Results for: South China Sea

The Philippines has submitted a claim to the United Nations for an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea, an area where it has faced maritime disputes with China. The claim includes the West Palawan Region, which is part of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. The submission followed a scientific study of the continental shelf in the area. The Philippines is seeking to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which covers the seabed and subsoil of submarine areas up to 350 nautical miles.

China has implemented new rules allowing its Coast Guard to detain foreigners for 60 days without trial in disputed areas of the South China Sea. This move escalates tensions between China and Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, which has increased patrolling in the region. The detention rules target foreigners suspected of violating border entry and exit regulations. Meanwhile, the G7 has condemned China’s actions in the South China Sea, calling them ‘dangerous’ and ‘illegal’.

China’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Taiwan’s presidential inauguration and imposed sanctions on former U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher, accusing him of interfering in China’s internal affairs. The ministry also criticized U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken for congratulating Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te, accusing the U.S. of violating its commitment to maintain only unofficial relations with Taiwan. The inauguration of Lai, who has pledged to defend Taiwan’s democracy against China’s threats, has sparked a diplomatic rift between China and Taiwan, with China’s Taiwan Affairs Office criticizing Lai’s speech as promoting separatism. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has also announced sanctions against Boeing and other defense companies for arms sales to Taiwan.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken initiated his first day in Shanghai with local government officials, discussing regional issues with Chinese Communist Party Secretary Chen Jining. His itinerary includes engaging with students and business leaders before departing for Beijing for talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi amidst tensions stemming from China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and the Biden administration’s foreign assistance to Taiwan. Despite these tensions, Blinken emphasized the necessity of direct engagement between the two nations, and Chen expressed hope that Blinken’s visit would foster mutual understanding.

A manipulated audio clip falsely attributed to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has heightened tensions between the Philippines and China over their longstanding territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The fake audio, accompanied by images of Chinese vessels, was released on a popular YouTube channel and attempted to portray Marcos Jr. as directing the Philippine military to confront a particular foreign country. However, the Presidential Communications Office quickly confirmed the audio to be entirely fabricated and a product of deepfake technology. The office emphasized that no such directive has been issued and condemned the spread of misinformation and disinformation online. Experts believe the fake audio is unlikely to have been created by Beijing as it does not align with its interests in the region. The Philippines and the US recently commenced their annual Balikatan joint military exercises, further fueling concerns about escalating tensions. The viral deepfake has raised concerns about cybersecurity preparedness in the Philippines, prompting calls for increased education on online fraud detection. The government plans to combat the proliferation of deepfakes and other potentially malicious AI-generated content through its Media and Information Literacy Campaign.

The Philippine Navy has detected a significant increase in Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, coinciding with the launch of the Balikatan joint military exercises. Over 124 Chinese vessels have been spotted since Monday, a sharp contrast to the average of 60 per week in the previous two months. The presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels has been particularly noticeable in Bajo de Masinloc and Pag-asa. The Balikatan drills, involving over 21,000 troops from the US, the Philippines, Australia, and France, are focused on enhancing interoperability and upholding international law, including freedom of navigation.

A Chinese foreign ministry official has accused the US of taking measures to suppress China’s economy and trade, leading to tensions ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit. The official dismissed US allegations of Chinese overcapacity as a “false narrative” and warned against American interference in the South China Sea.

Admiral John Aquilino, the departing commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, has issued a warning about China’s rapidly escalating aggressive stance in Asia. Aquilino emphasized the urgent need to recognize the pace at which China is advancing its military buildup and assertive behavior. His comments coincide with Secretary of State Tony Blinken’s upcoming high-stakes visit to China, where he will convey US concerns about Chinese support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and seek to avoid further deterioration in relations between the two countries.

The U.S. and Philippines have commenced the 39th edition of Balikatan, their largest joint military exercise, involving 16,000 troops as tensions rise between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. The exercise includes maritime operations, cyber training, and the sinking of a former Philippine Navy asset. China has expressed opposition to the presence of U.S. weapons systems in the region, while the Philippines and the U.S. emphasize the importance of mutual defense treaty obligations.

China and Cambodia have pledged to expand cooperation in various areas, including politics, economics, energy, and security. This cooperation aims to create a favorable external environment for both countries and contribute to the development of China-Asean relations.