News
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Nothing new in last SONA
President Rodrigo Duterte’s last State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 26, 2021 broke no new ground on the most important foreign policy issue facing the Philippines — China’s relentless encroachment on the West Philippine Sea. Sadly, President Duterte adopted and reiterated the position of China that rejected the validity of the Arbitral Award in favor of the Philippines.…
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Our vanishing ‘galunggong’
By: Antonio T. Carpio – @inquirerdotnetPhilippine Daily Inquirer / 05:06 AM July 22, 2021 Two months ago, I had a Zoom meeting with fisherfolk from Zambales who complained that their fish catch had been dwindling because huge Chinese trawlers have been scooping the fish in their traditional fishing grounds in the West Philippine Sea, leaving them with smaller fish. Filipino…
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Indonesia and US building maritime training center on edge of South China Sea
JakartaIndonesia and the United States have broken ground on a new $3.5 million maritime training center in the strategic area of Batam, in the Riau Islands, Indonesia’s maritime security agency said. Attending the ceremony virtually on Friday, the US ambassador to Indonesia, Sung Kim, said the maritime center would be part of ongoing efforts between the two countries to bolster…
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The Dutch frigate in the South China Sea is a wrong signal
The Communist Party of China celebrates its centenary on Thursday, July 1. With the centenary, the party is trying to legitimize its monopoly on power. After all, it has ruled China for many decades without allowing elections or political opposition. Exhibits, specials, and feature films for the population show how the party rescued the country from the chaos and poverty…
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Vietnam’s strategic interests in the South China Sea: Challenges and options
According to the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, Vietnam is strengthening its maritime militia. Though the figures appear to be exaggerated, Vietnam’s action is propelled by the escalating Chinese aggressive activities. In fact, Vietnam has very high stakes in the South China Sea (SCS), which is its life-line. Its geographical situation clearly brings out this dimension. Vietnam borders…
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South China Sea risks highlighted by Britain-Russia encounter in Black Sea
Last week’s confrontation between Russia and Britain in the Black Sea has highlighted a possible scenario facing China and other countries in the disputed South China Sea, observers said. However, the military experts said the People’s Liberation Army would not react aggressively when dealing with its foreign counterparts in the region, to prevent the risk of an escalation. The British…
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The South China Sea Reveals China’s Grand Strategy
Fire and water are juxtaposed in the phraseology of elements, but Robert Kaplan’s book Asia’s Cauldron: The South China Sea and the End of a Stable Pacific alludes to how a large water body is now a simmering cauldron. If modern-day geopolitical advantages are said to be shaped by three things, trade, natural resources, and supply chains, then all those…
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South China Sea: A new US president confronts an old challenge
Since coming into office, the Biden administration has made one of its top priorities strengthening relations with Asia – in part, to counter top rival China. That priority will be tested in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes have long simmered between Brunei, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Beijing claims almost the entire body of water,…
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PH to Asean: Don’t lose sight of terrorism, maritime security despite pandemic
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines urged Southeast Asian countries and dialogue partners to heighten cooperation and “not lose sight” of common areas of concern such as transnational crime, terrorism, and maritime security even with the COVID-19 pandemic. Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro issued the call during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Regional Forum (ARF) meeting of…
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World War 3: China, US reportedly almost sparked all-out conflict in South China Sea in latest incident
The strained relations between the US and China have stoked fears of a possible all-out conflict or world war. With the two countries at odds over several issues, especially regarding the South China Sea, both were reportedly moments away from sparking a military conflict in the waters. A report from the Chinese Central Television outlet revealed one clash that occurred…
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Actions speak louder
Chinese President Xi Jinping says China needs to improve the way it tells the world stories about itself and convince people that the ruling Communist Party is striving for the happiness of all Chinese people. Xi’s comments to a Communist Party meeting earlier this month comes against the backdrop off Beijing’s growing isolation in the global community, fueled in this…
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Citizens Alliance for Life and the Law of the Sea (CALL of the Sea) calls for unified action on the WPS
Because our forefathers fought off powerful invaders, we who are beneficiaries of their sacrifices and victories ought to do no less. We must exhaust all possible means, without resorting to war, to conserve and develop our patrimony. This is the gist of an open letter of the Citizens Alliance for Life and the Law of the Sea (CALL) calling on…