Monthly Archives: January 2018

Alejano: Why let China do research in PH waters, Benham Rise?

  MANILA, Philippines – “So, why China?”   Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano on Friday, January 12, blasted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for supposedly approving the request for Chinese nationals to conduct marine scientific research in Philippine waters, including Benham Rise.   At the same time, Alejano claimed, the DFA rejected a request from […]

Fisherfolk group decries Duterte’s ‘criminal negligence’ as Chinese fortifies military base in Kagitingan Reef

“Our winning in the case filed before the international tribunal has been disregarded not only by China but by the Philippine government itself.”   MANILA — Early in 2016, there have already been reports on the building of military facilities by China on the disputed Kagitingan Reef, internationally known as the Fiery Cross Reef.   […]

China softens tone in drive for Asia influence Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte meeting Chinese

LONDON — Before his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos last January, Mr Xi Jinping’s advisers presented him with four drafts of a speech for the annual gathering of global elites.   According to two people familiar with the Chinese president’s preparations, Mr Xi chose to give the softest version, presenting China as […]

The South China Sea fell off Trump’s radar last year. He may have to pay attention in 2018.

  HONG KONG — President Trump railed against a lot of things in 2017. Chinese construction in the South China Sea was not really one of them, despite his campaign tough talk.   Focused on North Korea and evidently enamored of President Xi Jinping, the voluble U.S. president said relatively little as China continued to […]

S.China Sea island construction strengthens defense, helps locals

  China has accelerated construction and enhanced its military presence on South China Sea islands and shoals over the past year as territorial tensions with neighboring countries are subsiding.   China’s construction projects in the South China Sea region covered about 290,000 square meters in 2017, including new facilities for underground storage, administrative building and […]