On January 16, 1974, the Republic of Vietnam Navy (RVN) discovered the presence of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the Crescent Group in the western Paracel Islands, which was held by South Vietnam. This was an unexpected development, because notwithstanding the reduced U.S. military assistance to Saigon after the signing of the Paris […]
Recent comments by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel Locklear III set the internet afire (well, at least for strategic studies followers) in suggesting that the United States was losing dominance in the Pacific Ocean. While no news to those of us who follow events closely in this part of the world, such remarks are a stark […]
MANILA, Philippines – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has expressed concern over recent developments in the South China Sea, after China imposed a controversial new fisheries law requiring all foreign vessels to obtain approval from Chinese authorities before engaging in fishing or surveying activities. China earlier imposed an Air Defense Identification Zone over […]
MANILA, Philippines – Joining a United Nations arbitration process to resolve territorial disputes is the course of action China should take and not just meeting Manila “halfway” on a controversial fisheries regulation in disputed waters, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday. “The nine-dash line claim is in gross violation of international law. It […]
Reuters says in its report today that China is stepping up its propaganda against Japan in the West. The following is the full text of its report: China took reporters on Thursday on an unusual trip to a camp which housed Western prisoners of the Japanese in World War Two, a further sign of Beijing […]
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines wants to acquire two more navy ships from the United States to boost its maritime defense capability amid threats from China, Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said yesterday. The new acquisitions would come under the fresh US military assistance announced by US Secretary of State John Kerry when he […]
On Tuesday, the United States House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and the House Foreign Affairs Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee held a hearing on China’s maritime disputes in the South and East China Sea. The hearing, according to a description posted on Rep. Randy Forbes’ website, was an “opportunity to assess how recent […]
BEIJING – Beijing reacted sharply on Monday to criticism by Japan of new fishing restrictions imposed by China in the South China Sea, expressing “resolute dissatisfaction” with a Japanese official’s comments at the weekend, and noting Japan has no direct stake in the issue. “The person who made these remarks, if he’s not ignorant, then […]
The government on Thursday vowed to protect the country’s territorial sovereignty from foreign intrusion amid reports that China has issued a “no permit, no fishing” rule for foreign fishermen in the highly-disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The new ruling, which is aimed to bolster China’s claim over the disputed islands, […]
Hainan province’s demand that foreign fishing vessels entering its waters seek China’s approval is a normal practice, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, refuting reports that it reflects Beijing’s tougher stance on territorial disputes. “The goal is to strengthen the security of fisheries resources and to reasonably utilize and exploit them,” ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying […]