South China Sea Dispute
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Phl Navy ready to pay price for maintaining ‘ghost’ ship
MANILA, Philippines – Preserving the decrepit BRP Sierra Madre and keeping it habitable for a handful of soldiers guarding the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal may be costly, but the stake – the country’s sovereignty – is priceless. This is according to the Marines assigned to the remote outpost, which of late had been a target […]
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China to US: Respect the facts
MANILA, Philippines – China has called on the United States to stop making “irresponsible remarks” supporting Manila’s position on the West Philippine Sea issue and denouncing Chinese vessels’ blockade of Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. “We urge the US to respect facts, stop making irresponsible remarks and cease to encourage the provocative and risky actions of […]
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Beijing laying a trap for the Philippines in South China Sea, say experts
With tension running high between the Philippines and China because of their maritime dispute, one wrong move could see Beijing grabbing all the disputed islands, say regional experts. “The danger really is a short, sharp conflict due to miscalculation,” said Chito Santa Romana, former ABC News Beijing bureau chief who was once shortlisted to become […]
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Jakarta rejects China’s ‘nine-dash line’
ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, Indonesia, Jakarta, Militarization, Mischief Reef, Natuna Islands, Nine Dash Line, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOSIn a significant policy shift, Indonesian officials on March 12 announced that China’s nine-dash line map outlining its claims in the South China Sea overlaps with Indonesia’s Riau province, which includes the Natuna Island chain. For over two decades, Indonesia has positioned itself as an independent mediator in the South China Sea disputes between its […]
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China to PH: ‘Friends avoid lawsuits’
MANILA, Philippines – China remains convinced that a bilateral negotiation, and not international arbitration, is the best way to settle its territorial dispute with a “good neighbor” and long-standing “friend” like the Philippines. “A resort to arbitration does not meet people’s expectations for friendship in both China and the Philippines,” said Zhang Hua, spokesperson of […]
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China to PH: ‘Friends avoid lawsuits’
Ayungin Shoal, BRP Sierra Madre, China, ICJ, itlos, Memorial, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOSMANILA, Philippines – China remains convinced that a bilateral negotiation, and not international arbitration, is the best way to settle its territorial dispute with a “good neighbor” and long-standing “friend” like the Philippines. “A resort to arbitration does not meet people’s expectations for friendship in both China and the Philippines,” said Zhang Hua, spokesperson of […]
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East/South China seas: The strategy is failing
It now seems reasonable to assume that China will continue to ramp up the pressure on the disputed islands across the East and South China Seas until it owns them. The latest moves against the Philippines and Indonesia, and on over-fishing, are just the most recent steps towards eventual possession. If we wish to prevent […]
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Taiwanese fishing boat runs aground off Batanes
A Taiwanese fishing boat ran aground in shallow waters off Batanes province in Northern Luzon on Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard said Wednesday. In a said five crew members – two Taiwanese and three Indonesians – were news item posted on its website, the Coast Guard rescued from the “FV Jui Fa Tsai.” Citing initial […]
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Phl confident of getting int’l support on sea row
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang reiterated yesterday that right is might as the Philippines fights for its territorial integrity and sovereignty through peaceful means. Speaking to reporters, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Philippines is confident of getting the continued support of the international community. “We are doing what we are capable […]
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US calls for end to Chinese provocation in Ayungin
WASHINGTON – The United States has called on China to allow the Philippines to continue to maintain its presence on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea and said Chinese efforts to prevent Filipinos from resupplying the outpost were “provocative and destabilizing.” State Department spokesperson Marie Harf, in a press briefing on Monday, […]