Monthly Archives: May 2015

South China Sea dispute: Australia says countries must sign code of conduct

Australia has urged China and south-east Asian countries squabbling over territory in the South China Sea to sign a code of conduct immediately. The defence minister, Kevin Andrews, issued a veiled swipe at China during a speech to an Asia Pacific security summit in Singapore on Sunday. “We are particularly concerned at the prospect of […]

South China Sea: Philippines says maritime dispute its ‘most pressing security concern’

The Philippines says tension with China over disputed islands in the South China Sea is the country’s most pressing security concern. China claims most of the islands in the South China Sea, putting it at odds with other claimants like the Philippines and Vietnam, which are backed by the US. The dispute has come to […]

Beijing’s Belt and Road means overseas military bases

China’s ninth defense white paper published on May 26 openly declared that overseas military bases will be necessary to carry out the New Economic Silk Road Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (“Belt and Road”) initiatives, according to Chinese political analyst Mao Yulin in an article for Duowei News, a media outlet operated […]

China issues six-point response to US remark on South China Sea issue

BEIJING – China has rejected accusations by Ashton Carter that China’s actions in the South China Sea are “out of step” with international rules. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a six-point response on Saturday. Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China’s sovereignty and rights in the area have a historical foundation, and do not require land reclamation […]

US to China: Stop it now

SINGAPORE—The United States on Saturday called for an “immediate and lasting halt” to reclamation works in disputed waters in the South China Sea, saying Beijing’s behavior in the area was “out of step” with international norms. “First, we want a peaceful resolution of all disputes. To that end, there should be an immediate and lasting […]

China is on the wrong side of history

They say history is a great teacher — but only to those who are willing to learn. China’s continuing bullheadedness in building artificial islands in the disputed maritime territories in the South China Sea is growing more and more reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s maneuvers before the outbreak of World War II, moving into Czechoslovakia on […]

South China Sea Buildup Benefits Asia, Says Beijing

SINGAPORE—A senior Chinese naval commander has claimed new islands his country is building in the South China Sea will benefit the region, while stressing that such activities “fall well within the scope of China’s sovereignty.” Read more: http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-military-official-defends-island-building-in-south-china-sea-1433045698

Philippines, US to set up South China Sea defense line

The Philippines and the United States are putting up a defensive line meant to prevent China from punching through to the Pacific and threatening American military real estate in Guam, analysts say. The US will be able to use at least eight military bases in the Philippines where it can rotate its troops, planes and ships, […]

China, U.S. tone down rhetoric but far from South China Sea solution

After a months-long row over Beijing’s island-building in the South China Sea, the United States and China were relatively restrained at Asia’s top security forum this weekend, but no closer to any solution. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that China was threatening security in the region with its maritime […]

South China Sea dispute: Australia says countries must sign code of conduct

Australia has urged China and south-east Asian countries squabbling over territory in the South China Sea to sign a code of conduct immediately. The defence minister, Kevin Andrews, issued a veiled swipe at China during a speech to an Asia Pacific security summit in Singapore on Sunday. “We are particularly concerned at the prospect of […]