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Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
China Warns US Ally With Show of Force
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. China asserted its sovereignty over a disputed reef in the contested South China Sea by conducting military and coast guard patrols on Saturday—a claim the Philippines denied. Newsweek has emailed both the Chinese and Philippine militaries for further comment. Why It Matters China has claimed sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, overlapping the territorial claims of other regional countries—including the Philippines, a mutual defense treaty ally of the United States—and often leading to standoffs and clashes between their maritime forces. The Chinese patrols were conducted around Huangyan Dao [Island], a fishing ground known in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc. The reef, under China's control since 2012, lies closer to the Philippines' Luzon Island than to the nearest Chinese island province, Hainan. While the South China Sea reef lies within Manila's internationally recognized 230-mile-wide exclusive economic zone, Beijing asserted jurisdiction over the surrounding waters by releasing a list of 16 base points connected by straight baselines in November 2024. What To Know In a statement released on Saturday, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command announced that it had conducted what it called "combat readiness patrols" in the Chinese territorial waters and airspace around Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas. The Chinese military command, which is oriented toward the South China Sea, claimed that its assigned air and naval forces have been "continuously" strengthening patrols around the reef to further bolster "relevant maritime and airspace control and management" since May. The China Coast Guard also claimed on Saturday that it had conducted "law enforcement patrols" near Huangyan Dao. China operates the world's largest maritime law enforcement fleet, with over 150 vessels each weighing more than 1,000 tons, according to the Pentagon. During its intensified patrols around the reef last month, the China Coast Guard conducted what it called "tracking, warning, intercepting, and driving away operations" in accordance with China's laws and regulations to strengthen its management and control of the area. An aerial view of Huangyan Dao, also known in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc, in the South China Sea on February 18, 2025. An aerial view of Huangyan Dao, also known in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc, in the South China Sea on February 18, Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, said no Chinese combat readiness patrols were observed around the reef or within the Philippine exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, newspaper Manila Standard reported on Sunday. The Philippines refers to the portion of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone as the West Philippine Sea. However, the Chinese government maintains that "South China Sea" is the common geographical name accepted by countries around the world. The Philippine spokesperson revealed that, as of Saturday morning local time, two Chinese coast guard ships and six Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted at the reef, along with four Vietnamese fishing boats and three Taiwanese vessels, according to the report. What People Are Saying The Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command said: "The move [patrol] is aimed at resolutely safeguarding China's sovereignty and security, as well as upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea region." The China Coast Guard said: "The operation aims to firmly safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests." Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, said: "No activity of PLA-N [People's Liberation Army Navy] was monitored. News like these are all part of information shaping operations by the [Chinese] Communist Party to address any internal dissent or shape the international discourse to their favor." What Happens Next The Philippines is likely to conduct further exercises in the South China Sea with the U.S. and other allies to counter China's military and coast guard presence in the disputed region.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
China conducts 'combat readiness' patrols in Scarborough despite PH's assertion of sovereignty
China's Southern Theatre navy conducted combat readiness patrols on Saturday around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, Reuters reported citing Xinhua news agency. China's navy has continuously intensified patrols and surveillance in the surrounding waters and airspace in the area, further strengthening control over the relevant maritime and aerial domains, Xinhua said. EXPLAINER: What is Scarborough Shoal and why is it important? Scarborough Shoal, which is also being claimed by the Philippines, is a triangular coral reef formation which surrounds a lagoon, is famed for its rich waters and marine resources. It is also referred to as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal. Scarborough Shoal is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales and is considered within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." Last month, the Philippines cited its sovereignty in the area after China called out Manila for its alleged illegal intrusion into Scarborough Shoal. 'These are all part of shaping or malign info operations more likely for their internal audience,' Philippine Navy spokesperson for the Wet Philippines (WPS) Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said. 'Only the Philippine Navy and other Philippine flagged law enforcement ships have the authority and legal bases to challenge any ship within maritime zones,' he added. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. —with reports from Reuters/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
27-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP says it's ready to implement code of conduct in South China Sea
