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☆ Japan PM Kishida: Cooperating With Philippines, US to Protect South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Saturday his country, the Philippines and the United States were cooperating to protect the freedom of the South China Sea as he committed to help enhance Manila's security capabilities. "In the South China Sea, the trilateral cooperation to protect the freedom of the sea is underway," Kishida, on an official visit, said in an address before the Philippine congress in the capital Manila. Last month China and the Philippines traded accusations over a collision in the disputed waters of the South China Sea as Chinese vessels blocked Philippine boats supplying forces there. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Japan does not have any claim to the South China Sea, but has a separate maritime dispute with China in the East China Sea.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, China's, Karen Lema, William Mallard, Michael Perry Locations: MANILA, Philippines, United States, South China, China, Philippine, Manila, Japan, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, East

☆ Philippines military remains loyal to the president - national security adviser
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano arrives to meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Japan, June 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Nov 4 (Reuters) - The Philippines' National Security Adviser on Saturday rejected talk of a plot to destabilise the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, saying the military and entire security sector were loyal to the commander-in-chief. "Yes, there were healthy and passionate exchanges (and) debates among some retired or former military officers and even some criticism against certain policies of the current administration, but they are within the bounds of our democratic space," National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said. "The security sector shall remain vigilant and ready to take immediate action against any sinister group that will undermine our national security," Ano said. The Philippines has seen more than a dozen coup attempts since the overthrow of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Persons: Eduardo Ano, Fumio Kishida, Kim Kyung, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Eduardo Año, Año, Año's, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, Ano, Marcos, Ferdinand Marcos, Karen Lema, Michael Perry Organizations: Philippine National Security, REUTERS, Rights, National Security, Philippine, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights MANILA, Philippines

☆ Japan PM Kishida: cooperating with Philippines, US to protect South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Karen Lema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"In the South China Sea, trilateral cooperation to protect the freedom of the sea is under way," Kishida, on an official visit, said in an address before the Philippine congress in the capital Manila. Last month China and the Philippines traded accusations over a collision in the disputed waters of the South China Sea as Chinese vessels blocked Philippine boats supplying forces there. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Japan does not have any claim to the South China Sea, but has a maritime dispute with China in the East China Sea. "Japan will continue to contribute to the enhancement of the Philippines' security capabilities, thereby contributing to regional peace and stability," Kishida said.

Persons: Fumio, Aaron Favila, Fumio Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, China's, Kishida, Karen Lema, Sakura Murakami, William Mallard, Michael Perry Organizations: Japan, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Official Security, Kyodo, Philippine Coast Guard, Thomson Locations: Quezon City, Philippines, Rights MANILA, United States, South China, China, Philippine, Manila, Kishida, Japan, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, East, Tokyo

☆ Philippines eyes multilateral effort to avert South China Sea clashes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Philippine flagged boat is blocked by a China Coast Guard vessel during an incident that resulted in a collision between the two vessels, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in this screen grab obtained from handout video released October 22, 2023. China Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The Philippines will boost multilateral activities including freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea, its defence minister said on Wednesday, expressing hope that more countries would "join our fight" after an altercation with China this week. The incident, near a disputed reef in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, drew widespread condemnation of Beijing, which says it has sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, despite an international arbitration award declaring that claim has no legal basis. The recent incident with China "could result in more willing nations to join our fight," Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said in a televised interview on state-run PTV. Teodoro also said he is optimistic on the progress on reciprocal access agreement between Japan and the Philippines.

Persons: Gilberto Teodoro, Teodoro, Neil Jerome Morales, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Martin Petty Organizations: China Coast Guard, REUTERS, Rights, China's, PTV, Washington, Thomson Locations: Philippine, South, Rights MANILA, Philippines, South China, China, Manila, Beijing, Japan, United States

