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Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Chinese Patrol Ships Surround Islands of US Treaty Ally
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. Three Chinese coast guard vessels have deployed to a strategic waterway in the South China Sea that separates the Philippines from Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory—adding to rising regional tensions. Newsweek contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Philippine coast guard with requests for comment. Why It Matters The Philippines, a U.S. defense treaty ally, and China are locked in a yearslong territorial dispute. Beijing asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea—a conduit for an estimated one-third of global seaborne trade—citing so-called historical rights. Manila has in recent years stepped up its pushback against Chinese coast guard incursions into the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, leading to occasional dramatic clashes at contested features such as Scarborough Shoal. What To Know On Thursday, three Chinese coast guard cutters—each at least 330 feet in length—"bracketed" the Philippines' northernmost province of Batanes, according to ship-tracking data shared by maritime analyst Ray Powell. Powell, who heads the Stanford University-affiliated maritime analysis group SeaLight, described the maneuvers as "a new level of aggression" from Beijing. As of Friday morning, two of the ships were operating east of the island group, while the third remained in waters to the west. It is rare for Chinese coast guard ships to operate this far north. The Batanes are closer to southern Taiwan than to Manila and are situated in the Bashi Channel—a strategic choke point that would almost certainly come into play in a war with China. In April, the U.S. and Philippine militaries held joint drills there with the NMESIS anti-ship missile system, drawing protests from Beijing. China's maneuvers came a day after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during a four-day state visit to New Delhi, vowed not to "cede one square inch" of territory to Beijing. The Philippine coast guard deployed a patrol aircraft to monitor the Chinese vessels because of what it called their "irregular movements," but poor weather limited the mission to challenging only the cutter west of Batanes, agency spokesperson Jay Tarriela said. He also said the ship ignored radio calls. "The leadership of the [Philippine coast guard] remains resolute and is prepared to deploy additional resources should the [China coast guard] vessels continue their presence or approach closer to the Batanes coastline," Tarriela wrote on X on Friday. U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment and 3d Marine Division conduct a notional fire mission with the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System during the Maritime Key Terrain Security Operation as... U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment and 3d Marine Division conduct a notional fire mission with the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System during the Maritime Key Terrain Security Operation as a part of Exercise KAMANDAG 9 in the Philippines, on May 27. More Cpl. Malia Sparks/U.S. Marine Corps What People Are Saying Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Defense Ministry, said during Friday's news briefing of this week's joint Philippine-Indian naval drills: "We demand that the Philippines stop provoking and hype, stop forming cliques and making waves in the South China Sea, and return to the right track of managing differences through dialogue and consultation." Ray Powell, the director of SeaLight, wrote on X: "This is the first time I've observed this behavior from the China Coast Guard. While the CCG has been much more active in the West Philippine Sea, this marks the first I've seen it extend its intrusive patrols east of the Philippines." The West Philippine Sea is Manila's term for the parts of the South China Sea lying within its maritime zone. What Happens Next During his interview with Indian media, Marcos also said there was "no way" the Philippines could avoid being drawn into a war between its U.S. ally and China over Taiwan, citing its proximity and the more than 160,000 Filipinos working there. China's Foreign Ministry issued a sharp rebuke over the remarks, saying it had lodged protests with Manila and stressing that "geographic location" and the "large volume of Filipinos" in Taiwan should not be used as pretexts to interfere in the "internal and sovereign affairs of other countries." China claims Taiwan as its territory, though Beijing's government—which the Chinese Communist Party leads—has never ruled there. China has vowed to unite with the island democracy, through force if necessary. Chinese maritime activities—including oceanographic surveys and coast guard patrols in disputed areas—are likely to remain a point of friction in the South China Sea.
Nikkei Asia
5 days ago
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
US to deploy new, shorter-range missile system for Japan drill
The Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) is displayed at Marine Day at Quantico, Virginia on June 5. The anti-ship missle launcher is expected to be deployed to Japan for a drill next month. (U.S. Marine Corps photo) KEN MORIYASU WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Marine Corps is planning to field a high-precision -- but less controversial -- anti-ship missile launcher to Okinawa next month as part of a drill, a move experts see as signaling a U.S. intent to avoid overly antagonizing Beijing.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Pacific Ally to Host US Missile System Amid China Naval Threat
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. A United States missile system capable of sinking warships will reportedly be deployed on a Japanese island during a planned joint war game amid a growing naval threat from China. "Specific details concerning equipment and training locations will be announced by Japan's Ministry of Defense closer to the beginning of the exercise," the III Marine Expeditionary Force—a U.S. Marine Corps unit based in Japan—said in a written response to Newsweek. Newsweek has also contacted the Chinese and Japanese defense ministries via email for comment. Why It Matters Japan is part of a U.S. maritime containment strategy known as the First Island Chain—alongside Taiwan and the Philippines—which aims to limit the operating range of China's navy—the world's largest by hull count—within East Asian waters in the event of a conflict. China continues to expand its military presence beyond the First Island Chain by gradually increasing the scale of its warship deployments in the wider Western Pacific, including the simultaneous operation of two aircraft carriers on the eastern side of the island chain in June. In response, the U.S. is strengthening its defense posture along the island chain. This year, the Philippines has already hosted two American anti-ship missile systems—the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS). The United States Marine Corps stages the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System as a part of an exercise on the Philippines' Batanes Islands on May 25. The United States Marine Corps stages the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System as a part of an exercise on the Philippines' Batanes Islands on May 25. Cpl. Malia Sparks/U.S. Marine Corps What To Know Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported on Saturday that