Latest news with #SouthChinaSea
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CNOOC commences production at Dongfang 1-1 gas field
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has announced the start of production at the Dongfang 1-1 gas field 13-3 Block Development Project. This is the first offshore natural gas project offshore China to tackle high-pressure, high-temperature conditions in a low-permeability environment. The project is located in the Yinggehai Basin, where the average depth of water is around 67m. The main production facility includes a new unmanned wellhead platform that utilises the current processing infrastructure of the Dongfang gas fields. With six development wells planned, the project is scheduled to reach a peak production of around 35 million cubic feet per day of natural gas by next year. By using existing facilities to connect the Dongfang 1-1 and Dongfang 13-2 gas fields, CNOOC has created an integrated offshore gas production network in the Yinggehai Basin. This network is set to ensure a consistent supply of natural gas across the area, thereby underpinning the economic and societal growth of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Hainan. CNOOC has full ownership of the project and serves as the operator. The company initiated production at the Dongfang 29-1 gas field development project in the South China Sea in January of this year, aiming to enhance China's energy supply. This field, also situated in the Yinggehai basin, is at an average water depth of 68m and is wholly owned and operated by CNOOC. Earlier this month, the company began production at phase one of the Kenli 10-2 Oilfields Development Project, a significant achievement for China's largest shallow lithological oilfield offshore. Additionally, CNOOC uncovered oil and gas reserves in metamorphic buried hills off the coast of China for the first time. "CNOOC commences production at Dongfang 1-1 gas field" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Malay Mail
a day ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's Navy executes landmark missile and torpedo firings, strengthens defence posture in South China Sea, says defence minister
KOTA KINABALU, July 29 — The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) today conducted the firing of several Exocet missiles and a Black Shark torpedo in TAMING SARI 23/25 exercise in the South China Sea to raise the country's maritime defence readiness. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the exercise involved the firing of Exocet MM40 missiles by KD Lekiu and KD Lekir, as well as the firing of Exocet SM39 missiles in coordination from the submarine KD Tunku Abdul Rahman. He said the exercise also made history as it involved submarine KD Tun Razak firing a Black Shark torpedo in a war configuration for the first time. 'For the Exocet missile, the firing was carried out at a distance of more than 30 kilometres while for the Black Shark torpedo, it was at a distance of less than 10 kilometres. The exercise is necessary for us to improve the readiness and capabilities of our armed forces. 'It aims to ensure that at all times, in any situation, our armed forces are always competent in defending the country,' he said at a press conference after witnessing the exercise here today. Also present were Ministry of Defence secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain, Chief of Staff of the Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters Left Gen Datuk Azhan Md Othman and other RMN senior officers. Exercise TAMING SARI 23/25 was completed together with Exercise KERISMAS 28/25 starting from July 8 to 31 from Lumut Royal Malaysian Navy Base and ending at the Kota Kinabalu Royal Malaysian Navy Base. It covers the Malaysian maritime zone in the South China Sea by focusing on the ability to operate in various maritime domains as well as the interoperability capabilities between the units involved. Mohamed Khaled said the exercise involved 15 ships and two submarines from RMN, supported by assets from the Army, Royal Malaysian Air Force, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). He said the exercise also aimed to assess the current status of the country's defence assets, especially from RMN, as some of them were old, but were still at an optimal level to achieve the national defence objectives. 'So far, all assets are functioning well but this does not mean that we do not have long-term plans. We are aware of the condition of the aged assets. All our services are undergoing a modernisation process under the future force policy.' 'We need to understand the importance of readiness. Our defence doctrine is not to attack other countries but to develop the ability to defend the country. National defence does not only depend on the ownership of assets but also on the ability of our personnel to carry out their responsibilities,' he explained. — Bernama
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Hotel Has Been Voted Among the Best in Singapore for 5 Years in a Row
