News
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US, allies in show of force
By Associated Press @ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/354573/us-allies-in-show-of-force ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam—Fighter jets from the United States and two key allies roared into western Pacific skies on Thursday in the combat phase of annual exercises that have gained importance as the region responds to the rise of China and other potential threats. The Cope North drills—which could soon swell in participants—are aimed…
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China’s use of non-military vessels disrupting regional security’
By Jose Katigbak STAR Washington Bureau (The Philippine Star) @ http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/02/07/905848/chinas-use-non-military-vessels-disrupting-regional-security WASHINGTON – China’s use of non-military maritime vessels to advance its sovereignty claims in the East and South China Seas is disrupting regional security in ways that could very well lead to conflict, the Center for New American Security said. A CNAS article by Zachary Hosford and Ely Ratner said…
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Inside the Ring: Blunt warning on China
By Bill Gertz, The Washington Times @ http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/6/inside-the-ring-blunt-warning-on-china/?page=all A senior Navy intelligence official issued a blunt warning last week that China’s growing “hegemonistic” threat to security is destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region. “Make no mistake, the [Chinese] navy is focused on war at sea and about sinking an opposing fleet,” said Capt. James Fanell, deputy chief of staff for intelligence and…
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Chinese warships enter West Philippine Sea
By Tarra Quismundo Philippine Daily Inquirer @ http://globalnation.inquirer.net/63539/chinese-warships-enter-west-philippine-sea MANILA, Philippines—Chinese naval vessels entered Philippine waters on Feb. 1 amid efforts by the Philippines to peacefully resolve its territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea through arbitration in the United Nations. China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday that a naval fleet of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)…
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Chinese ships’ drills no cause for tension — Palace
Malacañang on Sunday said it sees no problem with the entry of a Chinese navy fleet into the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) for patrols and drills. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the exercises involving the Chinese ships will be conducted in international waters. “I’ve also read that report … and it did say that they were keeping…
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US lawmakers back PHL decision to take China disputes to UN arbitration
(Updated 2:40 p.m.) – A visiting US congressional delegation expressed support on Tuesday to the Philippine government’s decision to take long standing territorial disputes with China before a United Nations arbitration body. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Carlos Sorreta said the five-man US delegation led by Congressman Edward Royce (Republican, California), chairman of the House committee on Foreign Affairs, “expressed their…
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China’s plan to develop and fortify an expansive area of the resource-rich but disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) lacks merit under international law
Bajo de Masinloc, China, Huangyan island, P-Noy, Panatag Shoal, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippines, Scarborough ShoalMANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino has accused China of harassing two Philippine fishing boats in disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) waters, allegedly driving out one that had sheltered from rough seas. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Aquino said the two Scarborough Shoal incidents had led to Manila seeking United Nations arbitration this week…
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PNoy says he consulted predecessors on move vs China
President Benigno Aquino III consulted lawmakers and two of his immediate predecessors before the Philippines made the move of dragging China before an international body to settle a territorial dispute. Aquino told reporters covering his visit to Switzerland: “We brought the matter before them [lawmakers and former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada]… Nobody objected (to going to arbitration).” Portions…
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PHL takes territorial spat with China to int’l arbitration
Updated 6:27 p.m.) The Philippines has formally notified China that it is bringing their long-standing territorial disputes over parts of the resource-rich South China Sea to international arbitration for a peaceful and internationally-accepted resolution, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Tuesday. Del Rosario said the Philippines handed a note verbale or diplomatic note to Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing…
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Philippines Takes Sea Dispute With China to Tribunal
By RHEA SANDIQUE-CARLOS And JOSEPHINE CUNETA @ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324624404578257621131240336.html MANILA—The Philippines is taking its territorial dispute with China to an international tribunal, raising the stakes in the political standoff among several countries with overlapping claims in the resource-rich South China Sea. “The Philippines has exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful negotiated settlement of its maritime disputes with…
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West Philippine Sea: David’s slingshot
By Efren Padilla @ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/291277/opinion/blogs/west-philippine-sea-david-s-slingshot My lawyer friend was fuming mad when he found out that China etched its new passport with the nine-dash line—the U-shaped demarcation line circumscribing about 90 percent of the 3.5-million-square kilometer South China Sea on China’s maps. He was particularly concerned by its ramifications, not only because China can now unilaterally warn or confront anyone…
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Abe advocates ‘security diamond’ against China
By Martin Fritz @ http://www.dw.de/abe-advocates-security-diamond-against-china/a-16538140 Since assuming office at the end of 2012, Japan’s new prime minister has started conducting a diplomatic offensive to counteract China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region. It is usually traditional for a new Japanese prime minister to make his first foreign trip to the US, but Shinzo Abe broke with tradition and made his first…