One of Russia's stealthiest submarines has been spotted cruising in waters claimed by the Philippines.
This incident could be Russia signalling to the US that it is prepared to help China amid an escalating stand-off in the South China Sea, one analyst said.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said in a news conference on Dec 2 that the submarine's presence in his nation's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is very concerning.
"Any intrusion into the West Philippine Sea, of our EEZ, of our baselines, is very worrisome," he said.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported on Dec 2 that the Russian Navy's Ufa attack submarine was spotted after it surfaced 148km west of Mindoro province on Nov 28.
The Philippine Navy said in a statement that it sent the guided missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal to track the submarine as it made its way - while remaining surfaced outside Philippine waters.
Philippine Navy spokesman Rear-Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the frigate communicated with the Ufa to ascertain its identity and intention.
"The Russian vessel stated it was awaiting improved weather conditions before proceeding to Vladivostok," he said.
The Russian state-run Tass news agency had reported that the submarine, together with rescue tug Alatau, were operating in the South China Sea after stopping at the RMN Kota Kinabalu Naval Base in Malaysia on Nov 23 for a port visit and to hold exercises.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin December 03, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin December 03, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
CALLIGRAPHY IS BIG WITH ARTIST
The boulders hiding in the alcove of Tong Yang-tze's (right) Taipei apartment testify to this Taiwanese calligrapher's daunting perfectionism. They are paper - remnants of discarded artworks, crumpled together like used tissues and soaked into inky wads of pulp. Hundreds of old drafts of writing, including many of her efforts to draw Chinese poetry at a monumental scale, have been recycled into these rocks over the years, most recently as she worked on her commission for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which debuted on Nov 21.
Mattel sued over Wicked dolls with porn website link
LOS ANGELES - Mattel was sued on Dec 3 by a South Carolina mother for mistakenly putting a link to a pornographic website on packaging for dolls tied to the blockbuster movie Wicked.
Taiwanese musician-director Liu Chia-chang a composer of hit songs
Famed veteran Taiwanese musician and director Liu Chia-chang has died at the age of 81.
Actress Kristal Tin reveals lung cancer diagnosis
Former TVB actress Kristal Tin revealed on Instagram on Dec 3 that she has undergone successful surgery for lung cancer.
South Korean entertainment schedules up in the air
SEOUL - Schedules of performances and interviews in South Korea have been thrown into a state of uncertainty by a sudden martial law declaration that was lifted only a few hours later.
Host Dasmond Koh surprised by martial law edict while in Seoul for work
Upheaval in Seoul, South Korea
Squid Game returns to end 2024 with a bang
In this monthly column, The Straits Times' streaming picks for December include the long-awaited second season of the survivalist hit Squid Game (2021 to present) and its non-lethal equivalent.
Flow speaks Volumes, The Room Next Door a thin melodrama
In the wake of a devastating flood, a cat finds refuge with motley stranded animals on a tattered sailboat.
Funeral rites come alive in The Last Dance
The Hong Kong drama offers fascinating glimpses into the city's funeral traditions
Tolkien and anime work well together, says Japanese director
NEW YORK - It has been a decade since the work of fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien last appeared on the big screen.
