Philippines
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The Geopolitical Stakes of the 2016 Philippine Elections
For almost four years now, the Philippines has been Southeast Asia’s fastest growing major economy. Once dubbed the “sick man” of Asia, the country’s image has enjoyed a turnaround under President Benigno Aquino III. The Philippines sovereign credit rating has been upgraded from junk to investment grade by all major credit rating agencies. Though still […]
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DFA chief sees arbitration ruling on sea row with China in May
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Militarization, Military Conflict, Philippines, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USAForeign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Wednesday said he expects the Netherlands-based arbitral tribunal to hand down a ruling on a Philippine complaint against China’s massive claim in the disputed South China Sea in May. Manila’s case, filed in January 2014, challenged the validity of China’s sprawling territorial claims in the resource-rich waters and […]
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Beijing plans S. China Sea buildup after US warship makes second pass near island: Gertz
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Militarization, Military Conflict, Philippines, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USAChina toned down vitriolic rhetoric in response to the recent passage of a US warship near a disputed island in the South China Sea. USS Curtis Wilbur Guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur Chinese government-controlled media outlets, however, seized on the transit of the guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur on Jan. 30 within 12 miles of […]
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U.S. Ambiguity Strengthens Beijing in the South China Sea
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Militarization, Military Conflict, Philippines, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USAAre the United States and China collaborating to rewrite the international law of the sea? If so, it would be an odd but potent combination with ominous global implications. China is a member of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, but regularly violates its provisions. The United States has not ratified UNCLOS, but […]
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Nurse first to register as Taiping Island resident
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Itu Aba, Militarization, Military Conflict, Philippines, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, Taiwan, USATAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A female nurse has become the first citizen to register as an official resident of Taiping Island in a disputed part of the South China Sea, reports said Saturday. The island, also known as Itu Aba, saw its international profile rise significantly when President Ma Ying-jeou visited it last Thursday, to […]
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Roxas on global threats: West PH Sea, resources, climate change, ISIS
MANILA, Philippines – In a country where voters are “worldier” and where millions are part of the global diaspora, where does the ruling political party’s standard-bearer stand when it comes to global issues? Manuel Roxas II enumerated the “biggest threats” to the Philippines as it faces territorial issues with its neighbors, stronger and more frequent […]
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Duterte open to joint exploration with China in Spratlys
MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor and presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte is willing to enter into a joint exploration for oil and gas in the Spratly Islands with China, provided that Beijing does not insist on its territorial claim over it. Speaking before businessmen and entrepreneurs in the Go Negosyo Talks “Meet the Presidentiables Series” […]
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‘Nearly All’ Australian Patrols in South China Sea Are Challenged by China
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Militarization, Military Conflict, Philippines, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USAAustralia’s air force chief said that China now challenges “nearly all” Australian surveillance flights over the South China Sea. Air Marshal Leo Davies told Sydney Morning Herald that the number of Chinese warnings to routine Australian patrols had increased, a byproduct of an increasing Chinese presence on disputed islands in the area. The nature of […]
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China stepping up Spratlys landgrab–Pentagon report
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Militarization, Military Conflict, Philippines, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USACANBERRA—A new Pentagon report saying that China’s reclamation activities and construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea increased dramatically during the past few months has aroused widespread fears that the landgrab would derail diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving rival claims through United Nations arbitration. The report, released last August, pointed out that as […]