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US, Japan, Philippines, rebuke China over South China Sea moves

Beijing has stepped up its activities in the strategic waterway in recent years, and tensions have risen…reports Asian Lite News

The leaders of Japan, the Philippines and the United States have voiced “serious concern” over China’s actions in the disputed South China Sea.

Beijing has stepped up its activities in the strategic waterway in recent years, and tensions have risen, particularly with the Philippines, one of several Southeast Asian countries that claim the parts of the sea around their coastlines.

Last month, Philippines’s President Ferdinand Marcos said Manila would take countermeasures against China after a confrontation off Second Thomas Shoal injured Filipino soldiers and damaged vessels.

“We express our serious concerns about the People’s Republic of China’s [PRC] dangerous and aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea,” the three leaders said in a joint statement at the end of a first-ever summit between the three countries, which took place in Washington, DC.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line, which was rejected by an international court in 2016.

As well as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam also claim parts of the sea.

The statement noted the “importance of respecting the sovereign rights of states within their exclusive economic zones [EEZ] consistent with international law, as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS]”.

It also reiterated the three states’ opposition to China’s “dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea”.

Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin in the Philippines, has been the site of multiple standoffs between Beijing and Manila in recent months, with China’s coastguard using water cannon against ships trying to resupply a contingent of Filipino sailors living on board the deliberately grounded Sierra Madre.

The shoal lies about 200 kilometres (124 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan, placing it within the Philippines’s EEZ, according to UNCLOS. It lies more than 1,000km (621 miles) from China’s southern Hainan island.

The US has a mutual defence treaty with the Philippines and has repeatedly made clear that it would protect its ally if its forces came under attack anywhere in the South China Sea.

Following a meeting with top diplomats on Friday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington’s commitment to that treaty was “ironclad”.

“We’re working in lockstep … to strengthen interoperability between our forces, to expand our operational coordination and to stand up to coercion in the South China Sea,” he said.

Meanwhile, Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo accused China of an “escalation of its harassment”.

He said he hoped the US meeting would help Washington and Manila better coordinate their diplomatic and defence responses.

“We are determined to assert our sovereign rights, especially within our economic — exclusive economic zone,” Manalo said.

Earlier on Friday, China summoned Japanese and Philippine diplomats in the country to express what it described as strong dissatisfaction over negative comments made during Thursday’s trilateral summit in the US.

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Beijing slams US-Japan-Philippines summit, defends SCS actions

China, which claims most of the South China Sea, rebuffed the trilateral summit, accusing the participating countries of manipulating bloc politics…reports Asian Lite News

Beijing responded critically on Friday to a trilateral meeting hosted by US President Joe Biden, which included Japan and the Philippines, addressing concerns over Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea. Biden’s pledge to defend the Philippines from any attack in the region sparked tension amid repeated confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels. The joint statement issued by the US, Japan, and the Philippines voiced serious concern over Beijing’s behavior, labeling it as dangerous and aggressive.

China, which claims most of the South China Sea, rebuffed the trilateral summit, accusing the participating countries of manipulating bloc politics and engaging in behavior detrimental to regional stability. Beijing emphasized its opposition to closed cliques excluding others in the region and criticized Japan and the Philippines for trilateral cooperation that allegedly undermines Chinese interests.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning defended China’s actions in the East and South China Seas as lawful and appropriate, dismissing criticisms as baseless attacks. Meanwhile, Biden assured Japan and the Philippines of the US’ ironclad defense commitments, emphasizing the importance of their alliance in maintaining peace and democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.

During the historic meeting, the leaders underscored their commitment to the rules-based international order, implicitly contrasting their alliance with China’s actions. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida highlighted the significance of multi-layered cooperation, emphasizing the meeting’s historical significance. Biden also held separate talks with Marcos, indicating a continued effort to strengthen ties between the US and its allies in the region.

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UAE organises iftar meals in Philippines

The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has intensified its Ramadan programmes at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Solo, Indonesia…reports Asian Lite News

The United Arab Emirates organised Iftar meals during the sacred Month of Ramadan in the Republic of the Philippines within the framework of the Ramadan Project (2024 AD – 1445 AH), and with the supervision of Mohammed Obaid Al Qattam, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines.

Thousands of meals supported by the Emirates Red Crescent were provided to beneficiaries in a number of Mosques and orphanages in the areas of Manila, Maharlika and Markina in the presence of a number of officials.

