West Philippine Sea
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China fires flares at PH military planes patrolling West PH Sea
MANILA, Philippines—China recently fired flares at Philippine military planes conducting security patrols in the West Philippine Sea. These were recorded at least five times near Chinese outposts in the West Philippine Sea, according to Lt. Col. Bill Pasia, of the Palawan-based Western Command, at an online forum on Friday (Aug. 20). Pasia also said that […]
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Spratlys vs KIG
By: Antonio T. Carpio – @inquirerdotnetPhilippine Daily Inquirer / 04:06 AM August 05, 2021 The Philippines’ territorial claim to the Spratlys is limited only to the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), as formalized in Presidential Decree No. 1596 and clarified in Republic Act No. 9522. China’s and Vietnam’s territorial claims cover the entire Spratlys. Malaysia’s territorial […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]