Category: Maritime

China, Japan in Fresh Incident Around Disputed Islands

Japanese and Chinese vessels engaged in a fresh standoff around disputed islands on Tuesday, the two countries' coast guards said. Relations have been strained since Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last month that her country could intervene militarily in ...

Tonga Gets Full Diplomatic Treatment Amid Pacific Tensions

Tonga’s King Tupou VI wrapped up a 6-day visit to China that saw him meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, the head of the National People’s Congress’s Standing Committee. The visit saw the signing ...

China Amasses 30 Ships in South China Sea Near the Philippines

China amassed 30 naval and coast guard ships around several Philippine-claimed features in the South China Sea, the Philippine Navy said Tuesday. Manila says it’s one of the heaviest Chinese shows of force in waters the Philippines considers its ...

Malaysia Steps Up South China Sea Patrols Amid China Tensions

Malaysia has stepped up patrols in the South China Sea and lodged diplomatic protests over China’s island-building activities, taking firmer steps to protect its maritime claims while trying not to spark unintended incidents, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Wednesday.

Manila to Push South China Sea Code in 2026 ASEAN Chair Role

China and Southeast Asian governments are preparing for another round of talks on a South China Sea Code of Conduct, and the Philippines says it hopes to complete the document when it chairs ASEAN next year. The South China ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

The Pain of Un-Polarity

“THE G2 WILL BE CONVENING SHORTLY!”
This post by U.S. President Donald Trump in the run-up to his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week may end up leaving a more lasting mark than the actual summit he attended.

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China’s New Aircraft Carrier Enters Service in Key Move to Modernize Fleet

By Peter Catterall China's third aircraft carrier entered service this week, state media said on Friday, marking a key milestone in President Xi Jinping's drive to modernize the military. The Fujian joins China's fleet ...

Chinese Warships Gather in Gulf of Aden for Naval Handover Ceremony

Six Chinese warships recently converged in the Gulf of Aden for a handover ceremony as one task force group relieved another to conduct patrols as part of the multinational anti-piracy operations. China has been an active participant in this initiative ...

Philippines and Canada Seal Troop Pact, Expanding Manila’s Web of Defense Ties Amid China Tensions

The Philippines and Canada signed a visiting forces agreement on Sunday, allowing Canadian troops to conduct joint exercises, deepening defense ties amid rising tensions with China in the South China Sea. The pact follows similar deals Manila signed with New Zealand, ...

China Denounces Philippines’ Joint Sea Exercises With U.S. and Allies, Calling Them a Threat to Stability

The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command on Saturday accused the Philippines of undermining regional peace and stability for organizing joint naval exercises with Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Spokesperson Tian Junli accused Manila of acting as a "troublemaker" for its part ...

Philippines Says Chinese Ship Rammed Government Vessel in Disputed Sea

Manila's coast guard accused a Chinese ship of deliberately ramming a Philippine government vessel anchored near an island in the South China Sea on Sunday. Confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels occur frequently in the disputed South China Sea, which Beijing ...

Japan, Philippines Inaugural Joint Exercises Begin as China Announces Plans for South China Sea Drills

Japan and the Philippines kicked off a five-day joint air force exercise this week on the central island of Cebu, marking the first time the two militaries have trained together since a Reciprocal Access Agreement was signed last year. The drills, known ...

China Sends Pointed Message with South China Sea Flag-Raising

The Chinese Coast Guard held a flag-raising ceremony to mark China’s National Day off the Scarborough Shoal, a zone in the South China Sea also claimed by the Philippines. The ceremony, which was broadcast on the state TV channel CCTV and social media, seemed designed to ...
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