Three Chinese navy ships have charted a course along Australia’s eastern coast in a move described as ‘unusual’ by the country’s defence minister. Australia and New Zealand are monitoring the “unusual” presence of a group of Chinese naval vessels spotted in international waters off the Australian eastern coast, defence ministers of the two countries said. … Read more
Beijing — China’s Foreign Ministry took issue Monday with a revised U.S. government fact sheet that removed a line on American opposition to independence for Taiwan. The United States “gravely backpedaled” on its position on Taiwan and sent the wrong message to “separatist forces” on the island, ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said. Taiwan and China split … Read more
The US Navy described its patrol as a ‘routine’ exercise through the international waterway. China’s military has accused the United States of engaging in risky behaviour in the Taiwan Strait after two US naval ships transited the international waterway. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it had monitored the movements of the USS Ralph … Read more
New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticised China’s ‘dangerous’ actions towards the Philippines in the South China Sea. New United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured Manila of Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to defending the Philippines in the face of Chinese provocation in the South China Sea, during his first call with Philippines Foreign … Read more
Philippines National Security Council spokesperson said Manila was surprised by China’s ‘increasing aggression’ in the maritime dispute. The Philippines has said China’s deployment of its largest coastguard vessel inside Manila’s exclusive maritime economic zone (EEZ) is alarming and clearly intended to intimidate fishermen operating around a shoal in the contested waters of the South China … Read more
A submarine drone suspected to be from China was recovered in waters off the central Philippines, police said on Thursday, warning of “potential national security implications.” Three fishermen found the drone on Monday around six miles off the coast of San Pascual in Masbate province, a police report said. The Philippines and China have for … Read more