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THE Philippines wants tensions to ease between China and the United States after an American spy plane recently flew over disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea, Malacañang said on Tuesday. “Hindi naman tayo tuwiran sangkot diyan sa usapin na yan. Pero ang nais naman natin ay huwag ito lumawig, bagkus ay humupa ang tensyon. Kaya nga’t ang ating pokus pa rin ay sa mapayapa at ma-diplomatikong pananaw,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters […]
MAY 27 (Reuters) — Chinese state television showed footage of a groundbreaking ceremony for the building of two lighthouses in the disputed waters of the South China Sea on Tuesday (May 26). China’s Ministry of Transport hosted the ceremony for the construction of two multi-functional lighthouses on Huayang Reef and Chigua Reef on the disputed Spratlys islands on Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua said, defying calls from the United States and the Philippines for a […]
(REUTERS) — U.S. officials expressed concerns on Tuesday (May 26) over China’s maritime ambitions after the ceremonial opening of two lighthouses in disputed waters, developments likely to escalate tensions in a region. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said President Barack Obama considered the security situation in the South China Sea. “The president has often talked about how critically important the security situation is in the South China Sea. It’s critical to the national security of […]
MAY 26 (Reuters) — The Philippines is seeking a “stronger commitment” from the United States to help its ally, its defense minister said on Monday (May 25), as China asserts its sovereignty over disputed areas of the South China Sea. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year, and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims. China said on Monday it had […]
MAY 22 (Reuters) — United Nation General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon met with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi Friday (May 22) as part of his two-day visit to the South East Asia nation. The General Secretary discussed with Vietnamese leaders on UN-Vietnam cooperation, UN peacekeeping operations and other issues, including regional security and human rights. Vietnam became a UN member in 1977 and is a current member of the UN Human Rights Council for […]
MAY 22 (Reuters) — China’s foreign ministry on Thursday (May 21) rebuked comments from a U.S. official that its South China Sea claims are “stoking instability”. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a news conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (May 20) that China’s land reclamation around reefs in the disputed South China Sea is undermining freedom and stability, and risks provoking tension that could even lead to conflict. Asked about Blinken’s remarks, […]
The Chinese navy warned a U.S. surveillance plane flying over artificial islands that Beijing is creating in the disputed South China Sea to leave the area eight times, according to CNN, which was on board the flight on Wednesday. At one stage, after the American pilots responded by saying the plane was flying through international airspace, a Chinese radio operator said with exasperation: “This is the Chinese navy … You go!” The P8-A Poseidon, the […]
MAY 22 (Reuters) — China’s land reclamation around reefs in the disputed South China Sea is undermining freedom and stability, and risks provoking tension that could even lead to conflict, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (May 20). China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas, its claims overlapping with those of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, […]
(Reuters) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Sunday (May 17). Kerry is on a two-day visit to China officially to advance U.S. priorities ahead of the Strategic and Economic dialogue in Washington later in the year and President Xi’s visit to Washington in September. On Saturday (May 16), Kerry met with senior Chinese officials including Premier Li Keqiang and his counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi. […]
MAY 16 (Reuters) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has urged China to take action to reduce tension in the South China Sea and expressed concern about the pace and scope of Beijing’s land reclamation in the disputed area. Kerry, speaking at a joint news conference with China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, said China and the United States were committed to finalizing a deal that would block paths for Iran to obtain fissile material. […]
MAY 14 (Reuters) — The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday voiced China’s “serious concern” toward a U.S. official’s remarks on the Pentagon’s plan to send military aircraft and ships to the South China Sea. Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a routine press briefing that the U.S. side should clarify relevant remarks. According to a Reuters report, a U.S. official said on Tuesday the Pentagon is considering sending U.S. military aircraft and ships to “assert freedom […]
MAY 13 (Reuters) — Philippine military officials traveled to a disputed island held by the Philippines on Monday (May 11) to re-establish its claim amid tensions with Beijing and its reclamation activities in the South China Sea. China’s rapid reclamation around seven reefs in the Spratlys archipelago of the South China Sea has alarmed claimants, including the Philippines and Vietnam, and drawn growing criticism from U.S. government officials and the military. Armed Forces of the […]
