Spratlys
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More blockades by China to follow, say experts
Airstrips, Artificial Islands, Ayungin Shoal, Blockades, BRP Sierra Madre, China, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysMANILA, Philippines—Security experts believe China is pushing the region to the “brink of miscalculations” in the South China Sea with its expansive land reclamation in disputed territories as the Philippines anticipates more blockades by the Chinese in the West Philippine Sea once their facilities become fully operational next year. “The bases are being constructed very […]
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China is pushing South China Sea situation to the brink of miscalculation
Artificial Island, Ayungin Shoal, BRP Sierra Madre, China, Militarization, Military Conflict, Military Exercises, Naval Blockade, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysSecurity experts believe China is pushing the region to the “brink of miscalculations” in the South China Sea with its expansive land reclamation in disputed territories as the Philippines anticipates more blockades by the Chinese in the West Philippine Sea once their facilities become fully operational next year. “The bases are being constructed very fast, […]
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UNCLOS on Trial in the South China Sea
The latest installation of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative covers several recent developments in the region, including China and Japan’s progress towards an East China Sea crisis mechanism, Japan’s new record defense budget, and Taiwan’s decision to delay development work on Itu Aba island, following the revelation that a Chinese vessel was involved in the […]
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Vietnam joins Philippines in war of words against China island building
Vietnam has joined the Philippines in condemning China’s attempts to build islands in the East Sea in what analysts say could be yet another futile verbal effort to stop Beijing. “Vietnam resolutely opposes China’s illegal construction projects that jeopardize the status quo on the Truong Sa Archipelago,” Pham Thu Hang, deputy foreign ministry spokeswoman, said […]
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China expands construction work in disputed Spratly waters
Beijing appears to have made steady advances in the construction of port and other facilities in disputed waters in the South China Sea, according to photographs obtained by The Asahi Shimbun. The aerial photos of the area were taken in October. The Philippines and Vietnam also lay claim to much of the potentially resource-rich Spratly […]
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South China Sea in 2015: Fears of war
Accidental War, China, Diplomatic Affairs, Oil Rig, Paracels, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, Vietam, WarIs war over the festering South China Sea (SCS) maritime dispute between China and the Southeast Asian claimants of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam inevitable in 2015? China’s rising assertiveness, the firmness of claimants like the Philippines and Vietnam and the big powers’ interest in the region, have led to fears that tensions […]
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Power trip: might China’s struggles with its neighbours bring war to Asia?
From the air, the Spratly Islands, a cluster of miniature rocks and sandbars 425,000 kilometres square in the middle of the South China Sea, are almost imperceptible. Even up close, the Spratlys do not look like much – a few islands have tiny rocky beaches or occasional makeshift buildings. A tiny contingent of Filipino marines […]
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China slams Philippines for criticizing island project in South China Sea
Reuters) – China on Monday hit back at the Philippines for criticizing Beijing’s ongoing reclamation project in the disputed South China Sea, saying that its actions were within the scope of Chinese sovereignty. China lays claim to almost all of the entire South China Sea, believed to be rich with minerals and oil-and-gas deposits. Brunei, […]
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China builds ports, helipads on Spratly islands
China’s reef reclamation and development projects in the disputed Spratly islands in the West Philippine Sea last year have progressed by leaps and bounds, and security officials expect them to be turned into man-made islets ready for occupation by Chinese military personnel and civilians. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Pio Gregorio Catapang confirmed the […]
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Beijing creates armed militias to ‘protect’ claims in S. China sea
Despite protests from the Vietnamese government, China has established a department of the People’s Armed Forces in the disputed South China Sea on Jan. 6, according to Hong Kong Economic Journal. The Sansha city government, created on Woody island in the Paracels in 2012 and declared by Beijing to be the prefectural seat of the […]