China, US hold rival SCS drills

Beijing’s People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command a day before said a two-day deployment of its navy and air force, scheduled to end today, was carrying out “routine patrols” in the sea.
It did not mention where exactly the patrols took place or give specific details of the goals of the exercises. They took place as the United States said an aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson was conducting two days of drills with the Philippine Navy.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea and has ignored an international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis. It deploys boats to patrol the busy waterway and has built artificial islands that it has militarized to reinforce its claims. And while China typically uses its coast guard to enforce its claims in the area, military exercises are not uncommon, with Beijing’s navy conducting “routine” drills in late November.
But this week’s drills follow a month of tense standoff between China and the Philippines in Ayungin Shoal that saw a collision between vessels from the two countries and Chinese ships blasting water cannons at Philippine boats.
One expert told AFP that Beijing was seeking to turn the South China Sea “into a Chinese-controlled waterway and a strategic chokepoint for other countries.”
この記事は The Philippine Star の January 05, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Philippine Star の January 05, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Malaysia LNG to Tap Growing Demand in Phl
Malaysia LNG Group of Companies (MLNG), a subsidiary of energy giant Petronas, is positioning itself as a key liquefied natural gas supplier in Southeast Asia, with the Philippines among its target markets.

Phl-Japan-US coast guards simulate crisis amid China threat
Helicopters buzzed in the shadow of a smoldering volcano and boats rescued dummies from the sea last week in a show of maritime unity by Japan, the United States and the Philippines.
Gov't Urged to Prepare Fuel Subsidy Release
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the government to prepare for the immediate release of fuel subsidies amid rising global oil prices triggered by heightened tensions between Israel and Iran.

Gov't execs stranded in Israel back in Phl
The 21 government officials who were stranded in Israel finally arrived in Manila yesterday after a grueling journey by land to Jordan and later to Dubai, from where they took a commercial flight home.

Construction Activity Slows Down in April
Construction activity slowed in April as the number of approved building permits declined by 9.6 percent from the previous year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Siargao Gets a Starring Role in the Romance 'Unconditional'
A dreamy scene of the island waves of Siargao opens Adolfo Alix Jr.'s film \"Unconditional,\" setting the tone for a tender love story that explores not just romantic love, but also the bonds of friendship and of the parent-child relationship.
BBM Bares Collaboration Between PHL, Japan Space Agencies
President Marcos strengthened the Philippines' space and tourism ties with Japan during his four-day working visit to Osaka, highlighted by meetings with top officials of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and key Japanese stakeholders, Malacañang said Friday.

Streaming Fatigue
While inching my way through morning traffic, I thought of watching Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning over the weekend.

Ayala Land Is Redefining Hospitality With Filipino Heritage And Heart
More than just a concept, \"sense of place\" is the soul of every ALH experience.

South Korea ambassador commends 'unprecedented' visit of NBI director
Republic of Korea Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa joined National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Jaime Santiago and members of the Korean community for a joint meeting on Thursday at Clark Global City, Pampanga.