China warns Philippines as it conducts fresh South China Sea patrols
BEIJING: China's military held joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea on Saturday, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theater Command said.
Spokesperson Tian Junli said in a statement on Sunday that the Philippines has courted countries outside the region to organise "joint patrols" and "raised security risks" in the region.
"The theater command forces remain on high alert, resolutely safeguarding China's national sovereignty and maritime rights," he said, adding that "all military activities that seek to stir up trouble in the South China Sea or create flashpoints are fully under control."
The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
The Philippines and the United States conducted joint maritime drills in the South China Sea for a seventh time earlier this month.
Tensions have continued to run high between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled that China's claims were not supported by international law, a decision that Beijing rejects.--REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
‘Don't delay RON95 revamp'
PETALING JAYA: The government should proceed with the targeted RON95 petrol subsidy rollout despite the recent spike in global oil prices due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, say economists. Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng stressed that the surge in crude oil prices makes it even more urgent for the government to implement the plan. 'It will allow the burden of rising oil prices to be shared with consumers and businesses while preventing a ballooning subsidy burden to the nearly RM100bil incurred in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic,' he said. Yeah pointed out that unless absorbed by the government, higher global oil prices would lead to increased pump prices, putting pressure on national finances. 'This would require the government to cut other expenditures or incur a higher fiscal deficit, which will further raise the country's debt level,' he said, suggesting a gradual rollout to enhance the nation's resilience in coping with global uncertainties and oil price shocks. On Friday, global oil prices surged by over 9% to around US$75 (RM318) per barrel, the highest in nearly five months, following Israel's pre-emptive strike on Iran. Earlier in April, oil prices had dipped below US$60 (RM254) before climbing to around US$65 (RM275) by mid-month, still lower than December 2024's US$74 (RM314). Economist Dr Geoffrey Williams echoed the call to proceed with subsidy rationalisation, noting that higher oil prices would widen the gap between market prices and retail pump prices, increasing the government's subsidy burden. 'It's better to rationalise subsidies now if oil prices are expected to remain high for the rest of the year,' he said. The government stands to save at least RM8bil or more, he added, which could be redirected to critical areas such as healthcare, education and social protection. Williams also cited the success of earlier rationalisations in diesel and electricity subsidies, which raised RM11.5bil without triggering hostile market or public reactions. 'The government must push through with targeted subsidies now. There is no better time and any delay will signal weakness and damage credibility,' he added. Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia treasurer-general Datuk Koong Lin Loong also supported a phased implementation, warning that any delay could significantly increase the government's subsidy bill if oil prices continue to rise. 'This is to avoid a sudden shock to the nation's economy, which is already grappling with the current geopolitical uncertainties,' he said. He also called for the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Unit to be strengthened to prevent businesses from arbitrarily raising prices, which could drive up inflation and supply chain costs. Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Business Associations vice-chairman Nivas Ragavan cautioned that the timing of the rollout is crucial, particularly when global oil prices remain uncertain. 'Volatile oil prices can exacerbate the burden on the rakyat if not carefully managed. A sudden implementation during a price spike could be highly inflationary and politically sensitive,' he said. He noted the government's earlier decision to delay the e-invoicing initiative to ease the burden on businesses, and suggested a similar approach may be needed for the RON95 subsidy if global oil prices remain unstable.
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
China warns Philippines as it conducts fresh South China Sea patrols
BEIJING: China's military held joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea on Saturday, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theater Command said. Spokesperson Tian Junli said in a statement on Sunday that the Philippines has courted countries outside the region to organise "joint patrols" and "raised security risks" in the region. "The theater command forces remain on high alert, resolutely safeguarding China's national sovereignty and maritime rights," he said, adding that "all military activities that seek to stir up trouble in the South China Sea or create flashpoints are fully under control." The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The Philippines and the United States conducted joint maritime drills in the South China Sea for a seventh time earlier this month. Tensions have continued to run high between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled that China's claims were not supported by international law, a decision that Beijing rejects.--REUTERS
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Singapore and Indonesia strengthen economic ties amid global uncertainty
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong (right) and Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto at the 15th Singapore-Indonesia Six Bilateral Economic Working Groups Ministerial Meeting. - Photo: MITI SINGAPORE: Singapore and Indonesia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen economic ties at a high-level bilateral meeting held in Singapore on Sunday (June 15). The 15th Singapore-Indonesia Six Bilateral Economic Working Groups Ministerial Meeting or 6WG MM was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. The meeting is a key economic platform between Singapore and Indonesia to advance economic cooperation in six areas. These are namely the Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) region and other special economic zones, investments, manpower, transport, agribusiness and tourism. This latest bilateral meeting comes after the two countries signed three deals on clean energy and sustainable development during a visit by Singapore's Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology Dr Tan See Leng to Jakarta on June 13. Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto is also set to make his first state visit to Singapore on June 16. These bilateral engagements between Singapore and Indonesia come at a time of uncertainty in global politics. Bilateral trade between Singapore and Indonesia has grown steadily over the last few years, with both countries being among each other's largest trading partners. In 2024, bilateral trade reached US$57.6 billion. Singapore has been Indonesia's top source of foreign direct investments (FDI) every year since 2014, with FDI flow into Indonesia exceeding US$20.1 billion in 2024. On June 15, Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, and Airlangga also witnessed the signing of two commercial agreements at the 6WGMM. One agreement is an affirmation letter between Singapore's Sembcorp Development and Indonesia's PT Batamraya Sukses Perkasa on their commitment to collaborate on low carbon industrial parks in the BBK region. The two companies are jointly developing the 100ha Tembesi Innovation District, which aims to attract sustainability-focused tenants, and will generate 20,000 jobs when it is fully developed. The other agreement is a memorandum of understanding between the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association and the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The two associations will join forces to expand market access between semiconductor and electronics companies in Singapore and Indonesia. Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry said in a press release that both leaders underscored the importance of improving both country's business and regulatory environment to attract investments, and helping people and businesses collaborate and seize emerging opportunities in both countries. To that end, the leaders welcomed growing investor interest in the BBK region, and recognised the good progress in human capital development. In the agribusiness sector, the ministers discussed initiatives to advance agri-tech collaborations and create new trading opportunities for Indonesian importers and Singaporean exporters, which will benefit both countries' food industries. The leaders also welcomed improvements in air connectivity and reaffirmed the commitment to deepen business connectivity between Singapore and Indonesia,which will boost trade, investments and people to people flows. - The Straits Times/ANN
