ASEAN foreign ministers opened their annual meeting in Manila on Tuesday with calls for greater unity amid rising geopolitical uncertainty. Regional security, economic resilience, and cooperation are expected to dominate the discussions. Opening the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro urged member states to pursue collective action. She […]
South China sea
China, Philippines trade blame after South China Sea clash
Tensions flared again in the disputed South China Sea after military personnel from China and the Philippines were involved in a physical confrontation during a maritime encounter near the contested Second Thomas Shoal, with videos of the incident circulating widely on social media. Read More: China issues warning to Philippines after military patrols in South China […]
China steps up patrols near disputed South China sea Shoal
China conducted naval and air patrols around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Saturday, asserting its territorial claim despite the shoal lying within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The China Southern Theater Command stated that these patrols are part of enhanced combat readiness operations aimed at countering “infringement provocations” by other countries in […]
Trump unveils strategy to deter China over Taiwan
President Donald Trump unveiled a strategy to prevent conflict with China over Taiwan and the South China Sea. The plan focuses on strengthening U.S. and allies’ military capabilities. It comes amid China’s increased military activity in East Asian waters. The strategy, released in the National Security Strategy document, emphasizes Taiwan’s strategic importance for trade and […]
China and ASEAN upgrade trade pact amid US tariffs
China and the ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian nations signed an upgraded free trade agreement on Tuesday. Leaders said the deal will boost trade in the digital, green, and other emerging industries. ASEAN, a group of 11 nations, is China’s largest trading partner, with $771 billion in bilateral trade last year. Chinese Premier Li Qiang […]
US navy aircraft crash in South China sea, crew escapes safely
Two US Navy aircraft crashed into the South China Sea on Sunday in separate incidents. Both were conducting routine operations from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Fortunately, all crew members survived and no injuries were reported. The crashes occurred near international waters, raising concerns about operational safety in the busy maritime region. The first crash […]
Lithuania applauds Philippines for exposing China’s sea aggression
MANILA – Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė has praised the Philippines for its campaign to expose China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, calling it a bold move that shatters China’s “peaceful neighbor” image. She emphasized the need for democracies to unite against rising authoritarian threats. Speaking in Manila during defense talks, Šakalienė commended […]
Netflix removes Australian spy show in Vietnam over South China Sea map
Netflix has pulled an Australian spy show from its services in Vietnam over scenes containing a map of the South China Sea showing Beijing’s claims in the flashpoint waterway. The map — shown briefly in two episodes of “Pine Gap” — had prompted a complaint from the Southeast Asian country’s broadcasting authority. China has long […]
China condemns other states’ ‘irresponsible’ remarks on South China Sea
Photo: AFP A Chinese general Saturday lashed out at “irresponsible comments” on Beijing’s military build-up in the South China Sea after the US defence chief accused China of intimidation and coercion in the disputed waters. “Any irresponsible comments from other countries cannot be accepted,” Lieutenant General He Lei said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. […]
Mattis dubs China’s military build-up as means to ‘intimidate’ neighbours
China’s military build-up in the South China Sea and its deployment of high-end weapons systems in the disputed waters is designed to intimidate and coerce neighbours, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Saturday. His broadside at a security summit in Singapore drew a sharp rebuke from a Chinese general, who lashed out at “irresponsible comments” […]