PH ‘softness’ on China’s territorial claims not working – law expert

MANILA – The Philippines’ “soft position” on China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea is putting the country at a disadvantage, an international law expert said Sunday. The Chinese army installed anti-ship and air-to-air defenses on outposts claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines over the last 30 days, American television network CNBC reported last […]

Beijing ‘installs missiles’ on South China Sea islands

SUMMARY BEIJING, China – Beijing Thursday, May 3,  reasserted its right to build “defense” facilities in the disputed South China Sea, but declined to confirm reports it had installed new missiles on artificial islands it has built in the region. The Chinese army installed anti-ship and air-to-air defenses on outposts also claimed by Vietnam and the […]

New Chinese map of South China Sea: Discovery or fabrication?

Chinese scholars have recently published a ‘new map of People’s Republic of China’. It is claimed by the Chinese scientists that the map was originally published in 1951 which has now been ‘discovered’ through a painstaking process of national archival investigation. It is further claimed that this provides a new clarity to the precise extent […]

What’s Behind Vietnam’s More Vocal Stance Against China?

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Vietnam sounded off twice last week against China over a long-festering maritime sovereignty dispute, after months of silence. But analysts expect to see angry phases like this one alternate more often with silent ones. The foreign ministry in Vietnam said on April 24 China violated Vietnamese sovereignty by installing military jamming equipment […]

The South China Sea Disputes: Will Taiwan’s Role Be Enhanced?

HAIKOU (IPP Review) — For many years, Taiwan’s interests and role in the South China Sea disputes have essentially been officially ignored. But with the election of U.S. President Donald J. Trump and his appointment of John Bolton as National Security Adviser, its influence on and involvement in such issues may increase substantially. Bolton in […]

Rody assures Vietnam: No WPS cop-out

Malacañang said Saturday President Rodrigo Duterte would deal with the arbitral award on the disputed West Philippine Sea or South China Sea, as the President clarified he did not abandon the tribunal’s ruling in favor of the Philippines’ protest against China’s nine-dash line that covers nearly the whole of the disputed region. Presidential Spokesperson Harry […]

China calls out G7 for ‘irresponsible’ statement on South China Sea

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26) — The Chinese government dismissed as “irresponsible” the joint statement made by a number of countries on the South China Sea dispute. “We ask the relevant countries to respect facts, especially when it comes to maritime issues. They should also respect the efforts made by regional countries to uphold […]

Vietnam demands that China remove military jamming equipment from Spratly Islands

The equipment installed by China causes radio jamming and seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty. Vietnam’s foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday that China has seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty by installing military jamming equipment on outposts in Truong Sa, Spratly Islands off the South China Sea, commonly known as the East Sea in Vietnam. Le Thi Thu Hang […]