West Philippine Sea
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How to Steal the Sea, Chinese Style
In history, countries have sought to increase their territory by bribery, chicanery, coercion and outright force of arms. But while many have sought to dominate the seas, from the Greek city states to the mighty British Empire, none has ever, in effect, tried to take over an ocean or a sea as its own. But […]
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F-22 Raptors Deployed to Japan as Show of Force to China, N. Korea
The US Air Force has deployed several F-22 Raptor jets from an Alaska air base to Japan to partake in exercises, according to reports. The deployment, according to the Aviationist, has the dual purpose in allowing “U.S. aircrews fly and train with local Japan Air Self Defense Forces, and show the presence of Washington’s most […]
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China urged: Respect PH court decision on poachers
China, Chinese Poachers, Illegal Fishing, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, Supreme CourtMANILA, Philippines – China was asked yesterday to respect a Philippine court decision imposing a fine of $100,000 (P4.3 million) each on nine Chinese fishermen for poaching in Philippine waters plus P120,000 ($2,666) each for taking wildlife. Speaking to reporters, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Charles Jose said the nine Chinese fishermen have undergone […]
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Vietnam-Philippines port call amid concern over China’s SCS airstrip
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Airstrip, Artificial Islands, China, Reclamation, Scarborough Shoal, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysLate last week, an IHS Jane’s report corroborated claims that China was embarking on an island-building project in the South China Sea. Based on satellite imagery, Jane’s reported that China was building an airstrip-capable island on Fiery Cross Reef, a group of three reefs in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. China claims the territory as part of Hainan […]
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The South China Sea: Navigating the Most Dangerous Place in the World
Analysis, China, Japan, Malaysia, Military Conflict, Mutual Defense Treaty, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USA, VietnamWhen people ponder where the next major conflict might erupt, they often look to the South China Sea – the scene of the potentially most explosive, intractable, overlapping sovereignty claims in the world. What can the United States do to find a peaceful solution to tensions between China, the Philippines and Vietnam, and indirectly between […]
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China’s Friendship Treaty: A Distraction from South China Sea Diplomacy
Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, Japan, Philippines, Reclamation, Silk Road, South China Sea Dispute, VietnamAs China once again offers ASEAN states billions of dollars and promotes another treaty for “Good Neighborly and Friendly Cooperation” (which sounds an awful lot like the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation), Southeast Asian nations should consider how China perceives ASEAN and what goals it hopes to gain from its interactions with the bloc. By […]
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PH helpless in stopping China’s reclamation work in disputed seas
MANILA, Philippines—Several months after China was first found to be conducting reclamation activities in a reef in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines has been helpless in stopping the Asian giant from doing nearly all it wants in the disputed region. The latest of China’s reclamation projects is on Fiery Cross Reef, which China calls […]
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Book proves Bajo de Masinloc part of Philippine territory
China, IMLOS, Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Philippines, Scarborough Shoal, South China Sea Dispute, UPUniversity of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP-IMLOS) with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) launched a book that will enhance Philippines position on Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal internationally known as Scarborough Shoal. The book entitled “Bajo de Masinloc: Maps and Documents” was launched November […]
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China strengthening claim to South China Sea oil and gas
Not gone and not forgotten, China is ready to solidify its claim to the South China Sea (SCS). Recent satellite imagery confirms China is conducting significant land reclamation operations in the Spratly Islands in the SCS. The SCS is an important fishing ground and is believed to hold large amounts of oil and gas. Undermining […]
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Vietnam-Philippines port call amid concern over China’s SCS airstrip
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Joint Military Exercises, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, Vietnam, WarshipsIn what was the first ever port call between the countries, two Vietnamese frigates visited the Philippines on Tuesday. An unnamed Filipino naval officer said the two countries would hold peaceful joint patrols and operations in the Spratlys. But the timing of the maiden port call was clear. It coincides with the first anniversary of China’s declaration […]