A Philippine flagged boat is blocked by a China Coast Guard vessel during an incident that resulted in a collision between the two vessels, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea in this screen grab obtained from handout video released October 22, 2023. China Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The Philippines repeated its call for China to stop "provocative actions", warning that its attempts to block Manila's resupply missions to a disputed atoll in the South China Sea could have "disastrous results". NSC's Malaya accused China of "increasing tensions" in the South China Sea and maintained it was China's actions that caused Sunday's collision. But we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels who have no business being in the West Philippine Sea," Malaya said. Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz and Karen Lema; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jonathan Malaya, Thomas, Jay Tarriela, Enrico dela Cruz, Karen Lema, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: China Coast Guard, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, National Security Council, China's coastguard, coastguard, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Coast Guard, Thomson Locations: Philippine, South, Rights MANILA, Philippines, China, BRP Sierra, Manila, NSC's Malaya, West Philippine, Malaya

☆ Philippines Tells China to Stop Provocative Actions in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Enrico Dela Cruz and Karen LemaMANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines repeated its call for China to stop "provocative actions", warning that its attempts to block Manila's resupply missions to a disputed atoll in the South China Sea could have "disastrous results". The shoal is in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. It has also summoned the Chinese ambassador and has filed a diplomatic protest, its foreign ministry said. NSC's Malaya accused China of "increasing tensions" in the South China Sea and maintained it was China's actions that caused Sunday's collision. But we are concerned by the escalation and provocations by Chinese vessels who have no business being in the West Philippine Sea," Malaya said.

Persons: Enrico Dela Cruz, Karen Lema MANILA, Jonathan Malaya, Thomas, Jay Tarriela, Enrico dela Cruz, Karen Lema, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: National Security Council, China's coastguard, coastguard, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Coast Guard Locations: Philippines, China, South, Philippine, BRP Sierra, Manila, NSC's Malaya, West Philippine, Malaya

☆ Philippines sees no current, future engagements with Taiwan - military chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. speaks to the media during a press briefing at Western Command in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, August 10, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Oct 19 (Reuters) - The Philippines has no military engagements with Taiwan and it does not see future engagements with the democratically-governed island, Manila's armed forces chief Romeo Brawner told foreign correspondents on Thursday. The Philippines sees risk of conflict over Taiwan as a major concern amid geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States. The military is ready for any eventuality, though it has not monitored reports on any intended attacks on Taiwan in particular, Brawner said. The Philippines adheres to the "One China Policy", and also has ties with Taipei, with its Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan serving as a de facto embassy.

Persons: Romeo Brawner, Eloisa Lopez, Brawner, Karen Lema, Neil Jerome Morales Organizations: Forces, Western Command, REUTERS, Rights, Philippine, Office, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Rights MANILA, Taiwan, China, United States, Mavulis, Taipei, Manila

☆ Philippines to recruit 'cyber warriors' for online defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. walks past honor guards during the arrival ceremony at Western Command, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, August 10, 2023. Several government agencies, including the lower house of Congress, have recently reported cyber attacks and the chief of the armed forces said some of the almost daily attacks on the military came from abroad. "Instead of recruiting soldiers for infantry battalions, this time we will recruit cyber warriors," General Romeo Brawner told reporters. "There is this general realisation that this new breed of warriors does not have to be muscle strong." Cyber defence training was part joint exercises this year with U.S. forces, Brawner said, highlighting the growing importance of cyber resilience in defence strategy.

Persons: Romeo Brawner Jr, Eloisa Lopez, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, Karen Lema, Robert Birsel Organizations: Forces, Western Command, REUTERS, Rights, coastguard, U.S, China Telecom, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Rights MANILA, Philippine, China, South China, Japan

☆ Near collision, tense encounter as Beijing flexes muscles in the South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Adrian Portugal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] A Chinese maritime militia vessel is seen sailing in the South China Sea, October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEAR THE SECOND THOMAS SHOAL, South China Sea, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The crew of the Philippine coastguard boat watch anxiously as an imposing Chinese vessel draws near and cuts off its path, coming within a metre of collision in a vast stretch of open water in the South China Sea. Tense encounters like this, about 100 miles (185 km) off the Philippines and witnessed by a Reuters journalist, are becoming more frequent in Asia's most contested waters as China presses its claim of ownership over almost the entire South China Sea. China condemned the resupply mission, saying Philippine vessels had "intruded" in its waters in the Spratly Islands without its permission. The stakes are high if this brinkmanship turns to miscalculation in the South China Sea.