Capella Singapore has been named among the best hotels in Singapore for the last five years, according to T+L's World's Best Awards survey. The spacious guest rooms, complete with private balconies and Aesop bath products, offer views of either the South China Sea or the hotel's lush gardens. The dining options include traditional Cantonese and Italian cuisine, along with a casual happy-hour-style offering. Guests can choose between three different pools, along with access to the sandy Palawan Beach. While the hotel is the epitome of tranquility, it is a short drive from downtown Singapore and Changi Airport. As a New Yorker, getting 'outside the city' usually means navigating multiple types of transportation, lugging a suitcase up and down subway stairs, and experiencing some of the stress I'm trying to escape from in the first place. So when I found out I could get all the rest and relaxation I needed just 15 minutes outside Singapore's city center, my stay at Capella Singapore was already paradise found. As a first timer in Singapore, I started my visit by taking in the sights of the city, with the Marina Bay area as my home base. But by the time I headed to Capella Singapore, which T+L readers have named among the best hotels in Singapore for five years in a row, I was ready for some peace and quiet. Capella Singapore is the flagship stay of Capella Hotels and Resorts, which recently expanded its portfolio with outposts in Taipei and Osaka. The interior of the hotels lobby. The resort is located on Sentosa Island, a destination with resorts, retailers, restaurants, and even a Universal Studios theme park. But while tourists and locals may find modern attractions on the island, the grounds of Capella are steeped in history as it was a base and living quarters for British Royal Artillery officers in the 1880s. Sprinkled with touches of colonial architecture, the hotel's nod to its historic roots is evident throughout. Capella Singapore. Fittingly, sentosa means 'peace' and 'tranquility' in Malay, and that's exactly what I found here. Below, my hotel review of Capella Singapore. Upon walking into my Premiere Seaview room, I instantly felt a sense of calm wash over me after days of the hustle and bustle on the mainland. With a direct view of the South China Sea from the bed, along with its neutral aesthetic, the space proved a much-needed oasis of tranquility. All guest rooms in the hotel have either a balcony or a terrace, and I could see mine from the massive tub and shower area, stocked with Aesop toiletries. The dual sink and closet make the room ideal for a couple, but I can't say I minded having this large, relaxing space to myself. Accommodations also feature a fully stocked mini bar, a coffee machine, a desk, and a couch for extra seating. As for in-room tech, the television had Chromecast connectivity, making it easy to keep up with the Netflix series I started on the plane. Additionally, guests can choose from 40 Garden and four Constellation rooms, with the latter featuring rooftop Jacuzzis. The standalone Capella Manor and two Colonial Manors were recently renovated and offer utmost privacy on the outskirts of the 30-acre resort. On-site dining options include three restaurants, a cocktail bar, lounge space, and 24-hour room service. I visited two of the restaurants during my stay and also indulged in in-room dining. (Because once in a while, dinner in a bathrobe is the perfect way to end a day.) Upon arrival, I headed to Cassia, a beautiful, contemporary Cantonese outlet, where I was served bites from chef Alan Chan's dim sum selection and a delicious soup. Cassia also offers two prix-fixe tasting menus. I also stopped by Bob's Bar, a covered outdoor lounge space overlooking one of the pools. Starting with a selection of snacks, including chips and a crunchy pretzel mix, I moved on to wok-fried beef cubes with onions, peppers, and pepper sauce over steamed rice. The menu boasts a vast selection of options, such as a wagyu burger, butter chicken masala, and a variety of pasta dishes. While I dug into dinner, I was joined by one of the hotel's famed peacocks that are known to roam the grounds. One of the hotel's famed peacocks that are known to roam the grounds. Christine Burroni/Travel + Leisure Though I didn't dine at Fiamma, the Italian restaurant, I peeked inside on the weekend and saw the space buzzing with guests enjoying its signature Champagne Brunch. The hotel also hosts afternoon tea with cakes and small bites in the elegant Living Room, housed in a colonial bungalow dating back to the 1880s. And for guests looking to imbibe in a sleek, vibey space, The Pineapple Room is the perfect setting. It's an elevated haunt, serving inventive cocktails, a vast wine selection, and bar fare, including truffle fries and chicken satay. The scenic cascading pools. Christine Burroni/Travel + Leisure While rest and relaxation are encouraged, there's no shortage of things to do for all ages. For starters, there are three pools—an adults-only, a kids', and a lap pool—as well as direct access to Palawan Beach. For a wellness-minded experience, head to the hotel's 24-hour gym or sign up for a yoga class on Sundays. Capella Singapore also hosts a bath bomb-making workshop four times a week, allowing guests to create something they can use the next time they take a soak in their room's tub. Peranakan tile-painting and charm-making classes are a fun, hands-on way to experience Singaporean culture. The hotel also hosts pop-up craft workshops throughout the year, including jewelry-making and leatherwork. I also went on a guided heritage and art tour around the hotel, during which I learned about its history as a former barracks in colonial times. The Capella