West Philippine Sea
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US think-tank casts doubt on South China Sea code
MANILA – Chances of signing a code of conduct in the South China Sea any time soon may be slim, an analyst from a US think-tank said on Friday. Gregory Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, said China seems to avoid touching the hardest issues on the released code of conduct (COC) draft. “The worst thing that can…
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Chinese experts emphasize firm but flexible strategy on South China Sea
The situation in the South China Sea may become more intense next year, Chinese military experts said at the Global Times Annual Conference held on Saturday in Beijing. Dai Xu, President of the Institute of Marine Safety and Cooperation, said he didn’t understand why some people were afraid when Chinese warships intercepted US warships. “If the US warships break into…
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US-China tension could become confrontation as pressure builds in South China Sea, Taiwan Strait
The risk of confrontation between mainland China and the United States over Taiwan is likely to grow next year as the self-ruled island leans ever closer to Washington in a bid to counter Beijing’s rise, observers said. By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Speaking at a forum in Beijing, Chinese experts on military and diplomatic issues…
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Future challenges of our foreign policy
We have to encourage dialogue and trust-building among the major powers to shield our region from their rivalry. This can be done by providing venues to reinforce our areas of common interest in stability, security and interchange. It is in this context that the Philippines needs also to maintain our external security links with the United States, our only mutual…
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China’s real endgame in the trade war runs through Europe
SCHLOSS ELMAU, GERMANY – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently shared some history with a friend, explaining why he reached out to China’s then-Premier Wen Jiabao in 2011, seeking urgent financial support and providing Beijing one of several European inroads in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Orban’s reason was a simple one: survival. Facing a potential debt crisis…
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Philippines-China — after the rainbow, more rain
Despite Xi’s visit and repeated Chinese aid pledges, ties remain uncertain amid a domestic backlash Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent trip to the Philippines should have left his hosts basking in the glow of reflected glory, the warmth of friendship and the satisfaction of opening up some big economic presents. But the Chinese leader’s Nov. 20-21 visit produced no such…
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South China Sea on the back-burner while United States and China talk trade
China and the United States appeared to put their South China Sea disputes on the back-burner when their leaders met on the weekend, a move analysts said was to avoid derailing discussion on trade. There was no mention of the disputed waters in statements released after the meeting, despite the two countries’ deep divisions over the area. Instead, Chinese President…
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What China’s conduct about the Code of Conduct reveals
China will keep talks going while strengthening its political, economic and military positions, rendering the South China Sea COC moot. China’s Premier Li Keqiang said last month Beijing hoped consultations with Southeast Asian nations on a code of conduct (COC) for the South China Sea would be completed in three years, so that it will contribute to enduring peace and…
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China Increases Naval Patrols Around Taiwan to Challenge U.S. Navy
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has greatly increased its presence in the Taiwan Strait, part of the greater South China Sea, in response to the growing number of freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) by the U.S. Navy, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday. The Post confirmed the news with the Taiwanese Defense Ministry, which operates independently of Beijing.…
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Philippines cannot physically confirm China’s weather stations — Lorenzana
MANILA, Philippines — Pointing out that China’s operation of weather monitoring stations in the Spratly Islands are not a cause of concern, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted that the Philippines cannot physically verify such reports. On November 1, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that Beijing started operating a maritime observation center, a meteorological observatory and a national environmental and air…