New laws specifying Manila’s claims have also angered smaller countries such as Malaysia, which could hamper unified resistance to China’s attempts at regional dominance.
Related:
What’s Really Going On In the South China Sea Between the Philippines and China
Read More »The Philippine military opened two weeks of combat drills Monday that would include seizing an island in the disputed South China Sea and likely be frowned upon by China.
Philippine military drills to seize an island in the South China Sea
Previously:
China looks to Indonesia for diplomatic resolution after coastguards’ Natuna encounters + More
China looks to Indonesia for diplomatic resolution after coastguards’ Natuna encounters
Related:
[10-23-2024] Indonesian Coast Guard “Drives Out” Chinese Vessel Shadowing Seismic Ship (archived)
Read More »On Monday, Indonesia’s coast guard “drove out” a China Coast Guard cutter that was shadowing a survey vessel in Indonesian waters of the South China Sea. On Tuesday, the Chinese vessel was back again in the same spot, according to maritime security expert Ray Powell.
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Geo Coral is a Norwegian-owned geophysical vessel flagged in Norway. She is operating under charter to PT Pertamina, Indonesia’s state-owned oil company, to conduct a 3D seismic survey off the Natuna Islands. “Pertamina East Natuna is focusing on oil and gas exploration activities in the East Natuna Working Area [East Natuna gas field], which has great potential to contribute to national energy security,” said a Pertamina spokesman on Tuesday.
South China Sea: Philippines says to solely run Second Thomas Shoal resupply missions
“As far as the RORE [rotation and resupply mission] is concerned, we’re keeping it as a purely Philippine operation utilising Philippine ships, personnel and leadership,” National Security Council spokesman assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said.
“That may change depending on the guidance from top management but that’s the direction or policy at present.”
Malaya’s remarks came after White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States “will do what is necessary” to ensure the Philippines can continue to resupply its troops on the contested atoll.
“We will continue to support the Philippines and stand behind them as they take steps to be able to ensure that,” Sullivan said during the Aspen Security Forum conference in Colorado.
Malaya said the National Security Council appreciated the US offer and the Philippines would continue consultations as treaty allies.
It was the Philippines that rammed the CCG!* US-funded Rappler** doesn’t mention the other soldiers who were injured.
Philippine Sailor Severely Injured, Vessels Damaged as Chinese Block South China Sea Mission
Meanwhile, a Philippine government release from the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea stated that ships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy, China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia performed “dangerous maneuvers.” However, there is no mention of injury to Philippine personnel in the release. The statement also claimed that Chinese forces rammed and towed Philippine vessels, although it’s unclear to what extent the latter occurred during the incident. This is the first reported instance of China towing – defined as pulling, pushing or hauling – Philippine vessels in their South China Sea disputes.
Related:
Read More »The Washington Post has a weird new article out citing multiple anonymous US officials saying that the Chinese “spy balloon” we’ve been hearing about for the last two weeks was never intended for a surveillance mission over North America at all.
US Officials Now Say Chinese “Spy Balloon” Flew Over The US Accidentally
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