Recent Developments in the Philippine Baselines Law, by Raul C. Pangalangan

The Philippines recently passed a 2009 Baselines Law that, it was hoped, would finally confront its long-standing dilemma on whether to abandon its 1898 “treaty lines” altogether and adopt the modern rules on the Law of the Sea. That hope did not come to pass.

15/02/2012

Can a limited purpose maritime and air defence identification zone be established over the South China Sea?, by Mary George

To stimulate South China Sea regional security cooperation in the control of piratical attacks against ships, this paper proposes the establishment of a limited purpose maritime and air defence identification zone over the South China Sea.

15/02/2012

Vietnam, China boost diplomatic exchanges

Vietnam and China have agreed to promote high-level diplomatic exchanges with the aim of strengthening the ties of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. FM Minh held talks with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing on Feb. 12.

16/02/2012

Ten sea reserves to be established by 2015

Ten sea reserves and 19 inland waters reserves will have been established and put into use by 2015, according to a national program on protecting and developing seafood resources till 2020.

16/02/2012

Weekly News 20/2-26/2

-(Inquirer 20/1)The US base in the Philippines: The United States already has a base here: the entire country -(Philstar 20/1)US formally offers 2nd warship to AFP That is expected to boost the country’s territorial defense capability -(Eastasiaforum 19/2) America and China: strategic choices in the Asian Century

20/02/2012

Weekly News 20/2-26/2

-(Wsj 23/2) Washington and Hanoi Approach Cautiously: Given the challenges it faces, America would welcome another willing partner in an increasingly tense region -(The-diplomat 23/2) India’s “Look East” Power Play In recent months New Delhi has been making impressive strides in strengthening its defense ties in Southeast Asia

20/02/2012

Weekly News 27/2-4/3

-(Inquirer 27/2) DFA: No to joint development with China The joint development of areas in the South China Sea that “are clearly ours is not a viable solution” to our problem with China, according to Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario -(Msn 27/2) China denies firing at Vietnamese fishing vessel Saying that the media reports in this regard were untrue

27/02/2012

Weekly News 27/2-4/3

-(Atimes 3/3) Rising tide of conflict in South China Sea Sovereignty over the Spratly and Paracel Islands in the South China Sea is continually cited as one of the most important security issues for the 21st century -(Atimes 2/3) Philippines builds anti-China muscle Future procurements are expected to boost the Philippines' ability to project power in relation to its territorial dispute with China...

27/02/2012

Weekly News 5/3-11/3

-(Economist 9/3) Having it both ways: If China follows UNCLOS in this area of the sea, can it ignore it in areas where it has no such claim, just its nine-dashed assertive line? -(WP 8/3) China testing cyber-attack capabilities, report says: For a decade or more, Chinese military officials have talked about conducting warfare in cyberspace, but in recent years they have progressed to testing attack...

06/03/2012

US. Embassy in Manila: Philippine compromise on Spratlys draws PRC ire

The Philippine Senate and House recently agreed to exclude the disputed Spratly Islands from the country's baselines, defining them instead under the terms of the UN Convention on Law of the Sea as a "regime of islands" -- although still subject to Philippine claims.

10/03/2012