the country's Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. military will conduct the exercise "Resolute Dragon" across the Japanese archipelago next month, including Okinawa Prefecture and the main island of Kyushu. Okinawa Prefecture, located in Japan's southwestern waters between the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea, is made up of several outlying island groups. Meanwhile, Kyushu—situated north of Okinawa—is the southernmost of the country's four main islands in Northeast Asia. According to the report, the war game—planned for September 11 to 25—will test the allies' ability to defend Japan's remote islands, including the potential deployment of the NMESIS on Ishigaki Island, which is part of the Sakishima island group in Okinawa Prefecture. The NMESIS is a missile system mounted on an unmanned vehicle, capable of carrying up to two Naval Strike Missiles with a range of over 115 miles. The report further noted that no live-fire drills will take place during the deployment of the NMESIS on the Japanese island. "Specific details on equipment, locations, and timing during Resolute Dragon have not been finalized," the III Marine Expeditionary Force told Newsweek on Monday. The previous iteration of the bilateral exercise was held from July 28 to August 7, 2024, across Japan. The Japanese military frequently tracks and reports on China's naval activities near Okinawa Prefecture, as Chinese vessels transit the Miyako Strait—which lies between Miyako Island and Okinawa Island—a major gateway for deployments beyond the First Island Chain. On Saturday, a pair of Chinese warships—a destroyer and a frigate—were spotted passing through the Miyako Strait on a southeastward voyage, moving from the East China Sea to the Philippine Sea, the Joint Staff of Japan's Defense Ministry reported on Monday. What People Are Saying The U.S. III Marine Expeditionary Force told Newsweek on Monday: "The U.S. Marine Corps remains in close coordination and planning with the Government of Japan to ensure all activities and training are conducted safely and remain committed to transparency with local communities, the Government of Japan, and our Allies and partners." Japan's defense white paper 2025 read: "China has been swiftly increasing its national defense expenditures, thereby extensively and rapidly enhancing its military capability in a qualitative and quantitative manner and intensifying its activities in the East China Sea, including around the Senkaku Islands, and the Pacific." The Senkaku Islands are an islet group in the East China Sea, ruled by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan as the Diaoyu Islands and the Diaoyutai Islands, respectively. What Happens Next? It remains to be seen whether the U.S. military will deploy other missile systems in Japan to bolster the ally's defense, including the MRC and the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), which were featured in a war game that took place in Australia last month.
Reuters
18-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Philippines' Marcos to discuss trade and security during U.S. visit as tariffs loom
MANILA, July 18 (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will visit the United States next week with a clear message to President Donald Trump that the Philippines must become economically stronger if it is to serve as a truly robust partner, an official said on Friday. The visit, the first by an ASEAN head of state since Trump took office in January, will focus on economic cooperation, with Marcos expected to discuss concerns over proposed U.S. tariffs on Philippine exports. "The President's official visit also aims to address the U.S. tariff proposed to be levied on Philippine exports," Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano told a media briefing. Trump raised reciprocal tariffs on Philippine exports to 20% this month from the 17% threatened in April. Talks between Philippine trade officials and their U.S. counterparts are ongoing in Washington to hopefully seal a reciprocal deal that is "mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial" for both countries, Solano said. During the visit, the two leaders will also discuss closer cooperation in defence and security matters, including issues in the South China Sea where Manila and Beijing have had a series of maritime confrontations. Relations between Manila and Beijing have soured under Marcos, who has pivoted closer to the United States, granting it expanded access to Philippine military bases as both countries aim to counter what they have described as China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan. "The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the Philippines-United States Alliance, to proactively engage the U.S. in all aspects of the relations and seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation," Solano said. The United States and the Philippines have a seven-decade old mutual defence treaty and hold dozens of annual exercises, which have included training with U.S. Typhon missile system, and more recently with the NMESIS anti-ship missile system, angering China. Marcos will also meet separately with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as U.S. business leaders who are investing in the Philippines.
The Star
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Marcos to discuss trade and security during US visit as tariffs loom
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pic) will visit the United States next week with a clear message to President Donald Trump that the Philippines must become economically stronger if it is to serve as a truly robust partner, an official said on Friday (July 18). The visit, the first by an Asean head of state since Trump took office in January, will focus on economic cooperation, with Marcos expected to discuss concerns over proposed US tariffs on Philippine exports. "The President's official visit also aims to address the US tariff proposed to be levied on Philippine exports," Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano told a media briefing. Trump raised reciprocal tariffs on Philippine exports to 20% this month from the 17% threatened in April. Talks between Philippine trade officials and their US counterparts are ongoing in Washington to hopefully seal a reciprocal deal that is "mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial" for both countries, Solano said. During the visit, the two leaders will also discuss closer cooperation in defence and security matters, including issues in the South China Sea where Manila and Beijing have had a series of maritime confrontations. Relations between Manila and Beijing have soured under Marcos, who has pivoted closer to the United States, granting it expanded access to Philippine military bases as both countries aim to counter what they have described as China's assertiveness in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan. "The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen the Philippines-United States Alliance, to proactively engage the US in all aspects of the relations and seize opportunities for greater security and economic cooperation," Solano said. The United States and the Philippines have a seven-decade old mutual defence treaty and hold dozens of annual exercises, which have included training with US Typhon missile system, and more recently with the NMESIS anti-ship missile system, angering China. Marcos will also meet separately with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as US business leaders who are investing in the Philippines. - Reuters
