West Philippine Sea
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Malaysia needs to be ready for the worst in South China Sea: foreign minister
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia needs to boost its naval capabilities to prepare for possible conflict in the South China Sea, its foreign minister said on Thursday, even as Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy pursues non-militarization of the disputed waterway. Tensions have escalated in recent weeks, especially after a U.S. Navy destroyer sailed near islands […]
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US Coast Guard chief doubts China’s South China Sea design
THE visiting commandant of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is skeptical of China’s claim of a peaceful expansion, especially in the South China Sea where it has disputes with its neighbors, given its development of man-made islands and military fortresses, the goal of which is only to protect and advance its interests against […]
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South China Sea: The Disputes and Southeast Asia’s Culture of International Law
Most observers usually look at the South China Sea disputes with pessimistic eyes. After capturing the attention of the world in 2009, when China for the first time officially introduced the nine-dash-line map, the conflicts in the region has continued to grow, tensions between the interested parties increasing. Furthering tensions, China ignored the judgment […]
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Lack of trust between US and China means minor incident could become a ‘nightmare’, security analysts warn
Even a minor naval incident between the US and China in the South China Sea could have “nightmarish” outcome because of a severe trust deficit between the two countries, military observers have warned. Analysts attending the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing also highlighted the risk that Taiwan could become another flashpoint between the two sides, […]
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Chinese Defense Minister: ‘We Will Not Relinquish a Single Inch’ of Taiwan, Hong Kong, or South China Sea
Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe vowed at the Xiangshan security forum in Beijing on Monday that “the momentum of China’s reunification cannot be stopped by any individuals or forces.” Wei’s remarks included specific rebukes to pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and Taiwan. “We will not relinquish a single inch of territory passed down […]
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Latest Chinese military rhetoric raises eyebrows
“No one and no force can ever stop China’s full reunification,” defence minister Wei Fenghe told a security forum earlier in the week, piquing interest around the world and particularly among China’s regional neighbours. Minister Wei made his comments specifically regarding Taiwan, claiming that separatist activities were “doomed to fail”, but it’s the overall […]
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South China Sea tensions risk flaring into ‘nightmare’ all out war between Beijing and US
A COMPLETE lack of trust between the US and China threatens a minor incident between the two power nations becoming a “nightmare”, according to military experts. Even a minor naval incident between Washington and Beijing in the hotly disputed South China Sea risk becoming “nightmarish”, military observers have warned. Analysts attending the Xiangshan Forum […]
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Beijing: No one can stop ‘reunification’ with Taiwan
BEIJING: China’s defence minister made an uncompromising call Monday for the “reunification” of Taiwan with the mainland, telling a high level defence forum that the process was something “no force” could stop. Self-ruled Taiwan is viewed by China as a renegade province which will eventually be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary, […]
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Warships in South China Sea will invite conflict, says Dr M
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — Malaysia and Asean will continue to push for a peaceful resolution of the South China Sea dispute, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He said the increase in China and the US’ military presence in the region could destabilise the vital shipping route. “In the Malacca Straits and […]
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South China Sea tensions hit crisis point as furious Beijing surrounds US vessel in region
BEIJING has taken swift action to surround a US ship travelling through the South China Sea, with the Asian super-power furiously accusing Washington of “flexing its muscles” in the disputed region. The waters have become a hotbed of activity after Beijing’s institution of the nine-dash line which sees its territorial claims invade areas controlled […]