Tag: South China Sea

China weakening governments in neighborhood: US embassy in Myanmar
28Jul By Grace TsoiNo Comments
Opinion, World

China weakening governments in neighborhood: US embassy in Myanmar

For the first time, the US embassy in Myanmar has called out China saying that the latter’s actions in the South China Sea and Hong Kong part of a "larger pattern to undermine the sovereignty of its neighbors".Though the embassy did not specifically mention the recent China-India standoff in eastern Ladakh, Indo-Pacific region experts are of the opinion that the embassy’s statement also aimed at PLA’s actions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).The Trump administration recently outlined its policy on rules-based order in the South China Sea, a move that many viewed as its strongest message so far to China on its activities in in the region.In a guest column titled ‘How the Erosion of Sovereignty Elsewhere Impacts Myanmar at Home’, chargé d’affaires at the US embassy in Myanmar George N
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US, China trade barbs in Myanmar as South China Sea rift deepens
28Jul By Grace TsoiNo Comments
World

US, China trade barbs in Myanmar as South China Sea rift deepens

China’s embassy in Myanmar has accused the Trump administration of “outrageously smearing” the country and driving a wedge with its Southeast Asian neighbors over the South China Sea and Hong Kong.Responding to U.S. claims Beijing was undermining the sovereignty of its neighbors, the Chinese embassy said U.S. agencies abroad were doing “disgusting things” to contain China and had showed a “selfish, hypocritical, contemptible, and ugly face”.In recent weeks, the United States has hardened its stance on the South China Sea, saying it would back countries in the region that challenge Beijing’s claim to about 90% of the strategic waterway.The U.S. embassy in Yangon also called China’s actions in the South China Sea and Hong Kong part of a “larger pattern to undermine the sovereignty of its nei
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Indian government believes deadly skirmish along LAC was part of a larger plan by China
25Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
Politics

Indian government believes deadly skirmish along LAC was part of a larger plan by China

According to a collection of analysis papers that Indian officials say represent their government's assessment of China's behavior, the Indian government believes a deadly skirmish between its military and Chinese troops in contested part of the Himalayas portends a broader campaign by Beijing to envelop the South Asian power with its military and economic influence.The recent clash in the Galwan River Valley, where both sides had inserted military forces in support of their own territorial claims, represents a nefarious and protracted effort by Beijing, says the document.The Indian government links the latest encounter in Ladakh to what it describes as Beijing's sweeping imperialist designs.Its expansionism "eschews direct military action but resorts to coercive diplomacy by penetrating a...
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South China Sea Part of Global Commons, Firmly Stand For Freedom of Navigation: India
25Jul By Yusara AskariNo Comments
Asia

South China Sea Part of Global Commons, Firmly Stand For Freedom of Navigation: India

Soon after the US rejected most of China's maritime claims in the South China Sea, India has asserted that South China Sea is “part of global commons” and that India firmly stands for the freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in these international waterways.Asked about US’ assertion, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that India has articulated its position on South China Sea on several occasions in the past, most recently on May 21, 2020.“Our position on this issue has been clear and consistent. South China Sea is a part of global commons and India has an abiding interest in peace and stability in the region. We firmly stand for the freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in these international waterways,
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Philippines calls on China to comply with 2016 arbitral ruling over South China Sea
23Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
Politics

Philippines calls on China to comply with 2016 arbitral ruling over South China Sea

President Rodrigo Duterte’s government in Philippines has called on China to comply with 2016 arbitral ruling which had ruled that China has no ‘historic rights over the waters of South China Sea’.“Compliance in good faith with the award would be consistent with the obligations of the Philippines and China under international law, including UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) to which both parties are signatories,” Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a statement.The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands had ruled that China has no ‘historic rights’ over the waters of the South China Sea. It also said that China has interfered with traditional Philippine fishing rights at Scarborough Shoal, even as Beijing claimed historic rights to the water
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Under pressure, expansionist China begins to wilt
23Jul By Stuart WhiteNo Comments
Opinion

