Five Philippine legislators say they will visit a disputed island in the South China Sea Wednesday to reinforce their country’s claims in the area. The island is in the potentially oil- and gas-rich Spratly Islands, which are claimed in whole or part by six governments. Both Vietnam and the Philippines have complained of Chinese naval […]
Philippines Lawmakers to Visit Spratlys to Reinforce Claim
ASEAN Said Ready to Hand China Draft Code of Conduct
Japanese news outlets say China will be presented with a draft code of conduct for the South China Sea at a meeting of Southeast Asian nations in Indonesia next week. Japan’s NHK television quotes diplomats Thursday as saying the draft will address military exercises and exploration for natural resources, as well as appropriate responses to […]
ASEAN Said Ready to Hand China Draft Code of Conduct
Japanese news outlets say China will be presented with a draft code of conduct for the South China Sea at a meeting of Southeast Asian nations in Indonesia next week. Japan’s NHK television quotes diplomats Thursday as saying the draft will address military exercises and exploration for natural resources, as well as appropriate responses to […]
Philippines Chides China For Rejecting Tribunal in Sea Dispute
The Philippines says China’s refusal to submit its claims to disputed areas of the South China Sea to an international tribunal demonstrates the weakness of its case. Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario issued a statement Wednesday saying China’s decision could lead to doubts about the validity of its claims. Del Rosario proposed during a visit […]
Philippines to Seek UN Ruling on China Sea Dispute
The Philippines says it plans to submit its dispute with China over waters around the Spratly Islands to a United Nations tribunal. Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario told reporters in Manila Monday that he informed his Chinese counterpart of the plan during weekend meetings in Beijing. He said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi did not […]
Philippines, China Promise Stability for South China Sea
China and the Philippines are promising not to let their dispute over the South China Sea ruin relations between the two countries. The Chinese and Philippine foreign ministers issued a joint statement in Beijing Friday pledging to work together to ensure stability in the waters around the Spratly Islands. Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario […]
Philippines FM Heads to China to Discuss Territorial Spat
Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario says he will discuss a dispute over waters around the Spratly Islands during high-level meetings in Beijing beginning Thursday. In a statement issued before his departure for China, del Rosario said he expects to discuss the dispute with Vice President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. But, he […]
China Defends China Sea Exercises, Eyes US-Philippines Drill
China’s military insists that a series of recent naval exercises are not related to its disputes with regional neighbors over the South China Sea. Defense Ministry Spokesman Yang Yujun said Wednesday media reports have speculated excessively about a series of six naval exercises this month, including one in waters near China’s Hainan Island bordering Vietnam. […]
China Says Taiwan Shares Responsibility to Defend Spratlys Claim
A Chinese official dealing with Taiwan relations has said the two governments have a common responsibility to defend Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea. Yang Yi, a spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference in Beijing Wednesday that Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are obliged to […]
US Calls for Calm Regarding South China Sea
A top U.S. diplomat has appealed for restraint by all parties to the South China Sea territorial dispute. Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said Friday the U.S. does not take a stand on the sovereignty of the sea, claimed by China, the Philippines and Vietnam. The three countries have been arguing about the […]