Curates program offers handpicked experiences that give guests a glimpse into Singaporean traditions and history. I booked the "A Walk on the Art Side' immersive tour, led by Everyday Tour Company, which showcased Singapore's impressive murals and local enclaves, including Little India, where we stopped for dosa, temple visits, and even a henna tattoo. In Chinatown, we visited more temples and popped into the Anthony Bourdain-approved Maxwell Hawker Centre food hall for chicken and rice. The hotel also offers transportation to the island's dining and shopping area, VivoCity, and the Universal Studios theme park. Singapore's downtown area is a 15-minute taxi ride away. (Grab, Singapore's equivalent of Uber, is also available). Capella Singapore's Auriga Spa is the epitome of serenity. My entire experience there—from entering the beautiful and calming space to my perfectly curated massage and lounging in the spa's relaxation room—completely erased any lingering discomfort from my 19-hour flight and busy days as a tourist. The spa offers a variety of treatments, including body wraps, facials, rituals such as sound therapy, and also boasts facilities like vitality pools and an herbal steam room. Capella Singapore caters to families with numerous on-site activities and features, including a designated kids' pool and walking access to the sandy Palawan Beach. Kid-friendly menus are offered in restaurants, and families can book a variety of multi-room accommodations. For indoor fun, the Living Room is a great spot for games and reading. The hotel also hosts kid-friendly cooking classes and scavenger hunts. Capella Singapore has been awarded a certification from sustainability group Earthcheck. To maintain its designation, the hotel has swapped plastic water bottles for glass, started collecting rainwater for its lush landscaping, and uses solar panels. The hotel is wheelchair accessible, with elevators and ramps, and also offers select wheelchair-friendly rooms. Although Capella Singapore may seem isolated—in the best way—it's close to VivoCity, a hub for tourist-friendly activities, such as shopping and dining. There, visitors can find everything from brand-name clothing stores to a variety of eateries, as well as Resorts World Sentosa, home to Universal Studios Singapore, the Singapore Oceanarium, Dolphin Island, and Adventure Cove Waterpark. (The hotel offers shuttle service to both VivoCity and Resorts World Sentosa.) Capella Singapore is less than 30 minutes away from Changi Airport (SIN). Capella Hotels and Resorts has a loyalty program, Capella Discover, which allows guests to earn Discover Dollars during their stays at the brand's hotels and then redeem them for dining, spa treatments, and more. Capella Singapore is part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, offering cardholders a $100 resort credit, room upgrades, and daily breakfast for two. Before booking, consult the hotel's Offers page for the latest discounts and packages. Nightly rates at Capella Singapore start at $630. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Marcos says stronger alliances make Philippines safer amid China tensions, pledges reforms at home
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his annual state of the nation speech Monday that the country has become more confident and better prepared to defend its sovereignty, citing strengthened security alliances amid rising tensions with China in the disputed South China Sea. In a nationally televised speech before Congress, top government and military officials and diplomats, Marcos said the newly forged alliances would help the Philippines at a time of 'grave need.' Addressing domestic problems, he acknowledged growing public frustration, citing the midterm elections in May — where only half of his senatorial slate prevailed — as a sign of discontent over basic government services. He renewed a call for national unity and pledged that the government would be more responsive to the country's many problems, including crushing poverty, inadequate infrastructure and corruption. Marcos orders probe into flood-control projects after storms Marcos vowed to expose and prosecute corruption in flood-control projects, as the Philippines reels from days of deadly flooding and landslides that have killed over 30 people and displaced more than 200,000. He pledged to publicize a list of all the flood-control projects in the last three years under his presidency to allow the public to scrutinize it. Those found guilty of corruption would be prosecuted, Marcos said to applause. 'Let's stop pretending. The public knows that these projects are hounded by anomalies,' Marcos said. 'To those who conspired to steal public funds and rob the future of our people, you should be ashamed.' The pledge comes after more than a week of massive flooding and landslides triggered by storms and seasonal monsoon rains battered the northern region of Luzon, including the capital Manila. The flooding left more than 30 people dead and affected more than 6 million people in all, according to the country's disaster response agency. More than 200,000 people remain displaced, including 122,000 still in emergency shelters. Disputes with China Since he took office in mid-2022, Marcos has struggled to deal with his country's escalating disputes with Beijing in the contested South China Sea and his stormy relations with Vice President Sara Duterte, who was impeached in February by the House of Representatives, which is dominated by Marcos' allies. 