All articles tagged with #maritime disputes
The Quad foreign ministers reaffirm their commitment to a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific, emphasizing cooperation on maritime security, economic resilience, technology, and humanitarian aid, while addressing regional challenges such as China's assertiveness, North Korea's missile tests, Myanmar's crisis, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Taiwan warned off Chinese coast guard ships for a second day in a row after they entered restricted waters near the Kinmen islands, leading to heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, but Taiwan strongly objects to this. Despite recent cooperation in maritime incidents, Taiwan expressed confusion over China's continued harassment while seeking assistance. Last week, Taiwan urged China not to change the "status quo" in waters near Kinmen.
Tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea have escalated throughout 2023, with incidents including laser flashing, swarming, water cannon deployment, and damage to reefs and barriers. The Philippines has condemned China's actions as a "serious escalation" of aggression, while China claims its operations are legitimate. The conflict is part of a larger territorial dispute in the region, with China militarizing islands to support its claims. The Philippines has sought support from other countries and is considering adjusting its strategy in response to the increasing harassment.
The Philippine coast guard has inaugurated a new surveillance base on Thitu Island in the South China Sea to monitor China's increasingly aggressive behavior in the disputed waters. The base, equipped with radar, ship-tracking, and other monitoring equipment, aims to counter China's actions and address sea accidents. The move comes as confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships have intensified in the contested region. The Philippines has been deepening its security ties with the US and its allies, including joint sea and air patrols, as a deterrent strategy.
Tensions are escalating in the South China Sea as China asserts ownership over the strategically important and resource-rich waterway, defying an international court ruling. Multiple governments, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan, have competing claims in the region. The South China Sea is vital to international trade, with a significant amount of global shipping passing through each year. It is also home to valuable fishing grounds and untapped natural resources. The United States, although not a claimant, conducts freedom of navigation operations in the area to ensure freedom of the seas. The recent confrontations between China and the Philippines have raised concerns of a potential international incident, as the Philippines is a US treaty ally.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has pledged "practical" cooperation with ASEAN countries, aiming to reassure regional leaders amid ongoing territorial disputes and increased US engagement. Li emphasized the importance of trustworthiness and fair market policies for trade and economic cooperation. He also expressed China's desire to advance talks on a "free trade area version 3.0" with ASEAN, building on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Li held meetings with Southeast Asian counterparts, including Vietnam and Laos, discussing dispute management and deepening bilateral relations. China's efforts come as it seeks to maintain priority status in the region amidst a turbulent geopolitical environment.
South Korea and India have joined the US, Japan, and European countries in supporting the Philippines in its maritime disputes with China in the South China Sea, following China's use of water cannon against a Philippine resupply ship. The global backlash against Beijing's actions has prompted a historic three-way summit between US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at Camp David.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo has called on China to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, particularly over the Philippine-held Second Thomas Shoal. Manalo emphasized the importance of peace and dialogue among the claimant states in the region, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia. The recent incident involving China's coast guard blocking and shooting a water cannon at a Philippine navy-chartered supply boat near Second Thomas Shoal has prompted protests from the Philippines and condemnation from its allies. The Philippines is considering deploying its own maritime militia to defend its sovereignty, but any escalation risks militarizing the situation. The deteriorating condition of the Philippine ship stationed at the shoal further complicates the issue.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said China has agreed to discuss fishing rights in the South China Sea, as he pushed for a "direct communication line" with Beijing on maritime differences. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, with a "nine-dash line" on maps that stretches more than 1,500 km (930 miles) off its mainland and cuts into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said China has agreed to discuss fishing rights in the South China Sea, as he pushed for a "direct communication line" with Beijing on maritime differences. Marcos also said a Philippines-China "direct communication line" must be finally adopted, when asked about his thoughts on a recent maritime confrontation between the two countries. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, with a "nine-dash line" on maps that stretches more than 1,500 km (930 miles) off its mainland and cuts into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.