ASEAN
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Asean must act over the South China Sea
Although Asean has so far played a passive role in addressing the South China Sea dispute, a series of incidents — which raise concerns over the severity of tensions — should prompt Asean to take an assertive role to maintain peace in the region. Some Asean leaders might be content with the current stance of […]
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East Coast Fil-Ams weigh in on South China Sea row
NEW YORK CITY—“One hundred seventeen years later, China is invading the Philippines by creating artificial islands surrounding the Philippines. China is saying they own all of [the] South China Sea, that they own all of West Philippine Sea. Mga ulol [They are crazy]!” These were the words of business tycoon Loida Nicolas-Lewis, chair of the […]
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Latest Sino-Malaysian encounter amidst South China Sea disputes – Whither the shift in Malaysian reaction?
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Malaysia, Militarization, Military Conflict, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysIn the latest episode of the saga involving territorial disputes in South China Sea (SCS), Malaysia will reportedly lodge a formal diplomatic protest with China over the presence of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel near Luconia Shoals, a series of islets and reefs well within Malaysia’s claimed 200-nm exclusive economic zone. The Malaysian Prime Minister, […]
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China indignant over Japan’s South China Sea medling
BEIJING China — A Foreign Ministry spokesperson has urged Japan not to weigh into territorial disputes in the South China Sea, labelling Japan a “non-party” in the matter. Hong Lei made the comments at a media briefing on Friday responding to reporter’s question on Japan’s recent hyping up the South China Sea issue and Japanese […]
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Seoul remains neutral in South China Sea dispute
Korea is taking no sides amid growing speculation that the United States is pressing Seoul to back its biggest ally in a South China Sea dispute. Washington and Beijing have exchanged words about the latter’s efforts to build artificial islands and military installations in the region that is raising tensions with neighboring countries. Amid the […]
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Stirring up the South China Sea (III): A Fleeting Opportunity for Calm
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Militarization, Military Conflict, Philippines, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USAEXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS The South China Sea is the cockpit of geopolitics in East Asia. Five countries – Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam – plus Taiwan have substantial and competing territorial and maritime claims in a body of water that is both an important source of hydrocarbons and fisheries and a vital […]
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China’s Island-Building Pushes U.N.’s Legal Boundaries
China’s increased pace of island-building in the disputed South China Sea has angered many of its neighbors, but China insists that its land-reclamation activities are no cause for concern. In an email interview, Mira Rapp Hooper, a fellow with the Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the director of its […]
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Concerns over land reclamation projects in South China Sea placing region into disorder
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Militarization, Military Conflict, Philippines, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USAJapan’s Minister of Defense has warned that land reclamation projects in the South China Sea risked plunging the region into disorder and has urged nations, including China, to behave responsibly. Gen Nakatani said “If we leave any unlawful situation unattended, order will soon turn to disorder, and peace and stability will collapse,” “I hope and expect […]
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Where Is China’s Silk Road Actually Going?
The Boao Forum for Asia, an annual economic dialogue held in China’s Hainan Province, was an especially high-profile meeting this year; Chinese President Xi Jinping himself delivered the keynote address. The reason for the special emphasis was clear: Beijing selected the Boao Forum as the venue to deliver the first in-depth explanation of China’s vision […]
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Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen calls for patience in resolving South China Sea disputes
SINGAPORE: Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has called for patience in solving disputes over the South China Sea, following the strong conflicting statements made by the United States and China about the longstanding territorial conflict. United States Defence Secretary Ashton Carter warned that China’s island building in disputed waters was undermining security in the region. […]