Latest news with #EduardoAño
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
China Clashes With US Ally Over Rocket Launch
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Philippines—a treaty ally of the United States—accused its major rival, China, of being irresponsible for launching a rocket across the South China Sea and putting its people at risk. While Chinese authorities have not responded, state media—citing sources—reported that debris from the rocket fell into "predesignated drop zones" within international waters. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Embassy in Manila and the Philippine Embassy in Beijing for further comment via email. Why It Matters China and the Philippines both claim sovereignty over parts of the South China Sea, where overlapping claims often lead to clashes between their forces. Heightened tensions could draw the U.S. into a conflict, as Washington has signed a mutual defense treaty with Manila. To support its fast-growing and ambitious space program, China has built two spacecraft launch facilities on the southern island province of Hainan, which borders the South China Sea. One is operated by the national space agency, while the other is commercially run. A Chinese Long March-12 carrier rocket carrying a group of internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, Hainan province, China, on August 4. A Chinese Long March-12 carrier rocket carrying a group of internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in Wenchang, Hainan province, China, on August 4. VCG via AP What To Know China's Xinhua News Agency reported that a Long March-12 carrier rocket was launched from the commercial spacecraft launch site on Hainan Island on Monday evening. The rocket successfully placed its payload—low-orbit internet satellites—into orbit. In a statement released on Tuesday, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said China's rocket launch caused alarm and concern in the country because of "loud explosions," adding that a "fireball" was seen in the sky before it exploded, causing the ground to shake. Footage and images shared by Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, show a condensation trail in the sky, which he said was consistent with rocket exhaust or propulsion. He added that five loud explosions were recorded because of rocket-related activity. Philippine Coast Guard Confirms Sound of Explosion Related to PRC Rocket Launch Activity The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has confirmed the monitoring of rocket-related activity in the eastern part of Palawan on August 4, 2025, where a series of five loud explosions… — Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) August 5, 2025 The Philippine Space Agency said the expected rocket debris was projected to have fallen within the designated drop zone in the Sulu Sea, in the southwestern part of the country. According to a map provided by the Philippine Space Agency, the drop zone is located 24 miles from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 20 miles from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. It lies outside Philippine territorial waters, which extend up to 13.8 miles from the coastline. While no damage or injuries had been reported, Año warned that rocket debris "poses a clear danger and risk" to land areas, as well as to ships and aircraft passing through the drop zone. The Philippines has deployed ships and aircraft to search for rocket debris. Año asked the public to notify local authorities if they find suspected debris but warned them not to attempt to retrieve or come into close contact with the debris because of possible toxic fuel residues. ROCKET LAUNCH ADVISORY | NDRRMC cautions the public for the possible falling of debris from the People's Republic of China's Long March 12 rocket that is scheduled to be launched on August 04, 2025. The People's Republic of China is scheduled to launch the Long March 12 from the… — NDRRMC (@NDRRMC_OpCen) August 4, 2025 In response to Manila's claims, China's Global Times reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the rocket launch mission, that the launch aligned with the mission designs, safety notices issued to surrounding countries prior to the launch and international practices. What People Are Saying Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said in a statement on Tuesday: "We condemn in no uncertain terms the irresponsible testing done by the People's Republic of China of its Long March 12 rocket which alarmed the public and placed the people of Palawan at risk." Jay Tarriela, a spokesperson for the Philippine coast guard, wrote on X on Tuesday: "The PCG continues to prioritize maritime safety and environmental protection in Philippine waters. Mariners and the public are advised to remain vigilant and report any sightings of potential debris to local PCG stations. No immediate threats to safety or navigation have been reported as a result of this event." China's Global Times reported on Wednesday: "The Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stated that China consistently conducts peaceful space activities in accordance with international law and practices. From the development phase of space projects, China has integrated requirements for debris mitigation and deorbiting measures for launch vehicles and satellites entering orbit." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the Philippines will recover any Chinese rocket debris following its search.
