Monthly Archives: March 2016

South China Sea Issue: Referring To ICJ Only A Last Resort

KUALA LUMPUR: Taking the issue of overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will only be the last resort if negotiations fail between the countries involved. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said Malaysia, however, was confident that the negotiation process between the ASEAN countries involved and […]

The 2016 Lowy Lecture: Exciting times ahead on a sombre day

When Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull launched the 2016 Defence White Paper one month ago he said that ‘it sets out a clear eyed and unsentimental appraisal of our strategic environment, the threats and the opportunities.’ Last night’s Lowy Lecture, delivered by Mr Turnbull, was an attempt — perhaps overdue — to put his personal […]

Simbahang Katolika, may iniindorso nga bang kandidato?

Naglabas ng pahayag nitong Huwebes ang Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (BCCP) kasunod ng ilang social media post na nagsasaad ng pagsuporta umano ng ilang lider ng Simbahang Katolika sa ilang kandidato sa darating na panguluhang halalan. Sa isang post sa Facebook page na Papal Visit-Philippines 2015, na pinapangasiwaan ng CBCP Media Office, itinanggi […]

Why China Shouldn’t Denounce UNCLOS

The imminent prospect of a final award in the Philippines v. China arbitration case on the South China Seahas prompted much speculation on what China will do after the award is issued. One of the more disconcerting scenarios that has been put forth in the event of an unfavorable award is China’s denunciation of the […]

Did 1988 battle anniversary hint rise in Vietnam-China tensions

The naval clash between Vietnam and China over Johnson South Reef aka Gac Ma Island was the last battle between the two communist neighbors.It occurred on March 14 1988 when Chinese forces launched an attack on the island that was formerly under Vietnamese control. This resulted in the deaths of 64 Vietnamese soldiers the sinking […]

China v the rest

FOR years China has sought to divide and rule in the South China Sea. It worked hard to prevent the countries challenging it over some or all of its absurdly aggrandising territorial claims in the sea from ganging up against it. So when tensions with one rival claimant were high, it tended not to provoke […]

100 China-registered vessels encroaching on Malaysian waters in South China Sea: Minister

KUALA LUMPUR – About 100 China-registered boats and vessels were detected in Malaysia’s waters near Beting Patinggi Ali in the South China Sea on Thursday (March 24), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim amid rising regional tensions over the contested waters. Shahidan was quoted by state news agency Bernama as saying that […]

New Study: America Too Dependent On Chinese Ships

In future conflicts, America’s merchant fleet could find itself outnumbered and outmaneuvered on the high seas, say the authors of a new paper on U.S. maritime security. The paper, released November 19 and entitled “Sea Strangulation: How the United States Has Become Vulnerable to Chinese Maritime Coercion,” highlights the defense risks of a reduced American […]

Expert panel expects rising tension in the South China Sea

A panel of experts on Asian and maritime issues predicted to a March 21 National Press Club Newsmaker audience that tension in the South China Sea will increase after an international court ruling expected in the next few months. China has claimed large areas of the South Chinese Sea, including the Spratly Islands also claimed […]

Julio S. Amador: Foreign policy likely to dominate Philippine presidential race

Foreign policy, while not usually an electoral issue in the Philippines, now looms large in the country’s politics. All five aspiring candidates for the May 9 presidential election have stressed their determination to improve the country’s international relations. There are some immediate challenges: A forthcoming ruling on the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China in the […]