In the recently concluded 7th Asean-US Summit in Bangkok, it was widely reported that only the Thai, Laotian and Vietnamese heads of state showed up. The former was the chair of Asean (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the latter is taking over as Asean chair and Laos is the current coordinator for Asean-US […]

  WASHINGTON, DC—A senior analyst of a US-based think-tank has warned the Philippines against entering into joint exploration of South China Sea resources with China, saying it might compromise Philippine sovereignty. Speaking to Filipino journalists, RAND Corporation’s Derek Grossman said the Philippines should weigh the costs and benefits of a joint exploration with China in […]

  The head of a Beijing-funded think tank says China can benefit from Europe’s experience in settling maritime disputes as it seeks to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, but experts say a copycat approach will not work. Speaking at the EU-China Experts’ Seminar on Maritime Security at the end of last month, Wu […]

  MANILA, Philippines — Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has criticized the government’s awarding of rare honors to outgoing Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua. The ambassador, who is set to end his post this November after serving for five years, was recently awarded with the Order of Sikatuna and Congressional Medal of […]

  MANILA – Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio believes China will comply with the arbitral ruling in the South China Sea with the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the Philippines on joint oil and gas exploration. “Yes, I believe so, and to quote Secretary Teddyboy Locsin: ‘We are almost there,’” Carpio said in […]

  HANOI — Vietnam could explore legal action among various options in its territorial dispute with powerful neighbor China in the South China Sea, a senior government official said on Wednesday. Frictions have grown between the two communist-run nations since Beijing in July sent a ship for a months-long seismic survey to an area internationally […]

  MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines should tread carefully in adopting a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea as such document would only legitimize Beijing’s incredible maritime claim, according to a maritime law expert. In an interview with “The Chiefs” Thursday night on One News-Cignal TV, Jay Batongbacal, director of the UP […]

  The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime H. Morente has released a statement that Chinese regular e-passports will have Philippine visas stamped directly on them instead of a separate paper. The question remains: Is this an action simply to address security concerns or is it a sign that the Philippines is growing more […]