(CNN)Leaders of China and the Philippines have preliminarily agreed to cooperate on oil and gas exploration, a move that has angered many Filipinos wary of Chinese territorial expansionism in the region. Experts said the agreement is likely to be more symbolic than a concrete commitment to exploration in the disputed waters. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte […]

Manila defended its newly signed joint energy exploration deal with Beijing in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, after critics said the move undermined an international tribunal ruling in favour of the Philippines. After a red-carpet welcome for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Malacañang Palace in Manila on Tuesday, the two sides […]

While it is “a reality” that China is “in possession” of the South China Sea, Malacañang clarifies that it does not mean ownership. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement on Tuesday as he defended the remarks of President Rodrigo Duterte that China is “already in possession of the South China Sea.” Duterte made the […]

China signed 29 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the Philippines during President Xi Jinping’s first state visit to the country, including a controversial MOU to explore for oil and gas together that sparked fears it may involve work in disputed areas of the South China Sea. Xi’s visit, the first Chinese state visit to the […]

MANILA, Philippines — As Chinese President Xi Jinping was conducting his state visit to Manila, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo dismissed the Philippines’ victory over China in a 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling as “useless,” but experts disagree. Panelo was reacting to a survey by the Social Weather Stations on perceived government inaction in the sea dispute. […]

Remember when the Philippines and China were enemies? Or at the very least, at odds over China’s claim to islands in the South China Sea? Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte used to be wary of Xi Jinping, China’s Communist Party boss, and president. That was so long ago, like pre-2016. Two years later, Manila is ready […]

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio makes these remarks after President Rodrigo Duterte said China ‘is already in possession’ of the South China Sea MANILA, Philippines – Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio rebuffed President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, November 16, by asserting that China does not possess the South China Sea as Duterte claimed. “China is […]

SINGAPORE — The United States flexed new muscle in Asia Thursday with pledges to counter China’s expansion in a contested sea and set up a second summit with the leader of North Korea, which Washington regards as a military threat to Western allies. “We all agree that empire and aggression have no place in the […]

Opposed to formation of any military alliance in Indo-Pacific: Vietnam NEW DELHI: Vietnam Thursday was non-committal in backing the “Quad” or quadrilateral coalition among India, the US, Japan and Australia, saying it welcomes any initiative to bring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region but is opposed to the formation of any military alliance. Vietnam’s […]

SINGAPORE (Jiji Press) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday expressed his deep concern about the continuing militarization of the South China Sea, criticizing China without naming it. In a speech at the East Asia Summit in Singapore, Abe said he is deeply concerned about continuing moves against the principle of nonmilitarization that could threaten […]