6 h. ago US backs Philippines against Beijing's South China Sea atoll plan

US backs Philippines against Beijing's South China Sea atoll plan  Nikkei Asia

Politics

7 h. ago Rubio says US stands with Philippines against China's plan in South China Sea atoll

Rubio says US stands with Philippines against China's plan in South China Sea atoll  Reuters

Politics

23 h. ago Why China’s new plan to bolster its South China Sea claims has Manila worried

China’s designation of a national nature reserve in the contested Scarborough Shoal – and its punitive measures for unauthorised entry – have prompted strong pushback from the Philippines, with analysts warning the move could escalate tensions in the strategically important waterway. Beijing’s announcement of the decision on Wednesday marked its latest efforts to consolidate its claims in the contested area that is now a focal point of intense confrontations between the two countries and could...

Politics

23 h. ago Why Beijing’s new plan to bolster its South China Sea claims has Manila worried

China’s designation of a national nature reserve in the contested Scarborough Shoal – and its punitive measures for unauthorised entry – have prompted strong pushback from the Philippines, with analysts warning the move could escalate tensions in the strategically important waterway. Beijing’s announcement of the decision on Wednesday marked its latest efforts to consolidate its claims in the contested area that is now a focal point of intense confrontations between the two countries and could...

Politics

64 h. ago Fishing for intelligence: US plan puts Filipinos at risk in South China Sea

A US proposal to train Filipino fishermen as informants, tasked with reporting illegal fishing and environmental degradation by foreign vessels, has triggered concern that civilians could be thrust into the front lines of the South China Sea dispute. Jonathan Fritz, US principal deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, outlined the initiative during a round-table discussion at the US embassy in Manila on Thursday. Despite Washington’s recent overhaul of its foreign...

Events

3 w. ago Philippines reports Chinese ship surge after ‘embarrassing’ collision

The Philippine government has reported a marked increased in Chinese maritime activity near Scarborough Shoal, intensifying a stand-off over the disputed South China Sea atoll. Officials in Manila have characterised the build-up as an attempt by Beijing to reassert control after two Chinese ships collided last week during a chase involving a Philippine vessel. On Sunday, the National Maritime Council cited the Philippine Navy’s latest assessment, reporting that as of Thursday, seven Chinese...

Politics