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| The Kalayaan, Panatag & other disputed islands; Future conflict zones? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 2 2005, 08:00 PM (155,986 Views) | |
| Ayoshi | Apr 3 2012, 10:39 PM Post #1381 |
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Aquino calls for common ASEAN stand on South China Sea ![]() Phnom Penh - ASEAN should forge a common position on a proposed code of conduct aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea before talking with China, Philippine President Benigno Aquino said Tuesday. Aquino told fellow leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that the fundamentals of the proposed code should be "internal" to the regional block's members, according to a statement by the Philippine foreign ministry. "It is important that we maintain ASEAN centrality," Aquino said at the annual ASEAN summit in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. "After the CoC (code of conduct) has been finalised by ASEAN, then ASEAN member states will meet with China." Philippine ambassador to ASEAN Wilfrido Villacorta told reporters Tuesday that China has said it wanted to be involved in the preparation and the drafting of the proposed code from the beginning. Villacorta however noted that ASEAN had always taken the "driver's seat" in its dealings with dialogue partners like China, Japan and South Korea on any issue. "That means we set the agenda, we set the direction," he added. Officials have said that not all ASEAN members support the Philippine position. During Indonesia's chairmanship of the regional bloc least year, ASEAN and China agreed on a set of guidelines for the proposed code, ending a nine-year impasse. The code is envisioned to be a legally binding document aimed at preventing small incidents in the South China Sea from escalating into bigger conflicts that could draw in major world powers like the United States. ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam along with non-members China and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than one-third of the world's seaborne trade and half its traffic in oil and gas. The Philippines and Vietnam accuse China of aggressively asserting its claims in recent years. The United States meanwhile asserts a "national interest" in keeping the sea's shipping lanes free and open. SOURCE |
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| Parastriker | Apr 3 2012, 10:43 PM Post #1382 |
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We have the power to hurt the Chinese diplomatically, I just hope that we could also deal with them militarily. |
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Success through information, victory through disinformation. "Good leaders make efficient followers. Great leaders make good followers. But true leaders make leaders out of mere followers." "Measuring the intelligence of a common internet user is as easy as looking at his/her grammar." | |
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| spraret | Apr 4 2012, 09:53 AM Post #1383 |
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PDFF Admin Support
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ASEAN to draft rules of engagement with China
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04...with-china.html |
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| Parastriker | Apr 4 2012, 11:02 AM Post #1384 |
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Sir, does anybody know when the codes of conduct are to be released? Knowing the Chinese, they wouldn't acknowledge such a thing. |
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Success through information, victory through disinformation. "Good leaders make efficient followers. Great leaders make good followers. But true leaders make leaders out of mere followers." "Measuring the intelligence of a common internet user is as easy as looking at his/her grammar." | |
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| astro_boy2005 | Apr 4 2012, 02:02 PM Post #1385 |
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Defense chief hits China over Spratly dispute By Dona Z. Pazzibugan Philippine Daily Inquirer 6:30 pm | Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012 share248 244 MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said China was singling out the Philippines because it has the weakest defense capability among the six nations that have laid claim to the oil-rich Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). In a news forum with defense reporters Tuesday, Gazmin was asked why China would protest every move made by the Philippines on its claimed territory when it does not do the same against the likes of Vietnam and Malaysia which have also built on occupied islands. “Maybe we’re their favorite,” Gazmin said. “They see that in the region in terms of the capability of the armed forces, we are the weakest. You look at Malaysia, they have a strong armed forces. Vietnam has a strong armed forces. Brunei also has a strong armed forces. “We are below par. So of course if you are going to bully, you would look for the weakest. You do not get someone who is your equal.” The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam claim portions of the Spratlys, which China claims entirely. China’s latest protest had to do with the Philippines’ reported plan to construct a beaching ramp on Pag-asa Island, the biggest of the Philippine-occupied islands in the Spratlys collectively referred to as the Kalayaan group of islands. Kalayaan is considered a municipality of Palawan province. “Pag-asa is ours. We have a mayor there, we have a Philippine flag. Why do we need to ask permission from whichever country if we have to do repairs,” Gazmin asked. “If you do that, it means you doubt whether it’s yours. But that is ours. We don’t have to ask permission from anyone.” Gazmin said the beaching ramp and other developmental projects planned on Pag-asa could not be interpreted as military construction. “Those are not for the military. That is for commercial and tourist purposes, for our economic growth. It is not a military base although we do have a military post there. But that is not what we will expand,” he said. He said they are concentrating on constructing a beaching ramp for now to help the island’s residents. He said it would cost about P300 million. “We will just have to pool our resources together to be able to realize its completion,” Gazmin said. He said after the completing the beaching ramp, they will think of how to further develop the island, saying he was misquoted in having said that they plan to develop Pag-asa Island as a tourist spot. “We will first discuss where we’re headed,” Gazmin said, adding the island offers many opportunities once the beaching ramp is constructed and the runway repaired. He said while other nations have developed their claimed islands into tourist spots, Pag-asa could also be a regular source of fisheries and aquatic resources. Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Biton-onon has said the ramp would be constructed by the Philippine Ports Authority with the help of the Philippine Navy to help their community. He said the beaching ramp will allow “ro-ro” (roll-on roll-off) ships to beach and unload their cargo directly on the island’s shore. Currently, people and supplies brought in by ships have to be transferred to small boats and the residents then haul in the supplies by wading in the water. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/31605/def...spratly-dispute |
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| Mckoyzzz | Apr 4 2012, 02:05 PM Post #1386 |
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Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est
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Asean open to united approach to Spratlys By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated April 04, 2012 12:00 AM PHNOM PENH – Leaders of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reached an informal consensus to go along with the Philippines’ proposal for a multilateral approach in dealing with China on the maritime dispute over the Spratly Islands, two Philippine officials said here yesterday. “It was articulated by the President (Aquino) in the summit – that ASEAN must maintain its centrality on any issue (involving the South China Sea),” Philippine Permanent Representative to the ASEAN Wilfrido Villacorta said, referring to the plenary session. “I can say in general that there was no strong opposition to that. At most they just kept quiet. Remember, you are talking here about 10 member states with different forms of government,” he told Manila-based reporters in a briefing at Sunway Hotel. Secretary Edwin Lacierda, spokesman for President Aquino, downplayed speculations Beijing might retaliate on certain fronts, such as the economy, by cutting or reducing trade agreements with Manila. “We don’t believe it will have an effect. This is just a continuation of what the President has always said about the West Philippine Sea. China knows it,” he said. Lacierda was with Aquino when he was invited for a state visit in Beijing last August. Villacorta agreed. “I’m sure China will understand. It’s not hostility. China is also reasonable with regard to negotiations procedure. We have this territorial claim, but we are not an unfriendly country.” “If only for this morning’s session, the Philippines scored points. You should be proud as Filipinos,” said the diplomat, who begged off from revealing what countries supported the Philippines’ line of multilateral, rather than bilateral, approach. China wants bilateral approach in dealing with the issue. Aquino, according to the ASEAN envoy, was emphatic about the Code of Conduct that members of the regional bloc must draft, and he won the support of his colleagues, most particularly the four main Spratlys claimants – Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. Read the full article... |
![]() "Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong -- Dandemis" | |
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| Mckoyzzz | Apr 4 2012, 02:06 PM Post #1387 |
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Ipsa Scientia Potestas Est
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China to abide by Asean action By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated April 04, 2012 12:00 AM PHNOM PENH – Beijing has promised to “abide” by the collective action of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with regard to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) that it signed here in Cambodia 10 years ago. China gave the assurance in a joint statement it issued along with the Kingdom of Cambodia during Monday’s 20th ASEAN Summit here, where it also expressed support for the creation of a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation (ZoPFFC). “China and ASEAN countries shall work hard to serve practical cooperation, maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and make it a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation for China and ASEAN countries,” the two countries declared. Both parties also agreed that China and ASEAN countries “shall continue to abide by the purpose and spirit of the DOC.” Beijing and Phnom Penh likewise vowed to “give full play to all existing mechanisms, including the guidelines for the implementation of the DOC, facilitate its full implementation, and ensure the success of the workshop on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the declaration.” China to abide by Asean action By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated April 04, 2012 12:00 AM Comments (0) PHNOM PENH – Beijing has promised to “abide” by the collective action of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with regard to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) that it signed here in Cambodia 10 years ago. China gave the assurance in a joint statement it issued along with the Kingdom of Cambodia during Monday’s 20th ASEAN Summit here, where it also expressed support for the creation of a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation (ZoPFFC). “China and ASEAN countries shall work hard to serve practical cooperation, maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and make it a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation for China and ASEAN countries,” the two countries declared. Both parties also agreed that China and ASEAN countries “shall continue to abide by the purpose and spirit of the DOC.” Beijing and Phnom Penh likewise vowed to “give full play to all existing mechanisms, including the guidelines for the implementation of the DOC, facilitate its full implementation, and ensure the success of the workshop on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the declaration.” Link |
