Philippines
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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 disputes? China has reacted angrily…
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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 barges pouring sand onto disputed…
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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 an airstrip and other structures.…
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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 pristine coral reefs of the…
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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 International Tribunal on the Law…
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China says U.S. welcome to use civilian facilities in South China Sea
(Reuters) – The United States and other countries will be welcome to use civilian facilities China is building in the South China Sea for search and rescue and weather forecasting “when conditions are right”, China’s navy chief has told a senior U.S. officer. China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil…
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Beyond the territorial dispute in the South China Sea
Artificial Islands, China, Ecology, Environmental Impact, Fishing Rights, Food Security, Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysTHEY are some of the most destructive land reclamation projects in the country. But unlike other planned developments that have become controversial because of their adverse impact on the environment, these are all taking place almost under the radar. China’s land reclamation projects on reefs, islets and rocks in the Spratly Islands—and their impact not just on the country’s national,…
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ASEAN summit: Vietnam, Singapore call for COC by China on South China Sea issue
Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea DisputeNEW DELHI: With China showing no signs of climbing down from its claim in the South China Sea region and continuing with building artificial islands including airstrips in the region, some members of the ASEAN including Vietnam and Singapore at their just concluded summit have called for immediate Code of Conduct (COC) by Beijing and the regional grouping to manage…
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PNoy reports ‘substantial’ progress in pushing united ASEAN stand on South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday he sees “very, very substantial progress” in discussions within ASEAN of the South China Sea issues. Arriving in Manila from Malaysia, where he attended the 26th ASEAN Summit and pushed for asserting ASEAN centrality in facing China’s increasingly aggressive moves to control the strategic waters, Aquino said he was satisfied with…
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ASEAN leaders voice ‘serious’ concern over China’s reclamation activities
Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysLANGKAWI, Malaysia — Southeast Asian leaders on Tuesday expressed “serious concerns” over China’s land reclamation activities in disputed areas of the South China Sea, which they said could undermine peace, security and stability in the region. The stand was taken in the form of a “chairman’s statement” released by Malaysia one day after it hosted an annual summit of leaders…