Category Archives: West Philippine Sea

China deploys J-20 stealth fighter ‘to keep tabs on Taiwan’

Aircraft could also be used to counterbalance Japanese and US military activities in the region, analysts say China’s J-20 stealth fighter has been officially deployed to the country’s Eastern Theatre Command, suggesting it will be focused on the Taiwan Strait and military activities between Japan and the United States, observers said. The People’s Liberation Army […]

LOOK: Image shows Chinese aircraft carrier passed Philippine waters

  MANILA, Philippines – It appears the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning did pass Philippine waters after all, based on a map tracking the warship’s passage published by several Taiwanese media outfits. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters on Thursday, July 25, that Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua denied reports that the Liaoning passed Sibutu Strait in […]

China-Philippines war over South China Sea? Duterte is fear mongering, says Hague tribunal point man Florin Hilbay

  Claims that China will go to war with the Philippines if Manila stands up to Beijing’s “bullying” in the South China Sea are nothing but fear mongering by President Rodrigo Duterte. That’s the view of the man who led the Philippines to victory three years ago when an international tribunal ruled against Beijing’s territorial […]

Defiant Rodrigo Duterte shrugs off Reed Bank incident to defend his China policy in speech

  “I will end my term fighting,” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte exclaimed in his fourth state-of-the-nation address, which lasted close to two hours. It was his most disciplined and sombre speech yet, surprisingly bereft of the characteristically colourful language which animated his previous addresses. There were no cusses and insults against his critics, nor the […]

‘Pro-American’ Pinoys still have to get used to Duterte’s ‘independent foreign policy’ —Panelo

Malacanang said it was not surprised with the results of a recent Pulse Asia survey showing most Filipinos believe that the Philippines cannot trust Russia and China. The June 24-30, 2019 survey also revealed that there was a predominant sentiment toward Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam. “As […]

Duterte’s ‘agreement’ with China

Basking in the glory of his record-breaking high approval ratings in the latest opinion surveys, President Duterte began his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) by highlighting the minuscule 3 percent that disapprove of his performance. But it is not really the numbers that matter, he added, trying hard not to gloat. It is […]

South China Sea: Vietnam extends operation of oil rig on Vanguard Bank as stand-off with Beijing continues

The presence of the Hakuryu-5 rig on Vanguard Bank has become a bone of contention for China and a symbol of national sovereignty for Vietnam. Photo: Japan Drilling CompanyThe presence of the Hakuryu-5 rig on Vanguard Bank has become a bone of contention for China and a symbol of national sovereignty for Vietnam. Photo: Japan […]