The Philippines has asked China to explain the increased presence of Chinese vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, the defense secretary said Sunday, expressing “grave concern.” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said a Philippine Air Force plane saw four Chinese coast guard ships, two barge-like vessels and two suspected troop ships […]
VIENTIANE – The Philippines expressed “grave concern” on Sunday and demanded an explanation from China’s ambassador over what it said was an increasing number of Chinese boats near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. A Philippines Air Force plane flew over the rocky outcrop on Saturday and spotted more boats than usual […]
China’s president Xi Jinping has rejected criticism from US President Barack Obama over Chinese policy in the South China Sea. The rejection comes amid ongoing US-China tensions on the sidelines of the Group of 20 Summit being held in China. In discussions before the G20 summit with Obama, Xi urged the US to play rather […]
China has told Japan it will not accept “excessive” criticism over issues involving the East and South China seas when their leaders meet on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit, diplomatic sources said Saturday. The two countries are trying to arrange the meeting of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Xi Jinping on […]
According to satellite images released Thursday, China has expanded the construction of artificial islands atop disputed reefs in the South China Sea. Jeremy Page and Julian Barnes at The Wall Street Journal report: The images provide the first visual evidence that China has built an artificial island covering 75,000 square yards—about 14 football fields—and including […]
US President Barack Obama has urged China to abide by its obligations under an international treaty in its activities in the South China Sea. He made the comments during a “candid exchange” with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Hangzhou before the G20 summit, the White House said. In July, an international tribunal ruled against […]
There’s one topic on which President Duterte has admitted censoring his normally uninhibited language: China. “I’m sure, as your President,” he told his audience the other day at the inauguration of the new Davao International Container Port, “I would not lead you to trouble, or I would not cause you shame. There will be a […]
The energy-significant South China Sea remains in dispute, as China continues to claim almost the whole territory, despite that fact that it was ruled in July, at an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, that China had no title over the South China Sea. China’s ongoing claims to this territory reflect its energy insecurity, which is […]
Hinting that China needs to abide by the Hague tribunal’s verdict on the South China Sea, Indian envoy to Vietnam P. Harish on Friday advocated that all parties must respect the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) while emphasizing that New Delhi has constantly advocated that freedom of passage in international […]
MANILA, Philippines – More Chinese barges have appeared at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales, and for that President Duterte said he would confront Beijing’s Ambassador Zhao Jianhua. Duterte said he received intelligence reports last Thursday regarding the growing presence of Chinese barges in the area, about a hundred nautical miles from the coast of Zambales […]