Despite a warning coming from China not to start any trouble at the South China Sea (SCS), the United States yesterday maintained it would continue its operations there under international laws. “The United States will fly, sail and operate everywhere international law allows. That’s it. I wish we had a longer statement for you, that’s […]

  MANILA, Philippines — The United States “will fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows,” a ranking US Marine official said yesterday as he shrugged off China’s protest that American forces were stirring trouble in the South China Sea. Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, commander of the Japan-based 3rd US Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), pointed […]

  TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – In the South China Sea, political tensions between the Philippines and China have escalated quickly with provocative behavior from the Chinese and a series of defensive exercises held by U.S., Philippines, and Australian forces. Earlier this week it was reported that hundreds of Chinese fishing vessels, possibly as many as […]

  Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, Jr. again expressed dismay over the presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, calling it an embarrassment to the Philippine government. “What is disappointing is that despite our friendliness and uninterrupted friendship China continually embarrasses our govt (government) […]

  In early December, a flotilla of two dozen Chinese fishing boats and escort warships sailed to the disputed Filipino-occupied reef of Thitu. By the end of the month, Beijing had almost 100 vessels in and around the archipelago, sparking an initially largely hidden confrontation that could yet spark outright war. When China’s People’s Liberation […]

  It is China’s “principled position” that non-regional actors like the United States will refrain from stirring up troubles in the South China Sea. This was the statement made by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang in reaction to reports that USS Wasp sailed near the Scarborough Shoal early this week. “I may need to […]

  There is a growing consensus among experts that freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) are necessary but insufficient to safeguard U.S. interests in the South China Sea. In recent years, China has built artificial islands and military installations in the region and has pursued its maritime claims with more voracity. In response, the United States […]

  The expressive president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, once gushed about his Chinese counterpart, “I just simply love Xi Jinping”. But the infatuation has faded. Upset that Chinese vessels have been mobbing the main Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea, Mr Duterte rasped at China to “lay off”, and threatened an aggressive response. […]

  Tensions around the contested island of Thitu (Tagalog: Pag-asa; Chinese: Zhongye) are escalating as China and the Philippines continue to press their claims. In March, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) and other observers counted up to 275 Chinese vessels near Thitu, up from December’s high of 95. On April 1, the Philippines registered […]

Protesters descended on the Chinese embassy in Manila on Tuesday to oppose the Asian superpower’s growing sway in the Philippines and as tensions rise over Beijing’s presence in the disputed South China Sea. Filipino flag-waving marchers chanted “China out” and brandished a banner saying “Defend our sovereign rights,” referring to Beijing’s expansive claims to the […]