Philippines
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China Reserves Right to Create Air Zone Over South China Sea
China reserves the right to establish an Air Defense Identification Zone over the South China Sea, a move that would raise tensions in a region wracked by territorial disputes. “China is entitled to set up ADIZs,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday. “A decision in this regard depends on whether the air safety […]
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41 Years in the Making: Why China’s South China Sea Plan Will Fail
Analysis, Artificial Islands, ASEAN, Australia, China, History, Indonesia, Malaysia, Natuna, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, USA, VietnamWhile China’s recent assertiveness in the South China Sea might shock and surprise today’s observers, its behavior has actually been remarkably consistent over recent decades. China first exercised its power in the region in January 1974 when it ejected South Vietnam from the Crescent Islands. In March 1988, the Chinese Navy clashed with Vietnamese vessels, […]
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DFA on PHL activity in South China Sea: Minor fixes not large-scale construction
The Philippines has done some minor “repairs and maintenance” work in Filipino-occupied areas within the country’s exclusive economic zone which is allowed under international law unlike the massive land reclamations by China which are far from its territory and grossly violates the law, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Tuesday. At the same time, Del […]
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China takes steps to control South China Sea
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Great Wall of Sand, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, USABeijing’s new land-reclamation strategy in the South China Sea has been ringing alarm bells in the region and has prompted the U.S. to accuse China of attempting to force its way to de facto control of disputed waters. Several high-definition satellite images surfaced this month of China’s land reclamation and construction on Mischief Reef in […]
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U.S. keeps watchful eye as China builds ‘Great Wall of Sand’
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Miliitarization, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USAABOVE THE EAST CHINA SEA — The crew of Pelican One keeps a watchful eye as the U.S. Navy patrol plane swoops low to identify a ship operating near waters off southwestern Japan that China now claims as its territory. After a radio check and a close look confirms the ship is a harmless Panama-flagged […]
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Tiny islands key to ownership of South China Sea
Airstrips, Artificial Islands, China, History, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, USAIn response, China says it’s “severely concerned” about the South East Asian nations’ statement. South East Asia says China’s actions have “eroded trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security and stability”. China retorts that what it’s doing is “entirely legal and shouldn’t be questioned”. Are the gloves coming off in the South China Sea […]
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Sea of troubles
Airstrip, Artificial Islands, China, Ecology, Environmental Impact, Militarization, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USAAMERICA and its friends in Asia have long worried about the South China Sea becoming a Chinese lake—a vast stretch of water, through which half the world’s commercial shipping passes, falling under the control of China’s fast-expanding navy and coastguard. In the past few months these fears have been amplified by satellite pictures showing Chinese […]
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US Rejects China’s Offer Over Disputed Islands
Washington: The United States on Friday swiftly rejected a suggestion by a top Chinese military official who said that disputed South China Sea islands could be used for international rescue and relief operations. Beijing has been roundly criticized by the West for construction work on islands in the South China Sea, including the building of […]
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South China Sea: Turning Reefs Into Artificial Islands? – Analysis South China Sea: Turning Reefs Into Artificial Islands? – Analysis
Artificial Islands, China, Ecology, Environmental Impact, Fishing Rights, Food Security, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysLarge-scale reclamation work in the South China Sea using living coral reefs as building material is causing severe environmental damage. It is also against international law. By Youna Lyons and Wong Hiu Fung* China’s ongoing reclamation activities in the South China Sea are a cause for environmental concern, given their potential to destroy the little-explored […]
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AFP chief dares China to prove PHL’s alleged reclamation in disputed territories
Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. on Thursday dared China to prove its allegation that the Philippines has reclamation activities in some areas in the West Philippine Sea. In an interview with reporters after the Balikatan Exercises closing ceremony, Catapang denied China’s allegations, saying the Philippine government respects the rule set by the […]