (Wescom) in Palawan will “soon” receive the facility […]
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Sansha No. 2: Colossal New Ship To Help Beijing Strengthen South China Sea Claims
China is set to use a huge new supply transport ship to ferry supplies to natural and artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea. Named the Sansha No. 2, it can “cover the whole South China Sea”, according to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency. The ship passed tests in August. With […]
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Vietnam accuses China of sea encroachment
HO CHI MINH: Vietnam has accused Beijing of direct encroachment on the disputed Nansha Islands at the South China Sea due to its frequent guarding in the guise of conducting marine reserves research. But China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Nansha Islands and adjacent waters nearing Vanguard […]
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China’s New Transport Ship Not a Game Changer in South China Sea
Sansha No.2 is civilian and relatively small compared to military logistics vessels. News that China launched a new supply and transport vessel this summer for service in the South China Sea has prompted analysis that the ship will be used to fortify and strengthen China’s militarized island bases. But, while the ship will likely […]
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Cost of China damage to PH reefs: P33B a year
SHATTERED CORALS Fragile corals, living organisms that also provide shelter to fish and other marine creatures, take decades to grow but can be destroyed in mere seconds through harmful fishing methods by poachers and illegal fishermen. Scientists say declining fish catch is a sign of continuing reef destruction resulting in lostmarine resources valued at about […]
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China using fishing vessels for surveillance, control of West PH Sea – DND
MANILA, Philippines – Chinese fishing vessels do more than just fish in the West Philippine Sea, but are part of China’s strategy to control the resource-rich waters and deny Filipinos access to their exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Department of National Defense (DND) said in a report. “Apparently, China has been utilizing fishing vessels […]