Persons: Adrian Portugal, Thomas, Jay Tarriela, Karen Lema, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, THOMAS, Philippine coastguard, BRP, coastguard, Philippine, Reuters, Beijing, Mutual Defense Treaty, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: South China, Philippines, China, Philippine, Beijing, Sierra Madre, Spratly, Manila, Washington, United States, South

Passengers queue at airline counters in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, January 2, 2023. "While the information is currently under validation, immediate enhanced security measures are being implemented across all airports," CAAP said. The Oct. 4 memo included a screenshot of what it said was the threat, which did not contain the word "bomb" but said "an airplane will explode" at Manila's international airport today and "please beware". Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista said patrols had been increased and K9 units deployed at all terminals of Manila's international airport, and law enforcement agencies were coordinating closely. Reporting by Karen Lema and Mikhail Flores; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Eloisa Lopez, CAAP, Jaime Bautista, Bautista, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, REUTERS, Security, Civil Aviation Authority of, Philippines Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Thomson Locations: Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, Manila, MANILA, Davao, Bicol, Palawan, Cebu

A double-digit gain in the price of rice drove annual inflation to accelerate by 6.1% last month, its fastest pace in four months, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority released on Thursday. The country's economic planning agency on Thursday said it would recommend extending the lowered tariff rates on rice until December 2024, a day after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr lifted the cap on rice prices. Rice inflation quickened by 17.9% in September, the fastest in over 14 years, the statistics authority said, helping fuel the 10.0% food inflation rate for the month. September's faster-than-expected inflation could convince the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to resume hiking rates after it left its benchmark rate (PHCBIR=ECI) steady at its last two meetings. Last month's inflation print brought year-to-date average inflation to 6.6%.

Persons: Lisa Marie David, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, September's, Nicholas Mapa, Neil Jerome Morales, Mikhail Flores, Karen Lema, Martin Petty Organizations: REUTERS, Philippine Statistics Authority, Philippine, ng Pilipinas, ING, Christian, Thomson Locations: Manila, Philippines, MANILA

☆ China condemns Philippine re-supply mission to disputed atoll
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING/MANILA, Oct 5 (Reuters) - China has condemned a mission by four Philippine ships to re-supply Philippine troops on a disputed South China Sea atoll, saying the vessels had entered its waters in the Spratly Islands without its permission. "Philippine supply ships and two coast guard ships entered the waters ... in China's Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government," China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said a post on its website, using China's name for the Spratly Islands. The atoll in the area is known as Ayungin in the Philippines, while China calls it the Renai Reef. read moreThe Philippine National Security Council (NSC) said its re-supply and rotation mission was completed despite attempts by a significant number of China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia to "harass and interfere" with it. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, pointing to a line on its maps that cuts into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

Persons: Thomas Shoal, Erik De Castro, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Gan Yu, Thomas, Philippe, Ryan Woo, Karen Lema, Engen Tham, Kaiwen Xu, Robert Birsel Organizations: BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Navy, REUTERS, Rights, China Coast Guard, Philippine National Security Council, Chinese Maritime Militia, Thomson Locations: BRP Sierra, Philippine, Spratly, South, Rights BEIJING, MANILA, China, Philippines, South China, China's Nansha, Palawan, United States, Manila, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia

MANILA, Oct 4 (Reuters) - The Philippines is investigating a maritime incident to find out what killed three Filipino fishermen in a ramming incident that sank their boat in the South China Sea, its president said on Wednesday. "We assure the victims, their families, and everyone that we will exert every effort to hold accountable those who are responsible for this unfortunate maritime incident," Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on the X social media platform. Three Filipino fishermen died after their fishing boat was rammed by an unidentified foreign commercial vessel while crossing the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Wednesday. "The incident is still under investigation to ascertain the details and circumstances surrounding the collision between the fishing boat and a still unidentified commercial vessel," Marcos said. The Philippine coastguard did not elaborate on the incident or provide details of the vessel it said had rammed the Filipino crew.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Martin Petty, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Philippine Coast Guard, China's coastguard, Philippine coastguard, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, South China, China, Scarborough, British, United States, Manila