Mohammed Al Qattam said that this embodies the values of giving and humanity endorsed by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a pioneer of charitable and humanitarian work, stressing that the UAE stands with the Philippines and its friendly people.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Indonesia

The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has intensified its Ramadan programmes at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Solo, Indonesia.

Due to the increasing number of worshippers at the mosque in the last ten days of Ramadan, the ERC has increased the number of Iftar meals it provides daily to 12,000.

The meals are distributed inside the mosque and in the surrounding area.

This is an increase from the 10,000 meals that the ERC had been providing daily since the beginning of Ramadan, following the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC.

The ERC initiative reflects solidarity and cooperation, reinforcing the UAE’s humanitarian efforts during Ramadan.

ALSO READ-Philippines, US, Japan and Australia to hold joint drills in SCS

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Philippines, US, Japan and Australia to hold joint drills in SCS

Set to be held in the South China Sea, where Beijing asserts extensive territorial claims, the exercises signify a unified response to regional security challenges…reports Asian Lite News

The Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia, are all set to conduct joint naval drills, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen military alliances and counterbalance China’s expanding influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Set to be held in the South China Sea, where Beijing asserts extensive territorial claims, the exercises signify a unified response to regional security challenges.

This collaborative effort comes just ahead of the inaugural trilateral summit involving US President Joe Biden, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, demonstrating a collective commitment to addressing shared concerns.

The significance of these drills lies not only in their timing but also in their symbolism. They serve as a visible manifestation of the growing cooperation among these nations and their resolve to uphold maritime security and stability.

While tensions in the region have escalated due to China’s assertiveness, particularly in disputed waters claimed by the Philippines, Japan, and others, this joint military exercise sends a clear message of deterrence and unity.

The Philippines’ strategic location and its status as a key ally of the United States in the region make it a focal point for regional security efforts. The visit of the Australian warship HMAS Warramunga to Palawan earlier in the week underscores the importance of enhancing military relations with partner nations.

These engagements not only bolster defense capabilities but also signal a commitment to upholding international norms and the rule of law in the face of growing challenges.

Furthermore, ongoing discussions between the Philippines and Japan regarding a defense pact that would enable troop deployments on each other’s territory highlight the evolving nature of security cooperation in the region.

With existing defense agreements in place with Australia and the United States, Manila is seeking to broaden its network of security partnerships to address emerging threats effectively.

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US reaffirms support for Philippines’ sovereignty

Austin and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, the US Secretary reiterated the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty which binds both nations to support each other…reports Asian Lite News

Secretary of Defence Llyod Austin has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Manila in defending its sovereignty while criticising China’s “dangerous” water cannon attack at the Philippine supply mission vessel on Saturday.

In a telephonic conversation between Austin and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, the US Secretary reiterated the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty which binds both nations to support each other if a third party attacks either the Philippines or the United States.

“Secretary Austin reaffirmed the ironclad US commitment to the Philippines following the PRC Coast Guard and maritime militia’s dangerous obstruction of a lawful Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal on March 23. He emphasized US support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and reiterated that the US-Philippines Mutual Defence Treaty extends to both countries’ armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft–including those of its Coast Guard–anywhere in the Pacific, to include the South China Sea,” US Department of Defence said in a statement.

“The two officials discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows. They highlighted that the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Ruling is final and binding on the parties and called on the PRC to abide by its obligations under international law,” it said.

Both leaders also agreed to foster bilateral and multilateral cooperation with like-minded partners in the South China Sea and also underscored both countries vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The officials discussed historic momentum in US-Philippine defence ties and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Philippine alliance, which has upheld peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for over seventy years,” the release said.

“They agreed to bolster bilateral and multilateral cooperation with like-minded partners in the South China Sea and committed to accelerate a number of bilateral initiatives to enhance information-sharing, interoperability, and capability enhancements for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They also underscored both countries’ shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific grounded in transparency, the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” it added.

The conversation came after the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement said that Manila conveyed its “strong protest against the aggressive actions” undertaken by China’s Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militias against the Philippine mission near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

The department said it has also instructed its mission in Beijing to lodge a formal complaint over the incident.

