Topic
The latest news on South China Sea territorial disputes. The contrasting claims have been an ongoing point of contention among several countries including China, Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Trite tropes, metaphors and analogies used to describe what is going on may be more misleading and dangerous than apt or enlightening.
Manila’s ability to police its waters is determined by maritime capacity, not political will, so more investment in the navy is required, an analyst says.
The Philippines has played its cards right by signalling that it’s ‘willing to work with anyone’ for strategic advantage, analysts say.
The Fujian aircraft carrier’s maiden mission has been deliberately timed to coincide with US-Philippines military drills, analysts say.
The Chinese embassy in Manila had said China and the Philippines earlier this year agreed on a ‘new model’ for the Second Thomas Shoal.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, a close Duterte ally, has initiated a hearing in which a former anti-narcotics agent claimed Marcos Jnr was a drug abuser.
US troops let loose dozens of howitzer shells as Filipino forces followed up with rockets and Javelin missiles, before the imaginary enemy was whittled down with machine-gun fire and artillery rounds.
In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look at how Asian nations have been making moves with an eye on the ever evolving relationship between China and the United States.
There is no easily identifiable off-ramp for Beijing and Manila on the Second Thomas Shoal, Douglas Paal, unofficial US representative to Taipei from 2002 to 2006, tells the Post.
Readers discuss China’s position on the South China Sea, and US action against student protesters.
Chinese embassy in Manila lauds ‘new model for management’ for Second Thomas Shoal supply missions ‘approved’ by Philippine chain of command’.
Madagascar, Ivory Coast and Nigeria were first on the itinerary for Tokyo’s top diplomat this week, as she also sought to push Japan’s Indo-Pacific strategy in Sri Lanka and Nepal.
US defence chief Lloyd Austin said the grouping would look at undertaking more maritime drills, as well as providing greater security assistance to Manila.
The two countries will discuss a visiting forces agreement, a month after French troops took part in the annual Balikatan exercises.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines says joint exercises show ‘China definitely wants Russia to be working with them and we see no reason why [Russia] wouldn’t’.
Officials emphasised that the live fire drill was not aimed at any specific nation, despite its proximity to the disputed waterways
Manila summoned the number two official at the Chinese embassy to protest Beijing’s use of water cannon against its vessels in the disputed Scarborough Shoal
Most analysts believe Trump would maintain the alliance to counter Beijing, but some said major shifts including a potential troop pull-out were possible
Manila’s defence chief said the Philippines has a ‘range of options’ to counter China, signalling that he wants maritime operations to be ‘less telegraphic’.
Observers speculate the investigation is politically motivated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s ongoing feud with his predecessor.
Beijing’s latest confrontations with Tokyo and Manila over contested islands come as they strengthen maritime coalition with Washington.