An FA-50 of the Philippine Air Force flies over the BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) as its officers stand dueing the flag-raising in the waters of Talampas ng Pilipinas, or Philippine Rise, on Monday, May 19, 2025. Northern Luzon Command photo The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday assured that it is ready to carry out any agreements reached in the proposed Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. In a press briefing held at Camp Aguinaldo, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, responded to questions regarding the AFP's role in enforcing the code, which is currently under high level discussions in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN). "Whatever comes out of the Code of Conduct, the AFP is prepared to implement," said Trinidad, underscoring the military's readiness to adapt to the outcomes of regional diplomatic negotiations. The COC aims to establish formal rules among claimant states in the South China Sea, including the Philippines and China, in order to avoid conflict and manage tensions in the disputed maritime territory. During the same briefing, Trinidad addressed a number of additional topics, including the future deployment of a Royal Navy aircraft carrier strike group in the Indo-Pacific. When asked if it was the first time a Royal Navy aircraft carrier was sailing inside Philippine waters, the admiral replied, "The previous activity of the UK Navy was in 2021 when they sent their other aircraft carrier into the Indo-Pacific region." He also noted the AFP has submitted its position and demands for compensation related to equipment damaged in recent maritime confrontations. 'But again the Armed Forces of the Philippines has submitted its position and its demand for such payment on the cost of this equipment brought about by this incident during the (Rotation and Resupply or RORE missions),' he said, adding that further details should be deferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
27-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
UK aircraft carrier to sail in Indo-Pacific as part of multi-national task force —PH Navy
The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (09) before she departed for Operation Highmast. Royal Navy The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said that a multi-national task force centered around an aircraft carrier of the United Kingdom is expected to sail in the Indo-Pacific region to promote international order. In a press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the activity is under the Royal Navy-led Operation Highmast. 'The United Kingdom last month, April 25, set sail Operation Highmast centered on the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales joined by warships from Norway, Canada,and Spain,' he said. 'The objective here is to reinforce the alliances with like-minded nations in the Indo-Pacific Region and to support the international order, which is currently being attacked by one country that would like to change the international status quo,' he added. Trinidad said the eight-month deployment will cover the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Indo-Pacific Region. According to him, multilateral exercises will be conducted during Operation Highmast. HMS Prince of Wales has an embarked air group that includes the F-35B Lightning II stealth multirole fghters, anti-submarine helicopters, airborne early warning aircraft and accommodation for 250 Royal Marines. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." Beijing has refused to recognize the decision. —RF, GMA Integrated News
Miami Herald
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Video Shows US Ally Resupplying Military Outpost in Disputed Waters
The Philippines has released footage showing a recent supply and troop rotation mission to Second Thomas Shoal, a hot spot in the country's long-running territorial feud with China. China said it allowed the May 16 mission to proceed after notification by the Philippines, though the U.S. ally has maintained it "need not seek permission." Newsweek reached out to the Philippine military and Chinese Foreign Ministry with emailed requests for comment. Second Thomas Shoal-known in Manila as Ayungin Shoal and in Beijing as Ren'ai Reef-is situated within the Philippines' EEZ. The reef is uninhabited, except for a navy garrison stationed aboard a rusting warship, the BRP Sierra Madre, which the country deliberately grounded in 1999 to stake its claim. China insists the rusting vessel's presence is illegal and accused its neighbor of smuggling in supplies to repair it. Beijing claims sovereignty over most features in the South China Sea, including Second Thomas Shoal, and in 2023 and 2024 took forceful measures-including blockades and water cannons-to obstruct supply missions. Video shared by ABS-CBN show personnel aboard the Sierra Madre preparing to receive food and other supplies from the government-commissioned civilian vessel MV Lapu-Lapu. Four Chinese coast guard ships were observed in the area "but did not do any coercive or aggressive actions," Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, told reporters on the sidelines of an ASEAN event in Pasay City. It was the eighth such mission to take place without Chinese interference. The two neighbors said they had reached a deal to manage future supply missions in July, just weeks after a particularly aggressive interception by Chinese maritime forces that left Philippine sailors injured and drew condemnation from several countries. The exact terms of the agreement remain unclear, and each side has since accused the other of violating them. "With the permission of the Chinese side, the Philippines sent a civilian boat to transport daily necessities to its illegal 'beached' warship at Ren'ai Reef," Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a May 20 statement. "It is hoped that the Philippines will honor its commitments, work with China in the same direction, and jointly manage the maritime situation." Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesperson, pledged missions to the Sierra Madre would continue. "We need not seek permission from any foreign power, much more from one that has encroached into our exclusive economic zone. These missions will continue," he said. China has accused the Philippines of violating an alleged promise not to deliver construction materials to the warship-turned-military outpost. A former spokesperson for Rodrigo Duterte, the Southeast Asian country's president from 2016 to 2022, made waves last year after appearing to suggest the leader had made a "gentlemen's agreement" to that effect in exchange for maintaining the status quo in the area. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who took office in June 2022, has denied any knowledge of such an arrangement and said he was "horrified" by the idea. South China Sea Probing Initiative, a Beijing-based think tank, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "The gentleman's agreement works again. The China Coast Guard reported that under China's surveillance, the Philippines had just completed a supply mission without the Philippine Coast Guard for the grounded warship at Second Thomas Shoal on May 16." China will almost certainly continue pressing its claims within the Philippine EEZ and will most likely continue to face pushback from the Philippines. The Marcos administration enjoys broad support on the South China Sea issue, with a November poll showing that 84 percent of Filipinos back the government's pushback. Related Articles Green Card Holder Who Came to US as Young Child Detained Returning to USWATCH: Chinese Ship Blasts US Ally With Water CannonUS and Ally's Joint Forces Send Warning to ChinaChina Research Ship 'Loitering' Near Undersea Cables: Report 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
