Ships from mainland China amassed around 17 million hours of fishing in 2016, mostly off the southern coast of their home country, but also as far away as Africa and South America. The next-biggest operation is Taiwan’s, with 2.2 million hours of fishing. The data, collected and analysed over five years by Global Fishing Watch, […]

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 22) — If the Philippines’ central mapping agency names Benham Rise features, China’s names will have no bearing, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Thursday. Carpio suggested designating the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) to approve proposed names for features in the country’s extended continental shelf, […]

SC Justice counters Duterte: Militarization in South China Sea for PH, not U.S.   Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 22) — China’s continued militarization in disputed islands in the South China Sea is a national threat, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio warned on Thursday.   “Every military and security analyst I know here and abroad […]

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte wants Filipino soldiers to conduct training in China as he continues to seek warmer ties with Beijing despite the longstanding dispute in the South China Sea. Duterte said there is a need for “balance” in terms of the training destination of soldiers because most of them prefer to pursue their […]

During a trip to Australia this month, UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that HMS Sutherland, a British frigate currently deployed to Australia and the Western Pacific, would return from its tour via the South China Sea, “making it clear our navy has a right to do that.” Williamson is the third British minister to […]

“Wishful thinking” was how Sen. Grace Poe labeled presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s statement that the Philippines will benefit from China’s construction of artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, and that we will someday take over these islands. Many have criticized President Duterte’s foreign policy, without indicating what it should be. The issue must be […]

The ongoing disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) have been regarded as one of the most enduring and complicated regional conflicts in the Asia-Pacific. The disputes involve China along with several states in the region and encompass issues such as overlapping territorial claims and access to critical resources like energy and fisheries. Within this […]

Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) – February 21, 2018 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte wants Filipino soldiers to conduct training in China as he continues to seek warmer ties with Beijing despite the longstanding dispute in the South China Sea. Duterte said there is a need for “balance” in terms of the training […]

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 17) — Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal said the Philippines and China must have a formal agreement before conducting a joint exploration in the disputed South China Sea. This came after Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said on Friday that the two countries, which are contending over parts of […]

Generally speaking, a sovereign nation dislikes it when a foreign power establishes new military bases within striking range of its capital. But when it comes to China doing just that to the Philippines in the South China Sea, Rodrigo Duterte, it seems, doesn’t mind at all. The Philippines president, speaking to a crowd of Chinese-Filipino […]