The U.S. Navy has conducted a Taiwan Strait transit to “demonstrate the U.S. commitment to a free and open IndoPacific,” according to a statement from Naval Sea Systems Command. Navy destroyer USS Russel conducted the transit in the area, which borders the areas just North of the much-disputed South China Sea. Recent Chinese maneuvers, such […]

https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Duterte-s-U-turn-on-defense-pact-with-US-shows-China-threat

MANILA, Philippines—Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio is proposing a national database to keep track of the developments in the West Philippine Sea for the next generation of Filipinos. At an online forum, he described the West Philippine Sea dispute as an “intergenerational struggle.” “This will not be solved in our generation. This […]

Why has China precipitated a fresh military crisis with India in eastern Ladakh? Among the many explanations making the rounds in Delhi, there is always the easy and attractive one — it’s all about America. Delhi has incurred Beijing’s wrath by moving closer to Washington, goes the argument. India’s renewed enthusiasm for the US-led Quad, […]

  Malaysia responded by sending naval vessels to the area, which were then joined by US warships who had been on a joint exercise in the South China Sea. Following the stand-off, which lasted more than a month, Beijing claimed it was conducting “normal activities in waters under Chinese jurisdiction”. However, reports claimed China had […]

BEIJING — A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple territorial disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons. The waters are a major shipping route for global commerce and are rich in fish and possible oil and gas reserves. —— US REJECTS CHINA MARITIME […]

The United States has submitted a diplomatic note to the United Nations rebuking China’s sweeping maritime and territorial claims in the South China Sea, which drew a rapid response from Beijing accusing Washington on Wednesday of trying to “stir up trouble.” U.S. Representative to the UN Kelly Craft sent UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the note […]

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is validating reports that at least 3,000 Chinese military personnel are already in the country conducting intelligence operations. AFP chief Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. said that his intelligence staff is coordinating with other government agencies to confirm the claim of Sen. Panfilo Lacson that 3,000 […]

Many local factors have contributed to the face-off between Indian and Chinese forces in Ladakh. Western Ladakh borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan, where China has invested hugely its economic corridor project with Pakistan under the Belt and Road Initiative. China’s apprehension about Indian designs on the territory has been accentuated by recent comments by […]

China is seeking to co-opt its citizens, what with unemployment, low growth, thin fiscal stimulus and uncertain global conditions, under the garb of aggressive nationalism where the enemy is not within, but external. History is rife with leaders taking to the crutch of an external enemy to deflect attention from simmering domestic issues, for example […]