![]() "Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong -- Dandemis" | |
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| matrix | Apr 4 2012, 02:41 PM Post #1388 |
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Reports: US, Philippines building new naval base in Spratlys By Carlo Munoz - 04/03/12 01:29 PM ET A new seaport being built by the Philippine government in the Spratly islands could become the Pentagon's military outpost in the hotly contested South China Sea, according to news reports. Manila is looking to rebuild the seaport and adjoining runway on Pagasa Island, which part of the chain of islands off the coast of the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam. The Philippine government claims the effort is strictly designed to support commercial business and tourism to the island. However local residents say the construction is the first step in creating a mini-naval base for U.S. and Philippine troops. "It is near the Spratlys and U.S. can always check China’s aggressive campaign claim over Spratlys and maintain its military interest in the Asian region ... these advantages are non-negotiable," Salvador France, head of Pamalakaya, a local advocacy group in the region, told The Philippine Star on Monday. The installation could also be used as a jumping-off point for counterterrorism operations in the Palawan region of the southern Philippines. The area is home to the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic terror groups with ties to al Qaeda. A U.S. special operations task force has been stationed in the region since 2001, supporting Philippine forces in their ongoing campaign against Abu Sayyaf and other Muslim extremist groups in the region. American and Filipino forces are scheduled to begin military exercises in Palawan next month. France also asserts the new facility on Pagasa Island will be the new home for thousands of U.S. Marines scheduled to leave Okinawa within the next two years. DOD has planned to move the Marines to its installations in Guam, however the Pentagon is still reviewing plans for the move. Congress blocked a request for additional funding to build up based in Guam in the fiscal 2012 defense bill, until DOD provides a road map on how the move will take place. But that perceived foot-dragging by the department has drawn the ire of top congressional lawmakers in recent weeks. "We acted, as is our responsibility, because of our intense frustration about the lack of progress on this issue," Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told Navy and Marine Corps leaders. The review, which Congress requested to be complete by the end of March, has yet to be completed, McCain pointed out during a March 15 hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I'm not going to let you continue to slow walk us on this issue," he warned. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus told committee members that an private firm has been selected to conduct the assessment, but that company had not been put under official contract with DOD at the time. However Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos told the committee the services and DOD were confident the assessment is on track. "Both our government and the government of Japan at the very highest levels are still working through some of the issues, [but] I am comfortable" with future plans for Okinawa and Guam, he said. The Spratly Islands and the surrounding South China Sea have been an area of contention among China and its neighbors in the Pacific. The Pacific region is the focus of the Pentagon's new national security strategy unveiled in February. Beijing claims the islands and surrounding waters as sovereign territory of China. Other nations, including the Philippines, have made similar claims. Commercial vessels from those neighboring countries have complained of being harassed by Chinese naval ships patrolling those waters in recent years, further inflaming tensions. Pacific Command sent a Navy destroyer to the South China Sea last June as a check against China's aggressiveness in the region. Statements coming from Manila in recent days have only added to that tension. Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmi told reporters on Tuesday that "there were many opportunities" for the Philippine government once the runway and seaport on Pagasa Island are complete. However, he reiterated the facility would not be used for military purposes. http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/army/...se-in-spratlys- |
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| spearhead | Apr 4 2012, 08:03 PM Post #1389 |
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DoctorNO, Your Neutral Observer.
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^^A joint US-RP military base would do us more advantages than the negative impact to our nation as long as they will help clean all the toxic wastes they'll be throwing up. Therefore, just ignore the Leftists oh my dear country. Even if the philippines would finally learn how to stand up on their own feet and be fully independent from their US military advisers, the american presence will always be there because we're all partners in asia pacific against terrorrism with other common enemies. And there's nothing they can do about it. We will all fight the leftists as we always do. Their happy days are over! Together with Australia and SK, our alliance has been forged decades ago with the US. With Japan and Singapore joining in, and perhaps invite Canada in the near future then it will only make our party merrier. So deal with it losers!
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"Men of War must learn the art of numbers or he will not know how to array his troops." - Plato![]() ![]() | |
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| shoot_to_kill | Apr 4 2012, 10:11 PM Post #1390 |
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true but the people in our country is still ignorant same goes with the congress(both upper and lower) mga mukha silang pera kayang kaya silang bilhin ng mga intsik |
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