Monthly Archives: September 2019

DTI official: China now ‘largest trading partner’

  NANNING, China — Despite an ongoing maritime dispute, China has become the biggest source of foreign investments in the country in just two years. Philippine officials attending the China-Asean investment summit last week said China had invested in 19 of 75 cluster projects under the Duterte administration’s P160-billion “Build, Build, Build” program. Cagayan Economic […]

PH-China ties better than ever – Palace

  Despite a long-standing territorial dispute between the Philippines and China, the relationship between the two countries is “better than ever,” according to Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar. On the 70th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China on Thursday, Andanar lauded China for its economic growth and global initiatives. “China is […]

US asserts right to fly, sail amid SCS tensions

  FORCEFUL PRESENCE. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), with its deck full of fighter planes, sails across the West Philippine Sea in this file photo provided by the nuclear-powered ship’s Public Affairs Office. Rear Admiral Karl O. Thomas, the Commander of Battle Force 7th Fleet that includes the Reagan, said the US Navy was ‘a […]

Vietnam foreign minister warns of escalation in South China Sea

  Unilateral actions risk escalating tensions in the South China Sea, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said at the United Nations General Assembly, comments aimed at China that avoided mentioning China directly. “Vietnam has on many occasions voiced its concerns over the recent complicated developments in the South China Sea, including serious incidents that […]

Japan-based U.S. aircraft carrier in South China Sea ahead of key Chinese anniversary

  In a move likely to stoke anger in Beijing just days before it marks a key anniversary, the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier is conducting operations in the disputed South China Sea, near China’s man-made islands, new images have shown. Satellite images posted to social media showed what appeared to be the Reagan and […]

AFP chief says sea row issue best left to DFA

  MANILA, Philippines — The country’s maritime issue with China is best handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) rather than by the military, the newly-installed commander of the country’s 148,000-strong military said. Lt. Gen. Noel Clement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, said that any monitored intrusions of foreign ships inside the […]

Malaysia PM says can’t provoke Beijing on South China Sea, Uighur issue

  KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia does not want to take a confrontational stance toward China over the disputed South China Sea and Beijing’s alleged mistreatment of its minority Uighur Muslims, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said in an interview published on Saturday. Malaysia is too small to face up to the Asian powerhouse, even though […]