Monthly Archives: March 2021

South China Sea dispute: Huge Chinese ‘fishing fleet’ alarms Philippines

The Philippines has called on China to withdraw more than 200 ships it accuses of encroaching upon its territorial waters in the South China Sea. Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana said the Chinese ships were violating the Philippines’ maritime rights. The Philippines says the fishing boats do not appear to be fishing and are crewed by […]

Manila demands Beijing withdraw ‘fishing vessels’

The Philippines also reiterated its demand for China to withdraw its maritime assets and cease its “environmentally destructive activities” in the area MANILA: The Philippines on Wednesday denounced the “lingering presence” of Chinese militia vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef, which experts said could be a “prelude” to another occupation and construction of a military […]

Australia weights in on Chinese boats’ intrusion

Australia on Wednesday joined the United States and Japan in expressing concern over Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea after Manila protested the presence of more than 200 Chinese vessels moored near the Julian Felipe Reef, which is inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. “We remain concerned about destabilizing actions that could provoke escalation,” […]

Unrequited love

In April 2018, President Duterte declared, “I just simply love Xi Jinping.” President Duterte made this declaration in a press conference in Davao City just before he left for China to attend the Boao Forum for Asia. Unfortunately for President Duterte, and more so for the Filipino people, this public expression of love has been […]