CHINA RELEASING CHEMICALS TO KILL FISH AROUND PAGASA ISLAND
Posted on May 1, 2016
Image via Kalayaan ATIN ITO Facebook page
Residents of Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea reportedly confirmed that Chisese vessels are regularly releasing chemicals to destroy the corals and marine species around the island.
According to Kalayaan ATIN ITO Facebook page, “China is aggressively removing economic activities of the civilian community at the Kalayaan Island Group to drive away civilians and isolate the Islands.”
Natural ecosystem and the “bahura” or coral reefs around Pag-asa Island are destroyed and the source of livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk are adversely affected.
“Once all civilians are gone, Chinese military activities to occupy the islands will be easier.” it said.
Pag-asa is surrounded by around 20 to 30 hectares of reefs that are home to aquarium and commercial fish.
It provides livelihood and food for the island’s 200 dwellers. It is often visited by rare types of turtles like the endangered leatherback.
More News....
CHINA SHOCKED AT SINGAPORE’S REMARKS IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Posted on April 28, 2016
The comments of two senior Singaporean diplomats shocked a senior Chinese official in Jakarta on Monday that China was splitting Asean in reaching a consensus with three Asean states on the South China Sea.
The Singapore diplomats made the remarks at a conference in Jakarta after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi last Saturday announced a four-point consensus with Brunei, Laos and Cambodia on the South China Sea, including that territorial disputes in the sea were “not an issue between China and Asean as a whole”.
According to Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, each Asean state has its own sovereign rights and China will “never want to split up” the regional grouping.
“China has always supported the development of Asean and recognised that Asean’s growth is also important to East Asia,” Liu added.
He also explained the misconceptions of Ong and Kausikan “are not beneficial to the Sino-Asean relationship and cooperation”.
Liu stressed the talks have so far been “good”.
“We want to establish peace and stability of the region as well as freedom of navigation… and hope that Asean will be united and can partner China to promote dialogue,” he said.
PH REJECTS CHINA’S NEW OFFER IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Posted on May 1, 2016
Philippines has rejected the call of Chinese President Xi Jinping for “friendly consultation and negotiation” to resolve the maritime row in West Philippine Sea.
MalacaƱang said Philippines will remain firm in its stance on the sea dispute with China, as it awaits the ruling of the The Hague-based international arbitral tribunal handling Manila’s case.
“We would take that whatever statements are being issued from Beijing are reflecting the Chinese position which, of course, they have every right to ventilate,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said on state-run dzRB radio.
“But … we are firm in our stand that we have a strong case and, more importantly, that having trusted the system, we will abide by whatever is decided,” he added.
China has refused to participate in the arbitration process and pressed for bilateral negotiations, which the Philippines turned down.
US WARPLANES IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA ANGERS CHINA
Posted on April 26, 2016
On Wednesday, China expressed alarm to reports that six U.S. Air Force planes from Philippines performed a flight mission in the vicinity of Huangyan Island in the West Philippine Sea on April 19.
“We have noticed such reports, and it should be pointed out that the U.S. is pushing militarization of the South China Sea in the name of ‘Freedom of Navigation,'” the ministry’s Information Bureau said in a statement.
“The United States has repeatedly questioned China’s intentions, but will the U.S. explain its real motive in stoking tensions and increasing military presence in the area?” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.
“Does the United States mean freedom of navigation enjoyed by ordinary ships in line with international law or freedom of intrusion by U.S. military planes and vessels?” she added.
“The United States should play a constructive role in regional peace and stability, rather than the opposite,” she said.
US WARNS CHINA OF MILITARY CONFLICT IN SCARBOROUGH SHOAL
Posted on May 1, 2016
US has warn China that building up military facilities in Scarborough Shoal could lead to a military conflict.
Scarborough is “a piece of disputed territory that, like other disputes in that region, has the potential to lead to military conflict,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter told Congress on Thursday.
Scarborough Shoal is located about 120 miles—within missile range—of Subic Bay, Philippines, where U.S. warships will be based.
“That’s particularly concerning to us, given its proximity to the Philippines,” Carter told a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on efforts to counter the Islamic State terrorist group.
RUSSIA BACKS CHINA IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Posted on April 27, 2016
While China and other countries that await the decision of a U.N. tribunal on a case filed by Philippines which challenges Beijing’s vast territorial claims, world and regional players lines up for one side or the other.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Moscow, said Russia is against any interference from third parties — a reference to the U.S. — ” or any attempts to internationalize these disputes.”
China rejected to participate in the proceedings at the U.N. Court of Arbitration, and it’s not certain how the ruling can be enacted.
Russia reiterated China’s stand that “only parties can resolve their dispute through direct talks.”
