Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech in Davos marked a new era in how the West talks about itself. One could say he was the first Global North leader to frame the rules-based international order (RIP) in Global South terms:
“We knew the story of the international rules-based order was partially false, that the strongest would exempt themselves when convenient, that trade rules were enforced asymmetrically. And we knew ...
Category: Maritime
Fearing China Clash, Japan Asks Fishermen to Avoid Flashpoint Islands
By Mariko Katsumura, Tim Kelly, Nobuhiro Kubo and John Geddie Hitoshi Nakama, 76, sees himself as a frontline defender of Japan's claims to disputed islands in the East China Sea, where he regularly evades Chinese coast guard ships to harvest the bountiful waters. ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
China Says It Rescued Philippine Crew From Cargo Ship Near Scarborough Shoal
China and the Philippines said on Friday they launched rescue operations after receiving reports of a sinking cargo ship near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea that was carrying 21 Philippine crew members. Scarborough Shoal is one of Asia's most contested maritime features and ...
China Seeks Deeper Maritime Ties With Malta in Central Mediterranean
China is keen to deepen cooperation with Malta in shipping and port logistics, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Thursday, eager to leverage the island's strategic location in the Central Mediterranean. In an economic and trade cooperation meeting in Beijing, the ministry also told ...
South Africa Defends Naval Drills With China, Iran, and Russia as ‘Essential’
South Africa on Saturday began naval drills with Russia, Iran, and China, describing the maneuvers off its coast as not merely a show of force but a vital response to rising maritime tensions. The week‑long 'Will for Peace 2026' exercises come ...
Russia Joins Chinese, Iran Warships for Drills off South Africa
A Russian warship arrived off South Africa's main naval base on Friday to join Chinese and Iranian vessels in military exercises that risk further damaging Pretoria's relations with Washington. The exercises draw together several nations feuding with the US administration and ...
Philippines Says Fishermen Injured in China Coast Guard Encounter
Three Filipino fishermen were injured when China Coast Guard vessels sprayed their boats with water cannons and cut their anchor lines in a disputed area of the South China Sea, Philippine authorities said Saturday. Beijing said Friday it had taken "necessary ...
China Seeks ‘Fair’ South China Sea Order as It Rejects 2016 Ruling
China’s vice-foreign minister told a major forum on Wednesday that Beijing wants to ease disputes with Southeast Asian neighbours in the South China Sea and build a “fair and just” maritime order. At the same time, China is still rejecting a ...
China’s Naval Push in East Asia Alarms Taiwan and Japan
A cluster of Chinese navy ships steamed across East Asian waters on Thursday morning, part of a largest China naval deployments in East Asia. Regional officials say the armada now stretches from the Yellow Sea through the East China Sea ...
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 ...