News
-
If no one will, then P-Noy must stop Zambales mines
Below is the appeal of Dr. Benito Molino, of Sta. Cruz, Zambales, against destructive mining in his town. Addressed to Noynoy Aquino, it is in Filipino, the language the President uses in major speeches. Townsfolk of Sta. Cruz, Masinloc, Candelaria, and Palauig request its publication, in the hope that presidential action can save them. “Urgent: […]
-
US to maintain edge in Asia-Pacific
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, China, East China Sea, International Waters, Naval Exercises, Naval Stockpiling, South China Sea Dispute, USAWASHINGTON – Adm. Samuel Locklear, head of the US Pacific Command, said America will continue to build and buy the most advanced defensive and offensive military weapons systems to maintain its edge in the Indo-Asia Pacific, which he described as the most militarized region in the world. He said there were now many weapons developers […]
-
An opportunity for diplomatic negotiations thrown away
ASEAN, China, China Fishing Laws, Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, DOC, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOSThere are always two sides to the question. This is especially true with the recent Chinese reiteration of rules about fishing in the South China Sea. The rules are not new. It has been there for decades but those who were more interested in escalating conflict between the two countries worked overtime to interpret it […]
-
Why China and the Philippines are Battling Over Rocks, Reefs
MANILA—The Philippines cried foul this week when China announced plans to begin regular patrols of the South China Sea, known here as the West Philippines Sea. The two countries have been engaged in a tense dispute over the region since 2012, when Chinese ships took control of Scarborough Shoal, which is just one of the […]
-
Lessons from the Battle of the Paracel Islands
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, China, Hainan Fishing Laws, Military Conflict, Naval Showdown, Parcel Islands, PLAN, South China Sea Dispute, USA, USN, VietnamOn January 16, 1974, the Republic of Vietnam Navy (RVN) discovered the presence of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the Crescent Group in the western Paracel Islands, which was held by South Vietnam. This was an unexpected development, because notwithstanding the reduced U.S. military assistance to Saigon after the signing of the Paris […]
-
Is US Pacific “Dominance” Up For Grabs?
ADIZ, Adm. Locklear, Air Defense Identification Zone, China, Diplomatic Relations, Militarization, Nava Exercisesl, Naval Stockpiling, South China Sea Dispute, USARecent comments by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel Locklear III set the internet afire (well, at least for strategic studies followers) in suggesting that the United States was losing dominance in the Pacific Ocean. While no news to those of us who follow events closely in this part of the world, such remarks are a stark […]
-
‘World must oppose China maritime claims’
WASHINGTON – China’s maritime claims in the East and South China Seas are dubious and its grand designs must be opposed by the free world if peace in the region is to be preserved, Dana Rohrabacher, chairman of the US House subcommittee on foreign affairs, said. At a subcommittee hearing on China’s maritime and other […]
-
China to Start Regular Patrols from Island in South China Sea
BEIJING — China will base a 5,000-ton civilian patrol ship on one of the main islands it controls in the disputed South China Sea and begin regular patrols, an official newspaper said on Tuesday. The move is likely to add fuel to territorial disputes with neighbors. The China Ocean News, published by the State Oceanic Administration, […]
-
China begins naval drills in South China Sea
BEIJING — Chinese naval vessels including an island landing ship began drills Monday in the South China Sea, where China and several other nations are locked in territorial disputes. Two destroyers and China’s largest amphibious landing craft started the exercises after sailing from the naval base on the southern island province of Hainan, the official […]
-
Asean airs concern on new China sea law
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, ASEAN, Code of Conduct, East China Sea, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOSMANILA, Philippines – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has expressed concern over recent developments in the South China Sea, after China imposed a controversial new fisheries law requiring all foreign vessels to obtain approval from Chinese authorities before engaging in fishing or surveying activities. China earlier imposed an Air Defense Identification Zone over […]
-
DND bidding for upgrade of Navy patrol ship fails
MANILA, Philippines – The bidding for the upgrade of the Navy’s patrol ship BRP Artemio Ricarte failed as the lone bidder for the project failed to meet some documentary requirements. The STAR learned that Keppel Marine Philippines Inc., the only firm that submitted a bid, was declared ineligible during the bidding for the P216-million project […]
-
China building second aircraft carrier – reports
Aircraft Carrier Liaoing, Blue Water Navy, China, East China Sea, Militarization, Naval Exercise, Naval Exercises, Naval Patrols, Naval Stockpiling, South China Sea Dispute(Reuters) – China is building its second aircraft carrier, which is expected to take six years, and the country aims to have at least four such ships, Chinese and Hong Kong media reports said on Sunday. After two decades of double-digit increases in the military budget, China’s admirals plan to develop a full blue-water navy […]