All posts tagged: South China Sea

‘Reset’ or ‘calculated stabilisation’? Why ties between China and the Philippines appear to be warming

‘Reset’ or ‘calculated stabilisation’? Why ties between China and the Philippines appear to be warming

Published by Sam Flores

For Beijing, managing ties with Manila is therefore not just about bilateral relations, but about shaping the broader strategic landscape in Southeast Asia, said Ian Seow, a senior analyst in the China Programme at RSIS. That calculus extends to ongoing negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, said Seow, adding that the code’s value lies less in resolving tensions than in its signalling function. “For China, it uses the COC negotiations to demonstrate that it is a responsible great power … thereby helping to deflect criticisms of its assertiveness,” he said, noting that the talks allow Beijing to signal its willingness to engage ASEAN states through dialogue on managing disputes, even as tensions persist. At the same time, the process provides ASEAN states, including the Philippines, with a platform to engage Beijing diplomatically and manage tensions even as disputes continue, he added. THE US FACTOR The role of Washington remains central to how China and the Philippines are calibrating their moves, said analysts. Uncertainty surrounding US policy under President Donald …

China, Philippines trade accusations over South China Sea

China, Philippines trade accusations over South China Sea

Published by Sam Flores

BEIJING: China accused the Philippines of landing personnel on a disputed reef in the South China Sea on Sunday (May 3) as Manila said it would dispatch ships to drive off Chinese vessels it said were conducting research illegally. The exchange extends a run of heightened tension between China and the Philippines, a United States ally, over Sandy Cay, an unoccupied sandbar in the South China Sea. On Sunday, China’s Coast Guard said it had identified five Philippine personnel who had landed on Sandy Cay, an action Beijing termed “illegal,” according to state-run media outlet Global Times.  The report did not specify what – if any – further action China had taken. Manila said last week it had dispatched its coast guard to Sandy Cay after state media reports showed Chinese coast guard personnel arriving on Sandy Cay holding a Chinese flag. Ties between China and the Philippines are strained over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire waterway. Also on Sunday, a spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard …

At UN, China denounces Japan and EU over South China Sea remarks

At UN, China denounces Japan and EU over South China Sea remarks

Published by Sam Flores

China denounced remarks by Japan and the European Union about the South China Sea at a UN Security Council meeting on Monday (Apr 27) and accused Tokyo of provocative behavior in the Taiwan Strait and planning military expansion. Ayano Kunimitsu, a Japanese vice foreign minister, told the Council meeting on maritime security that Tokyo was seriously concerned about the situation in the East China and South China Seas and reiterated Japan’s opposition to any attempt to change the status quo by force and obstruction of freedom of navigation and overflight. Stavros Lambrinidis, head of the EU delegation to the United Nations, also highlighted South China Sea tensions, saying they hindered a critical shipping route and challenged the rules-based international order. Neither mentioned China – which claims most of the South China Sea and disputes territory with Japan and in the East China Sea – by name.   China‘s deputy UN ambassador Sun Lei called the Japanese remarks “unwarranted”, saying they “completely confound black and white”. He added that the EU representative should “refrain from issuing unsubstantiated …

China urges further build-up on islands amid territorial disputes

China urges further build-up on islands amid territorial disputes

Published by Sam Flores

BEIJING: China said on Wednesday (Apr 23) it will further build up more than 11,000 islands it calls its own, so as to better govern them, in a long-term campaign to strengthen maritime power, secure more natural resources, and reinforce territorial claims. China has built artificial islands, airstrips, and military facilities during extensive land reclamation efforts over the years in disputed waters in the South China Sea. Islands are a strategic frontier and key to unlocking the development of deep-ocean resources, the People’s Daily, owned by the party, said in an article attributed to the party leadership at China’s natural resources ministry. “Major countries around the world are vying to shift their development focus to the ocean,” it added, without identifying any countries. It urged greater efforts to protect the islands China claims, by upgrading infrastructure and boosting connectivity and access. China is spending billions of dollars on its navy, from nuclear-powered submarines to aircraft carriers as it pursues a goal of becoming a “great maritime power” dating from 2012, when Xi Jinping became leader …

How China Is Building Its Next Outpost at Sea

How China Is Building Its Next Outpost at Sea

Published by Sam Flores

Source: Satellite image from Vantor on Apr. 10. Over the last few months, China has been quietly and quickly building an island in disputed waters off the coast of Vietnam that will help Beijing continue to dominate one of the most crucial waterways in the world. China claims about 90 percent of the South China Sea, including parts that are also claimed by several Southeast Asian countries. Satellite imagery going back to November shows Chinese dredgers building a crescent-shaped island on Antelope Reef in the Paracels, a cluster of islands and reefs where China, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims. By April, the edges of the island had been shaped and jetties, a helipad and unpaved roads were visible. It was almost twice the size of New York’s Central Park and appeared to still be under construction. Analysts say that given its size and the ongoing expansion, Antelope Reef is likely to become one of China’s largest military outposts in the region. Such islands typically have airstrips, radar, electronic warfare facilities and missile bunkers. The …

Manila, Beijing resume talks on South China Sea, energy security

Manila, Beijing resume talks on South China Sea, energy security

Published by Sam Flores

MANILA: The Philippines and China have resumed high-level talks this week over the disputed South China Sea, exploring preliminary steps toward oil and gas cooperation while addressing energy and fertiliser supply issues amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Philippine foreign ministry said. The 11th round of talks under a bilateral consultation mechanism established in 2017 was the first such meeting since January 2025.  Manila “firmly reiterated its principled positions,” raising concerns about incidents threatening Filipino personnel and fishermen, and underscoring the importance of diplomacy, communication, and adherence to international law, the ministry said in a statement on Saturday (Mar 28). STABLE ENERGY, FERTISILER ACCESS Both sides discussed initial exchanges on oil and gas cooperation and emphasised stable energy and fertiliser access. The talks come after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency earlier this week, citing oil supply disruptions due to the Middle East conflict and announcing efforts to diversify fuel imports, including sourcing from China. The talks also addressed renewable energy, agriculture, trade, and potential people-to-people initiatives, such as visa-free …

‘Erosion of credibility’: Malaysia defence minister slams recent scandals and warns against corruption ‘cancer’

‘Erosion of credibility’: Malaysia defence minister slams recent scandals and warns against corruption ‘cancer’

Published by Sam Flores

Khaled on Monday urged the MAF to stop all forms of bullying and oppression, as well as eliminate “immoral hedonistic culture”. “Call it whatever you like – ‘yeye’, ‘yaya’ or anything else – it is degrading, immoral, and contrary to the traditions of Islamic life,” he said. “Such unlawful and immoral activities should no longer occur in any of our camps. No one should tolerate any form of human rights abuse. No woman should be treated as a sex object or entertainment in our mess halls and servicemen’s residences,” he stressed. Anyone involved in such “immoral transgressions” will be punished and “disgracefully dismissed” from service, Khaled warned. The minister also took aim at service personnel who misused their official work hours by engaging in leisure activities, warning that they will face disciplinary action for this. “Those who spend time playing golf outside permitted hours, or idling in coffee shops during working hours – we will enforce military discipline firmly,” he said, eliciting murmurs in the audience. “Return to conduct befitting noble warriors … Work hours …