'In the face of new threats to our peace and sovereignty, our preparations, surveillance and defense of ourselves have been intensified,' Marcos said without mentioning China by name. He underscored that the Philippines would remain 'restrained and patient.' Under Marcos, the Philippines has deepened its ties with the United States and broadened security agreements with Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France and other Western governments. That stance has strained relations with a militarily superior China. 'Our confidence is higher because we have more allies, which would support us in the time of grave need,' he said. Territorial disputes involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan in the disputed waters, a busy global trade route, is an Asian flashpoint and a delicate fault line in the regional rivalry between the United States and China. Washington lays no claim in the disputed waterway but has repeatedly warned that it it's obligated to defend the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Marcos in the White House for talks on tariffs, trade and further boosting their countries' treaty alliance. China has warned the U.S. not to meddle in what it calls a purely Asian dispute. Also Monday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the Marcos administration would continue to shift the military's role from battling a weakening communist insurgency to focusing on external defense. 'We would be unyielding and resistant to Chinese aggression in the West Philippines Sea,' Teodoro said in an interview with the ABS-CBN TV network, using the Philippine name for the stretch of disputed waters off the western Philippine coast. 'We've been gearing up towards that mission.'
France 24
2 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Philippine flooding centre stage at Marcos state of nation speech
Addressing a joint session of Congress after days of rain that left at least 31 dead, Marcos repeated his recent warning that the nation faced a climate change-driven "new normal", while pledging to investigate publicly funded projects that had failed. "Let's not pretend, the people know that these projects can breed corruption. Kickbacks... for the boys," he said, citing houses that were "swept away" by the floods. "Someone has to pay for the grave damage and corruption," he said, adding he would demand a full list of failed flood control projects and make it public. After months dominated by a feud with his vice president that left many voters disillusioned, Marcos's speech leaned heavily into bread-and-butter concerns. "The people feel a sense of defeat and dismay at the government, especially when it concerns basic services," he said, referencing disappointing mid-term election results in May. "The lesson for us is very simple. We need to do better. We need to work faster." Marcos spent much of his 70-minute speech unveiling promises for the second half of his six-year term -- from 40,000 more classrooms to new power plants and free dialysis treatments -- though he offered little by way of detail. Notably absent was any explicit mention of the rising tensions with China over disputed areas of the South China Sea that figured heavily into last year's address. After 12 months marked by violent clashes at sea and an increasingly close military relationship with the United States, Marcos said only that the country faced "new threats" to its sovereignty while adding "more allies who can help us in our time of need". No shows Numerous high-profile allies of Vice President Sara Duterte, whose would-be impeachment trial was scrapped by the Supreme Court on Friday, skipped Monday's address, including the president's senator sister Imee Marcos. The feud between the Marcos and Duterte political dynasties loomed large over the May mid-terms that saw the vice president's camp outperform expectations. The duo swept to power in 2022 in an alliance that began crumbling almost immediately. Their feud exploded into open warfare this year with her impeachment and the subsequent arrest and transfer of her father, ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, to face charges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague over his deadly drug war. The timelines of those two events coincided with a sharp dip in the president's polling numbers. Marcos had publicly stated that he was against the impeachment while consistently maintaining he was powerless to intervene. 'New normal' Last week, the Philippine president for the first time blamed climate change for storms which are hitting the country harder and more frequently, saying Filipinos would need to learn how to adapt. "This is not an extraordinary situation anymore... This will be our lives no matter what we do," he told a cabinet briefing, adding the country should plan for the long-term in addressing natural disasters. "This is the way it's going to be as far as we know for... many decades to come, so let's just prepare," he said. Michael Henry Yusingco, a senior research fellow at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government, on Monday praised Marcos's pledge to tackle corruption around flood control projects but warned that follow-through would be everything.
