South China Sea Archives - The Online Citizen

Philippines ex-foreign minister who stood up to China dies at 83

Former Philippine foreign minister Albert del Rosario, known for standing up to Beijing in the South China Sea, has passed away at the age of 83. Del Rosario served under Philippine President Benigno Aquino from 2011 to 2016 and was a fierce critic of China. He was behind two prominent legal cases against Beijing, including a 2013 case at an international tribunal that struck down China’s claims to most of the South China Sea.

The Online Citizen
18 April 2023

China warns Philippine-US base deal ‘endangering regional peace’

China accused the US of endangering regional peace after it signed a deal with the Philippines allowing US troops to use four additional bases in the country, including one near the disputed South China Sea and another near Taiwan. The deal allows US forces to access a total of nine Philippine bases, in addition to storing defence equipment and supplies. The US-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement aims to counter China’s increasing assertiveness over Taiwan and bases in the South China Sea.

The Online Citizen
4 April 2023

Malaysia ready to negotiate with China on South China Sea: PM

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the country was willing to negotiate with Beijing over the South China Sea dispute to protect its energy exploration projects. China claims sovereignty over most of the area, but several countries, including Malaysia, have overlapping claims. The dispute has led to tensions, with China building artificial islands and being accused of harassing fishing boats in the region. In 2021, Malaysia protested after Chinese vessels entered its maritime economic zone, and it also scrambled fighter jets to intercept Chinese military aircraft in the area.

The Online Citizen
3 April 2023

Chinese military says ‘warned’ US warship to leave South China Sea

China’s military tracked and warned a US warship to leave waters claimed by Beijing in the South China Sea, despite overlapping claims by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. The US sends naval vessels through the region to assert freedom of navigation in international waters, while China has built artificial islands with military facilities and runways.