A distinct likely prospect now is the signing next month of a Philippines-China framework agreement for joint exploration for hydrocarbons, for oil and/or natural gas, in the West Philippine Sea, which will reduce or put an end to chances of conflict in the area. The area of the waters within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer Exclusive Economic […]

America’s excessive involvement in the South China Sea has forced China to deploy more defensive equipment in the area. What happens now? No One Lost the South China Sea (And No One Will) As we all see, the situation in the South China Sea is cooling down, and the biggest variable is the emerging Sino-U.S. […]

The Maritime Self-Defense Force will hold joint military exercises with five Asian navies and the U.S. during a rare long-term dispatch to the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, the Defense Ministry’s Maritime Staff Office has said, in a move certain to stoke anger in Beijing. Japan announced Tuesday that it will send three vessels […]

Can the South China Sea become a front in the U.S.-China trade war? Over the past month, the Trump administration has stepped up its trade war with China, with uncertain results thus far. But the scope of the war has increased, from a tight focus on the appropriation of high technology to broader trade concerns. […]

Twice last week, President Duterte complained about China’s activities in the South China Sea–a stark departure from his pandering stand since the start of his presidency. Always, he was all praises for China’s President Xi Jinping, who will be coming here for a state visit in November, for the military equipment that he said was […]

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte warned of trouble if China will unilaterally exploit resources in the disputed South China Sea. Duterte has been recently changing tune about the bitter maritime dispute, as he slammed China for its “nasty” warnings to Filipino pilots conducting patrols over the Spratly Islands. Duterte hits China’s ‘nasty words’ to patrolling […]

MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) will dispatch three ships to the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, according to reports. Helicopter carrier Kaga and two escort naval vessels of Japan will leave for the South China Sea on August 26 and will be sailing until October 30, United Press International […]

(CNN)Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has called for the Chinese government to tone down its behavior in the South China Sea, warning ongoing tensions could spark an accidental conflict. Speaking Tuesday at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, Duterte said the heavily-contested region could become a “flashpoint.” “I hope that China would temper at least its behavior. […]

China is developing a satellite system that will allow it to closely watch the South China Sea, the China News Service reported, helping it to consolidate control over the disputed waters. The first of 10 satellites is expected to be launched in the second half of 2019, China News said, citing the Sanya Institute of […]

The Pentagon sounded a warning over China’s plans to introduce floating nuclear power plants on disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea, part of annual report assessing the nation’s military strength. “China’s plans to power these islands may add a nuclear element to the territorial dispute,” the Pentagon said in its 2018 report […]