West Philippine Sea
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Report: China poised to achieve air supremacy over ‘first island chain’
The “first island chain” refers to the first major archipelagos off the East Asian continental mainland, including the Japanese archipelago, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan and the northern Philippines. Wikimedia Commons/Suid-Afrikaanse MANILA, Philippines — China has demonstrated its ability to gain air supremacy over areas of the “first island chain” as it continues its military buildup […]
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How America Can Keep From Losing in the South China Sea
Washington is losing ground in the South China Sea, and risks making the situation lasting unless America imposes “real” strategic costs to China. Part one of this two-part series provided strategic perspectives and context to the recent uptick in tensions in the South China Sea (SCS) following a year of relative calm since the […]
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As World Watches Kim, China Quietly Builds South China Sea Clout
Last month, a Philippine lawmaker released photos he said showed Chinese fishing, coast guard and navy vessels surrounding a Philippine-occupied isle in the Spratly island chain, preventing planned repairs to a runway. Vietnam in July halted drilling in an area leased to Spain’s Repsol S.A, amid reports it did so under Chinese duress. […]
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The Truth About China’s Indonesia South China Sea Tantrum
Beijing’s displeasure is all too predictable and far from convincing. Last week, media outlets began disclosing that China’s Foreign Ministry had sent a note dated August 25 to the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing opposing Jakarta’s decision in July to rename its portion of the South China Sea to the North Natuna Sea. Despite the hype […]
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US sets more patrols in waters disputed with China: report
U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) is gearing up for more regular naval patrols in the South China Sea, a move that is likely to further complicate relations between the U.S. and China. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the Pentagon has set a schedule for freedom of navigation operations to challenge Chinese maritime […]
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China demands Indonesia rescind decision to rename part of South China Sea
JAKARTA: China has demanded that Indonesia rescind a decision to rename its maritime area in the southwest part of South China Sea to North Natuna Sea. The Chinese Foreign Ministry sent an official note to the Indonesian embassy in Beijing expressing its opposition to Jakarta’s Jul 14 move, when it unveiled a new official […]
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‘India’s refusal to bend showed the world how to deal with Chinese coercion’
The damage the 10-week troop Doklam standoff inflicted on the already frayed India-China relationship will not be easy to repair. Indeed, the China-India divide over border, water, trade, maritime and other issues, including transportation and economic corridors, may only widen. There is also the risk that the end of the face-off could […]
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The United States Has Not Lost the South China Sea
Despite some setbacks, the United States has not lost influence in the vital waterway. The last two months saw an uptick in tensions in the South China Sea (SCS) following a period of relative calm since the arbitral tribunal at the Hague handed down its historic and sweeping award on maritime entitlements in the SCS, […]
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Vietnam Protests at Chinese Military Drill in South China Sea
HANOI (Reuters) – Vietnam on Thursday opposed what it said was a Chinese announcement of military exercises in the disputed South China Sea, amid rising tension between the neighboring countries. Vietnam did not give any details of when it said the announcement was made or when any drill would take place. China’s […]
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China exploits the Philippines’ soft-pedalling in South China Sea
Duterte’s conciliatory stance on Beijing’s territorial claims is backfiring But Beijing’s blatant display of force risks undermining its newfound rapprochement with the Philippines, where the defense establishment and public are already highly critical of China. Suspicious movements Intelligence reports on suspicious movements of Chinese vessels near Thitu Island were leaked by […]