Under pressure, expansionist China begins to wilt

China’s has brazenly challenged Japan in the East China Sea, grabbed territory in the South China Sea, laid claims to Indonesian islands 1500 kms away and encroached upon territory in eastern Ladakh. It has repeatedly threatened Taiwan with invasion, throttled democratic rights in Hong Kong, and threatened Australia with economic retribution and cyber-attacks.For the first time, the Quad, in a concrete show of solidarity, reacted with alacrity to the Dragon’s unethical and premeditated expansionist agenda.The US dispatched two modern aircraft carrier battle groups to the SCS area. It agreed to supply more sophisticated weapons and equipment to Taiwan. In continuation of the reciprocal trade war, the US raised the stakes for the Chinese by taking effective steps at ‘de-coupling’ in sensitiv
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China pushing territorial claims during pandemic, alleges Japan
23Jul By Nectar GanNo Comments
Conflict

China pushing territorial claims during pandemic, alleges Japan

In its annual defense review, Japan has accused China of Taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic and push its territorial claims in the East China Sea.China “is continuing to attempt to alter the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea,” Japan said in the defense white paper approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government on July 14.The report further said that there have been "relentless" intrusions in the areas around the Senkaku islands as called by Japan or Diaoyu in China.Besides, in recent days, China has been asserting its claims in the South China Sea by establishing administrative districts around disputed islands while the neighbouring countries have been busy with dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.Chinese intrusions in the South China Sea have not only be
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“PRC has doubled its campaign to impose an order of might makes right in South China Sea”
23Jul By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China

“PRC has doubled its campaign to impose an order of might makes right in South China Sea”

Assistant Secretary of Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affair, David R Stilwell has said that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has doubled-down on its campaign to impose an order of “might makes right” in the South China Sea.“In recent months, while the world has focused on the fight against COVID-19, the PRC has doubled-down on its campaign to impose an order of “might makes right” in the South China Sea. Beijing is working to undermine the sovereign rights of other coastal states and deny them access to offshore resources – resources that belong to those states, not to China,” Stilwell said in virtual interaction with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.July 12 marks the anniversary of a historic statement in the South China Sea: the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling. “Th
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Andaman & Nicobar Islands can be centre point of connecting strategic line of maritime hubs to tackle China
23Jul By Stuart WhiteNo Comments
Opinion

Andaman & Nicobar Islands can be centre point of connecting strategic line of maritime hubs to tackle China

While the world is grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, China is not leaving any opportunity to take over territories and off late, its aggressiveness can be seen at the East China Sea, South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.One way to tackle Chinese maritime aggression could be by fully equipping ports and islands in a way to make them strategic outposts which would help monitor the naval activities combining it with an integrated surveillance network which would give all the countries tactical leverage in the various regional seas.Chinese aggression in the international waters was witnessed this year in several instances. In April, a Vietnamese fishing vessel in the South China Sea was sunk by a Chinese ship, a stand-off between a Chinese survey ship and Malaysian oil exploration ship ...
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China using provocation, strong arm tactics in South China Sea: Analyst
21Jul By Joanne SerriehNo Comments
China

China using provocation, strong arm tactics in South China Sea: Analyst

Senior political scientist for the US-based RAND Corporation Andrew Scobell has said that China is using provocations, pressure and strong-arm tactics in the South China Sea all the while appearing reasonable and selling “carrots” in seeking a negotiated solution.On July 1, China sent a coast guard ship into the disputed waters of the South China Sea just to provoke its neighbors and the West. Vessel-track data showed it stopped at Subi Reef, one of China’s numerous military bases in the Spratly Islands, on July 2.Scobell, also a professor at Marine Corps University sees this as Beijing’s moves to strengthen its claims, using all instruments of national power.“Many Chinese Coast Guard vessels are a lot bigger than many of the ships in most Southeast Asian navies. This is all about, from a
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