While China’s recent assertiveness in the South China Sea might shock and surprise today’s observers, its behavior has actually been remarkably consistent over recent decades. China first exercised its power in the region in January 1974 when it ejected South Vietnam from the Crescent Islands. In March 1988, the Chinese Navy clashed with Vietnamese vessels, […]
The Philippines has done some minor “repairs and maintenance” work in Filipino-occupied areas within the country’s exclusive economic zone which is allowed under international law unlike the massive land reclamations by China which are far from its territory and grossly violates the law, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Tuesday. At the same time, Del […]
Beijing’s new land-reclamation strategy in the South China Sea has been ringing alarm bells in the region and has prompted the U.S. to accuse China of attempting to force its way to de facto control of disputed waters. Several high-definition satellite images surfaced this month of China’s land reclamation and construction on Mischief Reef in […]
ABOVE THE EAST CHINA SEA — The crew of Pelican One keeps a watchful eye as the U.S. Navy patrol plane swoops low to identify a ship operating near waters off southwestern Japan that China now claims as its territory. After a radio check and a close look confirms the ship is a harmless Panama-flagged […]
In response, China says it’s “severely concerned” about the South East Asian nations’ statement. South East Asia says China’s actions have “eroded trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security and stability”. China retorts that what it’s doing is “entirely legal and shouldn’t be questioned”. Are the gloves coming off in the South China Sea […]
AMERICA and its friends in Asia have long worried about the South China Sea becoming a Chinese lake—a vast stretch of water, through which half the world’s commercial shipping passes, falling under the control of China’s fast-expanding navy and coastguard. In the past few months these fears have been amplified by satellite pictures showing Chinese […]
Washington: The United States on Friday swiftly rejected a suggestion by a top Chinese military official who said that disputed South China Sea islands could be used for international rescue and relief operations. Beijing has been roundly criticized by the West for construction work on islands in the South China Sea, including the building of […]
Large-scale reclamation work in the South China Sea using living coral reefs as building material is causing severe environmental damage. It is also against international law. By Youna Lyons and Wong Hiu Fung* China’s ongoing reclamation activities in the South China Sea are a cause for environmental concern, given their potential to destroy the little-explored […]
Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. on Thursday dared China to prove its allegation that the Philippines has reclamation activities in some areas in the West Philippine Sea. In an interview with reporters after the Balikatan Exercises closing ceremony, Catapang denied China’s allegations, saying the Philippine government respects the rule set by the […]
(Reuters) – The United States and other countries will be welcome to use civilian facilities China is building in the South China Sea for search and rescue and weather forecasting “when conditions are right”, China’s navy chief has told a senior U.S. officer. China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, which is believed […]