Paris—Flaring tensions between Washington and Beijing are raising the prospect of new global diplomatic and economic fault lines, with consequences that analysts say could pose unfamiliar challenges to world leaders. From an escalating trade war to an influence struggle in the South China Sea, “we’ve entered a period of strong and long-term rivalry between the […]
Tensions between the United States and China are resurgent in May over the issue of trade as long-standing negotiations between the two sides fall apart. At the same time, the US Department of Defence’s release of an annual report on Chinese military capabilities for American lawmakers has drawn attention to China’s ongoing military modernisation […]
PHILIPPINES President Rodrigo Duterte has been ordered to protect three reefs the country claims in the disputed South China Sea. The Supreme Court order has been enforced directing government agencies to protects reeds and marine life in Scarborough Shoal, Second Thomas Shoal and Mischief Reef. The order is suspected to “sour” the relationship between […]
MANILA – Finance officials on Saturday made the assurance that the Philippines would never fall into China’s infamous debt trap, brushing off concerns that Manila might end up surrendering its prized resources if it defaults on loans from Beijing. In a media forum in Quezon City, Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino said interest rates […]
There is a grim realisation among China’s leaders that a full blown trade war with the US is now about to become a reality. Beijing, China – They have been dismantling the old US Embassy in Beijing. Its diplomats moved to a vast complex on the other side of the city years ago. But […]
“War” over giant clams ??!! What, who, where, when and why? I first became aware of the existence of giant clams (Tridachna) as a youngster growing up in New England I watched a black and white TV show that depicted– with ever quickening screechy background music– a diver writhing in agony because a giant […]
As the U.S.-China trade fight deepens, the two superpowers — one incumbent and one rising — are sizing each other up and deciding whether they can coexist. China and the U.S. ended talks in Washington on Friday with no deal after President Donald Trump raised tariffs on more than $200 billion in goods from the […]
The fourth state visit to China of President Rodrigo R. Duterte just 2 weeks ago is said to have yielded business deals worth a total of US$12.165 billion and a grant of one billion renminbi (about US$148.5 million) The Duterte administration has also said that the deals alone could generate more than 21,000 jobs. So […]
During the past week, three U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers were active in the South China Sea in two separate operations intended to support unfettered access to the region’s shipping lanes. USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110) joined an international maritime group operating in the South China Sea for the past week, according to the service. […]
The islands of the SCS have some military relevance, but are more important as a political claim to waterways and undersea resources. Militarily, they represent a thin crust on China’s A2/AD system. Under certain conditions this crust could disrupt U.S. freedom of action, but it won’t be hard for the United States’ Air Force […]