News
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How China’s military upgrade and trade tensions are challenging the US in Indo-Pacific
Tensions between the United States and China are resurgent in May over the issue of trade as long-standing negotiations between the two sides fall apart. At the same time, the US Department of Defence’s release of an annual report on Chinese military capabilities for American lawmakers has drawn attention to China’s ongoing military modernisation and expansion. This year’s report…
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South China Sea: Philippines-China relationship to ‘SOUR’ as Duterte MUST protect shoals
PHILIPPINES President Rodrigo Duterte has been ordered to protect three reefs the country claims in the disputed South China Sea. The Supreme Court order has been enforced directing government agencies to protects reeds and marine life in Scarborough Shoal, Second Thomas Shoal and Mischief Reef. The order is suspected to “sour” the relationship between the Philippines and China, according…
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PH will never fall into China ‘debt trap,’ finance officials say
MANILA – Finance officials on Saturday made the assurance that the Philippines would never fall into China’s infamous debt trap, brushing off concerns that Manila might end up surrendering its prized resources if it defaults on loans from Beijing. In a media forum in Quezon City, Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino said interest rates of the Philippines’ loans from…
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‘New Cold War’: Trade war puts China-US ties at risk
There is a grim realisation among China’s leaders that a full blown trade war with the US is now about to become a reality. Beijing, China – They have been dismantling the old US Embassy in Beijing. Its diplomats moved to a vast complex on the other side of the city years ago. But this week – of all…
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The Giant Clam ‘War’ In the South China Sea: An Analysis Based On Personal Experience
“War” over giant clams ??!! What, who, where, when and why? I first became aware of the existence of giant clams (Tridachna) as a youngster growing up in New England I watched a black and white TV show that depicted– with ever quickening screechy background music– a diver writhing in agony because a giant clam had slammed shut on…
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Trump-China Trade Fight Unfolds as Deeper Conflict Takes Shape
As the U.S.-China trade fight deepens, the two superpowers — one incumbent and one rising — are sizing each other up and deciding whether they can coexist. China and the U.S. ended talks in Washington on Friday with no deal after President Donald Trump raised tariffs on more than $200 billion in goods from the country and China vowed to…
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Where is China money going? Gambling, real estate, tours, big cities big winners
The fourth state visit to China of President Rodrigo R. Duterte just 2 weeks ago is said to have yielded business deals worth a total of US$12.165 billion and a grant of one billion renminbi (about US$148.5 million) The Duterte administration has also said that the deals alone could generate more than 21,000 jobs. So far, however, there seems to…
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U.S. Destroyers Active in 2 Separate South China Sea Operations
During the past week, three U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers were active in the South China Sea in two separate operations intended to support unfettered access to the region’s shipping lanes. USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110) joined an international maritime group operating in the South China Sea for the past week, according to the service. William P. Lawrence joined Indian…
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Would China’s South China Sea Bases Be Wiped Out In A War?
The islands of the SCS have some military relevance, but are more important as a political claim to waterways and undersea resources. Militarily, they represent a thin crust on China’s A2/AD system. Under certain conditions this crust could disrupt U.S. freedom of action, but it won’t be hard for the United States’ Air Force and Navy to punch through.…
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US Navy chief to visit India next week
NEW YORK: In the trend of India and the US intensifying naval links to protect maritime freedom in the Indo-Pacific region, the US Navy chief will visit India next week, four days after the Indian Navy ships concluded exercises with the US and its allies in the South China Sea. During his visit scheduled from May 12 to 14,…
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Japan, Vietnam Teaming up to Resist China Expansion
TAIPEI — Japan is helping Vietnam build a defense against the larger, more militarily powerful China as Vietnam says Beijing’s forces are occupying more than their legal share of the South China Sea. Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya and his Vietnamese counterpart, Ngo Xuan Lich, met May 3 to “advance cooperation” on maritime security, Tokyo-based NHK television online said.…
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‘DAMAGED THE PEACE!’ Trump angers Beijing by sailing two warships through South China Sea
TWO US warships sailed through the South China Sea in a move that risks worsening tensions between the US and Beijing. Missile destroyers called Preble and Chung Hoon were guided by the US within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands two days ago, US military confirmed. Commander Clay Doss said the “innocent passage”…