☆ Philippines, allies kick off naval drills amid Asia-Pacific tension
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. speaks during the opening ceremony of Exercise SAMA SAMA 2023, the annual bilateral exercise between the Philippine and U.S. Navy, at the Philippine Navy Headquarters, in Manila, Philippines, October 2, 2023. This year's "Sama Sama" drills are being held in the southern part of the island of Luzon, featuring naval exercises in areas such as anti-submarine warfare, air defence and search and rescue, the Philippine navy said. "With this show of force and active engagement of our allies and partners, 'Sama Sama' transcends mere military exercises," Philippine navy chief Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci said at the opening event. "It is a symbol of our enduring partnerships and our shared commitment to security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region." The West Philippine Sea refers to the portion of the South China Sea claimed by Manila.

Persons: Toribio Adaci, Jay Ereno, Karl Thomas, Thomas, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Philippine Navy Flag, Command, Philippine, U.S . Navy, Philippine Navy Headquarters, REUTERS, Rights, Forces, United States, Navy's, South China, Manila ., Thomson Locations: Manila, Philippines, Rights MANILA, Britain, Canada, Japan, Beijing, Scarborough, China, South China, Luzon, Philippine, Asia, Pacific, West Philippine, South, United States, Australia, France, Indonesia, New Zealand

[1/2] Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command speaks at the IISS Special Lecture in Singapore March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Caroline Chia/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The United States may seek access to more military bases in the Philippines under a joint defence agreement between the two countries, the chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific command said on Thursday. Admiral John Aquilino said he and the Philippines' military chief, Romeo Brawner, had discussed further expanding the number of bases U.S. forces could access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The United States says it intends to bolster an already strong alliance and improve the defence capability of the Philippines. Aquilino also said the two countries were seeking to complete an agreement on boosting their intelligence sharing.

Persons: John C, Aquilino, Caroline Chia, Admiral John Aquilino, Romeo Brawner, Brawner, there's, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Martin Petty, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Pacific Command, REUTERS, Rights, Enhanced, Thomson Locations: United States, Singapore, Rights MANILA, States, Philippines, U.S, China, Washington, Taiwan

☆ Australia, Philippines upgrade ties to strategic partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Karen Lema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Philippines last month held military exercises near the South China Sea with Australia, its second-largest partner in defence security. "Australia supports the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award. The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan have claims to certain areas of the South China Sea. Most of Australia's trade also goes through the South China Sea. Albanese confirmed on Thursday he will visit China later this year, the first visit by an Australian leader since 2016.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Earvin, " Albanese, Marcos, Albanese, Neil Jerome Morales, Mikhail Flores, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Australia's, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, . Australian, Philippine, Forces, China, China Sea, Thomson Locations: Philippine, Manila, Philippines, Rights MANILA, Australia, South China, South, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan

☆ Philippines, US navies conduct joint sail in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MANILA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Naval vessels from the Philippines and United States conducted a joint sail through parts of the South China Sea lying within the Southeast Asian nation's exclusive economic zone, Manila's military said on Monday. It was the first time the Philippines and Washington have carried out a joint sail in waters west of Palawan island, the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Command said. The display of cooperation between the US and Philippines comes at a time of heightened tension between Manila and Beijing, which claims much of the South China Sea. China has built militarised, manmade islands in the South China Sea and its claim of historic sovereignty overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The Philippines won an international arbitration award against China in 2016, after a tribunal said Beijing's sweeping claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea had no legal basis.

Persons: Rizal, US Navy Alrleigh Burke, Ralph Johnson, Karen Lema, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Armed Forces, Western Command, US Navy, Philippine Navy, Pacific Navy, The Philippines, China, South China, Thomson Locations: MANILA, Philippines, United States, South China, Washington, Palawan, Manila, Beijing, Philippine, China, South, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia

☆ Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia reject China's latest South China Sea map
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It was not immediately clear whether the latest map denotes any new claim to territory. Its Malaysian counterpart in a statement said the new map holds no binding authority over Malaysia, which "also views the South China Sea as a complex and sensitive matter". The map was different to a narrower version submitted by China to the United Nations in 2009 of the South China Sea that included its so-called "nine-dash line". Asked about the latest map, Taiwan foreign ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu said Taiwan was "absolutely not a part of the People's Republic of China". "China's position on the South China Sea issue has always been clear.

