US aircraft carrier makes Philippines port call
The aircraft carrier George Washington's port call came the same day that China's first domestically produced vessel sailed into Hong Kong.
MANILA - The nuclear-powered US carrier George Washington arrived off the Philippine capital on July 3 for a port visit, as the two allies increase defence cooperation aimed at contesting China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
The Nimitz-class vessel's port call came the same day that China's first domestically produced aircraft carrier, the Shandong,
sailed into Hong Kong .
Beijing claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, through which more than 60 per cent of global maritime trade passes, despite an international ruling its assertion has no merit.
'The US Navy along with our allies and partners are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific,' the ship's spokesman, Lieutenant-Commander Mark Langford, told AFP by email, without offering further details about the visit.
'These operations demonstrate the commitment to stability in the region, a commitment we uphold throughout the year and regardless of current events,' he said, calling the Philippines a 'long-standing and critical ally'.
Manila and Washington have
deepened their cooperation since President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022 and began pushing back on Beijing's South China Sea claims.
Bound by a 1951 mutual defence treaty, the two allies conduct frequent maritime exercises in the South China Sea.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July
Singapore PAP questions Pritam's interview with Malaysian podcast, says politics should stop at water's edge
World Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain
Sport Liverpool star Diogo Jota dead at 28: What you need to know about the footballer
Business 60 S'pore firms to get AI boost from Tata Consultancy as it launches a new innovation centre here
Singapore Scoot launches flights to Da Nang, Kota Bharu and Nha Trang; boosts frequency to other destinations
Singapore Electrician who bit off part of coworker's ear during fight gets 6 months' jail
Asia 4 dead, 30 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali
The Philippine and US coast guards in May
conducted their first-ever joint military drills in the archipelago nation's coastal waters.
The Shandong, which sailed off the northern Philippines in April, arrived in Hong Kong on July 3 after concluding combat drills in the western Pacific alongside fellow Chinese aircraft carrier the Liaoning.
The US Department of Defence said in a December report that China numerically has the largest navy in the world, with a battle force of more than 370 ships and submarines. AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Syria's Sharaa hopes for Kurdish deal to prevent conflict
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding for investment in Syria, in Damascus, Syria August 6, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo AMMAN - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has expressed hope that his country would avoid military conflict with U.S.-backed Kurdish forces if efforts to integrate their autonomous administration in northeast Syria into the state structure collapse. In remarks late on Saturday to senior figures from Idlib, where he has mustered loyalist forces, Sharaa said Kurdish leaders had signalled readiness to move forward with a landmark deal in March to bring their Kurdish-run areas under state authority. But their actions on the ground suggested otherwise, he told the publicised forum. 'At times on the ground there are signals opposite to what they say in the negotiations,' Sharaa said. Turkey and Washington, the main powers backing the deal to integrate Syria's oil-rich northeast into the state, wanted to resolve the issue peacefully, Sharaa said. "These parties are pushing for a solution peacefully. I hope we don't enter into a dispute. I am hopeful in a few months we will resolve it," he said. The collapse of follow-up talks since the March deal has escalated tensions in the region, triggering fresh clashes this month between government troops and the Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: New govt-funded traineeship scheme for ITE, poly, university graduates Singapore NDR 2025: CDCs to spearhead new effort to match job seekers to roles nearer to home, says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: US baseline tariff of 10% on Singapore offers 'little comfort', says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: More avenues for S'poreans to be heard, get involved will be opened up, says PM Wong World European leaders to join Zelensky for Ukraine talks with Trump Sport Third time's the charm as Aaron Liang dethrones Samuel Kang en route to national squash title Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Asia 'Rats from the sky': Urban India finds itself divided on pigeons The SDF, which controls parts of northeast Syria where Arabs form a majority, has recently fortified extensive tunnel networks along the frontlines. Many tribal Arabs accuse the SDF of discriminatory policies - claims Kurdish officials deny. CONCERN OVER MAJOR ESCALATION Turkey-backed rebels have also reinforced their positions amid concerns over a potential large-scale escalation in hostilities, officials say. Ankara has warned of military action against the SDF, whichit considers a terrorist organisation and has targeted in pastcross-border operations. It expects the Syrian government toaddress its security concerns but says it reserves the right tomount an offensive if needed. U.S. envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack - an advocate for a strong, unified Syrian state - voiced concern last month over Kurdish delays in implementing the March deal, urging faster progress. Authorities in Damascus reacted earlier this month angrily to a recent SDF conference calling for greater decentralisation and which demanded a review of a constitutional declaration it said discriminated against minorities, a move officials said threatened Syria's territorial integrity. Syrian officials said any military push against the SDF would rely on Turkish-backed factions operating in northern Syria, adding that Ankara has grown impatient with what it sees as Kurdish foot-dragging. Sharaa said those who sought partition were 'dreaming' and insisted the country would not give up any stretch of territory. He also criticised Druze groups seeking support from Israel in their confrontation with Damascus. Thousands joined a large Druze protest in Sweida on Saturday, demanding self-determination, hoisting Israeli flags and praising Israel for a military intervention that forced Syrian forces to retreat after hundreds of people were killed last month. Sharaa acknowledged that 'violations' had been committed by security forces and army personnel in Sweida, but said Druze militias had also perpetrated crimes. REUTERS