5 days ago
- Politics
Philippines condemns China's rocket launch after suspected debris sparked alarm
MANILA, Philippines -- A top Philippine security official on Tuesday condemned China's latest rocket launch, which caused suspected debris to fall near a western Philippine province. Authorities said the incident sparked alarm and posed a danger to people, ships, and aircraft. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the suspected Chinese rocket debris that fell near Palawan province Monday night, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said. However, he added that these posed 'a clear danger and risk to land areas and to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels' near the expected drop zones. 'We condemn in no uncertain terms the irresponsible testing done by the People's Republic of China of its Long March 12 rocket which alarmed the public and placed the people of Palawan at risk,' Año said in a statement. People were alarmed after hearing loud explosions Monday night in Palawan's Puerto Princesa city and nearby towns, Año said, adding that 'local residents also saw a fireball cross the sky that later exploded causing the ground to shake.' Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Año's statement. China's official Xinhua News Agency reported that the Long March-12 rocket that lifted off Monday night from a commercial spacecraft launch site on the southern island province of Hainan successfully carried a group of internet satellites into pre-set orbit. It was the 587th mission by the Long March carrier rockets, Xinhua said, citing the launch site. It was not immediately clear if Chinese authorities notified nearby countries like the Philippines of possible debris from its latest rocket launch. Such Chinese rocket debris have been found farther away from the Philippine archipelago in the past. The Philippine Space Agency said Monday that debris from the rocket launch was expected to have fallen within two identified drop zones about 21 nautical miles (39 kilometers) from Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and 18 nautical miles (33 kilometers) from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, an area of coral reefs in the Sulu Sea off eastern Palawan that is popular among divers and conservators. 'Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space,' the space agency said. 'While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone.' Philippine aircraft and vessels were deployed Tuesday to search for the rocket debris, Año said. He asked the public to notify authorities if they find any piece of debris but warned them not to touch them because of possible toxic fuel residues.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Philippines condemns China's rocket launch after suspected debris sparked alarm
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A top Philippine security official on Tuesday condemned China's latest rocket launch, which caused suspected debris to fall near a western Philippine province. Authorities said the incident sparked alarm and posed a danger to people, ships, and aircraft. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the suspected Chinese rocket debris that fell near Palawan province Monday night, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said. However, he added that these posed 'a clear danger and risk to land areas and to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels' near the expected drop zones. 'We condemn in no uncertain terms the irresponsible testing done by the People's Republic of China of its Long March 12 rocket which alarmed the public and placed the people of Palawan at risk,' Año said in a statement. People were alarmed after hearing loud explosions Monday night in Palawan's Puerto Princesa city and nearby towns, Año said, adding that 'local residents also saw a fireball cross the sky that later exploded causing the ground to shake.' Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Año's statement. China's official Xinhua News Agency reported that the Long March-12 rocket that lifted off Monday night from a commercial spacecraft launch site on the southern island province of Hainan successfully carried a group of internet satellites into pre-set orbit. It was the 587th mission by the Long March carrier rockets, Xinhua said, citing the launch site. It was not immediately clear if Chinese authorities notified nearby countries like the Philippines of possible debris from its latest rocket launch. Such Chinese rocket debris have been found farther away from the Philippine archipelago in the past. The Philippine Space Agency said Monday that debris from the rocket launch was expected to have fallen within two identified drop zones about 21 nautical miles (39 kilometers) from Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and 18 nautical miles (33 kilometers) from Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, an area of coral reefs in the Sulu Sea off eastern Palawan that is popular among divers and conservators. 'Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space,' the space agency said. 'While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone.' Philippine aircraft and vessels were deployed Tuesday to search for the rocket debris, Año said. He asked the public to notify authorities if they find any piece of debris but warned them not to touch them because of possible toxic fuel residues. Solve the daily Crossword
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
NSC condemns China's rocket launch over Palawan
The National Security Council (NSC) condemned the launch of China's Long March 12 rocket, which was seen over Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año described the rocket test as 'irresponsible,' saying it alarmed residents and posed potential risks to public safety. While no injuries or damage were reported, Año warned that debris from the launch poses risks to land areas, ships, aircraft, and fishing vessels navigating through the drop zone. 'There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts,' he added. The Philippine Space Agency and the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that the loud sound and smoke trail reported by residents in Palawan were linked to China's rocket launch. Año urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any sightings of suspected debris. He also warned against touching or retrieving any materials, which may contain toxic fuel residues. 'Surface and aerial assets have been deployed early today to search for debris associated with the loud explosions caused by the Chinese rocket launch from Hainan Island,' Año said, adding that coordination with local authorities and coastal communities is ongoing.
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Philippines condemns China's rocket launch after suspected debris sparked alarm
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A top Philippine security official on Tuesday condemned China's latest rocket launch, which caused suspected debris to fall near a western Philippine province. Authorities said the incident sparked alarm and posed a danger to people, ships, and aircraft. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the suspected Chinese rocket debris that fell near Palawan province Monday night, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said. However, he added that these posed 'a clear danger and risk to land areas and to ships, aircraft, fishing boats and other vessels' near the expected drop zones.
