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⚖️Marcos may discuss West Philippine Sea in Singapore.

⚖️Marcos may discuss West Philippine Sea in Singapore.

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South China Sea: Why are tensions between China and the Philippines rising?

👉 The strategic South China Sea is a flashpoint due to a growing diplomatic dispute and maritime incidents between China and the Philippines.

Hi there - It’s Jaime

Today’s issue takes 6 minutes to read.

Marcos may discuss West Philippine Sea in Singapore.
Philippines and Japan Nearing Defense Training Agreement
China's New Coast Guard Regulations: A Cause for Concern in the South China Sea

Let’s get into it.

From Warfighters to Peacemakers: Marcos' Message to Troops

The Joint Task Force (JTF) Tawi-Tawi was praised by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday for assisting the government in achieving peace in Mindanao, which has improved travel and economic activity in the area. Speaking in front of 2nd Marine Brigade and JTF Tawi-Tawi soldiers in Bongao town, President Marcos stated that the current peace in the area, which his predecessors did not enjoy during their tenure, allowed him to visit Mindanao.

Philippines and Japan Nearing Defense Training Agreement

During a meeting between the foreign and defence ministers of the two countries in July, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated on Thursday that there is a "very strong possibility" that his nation and Japan will sign an agreement allowing their defence forces to train in each other's territories.Teodoro said that there were no more difficult issues to resolve in the reciprocal access agreement negotiations, in an interview with Kyodo News. Following an agreement made earlier in the month by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to start talks aimed at strengthening security ties, these negotiations got underway in late November.

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INFOGRAPHIC: CHINESE PROVOCATIONS IN THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Video courtesy by Philippine Senate

Philippine Navy Official Denies Alleged Deal with Beijing

A top Philippine navy official denied striking a deal with Beijing to reduce tensions in the South China Sea and charged on Wednesday that the Chinese embassy in Manila had recorded a phone conversation without getting his permission.

When Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos was still the commander of the military post in charge of the South China Sea, he received a call in January from China's military attaché in Manila. However, he stated during a senate hearing that he refused to make any concessions to China.

Chinese proposal of a "new model" was accepted by Carlos, according to a transcript of an alleged phone conversation that was released on May 8 by the local newspaper The Manila Times.

China's New Coast Guard Regulations: A Cause for Concern in the South China Sea

China's regulations governing the Coast Guard's operations in the South China Sea are a source of international concern, according to Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who also described the regulations as provocative."It's not a trespass, is it? They made threats to take you into custody. During the Philippine Navy anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Manila, Teodoro gave an ambush interview to reporters, stating, "That is a provocation and a violation to me of the United Nations charter." During the ceremony, Teodoro referred to China's "threat" as "roguish" and "irresponsible."

China has released new regulations that would put into effect a 2021 law that specifically permits its Coast Guard to fire on foreign vessels. China, along with the Philippines and other claimant nations in the South China Sea, has maritime sovereignty disputes.

Marcos may discuss West Philippine Sea in Singapore.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may discuss West Philippine Sea issues in his IISS Shangri-La Dialogue speech in Singapore. At a Palace briefing on Friday, Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Asian Pacific Affairs Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau said the forum is a chance for the Philippines to provide accurate and fair information on “international strategic issues.”

“Our ties are multifaceted encompassing cooperation in defense and security, maritime, agriculture and trade, as well as people-to-people relations. The state visit is a signal of our vibrant relations as both countries conducted the joint commission for bilateral cooperation chaired by the DFA last year,” Mendiola-Rau said.

Nikkei Asia reported that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged ASEAN to strengthen its economy amid the Myanmar crisis and rising South China Sea tensions on Thursday.
The Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet Operational Deployment to the South China Sea involved the visits of the ships INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan to Manila, Philippines.
Carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in the Philippine Sea as China began a two-day military exercise around Taiwan on Thursday “to serve as a strong punishment for the separatist acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ forces.” On Wednesday, the U.S. and Royal Netherlands Navy conducted South China Sea bilateral operations.
Indonesia and China have "vigorously promoted" relations, but a prominent Chinese think tank has cautioned that future conflicts in the South China Sea may put these positive ties to the test.

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