AND you can thank former President Aquino and his astonishingly pro-American Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario for this, as it was they who got the Republic to file an arbitration suit against China for allegedly violating the law of the sea. Yes, the award sided with much of the Philippines’ arguments, among them its […]

  YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — The Navy will not be sending ships to China’s multinational naval celebration this month marking the 70th anniversary of the Chinese navy, according to Defense Department officials. Instead, the U.S. Embassy Beijing defense attaché will represent the United States at the event in Qingdao, China, April 22-25, Pentagon spokesman […]

  MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy showcased its assets as part of the annual Balikatan exercises by sailing through the South China Sea , alongside the United States Navy. Photos released by the US Navy show the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp sailing alongside the Philippine Navy’s landing platform dock BRP Tarlac and offshore […]

  In the contested ICC and South China Sea issues, there are increasing concerns about public agendas fueled by private interests. The structures of Albert del Rosario’s think-tank and its many bedfellows are a case in point. IN February, the US-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) released a heavily promoted report alleging that China sought […]

  While the European Commission is wrestling over China’s efforts to draw European countries into joining its Belt and Road Initiative, a similar set of issues deserve attention on the other side of the world. President Xi Jinping secured deals involving several ports in Italy during an official visit last month, giving China a key […]

  President Duterte addressed China on Friday: “Let us be friends, but do not touch Pag-asa Island and the rest. If you make moves there, that’s a different story. I will tell my soldiers, ‘Prepare for suicide mission.’” Strong words, indeed! A defiant statement reported all over the world. Apparently, the statement is not off […]

My father, the late Max Soliven once wrote about China. He said: The People’s Republic of China, once a pariah and “doomed” to failure in the world’s eyes after the June 1989 Tienanmen Square “massacre,” is now the Travel Destination of the Year. In ancient times, the saying went that “all roads lead to Rome.” […]

  The Philippines is making it easier for the public to visit a small island in the disputed South China Sea. A boat ramp is being built on Thitu Island, which is controlled by the Philippines. The ramp is designed to help small boats be brought to shore. It is expected to be finished this […]

  MANILA, Philippines – The Russian Navy sees terrorism and piracy as the “main threats” in the Asia-Pacific region, while keeping mum on the expansive claims of China in the South China Sea. “If we take a look at the main threats, we think it’s international piracy, and of course, international terrorist threat,” said mission […]

Russian warships arrive in the Philippines amid rising South China Sea tensions (CNN)Two Russian destroyers and a tanker have docked in the Philippines for a “goodwill visit” amid escalating tensions in the disputed South China Sea. The destroyers Admiral Tributs and Vinogradov — classified as “large, anti-submarine ships” — docked in Manila early Monday, along […]