Persons: legitimise, Jeff Liu, Wang Wenbin, Karen Lema, Ben Blanchard, Liz Lee, Martin Petty Organizations: Philippine Coast Guard, Malaysian, United Nations, South China, China Central Television, Thomson Locations: Thitu, Philippines, Spratly Islands, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, South China, Beijing, Hainan, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippine, South, People's Republic of China, India, Manila, Taipei

The Chinese military regularly sends ships and aircraft through the channel, Taiwan's defence ministry has said. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the proposed port in Basco. Cayco confirmed the visit, saying they came "one time to assess" the proposed alternative port. Marcos has said the bases under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) could prove useful if China attacked Taiwan. Jay Batongbacal, maritime affairs expert at the University of the Philippines, said the proposed port "would certainly be needed for the island’s defence in a worst case scenario."

Persons: Marvin Licudine, Andres Centino, Heather Variava, Noel Beleran, Eric Austin, Marilou Cayco, Batanes, Cayco, Kanishka, MARCOS, Rodrigo Duterte, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Jay Batongbacal, Poppy McPherson, Karen Lema, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Philippine Military, Embassy, Staff, Education, U.S, Reuters, China, Washington, U.S . Army, ., Enhanced, Security, University of the, Thomson Locations: Philippines, Philippine, U.S, MANILA, Taiwan . U.S, Taiwan, China, Washington, Pacific, Manila, Basco, Asia, Beijing, Batanes, South China, University of the Philippines, Luzon

☆ China's 'aggressive behaviour' in South China Sea must be challenged - U.S. Navy official
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreMANILA, Aug 27 (Reuters) - China's "aggressive behaviour" in the South China Sea, including the use of water canon by its coast guard against a Philippine vessel, must be challenged and checked, the commander of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet said on Sunday. It operates over an area of 124 million square km (48 million square miles) from bases in Japan, South Korea and Singapore. On Saturday, Thomas said he joined a flight from Manila "to go out and check out the South China Sea". The Philippines won an international arbitration award against China in 2016, after a tribunal said Beijing's sweeping claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea had no legal basis. China has built militarised, manmade islands in the South China Sea and its claim of historic sovereignty overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

Persons: Arleigh Burke, Karl Thomas, they're, you've, Thomas, There's, Alberto Carlos, Karen Lema, Nick Macfie Organizations: People's Liberation Army, Navy, U.S . Navy, Communication, Navy's, Fleet, Seventh Fleet, Reuters, U.S, Philippine Western Command, Philippines, China, South China, Thomson Locations: South, MANILA, South China, Philippine, Philippines, U.S, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Manila, Beijing, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia

☆ Australia says it will conduct more joint patrols with Philippines in South China Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The joint exercises, a first for the two nations, come amid renewed tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. Marcos spoke to journalists after Friday's beach landing drill in Zambales, near the South China Sea, which he watched with binoculars, accompanied by Marles and Philippines Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. At a joint news conference with Teodoro, Marles said the first joint patrols of the South China Sea by the two navies would "happen soon". The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan have claims to certain areas of the South China Sea. Most of Australia's trade goes through the South China Sea, and upholding international rules is a shared strategic interest with the Philippines, he earlier told ABC radio.

Persons: Richard Marles, Caroline Chia, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Marles, Gilbert Teodoro, Teodoro, Anthony Albanese, Kirsty Needham, Karen Lema, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Australian, REUTERS, Rights, Marines, Philippine Navy, Philippines Defense, ABC, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Australia, South, Philippines, Philippine, Canberra, China, South China, Zambales, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Japan, U.S, Sydney, Manila

☆ Pandemic, inflation push 68 million more in Asia into extreme poverty, Asian Development Bank says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMANILA, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The coronavirus pandemic and rise in cost of living have pushed close to 70 million more people in developing Asia into extreme poverty as of last year, the Asian Development Bank said, eroding efforts to combat deprivation. Developing Asia consists of 46 economies in the Asia-Pacific and excludes Japan, Australia and New Zealand. "Asia and the Pacific is steadily recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the increased cost-of-living crisis is undermining progress toward eliminating poverty," said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park. Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $2.15 a day, based on 2017 figures. Developing Asia was on track to grow 4.8% this year from a year earlier, faster than the previous year's 4.2% expansion, the ADB said in July.

