MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations arbitral tribunal cannot enforce its ruling on the case filed by the Philippines against China’s excessive territorial claims, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday. Speaking to ANC’s Headstart, DFA Spokesman Charles Jose said whatever decision the tribunal may reach, it will be both legally binding to the […]
MANILA: China’s new ambassador to the Philippines on Tuesday met President Benigno Aquino to try to mend relations strained by a festering territorial dispute. Zhao Jianhua, who arrived in the Philippines over a month ago, briefly met Aquino after presenting his credentials, said presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte. “It went well,” she told reporters. Valte said […]
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s visit to the PLAN aircraft carrier Liaoning has received a great deal of attention in the last few days. As Shannon Tiezi points out, Hagel will struggle to improve ties with Beijing while also increasing coordination with Tokyo. And yet the project of engaging with the Chinese military is not […]
MANILA – President Benigno Aquino said Wednesday that Filipinos will fight for what is right and just for the country’s national interests. Speaking at the commemoration rites of the Day of Valor in Bataan Province to honor the World War II fighters, Aquino said, “Even back then, it was clear to all Filipinos: small though […]
Tensions between China and the United States were on full display on Tuesday as Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel faced questions in Beijing about America’s position in bitter territorial disputes with regional U.S. allies. Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan, standing side-by-side with Hagel, called on the United States to restrain ally Japan and chided another U.S. […]
PILAR, Bataan: United States (US) Ambassador to Manila Philip Goldberg on Wednesday declared that any threat facing the Philippines is also a threat to America, stressing the need for the two countries to strengthen their military to respond better to man-made threats and natural disasters. “As treaty allies, when the Philippines faces threats or natural […]
There seems to be an obsession among political commentators in Asia and beyond that Indonesia has to admit that it is a claimant state in the South China Sea (SCS) dispute and, therefore, must surrender its role as a “mediator”. This is indeed laughable in the eyes of international law. This is my take on […]
MANILA, Philippines — A 91-year-old Filipino veteran who fought against Japanese forces during World War II believes that armed conflict is no longer the way to solve matters today. Ricardo Madayag, among the veterans honored on Wednesday in commemoration of the Fall of Bataan, approved the Philippine government’s bid to settle the maritime row through […]
BEIJING (AP) — In a face-off between the defense chiefs of China and the U.S., Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told his Chinese counterpart on Tuesday that his country does not have the right to unilaterally establish an air defense zone over disputed islands with no consultation. And he said America will protect Japan, the Philippines […]
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s call for a “new model” in relations with Beijing’s military ran into immediate headwinds Tuesday when China’s defense minister castigated the U.S. and its allies for raising tensions in the Asia-Pacific. As Dion Nissenbaum reports: Standing side-by-side during Mr. Hagel’s first official trip to Beijing since becoming defense secretary one […]