News
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European parliament backs arbitration
MANILA, Philippines – The European parliament adopted a resolution on March 14 approving a report that included its support for the Philippines’ arbitration initiative, under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in clarifying the country’s maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), the Department of Foreign […]
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Southeast Asian Nations Aim to Restore Unity at Annual Summit
BANGKOK — Leaders of Southeast Asia are gathering in Brunei this week for an annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The regional group is trying to move forward with plans for economic integration and repair divisions about disputed territory with China in the South China Sea. ASEAN has set a deadline to […]
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The True Crisis in the Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific’s most dangerous crisis may be going overlooked due to North Korean threats. Despite the Obama administration’s ‘pivot’ to the region, Asian allies worry that the United States will not continue to be a steadfast partner. North Korean bombast has been using up all of the oxygen in the Asia-Pacific, but what may be […]
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China consolidates sea claims as Asian diplomacy struggles
Bajo de Masinloc, China, First Post World, Fishing Rights, Philippines, Reuters, Scarborough Shoal, South China Sea DisputeMASINLOC, Philippines (Reuters) – For decades, fishermen along the northwestern Philippine coast treated the teeming fishing grounds of the Scarborough Shoal as their backyard, less than a day’s boat ride away. Now, they see it as a foreign country. “I lost my livelihood when we lost the Scarborough Shoal to the Chinese,” said Mario Forones, […]
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United States must adopt the international law of the sea
Since the Obama administration’s announced “pivot” to Asia, challenges have piled up in the region. With the exception of North Korea’s nuclear brinksmanship, most of the challenges involve growing tension in the South China Sea and East China Sea. The US must devise a policy on these maritime disputes that preserves freedom of navigation and […]
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Gov’t hopes to revive rare earth elements dev’t plan with China
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines will try to revive next month preparations with China for the joint development of rare earth elements (REEs) in the Philippines, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). MGB Director Leo Jasareno told reporters that Philippine representatives would fly to Naning, China, on May 8 to discuss Manila’s intention to push […]
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PH urged to help China quake victims amid territorial row
MANILA, Philippines — Despite diplomatic differences, the Philippines should quickly send a humanitarian mission to China to help victims of the devastating earthquake that rocked its province over the weekend, Senator Ralph Recto said on Tuesday. “As a neighbor with deep historical and economic ties, the country should send its own humanitarian contingent and find ways […]
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Taiwan stages live-fire drill in contested Spratlys
TAIPEI – Taiwan’s coastguards said Monday that Taipei had staged a live-fire drill within a hotly-contested island chain in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), in a move that risks stoking regional tensions. More than 2,000 rounds of ammunition … http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/22/13/taiwan-stages-live-fire-drill-contested-spratlys
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South China Sea and economic development at the center of the Asean summit
MANILA — Malacañang is hopeful that a Code of Conduct in the West Philippine Sea could be crafted during the 22nd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Brunei Darussalam. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that President Benigno Aquino III will depart for Brunei on Wednesday for the two-day meeting and […]
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South China Sea and economic development at the center of the Asean summit
Tomorrow the 22nd summit of the countries of Southeast Asia begins in Brunei. After the failure of the previous meeting in Phnom Penh, search is on for a common approach to resolve tensions with Beijing. The nations ask for a “continued commitment” and a binding “code of conduct”. North Korea’s nuclear issues: a call for […]
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PHL envoy to China formally assumes post, seeks warmer ties under new Beijing leadership
Beijing, China, GMA Network News, Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III, South China Sea DisputePhilippines’ top diplomat to Beijing, Erlinda Basilio, called on Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday and presented her credentials as ambassador to China. During her conversation with Xi, Basilio, in a bid to normalize ties with Beijing that was marred by a bitter territorial conflict over the South China Sea territories, conveyed President Benigno Aquino […]
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EU Parliament backs PHL arbitration initiative vs China GMA News
MANILA – The European Parliament has expressed its full support of the Philippine government’s decision to bring its territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea before a United Nations arbitration tribunal and called on Beijing to adhere to international law. A resolution adopted March 14 by the European Union’s parliament approved a report […]