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Global markets face shaky week ahead as US pressure mounts on Ukraine
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox French President Emmanuel Macron attends a video conference with European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as part of the so-called 'coalition of the willing', Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025 at the Fort de Bregancon in Bormes-les-Mimosas, France. Philippe Magoni/Pool via REUTERS LONDON - Defence stocks and energy markets are likely to be in focus this week, as European leaders rushed to back Ukraine in talks with U.S. President Donald Trump that may pressure Kyiv to accept a peace deal favouring Russia. Investors are watching for signs that the U.S. may move closer to Russia in a bid to exploit vast, untapped Arctic energy resources, in a major geopolitical shift that piles pressure on Europe to rapidly boost defence spending. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended their weekend summit in Alaska without securing a Ukraine ceasefire agreement, with the U.S. President then saying he now wanted a rapid peace deal that Kyiv should accept. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is travelling to Washington on Monday for talks that leaders of nations including Germany, the UK and France will now join. "Trump seems inclined to reduce or even end US support for Ukraine. Putin got him interested in business deals," Berenberg Chief Economist Holger Schmieding said in a note to clients. "As a result, the US may lift its sanctions on Russia and invest in Russia instead," he added. "Europe will have to spend a lot more for its own defence." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: New govt-funded traineeship scheme for ITE, poly, university graduates Singapore NDR 2025: CDCs to spearhead new effort to match job seekers to roles nearer to home, says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: US baseline tariff of 10% on Singapore offers 'little comfort', says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: More avenues for S'poreans to be heard, get involved will be opened up, says PM Wong World European leaders to join Zelensky for Ukraine talks with Trump Sport Third time's the charm as Aaron Liang dethrones Samuel Kang en route to national squash title Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Asia 'Rats from the sky': Urban India finds itself divided on pigeons DEFENCE STOCK RALLY Investors have bet on that outcome since February 2022, driving a supercharged rally in European aerospace and defence stocks with gains of over 600% for Leonardo and 1,500% for Germany's Rheinmetall. The euro has rallied 13% against the dollar this year and traded at about $1.17 on Friday. Bank of America strategist Michael Hartnett highlighted the potential for U.S.-Russia Arctic drilling projects to exploit 15% of the world's undiscovered oil and 30% of the world's undiscovered natural gas, resulting in a deep energy bear market. Brent crude, which dropped more than 1% to near $66 a barrel, on Friday, was still priced for a Ukraine peace deal, Hartnett cautioned, while Trump wanted lower energy prices for U.S. consumers. Ukraine's government bonds - key mood indicators - rallied when news of the summit emerged earlier this month but have stalled at a still-distressed 55 cents per dollar. "I would think they will be a bit weaker following the recent strength as the mood seems to favour Russia following Friday's summit," Aegon Asset Management head of emerging market debt Jeff Grills said. REUTERS
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Russia will not give Ukraine security guarantee: Zelensky
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the idea of US security guarantees – but was less positive about Russia's intentions. BRUSSELS - Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Aug 17 rejected the idea of Russia offering his country security guarantees, after US and EU officials promoted the possibility. White House envoy Steve Witkoff earlier said US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to 'robust security guarantees' for Ukraine during a meeting in Alaska on Aug 15. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Aug 17 hailed the proposal as an offer of Nato-style security guarantees from the United States. 'We welcome President Trump's willingness to contribute to (Nato) Article 5-like security guarantees for Ukraine, and the coalition of the willing, including the European Union, is ready to do its share,' Dr von der Leyen said. Mr Zelensky also welcomed the idea of US security guarantees – but was less positive about Russia's intentions. 'What President Trump said about security guarantees is much more important to me than Putin's thoughts, because Putin will not give any security guarantees,' he told a press conference in Brussels alongside Dr von der Leyen. 'Security means a strong army, which only Ukraine can provide. I believe that only Europe can finance this army.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: New govt-funded traineeship scheme for ITE, poly, university graduates Singapore NDR 2025: CDCs to spearhead new effort to match job seekers to roles nearer to home, says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: US baseline tariff of 10% on Singapore offers 'little comfort', says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: More avenues for S'poreans to be heard, get involved will be opened up, says PM Wong World European leaders to join Zelensky for Ukraine talks with Trump Sport Third time's the charm as Aaron Liang dethrones Samuel Kang en route to national squash title Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Asia 'Rats from the sky': Urban India finds itself divided on pigeons Dr Von der Leyen and Mr Zelensky also shared their thoughts on a possible meeting between Mr Trump, Mr Putin and the Ukrainian leader. 'So far, Russia gives no sign that the trilateral will happen and if Russia refuses, then new sanctions must follow,' Mr Zelensky said. Dr Von der Leyen had said she wanted to see the three-way meeting happen 'as soon as possible'. Mr Zelensky will meet Mr Trump in Washington on Aug 18, accompanied by Dr von der Leyen and other European leaders. AFP
