Tag: South China Sea

Taiwan reports another incursion by Chinese warplane: Report
4Apr By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Taiwan reports another incursion by Chinese warplane: Report

In yet another instance of Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, a Chinese warplane entered the Taiwanese southwest air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on Saturday.According to a chart provided by Taiwan Defence Ministry, the aircraft flew into the airspace between Taiwan and the Dongsha Islands in the South China Sea, which are controlled by Taiwan.“In response to the incursion, Taiwan’s Air Force scrambled planes to monitor the Chinese aircraft, issued radio warnings and mobilized air defence assets until the Chinese aircraft left the ADIZ,” the ministry added.Air defence identification zones are early warning systems that help countries detect incursions into their airspace. Any aircraft entering such an area is supposed to report its route and purpose to the “host” nation, thou...
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Over 200 China vessels massed at disputed reef in South China Sea: Philippines
23Mar By Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

Over 200 China vessels massed at disputed reef in South China Sea: Philippines

Amid the ongoing tension due to China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea, Phillippines on Monday said that over 200 Chinese vessels have massed at a reef in the west Philippine sea.In an announcement posted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on its Facebook page, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea said ships have “massed” at the Julian Felipe Reef, the official Philippine name for Whitsun Reef.Julian Felipe Reef is a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan, and northeast of Pagkakaisa banks and reefs or the Union Reefs. The reef is claimed by China and the Philippines both.The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shared photos dated March 7 showing the ships lined up at the reef. Commodore Armand Balilo, t...
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US-China tensions over South China Sea to continue under Biden administration: Report
28Feb By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

US-China tensions over South China Sea to continue under Biden administration: Report

With Chinese military conducting a live-fire drill to test its response to repeated missile attacks in a “far sea” and US stepping up reconnaissance activities, it seems that tensions between Beijing and Washington over the South China Sea will continue under the new Joe Biden administration.There are fresh signs from the Chinese and the American armed forces that tensions over the South China Sea will continue, according to media reports.The Chinese military’s Southern Theatre Command conducted a live-fire drill to test its response to repeated missile attacks in a “far sea”, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday without saying when or where the exercise took place.The drill involved the guided-missile destroyer Yinchuan, guided-missile frigate Hengyang, the amphibious dock landing ...
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Japan PM expresses concern over China’s assertiveness in East and South China Sea in G7 talks
21Feb By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Japan PM expresses concern over China’s assertiveness in East and South China Sea in G7 talks

Japan’s Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga expressed concerns about China’s unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China seas in G7 talks.He said Japan will say what needs to be said, and demand action from Beijing.The leaders held a teleconference on Friday just after 11 pm Japan time. It was the first G7 meeting that included Suga, US President Joe Biden and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.Regarding the coronavirus pandemic, Suga said he has had an unwavering resolve to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people since assuming his post in September.He said much has been learned from last year, and that he has implemented what he believes to be the best measures.He called on the G7 to speed up the distribution of vaccines and oppose a protectionist approac...
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China adopts law giving coastguards power to fire foreign vessels in disputed waters
25Jan By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, Singapore, World

China adopts law giving coastguards power to fire foreign vessels in disputed waters

China’s top legislative body, the National People's Congress Standing Committee, has passed a law that gives power to its coastguard to fire on foreign vessels and demolish structures built in disputed waters.Although it is yet to be ascertained whether the law will be applied to all waters claimed by Beijing but the move is expected to escalate tensions between China and its neighbours in the East and South China Seas.The law was passed on Friday and empowers the coastguard to use "all necessary means" to deter threats posed by foreign vessels in waters "under China's jurisdiction". It will also allow the coastguards to launch pre-emptive strikes without prior warning if commanders deem it necessary.Under the new bill, coastguard personnel can demolish structures built or installed by oth...
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China challenging Vietnam dominance in Cambodia, Laos through BRI projects: Analyst
3Nov By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

China challenging Vietnam dominance in Cambodia, Laos through BRI projects: Analyst

Defense analyst Derek Grossman has said that by leveraging Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, China has increasingly challenged Vietnam’s dominance in Cambodia and Laos, and that Vietnam will have to find alternative means of engaging its neighbors to combat Chinese influence.In an opinion article, Grossman stated that China’s strengthening ties to Cambodia and Laos in recent years have real effects on Vietnam. “For example, Chinese support has likely contributed to Cambodian and Laotian decisions not to fully support Vietnam’s stance on ASEAN’s Code of Conduct negotiations in the South China Sea.”“China has increasingly challenged Vietnam’s dominance in Cambodia and Laos, primarily by leveraging Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects to raise its influence in the region. Outspent b...
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Will ask US for military assistance if China attacks in South China Sea: Philippines
25Sep By Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Will ask US for military assistance if China attacks in South China Sea: Philippines

In a statement, the Philippines have made it clear to China that it would turn to the United States for military help during ongoing flare-ups between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.Philippines Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said Manila would invoke its defence agreement with the US if China attacks its naval vessels in the disputed waters."If something happens that is beyond incursion but is, in fact, an attack on say a Filipino naval vessel.....means then I call up Washington DC," he added.Since 1951, the US and the Philippines have had a Mutual Defence Treaty that commits them to support each other in the event if either is attacked.The statement by the Philippines Foreign Secretary marks the first time President Rodrigo Duterte administration openly declaring its intent...
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Fierce competition starts between US, China for energy corridors in central asia
21Aug By Mike TrudellNo Comments
Asia, China, World

Fierce competition starts between US, China for energy corridors in central asia

Amid already heightened tensions between the United States and China, the Trump administration has now called "for a new alliance of democracies" to counter China's aggressive policies, and, in a retaliatory move, Beijing has begun adding more potential new trade and energy corridors linking Central Asia with South Asia and the Middle East.To counter China's aggressive expansionist policies in the South China Sea, the US has decided to have a quadrilateral alliance with Japan, Australia and India.Maleeha Lodhi, who has served as Pakistan's ambassador to Britain, the US and the United Nations said, “Fundamental realignments are taking place across the world at a challenging, transformative time in international affairs when global power is shifting to the East. Our region is no exception an...
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China’s ‘Lackey’ Duterte is smarting as Beijing tightens screws
20Jul By Brian ThompsonNo Comments
Market

China’s ‘Lackey’ Duterte is smarting as Beijing tightens screws

Philippines President Roberto Duterte has been ridiculed as a ‘Chinese lackey’ and worse time and again for doing a complete U-turn on his predecessor’s policies regarding Beijing and its expansionist strategies to overtake resource-filled Islands.Under former president Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Philippines had taken China to an international tribunal regarding disputes over Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands.Both these islands are said to have untapped oil and natural gas resources and are of great strategic value to the Philippines and the United States. Fears of a Chinese naval and weapons build-up here and on artificial islands being created in the neighboring areas, are of great concern to the Philippines.And even then, Duterte who is otherwise known as the strongman for his o...
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