The move comes a day after Philippines’ National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said the confrontation that injured three Filipino soldiers caused severe damage to the Unaizah May 4 vessel. (ANI)

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Philippines President Thanks Indian Navy for Rescue Efforts


The comments were conveyed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who visited the country this week to bolster bilateral ties and discuss shared regional concerns….reports Asian Lite News

Bongbong Marcos, President of the Philippines, lauded and thanked the Indian Navy and the government for their swift and decisive action in rescuing Filipino seafarers after they were attacked by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden this month.

The remarks were expressed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar who arrived in the country this week to strengthen bilateral relations and engage on regional issues of mutual concern.

“I express my profound gratitude to the Indian government for their swift and decisive action in rescuing Filipino seafarers involved in the MV True Confidence incident,” Marcos said in a Facebook Post.

“I look forward to further strengthening our bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of our nations,” Marcos added.

The Barbados-flagged bulk carrier MV True Confidence was attacked by Houthi rebels, approximately 55 nautical miles southwest of Aden on March 6, leading to a fire onboard in which the crew members sustained critical injuries.

Responding to the incident, INS Kolkata arrived at the scene and rescued 21 Filipino crew members from the life raft using its integral helicopter and boats, and provided critical medical aid to those injured.

The Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo, also spoke about the rescue of MV True Confidence by INS Kolkata during an interaction with EAM Jaishankar.

Manalo was also briefed about the Indian Navy’s deployments in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea to counter ongoing threats.

EAM Jaishankar has embarked on a three-nation tour to Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia, from March 23-27, to strengthen bilateral relations.

In June 2023, India and the Philippines co-chaired the fifth meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in New Delhi during which both sides acknowledged that they have a shared interest in a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

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India Backs Philippines, Strong Protest on South China Sea

S. Jaishankar extended his support to the nation, and called on all countries to uphold the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Tuesday that India firmly supports the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty after the latter lodged “strongest protest” against Chinese action in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippines summoned a Chinese diplomat on Monday, following a “water cannon assault” by the country’s coast guard that injured Filipino navymen and heavily damaged their boat last week.

Addressing a press briefing in the capital alongside Enrique Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, S. Jaishankar extended his support to the nation, and called on all countries to uphold the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“As a nation deeply invested in this region (The Philippines), because of its Act East policy and Indo Pacific…, India follows all developments with great interest. We are also convinced that the progress and prosperity of this region is best served by staunch adherence to the rules-based order,” he said.

Stating that all parties must adhere to UNCLOS 1982 in its entirety, both in letter and in spirit, he said: “I take this opportunity to firmly reiterate India’s support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty.”

There have been repeated confrontations between Manila and Beijing in recent months owing to their long history of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Following Manila’s protest, China described its actions as “lawful regulation, interception and expulsion” of a foreign vessel that “tried to forcefully intrude” into Chinese waters.

UNCLOS establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans.

India has been supporting freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded commerce based on the principles of international law, reflected notably in the UNCLOS 1982.

The two leaders discussed shared interest in ensuring maritime safety, given that the two nations contribute so much to the global shipping industry.

As two seafaring nations of the Indo-Pacific, the EAM said that bilateral maritime cooperation holds great potential as he highlighted that the two nations signed agreements on enhanced maritime cooperation last year.

He also briefed his Filipino counterpart about the Indian Navy’s deployments of the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea to counter ongoing threats.

The EAM emphasised that India’s partnership with the Philippines also has a larger context in terms of engagement with the ASEAN as the Southeast Asian nation will take over as New Delhi’s country coordinator later this year.

“We look forward to its steering India-ASEAN cooperation, especially in regard to reviewing the trade agreement, to building connectivity and to deepening people-to-people contacts.”

Further, the Minister stressed that as the world changes, it is essential for countries like India and the Philippines to cooperate more closely to shape the emerging order.

Keeping this in mind, the two nations discussed a range of global and regional issues, ranging from the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Indo-Pacific to Myanmar and Ukraine.

“These convergences based on expanding bilateral partnerships today drive the upward trajectory of our ties,” Dr Jaishankar said.

The Minister has embarked on a three-nation tour to Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia, from March 23 – 27, to strengthen bilateral relations.

In June 2023, EAM Jaishankar and Manalo co-chaired the fifth meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

The two leaders held wide-ranging and substantive discussions on regional and international issues of mutual concern, according to an MEA release.

Acknowledging that both countries have a shared interest in a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, the two nations underlined the need for peaceful settlement of disputes and adherence to international laws.