Persons: Danish Siddiqui, Albert Park, Karen Lema, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Danish, Rights, Asian Development Bank, ADB, Thomson Locations: Pitha, Uttarakhand, India, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Australia, New Zealand

☆ Philippines sees risk of conflict over Taiwan as a 'major concern'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Filipino soldiers stand at attention near a Philippine flag at Thitu island in disputed South China Sea April 21, 2017. "Major concern is also seen in the Cross-Straits relations that has the potential to be the flashpoint in the region," the government said in the document, published by the National Security Council, referring to the Taiwan Strait. The plan also covered government food and energy security priorities and noted that the South China Sea "remains a primary national interest". To achieve energy security, the government said it would explore development of offshore reserves, including in the South China Sea, to help reduce dependence on imports. Ties with China have grown tense under Marcos, as the Philippines pivots back to traditional ally the United States.

Persons: Erik De Castro, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Karen Lema, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, National Security Council, Mutual Defense, U.S, Thomson Locations: Philippine, Thitu, China, Philippines, United States, Taiwan, Beijing, Japan, South, South China

☆ Philippines says refurbishing grounded ship an option to strengthen hold on disputed shoal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Karen Lema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A Philippine flag flutters onboard the BRP Sierra Madre, a marooned transport ship which Philippine Marines used as a military outpost, in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea March 30, 2014. REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File PhotoPUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines Aug 11 (Reuters) - The Philippines is looking at several options to strengthen its hold on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea including refurbishing a grounded and rusting warship it uses as a military outpost, a move that would likely anger Beijing. The Philippines intentionally grounded the World War Two-era warship Sierra Madre in 1999 as part of its sovereignty claim to the Second Thomas Shoal, which lies within its exclusive economic zone, and rotates a handful of troops through the ship. China has urged the Philippines to fulfill a "promise" to tow away the grounded vessel, but Manila denied striking any agreement to abandon the shoal, which it calls Ayungin. The Philippines won an international arbitration award in 2016 against China's South China Sea sovereignty claim, after a tribunal ruled Beijing's sweeping claim had no legal basis, including at the Second Thomas Shoal.

Persons: Thomas Shoal, Erik De Castro, Alberto Carlos, Romeo Brawner, Thomas, Ayungin, Carlos, Ramsey Gutierrez, Gutierrez, Karen Lema, Michael Perry Organizations: flutters, BRP, BRP Sierra Madre, Philippine Marines, REUTERS, Philippine Western Command, Chinese Coast Guard, Philippines, China's, Thomson Locations: BRP Sierra, Spratly, South, PRINCESA, Philippines, South China, Beijing, Sierra, China, Manila, Japan, France, South Korea, United States, Philippine, Thomas Shoal . China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia

China Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERSMANILA, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Wednesday denied making an agreement with China to remove a grounded warship that serves as a military outpost in South China Sea, and said if there ever were such a deal, it should be considered rescinded. China on Monday accused the Philippines of reneging on a promise made "explicitly" to remove the ship, which was grounded in 1999 to bolster its territorial claims in one of the world's most contested areas. Jonathan Malaya, National Security Council assistant director general, earlier challenged China to produce evidence of the promise. China and the Philippines have been embroiled for years in on-off confrontations at the shoal, the latest on Saturday. China has built militarised, manmade islands in the South China Sea and its claim of historic sovereignty overlaps with the EEZs of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Thomas Shoal, I'm, Marcos, Jonathan Malaya, Thomas, Jay Batongbacal, Neil Jerome Morales, Karen Lema, Martin Petty Organizations: Coast Guard, China Coast Guard, REUTERS, National Security Council, Philippines, China, South China, University of the, Thomson Locations: Philippine, REUTERS MANILA, China, South China, Philippines, Sierra, Manila, reneging, China's, Sierra Madre, Malaya, South, Thomas Shoal . China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, University of the Philippines

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