Increased aggression from Beijing has sparked more robust responses from Washington and the regional claimant states. China’s South China Sea gambit is heading toward a rocky phase, the warning signs of which were witnessed on July 13 when U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo formally rejected China’s “historical rights” claims in the South China Sea. […]
US East Asia and Pacific Affairs Assistant Secretary David Stillwell says any attempt by Beijing to do so would be a ‘dangerous move’ A day after the United States branded China’s expansive maritime claims across most of the South China Sea as “completely unlawful,” it renewed a warning that any action on Beijing’s part to […]
The waters of the South China Sea are home to a dizzying array of marine resources, ranging from vast oil and gas reserves deep beneath the surface to the complex and beautiful ecosystems capable of supporting international seafood markets and unraveling scientific mysteries. This is the patrimony of Southeast Asian nations, the lifeblood of their […]
Last Tuesday, Social Weather Stations released the following findings of its new survey of Filipino public opinion about China (SWS July 3-6, 2020 National Mobile Phone Survey—Report No. 3: “Stratbase ADR Institute sponsors items on Filipino public opinion on China,” www.sws.org.ph, 7/14/20): 61 percent believe that China did not immediately share their information on COVID-19 […]
It has been four years since the historic 2016 Hague ruling, where the Permanent Court of Arbitration recognized the Philippines’ territorial claims in the contested waters in the West Philippine Sea. The arbitral award was seen as a victory of the rule of law and democratic institutions over international strong-arm tactics. However, four years […]
KAOHSIUNG (Taiwan News) – Placing your trust in U.S. President Donald Trump is rather like entrusting your big life decisions to the roll of a dice. No matter what has come before, you can never be entirely sure that it won’t be different next time. This is especially true when it comes to the […]
A clash within the South China Sea is now almost inevitable. The US has declared China’s territorial grab “illegal”. It wants its “bullied” neighbours to stand their ground. “We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control […]
China said Tuesday that the latest U.S. rejection of Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea unnecessarily provokes tension in the region. The highly disputed body of water — with its islands, fisheries, energy resources, military bases and trade routes — lies on the southern coast of mainland China and between Taiwan and Southeast Asian […]
The USS Ronald Reagan (foreground) and the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Groups sail together in formation in the South China Sea on July 6. China has accused the U.S. of flexing its military muscles by conducting joint exercises with two U.S. aircraft carrier groups in the strategic waterway. The Trump administration on Monday rejected Beijing’s […]
The announcement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo portends more American military operations to push back Chinese maritime activity and sanctions on Chinese companies. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced China on Monday, saying its maritime claims in the South China Sea were “completely unlawful.” WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Monday […]