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EU, Philippines resume stalled trade negotiations

The EU has targeted agreements with southeast Asian countries and has accords with Singapore and Vietnam and is in negotiations with Indonesia and Thailand…reports Asian Lite News

The European Union and the Philippines said on Monday they would resume negotiations on a free trade agreement as the EU seeks to tap into Asia’s faster economic growth and gain access to critical raw materials.

Free trade negotiations stalled in 2017 over EU concerns about the human rights record of then Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte, who was succeeded in June 2022 by Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis said the bloc welcomed the “positive change of direction” taken by the Philippines’ new administration, while encouraging further progress on human and labor rights.

The European Union is the Philippines’ fourth largest trade partner. Trade in goods was worth 18.4 billion euros ($20 billion) in 2022 and 4.7 billion euros ($5.1 billion) in services in 2021. A trade deal could increase trade by 6 billion euros, Dombrovskis said.

The EU has targeted agreements with southeast Asian countries and has accords with Singapore and Vietnam and is in negotiations with Indonesia and Thailand.

The EU is eying Filipino raw materials such as nickel, copper and chromite that it needs for its green transition and for which it is currently heavily reliant on China.

Philippine Commissioner for Trade Alfredo Pascual said his country wanted to secure capital and know-how from EU companies to engage in more domestic processing. His country already benefits from the EU’s tariff-free GSP+ system for developing countries, but aims to rise to upper middle class income status, when GSP+ would no longer apply.

“We want to be able to lock in the benefits of GSP+, plus more,” Pascual said.

The Philippines currently benefits from tariff-free access to the EU for about two-thirds of products, including coconut oil, vacuum cleaners, tuna and pineapples. A free trade deal could allow exports of seaweeds, tobacco, wood and ornamental plants, Pascual said.

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Philippines Makes History with ILO Convention Ratification

Convention No. 190 is the first international labour standard to address violence and harassment in the world of work comprehensively…reports Asian Lite News

 The Philippines has become the first Asian country to ratify a convention to end workplace violence and harassment, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said on Friday.

The ILO said that the Philippines deposited the instrument of ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention 2019 (No. 190) with ILO Deputy Director-General Celeste Drake on Tuesday, becoming the 38th country in the world and the first Asian country to ratify Convention No. 190, Xinhua news agency reported

Convention No. 190 is the first international labour standard to address violence and harassment in the world of work comprehensively, according to the ILO.

Under the convention, members are mandated to adopt, in consultation with representative employers’ and workers’ organisations, inclusive, gender-responsive strategies for preventing and eradicating workplace violence and harassment.

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China’s Actions Alarm US, Pledges Solidarity with Philippines

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., cited General Charles Brown Jr from a phone conference on Monday…reports Asian Lite News

US Joint Chiefs of Staff chair, Gen Charles Brown Jr has expressed alarm over the Chinese aggression against Philippine ships and has said that the US is closely watching the situation, Philippine News Agency reported.

This comes after the Chinese ships carried out aggression against Philippine vessels, which were conducting a regular resupply and rotation (RORE) mission in Ayungin Shoal over the weekend.

A ranking American military official has expressed alarm over China’s latest aggressive actions against Philippine ships conducting a regular resupply and rotation (RORE) mission in Ayungin Shoal over the weekend.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., cited General Charles Brown Jr from a phone conference on Monday.

“For him, the harassment being done by China is very alarming and they are closely watching and in fact, they gave a statement of support not only to the AFP but to the Philippines in general,” Brawner said in an interview on Tuesday.

On December 9, China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and their maritime militia harassed Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels engaged in a humanitarian mission off Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Scarborough Shoal), damaging one in a water cannon attack, Philipinnes News Agency reported.

During their conversation, Brown reiterated the US commitment to continuously support the Philippines.

The two military officials also agreed to maintain closer ties amid the illegal and aggressive actions of Chinese ships targeting Philippines vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

“The two agreed to maintain close coordination amidst worsening illegal activities of CCG targeting rotation and reprovisioning missions and patrols of Philippine government vessels in the WPS. They also discussed mutual strategic security interests and opportunities for increased military cooperation,” the Armed Forces of Philippines said in a statement.

The two military officials also reaffirmed their commitment to the Philippine-US alliance under the framework of the Mutual Defense Treaty and in upholding a rules-based international order and the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific Region, the Philippine News Agency reported. (ANI)

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