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Tag: paracels

No ASEAN role in Scarborough conflict between PH and China

Published by Ellen on August 17, 2017
Traditional link-arms photo of ASEAN Foreign Ministers in the recently concluded ASEAN50 Foreign Ministers meeting in Manila.

The agreed framework for a Code on South China Sea was the most important achievement of the recently-concluded meeting of the foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations which segued to more meetings with its dialogue partners and the Asean Regional Forum.

After the much-awaited meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers and China Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that China have agreed on the framework for a Code on SCS. He said substantive consultations will be undertaken in the coming months with the end view of an implementable COC on South China Sea.

Aside from the question of when is the actual COC expected to be completed, is another question: what kind of COC on South China Sea would it be.

Continue readingNo ASEAN role in Scarborough conflict between PH and China

Differences in how PH and Vietnam deal with China’s aggressiveness

Published by Ellen on May 16, 2014
Water cannon fight between China and Vietnam in Paracels.
Water cannon fight between China and Vietnam in Paracels.

The current tension in the South China Sea triggered by China’s territorial assertiveness underscores the military weakness of the Philippines and the lack of direction of its foreign policy as against Vietnam’s focused moves backed up by a credible defense capacity.

There are three incidents or conflicts going on in South China Sea that have raised the tension to worrisome levels.

One of the incidents involves Vietnam against China over the latter’s setting up of an oil rig in the disputed Paracel islands, 220 kilometers from Vietnam’s shores.

Continue readingDifferences in how PH and Vietnam deal with China’s aggressiveness