More Nesws.....
Posted on May 1, 2016
Image via Kalayaan ATIN ITO Facebook page
Residents of Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea reportedly confirmed that Chisese vessels are regularly releasing chemicals to destroy the corals and marine species around the island.
According to Kalayaan ATIN ITO Facebook page, “China is aggressively removing economic activities of the civilian community at the Kalayaan Island Group to drive away civilians and isolate the Islands.”
Natural ecosystem and the “bahura” or coral reefs around Pag-asa Island are destroyed and the source of livelihood of Filipino fisherfolk are adversely affected.
“Once all civilians are gone, Chinese military activities to occupy the islands will be easier.” it said.
Pag-asa is surrounded by around 20 to 30 hectares of reefs that are home to aquarium and commercial fish.
It provides livelihood and food for the island’s 200 dwellers. It is often visited by rare types of turtles like the endangered leatherback.
More News....
CHINA SHOCKED AT SINGAPORE’S REMARKS IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Posted on April 28, 2016
The comments of two senior Singaporean diplomats shocked a senior Chinese official in Jakarta on Monday that China was splitting Asean in reaching a consensus with three Asean states on the South China Sea.
The Singapore diplomats made the remarks at a conference in Jakarta after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi last Saturday announced a four-point consensus with Brunei, Laos and Cambodia on the South China Sea, including that territorial disputes in the sea were “not an issue between China and Asean as a whole”.
According to Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, each Asean state has its own sovereign rights and China will “never want to split up” the regional grouping.
“China has always supported the development of Asean and recognised that Asean’s growth is also important to East Asia,” Liu added.
He also explained the misconceptions of Ong and Kausikan “are not beneficial to the Sino-Asean relationship and cooperation”.
Liu stressed the talks have so far been “good”.
“We want to establish peace and stability of the region as well as freedom of navigation… and hope that Asean will be united and can partner China to promote dialogue,” he said.
More News.....
PH REJECTS CHINA’S NEW OFFER IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Posted on May 1, 2016
Philippines has rejected the call of Chinese President Xi Jinping for “friendly consultation and negotiation” to resolve the maritime row in West Philippine Sea.
MalacaƱang said Philippines will remain firm in its stance on the sea dispute with China, as it awaits the ruling of the The Hague-based international arbitral tribunal handling Manila’s case.
“We would take that whatever statements are being issued from Beijing are reflecting the Chinese position which, of course, they have every right to ventilate,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said on state-run dzRB radio.
“But … we are firm in our stand that we have a strong case and, more importantly, that having trusted the system, we will abide by whatever is decided,” he added.
China has refused to participate in the arbitration process and pressed for bilateral negotiations, which the Philippines turned down.
More News.....
US WARPLANES IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA ANGERS CHINA
Posted on April 26, 2016
On Wednesday, China expressed alarm to reports that six U.S. Air Force planes from Philippines performed a flight mission in the vicinity of Huangyan Island in the West Philippine Sea on April 19.
“We have noticed such reports, and it should be pointed out that the U.S. is pushing militarization of the South China Sea in the name of ‘Freedom of Navigation,'” the ministry’s Information Bureau said in a statement.
“The United States has repeatedly questioned China’s intentions, but will the U.S. explain its real motive in stoking tensions and increasing military presence in the area?” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.
“Does the United States mean freedom of navigation enjoyed by ordinary ships in line with international law or freedom of intrusion by U.S. military planes and vessels?” she added.
“The United States should play a constructive role in regional peace and stability, rather than the opposite,” she said.
More News....
US WARNS CHINA OF MILITARY CONFLICT IN SCARBOROUGH SHOAL
Posted on May 1, 2016
US has warn China that building up military facilities in Scarborough Shoal could lead to a military conflict.
Scarborough is “a piece of disputed territory that, like other disputes in that region, has the potential to lead to military conflict,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter told Congress on Thursday.
Scarborough Shoal is located about 120 miles—within missile range—of Subic Bay, Philippines, where U.S. warships will be based.
“That’s particularly concerning to us, given its proximity to the Philippines,” Carter told a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on efforts to counter the Islamic State terrorist group.
More News....
RUSSIA BACKS CHINA IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Posted on April 27, 2016
While China and other countries that await the decision of a U.N. tribunal on a case filed by Philippines which challenges Beijing’s vast territorial claims, world and regional players lines up for one side or the other.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Moscow, said Russia is against any interference from third parties — a reference to the U.S. — ” or any attempts to internationalize these disputes.”
China rejected to participate in the proceedings at the U.N. Court of Arbitration, and it’s not certain how the ruling can be enacted.
Russia reiterated China’s stand that “only parties can resolve their dispute through direct talks.”
More Nesws.....