West Philippine Sea
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Quirky style eclipsed by high ratings
Critics demanded the release of medical bulletins, noting that transparency about the President’s health is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution. But the Palace played down concerns about his health.Halfway through his term, President Rodrigo Duterte continues to hold high trust and satisfaction ratings, and extended his popularity to his allies who swept the midterm elections.But 2019 also brought home…
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China’s aircraft carrier the Shandong sails through Taiwan Strait after entering service
China’s first home-built aircraft carrier the Shandong has sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time since being commissioned last week, in a move seen as a flexing of military muscle against the self-ruled island ahead of its presidential election. The carrier, accompanied by its frigates, transited northwards through the waterway on Thursday, Taiwan’s defence ministry said in…
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Sovereignty claims, not maritime entitlements
AT the core of the arbitral tribunal’s errors in its ruling was its refusal to recognize that the dispute between China and the Philippines involved sovereign claims over territory. The Philippines’ lawyers though deviously tried to package the suit as involving which country has the right maritime entitlements such as exclusive economic zones (EEZ) if such exist in the…
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How Will China Act In The South China Sea? Just Ask Russia.
Key point: Chinese analysis concludes that the Soviet Navy “dealt with these situations with patience and in quite a professional way.” The “sail by” of USS Lassen within the 12 nautical mile claim line of the new Chinese facilities on Subi reef in the South China Sea occurred without major incident last week. Despite some fiery Chinese rhetoric, war…
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South China Sea tussle: Russia and China’s colossal military challenge to the US
SOUTH CHINA SEA tensions between the US and China have erupted in recent years as both nations compete for superiority in the contested region. But under the radar, a third superpower, Russia, has slowly began to take note of the resource rich waters, and has even defied the US in colossal military exercises with Beijing’s forces. In September 2016,…
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China sets its sights on Taiwan in 2020 as Xi Jinping aims to achieve his ‘centenary goal’
CHINESE naval vessels have intensified patrols in the western part of the Taiwan Strait as President Xi Jinping aims to accomplish Beijing’s “centenary goals” in 2020. The new year will see the deadline for China’s “centenary goal”, as 2021 will be the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CCP). In December the Taiwanese defence…
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South China Sea live-fire drill for PLA’s Hong Kong garrison
China’s state broadcaster released a video on Christmas Eve of Hong Kong’s PLA garrison conducting live-fire sea drills in the South China Sea. While key details of the events were not included, the video released on the social media account of China’s Central Television military channel, said the drills were conducted “in recent days” without specifying an exact time,…
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Trump can discipline China’s ‘bad actors’ by using Reagan’s Soviet solution
As the baseless impeachment proceedings grind on, the president is demonstrating his leadership and negotiating skills with the first steps of a trade deal with China. That has forced House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to — finally — agree to approve the Canada-Mexico-U.S. trade agreement (USMCA) she has sat on for a year to America’s detriment. But lest we become…
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Duterte’s Coast Guard Diplomacy
Under Duterte, the Philippine Coast Guard has taken on a new prominence. But don’t assume Manila is resorting to gray zone tactics. Recently, the Philippine budget secretary approved an increase of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel to 4,000 for this year. This increase is only intended for 2019, while the funds for an additional 6,000 personnel are also anticipated…
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On first Manila Christmas, new Chinese envoy cites ‘golden age’ of PH-China ties
MANILA – China’s new envoy to the Philippines on Tuesday sent his holiday greetings to Filipinos as he looked forward to his first Christmas here, saying ties between Beijing and Manila were becoming ‘increasingly close.” In a message released Monday night, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian noted warming ties between China and the Philippines even while the…