China still refuses to recognise the ruling of the United Nations-backed court that dismissed its sweeping claims to the South China Sea. Philippine Ambassador Jose Santiago Santa Romana confirmed this after the territorial dispute was raised during a meeting between President Duterte and China’s Xi Jinping yesterday (Thursday, April 25). The two leaders met during… Full Story »
South China Sea
Philippines cries foul after hundreds of Chinese ships swarm Pag-asa
The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest with Beijing over after hundreds of vessels swarmed Pag-asa island in the South China Sea. As many as 275 Chinese ships and boats have recently been spotted around the island that is also known as Thitu, said Jason Ramon, of the Philippine military’s western command. Armed forces spokesman… Full Story »
Philippine military chief wary that US pact could drag it into war with China
The military chief of the Philippines has questioned a mutual defence treaty with the US over fears it could drag the country into war with China. Speaking yesterday (Tuesday, March 5) Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines-US Mutual Defense treaty (MDT) was “ambiguous and vague” and risked causing “confusion and chaos during a crisis”.… Full Story »
US Secretary of State to Philippines: We will defend your disputed waters
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the US would back the Philippines should there be any “armed attack” on the South China Sea. Pompeo said today (Friday, March 1) that any such attack would “trigger mutual defence obligations” under the US-Philippine mutual defence treaty. “As South China Sea is part of the Pacific, any… Full Story »
US and UK navies conduct joint naval drills in the South China Sea
The US and the UK have completed six days of coordinated naval drills in the South China Sea, it has been announced. In a press statement released today (Wednesday, January 16) the US military said the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell and the Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll conducted operations in the disputed waters from January… Full Story »
