South China Sea Dispute
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PH helpless in stopping China’s reclamation work in disputed seas
MANILA, Philippines—Several months after China was first found to be conducting reclamation activities in a reef in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines has been helpless in stopping the Asian giant from doing nearly all it wants in the disputed region. The latest of China’s reclamation projects is on Fiery Cross Reef, which China calls […]
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Book proves Bajo de Masinloc part of Philippine territory
China, IMLOS, Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Philippines, Scarborough Shoal, South China Sea Dispute, UPUniversity of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP-IMLOS) with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) launched a book that will enhance Philippines position on Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal internationally known as Scarborough Shoal. The book entitled “Bajo de Masinloc: Maps and Documents” was launched November […]
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China strengthening claim to South China Sea oil and gas
Not gone and not forgotten, China is ready to solidify its claim to the South China Sea (SCS). Recent satellite imagery confirms China is conducting significant land reclamation operations in the Spratly Islands in the SCS. The SCS is an important fishing ground and is believed to hold large amounts of oil and gas. Undermining […]
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Vietnam-Philippines port call amid concern over China’s SCS airstrip
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Joint Military Exercises, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, Vietnam, WarshipsIn what was the first ever port call between the countries, two Vietnamese frigates visited the Philippines on Tuesday. An unnamed Filipino naval officer said the two countries would hold peaceful joint patrols and operations in the Spratlys. But the timing of the maiden port call was clear. It coincides with the first anniversary of China’s declaration […]
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One Year of ADIZ: What Next for China?
ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, East China Sea, South China Sea DisputeIt’s now been a year since China unilaterally declared an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over a large swathe of the East China Sea. Beijing’s decision to do so came at a time of rising tensions between China and Japan over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. While that dispute persists today, tensions were significantly higher a […]
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Regional tensions on display at Fifth Xiangshan Forum
Arbitration, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, Memorial, Philippines, Scarborough Shoal, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOSLast week’s Fifth Xiangshan Forum in Beijing demonstrated just how difficult it will be to resolve disputes in the South China Sea as long as key parties believe history must arbitrate the veracity of claims to sovereignty over contested islands. Scholars, officials and military officers from all around Asia were present, including many from the […]
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Vietnam, the US, and Japan in the South China Sea
Between May and July 2014, China unilaterally deployed a giant drilling rig in waters claimed by Vietnam as its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The move led to a fierce confrontation between Chinese and Vietnamese government vessels and saw relations between the two countries deteriorate to their lowest point since 1988. The standoff also served as […]
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DFA chief confirms Chinese reclamation on Kagitingan Reef
MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario confirmed Tuesday night reclamation activities undertaken by China in Kagitingan Reef, one of the disputed territories in the South China Sea. In a chance interview before defending the DFA’s budget before the Senate, Del Rosario said the government has lodged a formal protest with China. “We have […]
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The World Has China Wrong, Says Top Pentagon Adviser
Military leaders in China are known for their outlandish plots. Due to the nature of their strange proposals, which are often coupled with highly aggressive undertones, many China experts write their claims off as little more than internal propaganda to rally the Chinese people. According to Michael Pillsbury, a long-time adviser to the Pentagon, the […]
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Vietnam warships visit Philippines amid South China Sea dispute
(Reuters) – Vietnam on Tuesday showed off its two most powerful warships in the first-ever port call to the Philippines but an official said it was not trying to challenge China’s superior naval forces amid tension in the South China Sea. Hanoi invited the diplomatic community to its Russian-built missile-guided frigates docked in Manila Bay […]