China’s contradictory words and deeds

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) on Sunday, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe made many bold, controversial remarks. One such statement was his assertion that since its founding in 1949, the People’s Republic of China “has never provoked a war or conflict, nor has it ever invaded another country or taken an inch of land […]

France to continue sailing in South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines — In a bid to preserve free and open access to the seas, France vowed to maintain its operations in the South China Sea. Speaking at the 2019 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly said Paris would address the issue with its own “steady, non-confrontational but obstinate […]

South China Sea tension: China vows to ‘defeat ALL enemies’ as warships arrive in Sydney

CHINESE warships arrived in Sydney Harbour in what was a surprising show of force from Beijing on Monday amid soaring tensions in the South China Sea. Much to the surprise of the public, three warships entered the harbour on Monday morning following a bold threat from Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe. The People’s Liberation […]

China claims naming South China Sea islands with English names

MANILA, Philippines (Update 2, 3:01 p.m.) — Distancing itself from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Beijing insisted that artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea have been named a long time ago. Speaking at the 2019 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Chinese Ministry of Defense Security Cooperation Center director […]

US to sell surveillance drones to Philippines, South China Sea allies

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has moved ahead with a surveillance drone sale to 4 US allies in the South China Sea region as acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Washington will no longer “tiptoe” around Chinese behavior in Asia. The drones would afford greater intelligence gathering capabilities potentially curbing Chinese activity in the region. […]

Philippines backs U.S. moves vs China buildup in South China Sea

  MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines supports any United States action in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) that would maintain stability in the region amid the continued military buildup of China in the area, President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman said on Tuesday, June 4. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo was asked about the recent statement […]

US acting defense chief calls out China over South China Sea

  SINGAPORE — U.S. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan on Saturday denounced China’s efforts to steal technology from other nations and militarize man-made outposts in the South China Sea as a “toolkit of coercion,” saying Beijing’s bad behavior must end. In his first major speech on the international stage, Shanahan mixed sharp criticism of China […]

US warns China on behavior towards its Asian neighbors

The United States warned China on Saturday against threatening its neighbors’ sovereignty and said Washington is investing in new military technology to defend its Asian allies. Washington and Beijing have been vying for influence in the region, which hosts potential flashpoints such as the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and the Taiwan Strait. Ties […]