The United States and European Union are one in saying that China should respect the ruling to be made by the international tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague regarding the case filed by Philippines against China’s ambitious maritime claims. A ruling is expected before May. Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and […]
‘China is entitled to deploy necessary defense facilities’ – spokesperson
The Chinese government said it has the right to deploy defensive facilities in its territory in South China Sea after report emerge that it has deployed long-range anti-aircraft missiles on a disputed island in Paracel Islands also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said February 17 that he is not […]
China slams Australia’s position supporting PH-initiated arbitration
The Chinese Foreign Ministry told Australia not to be biased on its statements regarding the West Philippine Sea issue and stop doing things that may undermine regional peace. This is prior to arrival of Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in China, Tuesday night, for an annual foreign and strategic dialogue with her Chinese counterpart Wednesday. […]
US: No plans for joint maritime patrol with India this time
The US and India have a shared vision of peace, stability and prosperity in Asia, a top American official has said but dismissed reports that the two countries were planning a joint maritime patrol in the Indian Ocean or South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). “At this time, I can say there is no plans […]
US, Japan, SoKor top military commanders meet
Top military officials of United States, Japan, and South Korea conducted a trilateral meeting at US Pacific Command Headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii February 10, 2016. The said trilateral joint chiefs of staff was second since July 2014. US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General (US Marines) Joseph F. Dunford was the host of […]
Obama receiving ASEAN leaders on US Presidents’ Day
United States President Barack Obama will be receiving his counterparts in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during US Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 15 in a special ASEAN-US leaders summit in Sunnyland, Rancho Mirage, California that will last until the next day. Until the mid-1970s, the February 22 birthday of George Washington, hero of […]
US Navy ready strike group starts Pacific deployment
A United States Navy strike group, the John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) crossed the International Date Line into the US 7th Fleet area of operations February 4. The strike group is composed of approximately 7,000 Sailors for Western Pacific deployment. JCSSG consists of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) […]
USS Ashland loads Marines for regional patrol
A United States warship, Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) has embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) January 28 to 29 for a patrol of the US 7th Fleet area of operations. During the onloading, Ashland Sailors worked alongside the embarking Marines to load vehicles and equipment necessary to […]
US military Pacific Commander: Expect increased, more complex freedom of navigation ops
The Commanding Officer of United States Pacific Command Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. said there will be more freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in South China Sea (West Philippine Sea, East Sea of Vietnam). The Admiral mentioned USS Lassen’s operation last October 2015. “I think that as we continue down the path of freedom of […]
US warship challenges territorial waters of island claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam
The USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54), an Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer operating under United States Battle Force Seventh Fleet stationed in Japan, has conducted a freedom of navigation operation in Paracel Islands in South China Sea (East Sea of Vietnam). The said American warship sailed within the 12 nautical miles, known as territorial waters, […]
US Navy amphibious assault ship departs Japan for patrol
The flagship of Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) departed Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan January 18 for to patrol US Navy’s 7th Fleet area of operations. USS Bonhomme Richard will meet up with its group amphibious dock landing ships USS Ashland (LSD 48) and USS Germantown (LSD […]
US Carrier Strike Group sails for Western Pacific deployment
United State John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCS-CSG) is sailing for Western Pacific deployment January 15 from Bremerton, Washington, the US Navy said. Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) is the flagship of JCS-CSG. Stennis’ crew of 3,100 sailors has spent much of the past year preparing for the said deployment. […]
China to Japan: Do not to take any provocative actions or face consequences
The Chinese side has warned the Japanese government not to take actions that will provoke the situation in Senkaku Islands. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei made the statement today after Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan will send a naval patrol if a foreign naval vessel transits Japanese waters for purposes other […]
US Destroyer previously sent to challenge China in WPS makes final patrol
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) has departed Yokosuka, Japan January 6 for its final patrol in Seventh Fleet area of responsibility before conducting a hull-swap with another Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52). Lassen was the vessel sent late October 2015 by US Navy to challenge territorial waters of […]
China lands two aircraft at fake island in West Philippine Sea
China again did it. Two Chinese civilian aircraft landed on a newly built airfield located at a fake island over Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef in West Philippine Sea Wednesday, January 6. This is after the Chinese government announced over the weekend flight testing to same fake island. “China successfully carried out test fights of two […]
China conducts test-flight to airport in Kagitingan Reef, WPS
China has completed a test landing on a newly-built airfield in its artificial island in West Philippine Sea. “China has finished building a new airport on Yongshu Jiao (Kagitingan Reef) of China’s Nansha (Spratly) Islands,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said late Saturday. “The Chinese government conducted a test flight to the airport with […]
Armed Chinese Coast Guard vessel spotted near Senkaku Islands – Japan
The Japanese government said an armed Chinese Coast Guard vessel was spotted in waters 18 miles from the disputed Senkaku Islands. Though the Chinese Coast Guard sails in the said waters in regular basis, the incident was the first time a Chinese Coast Guard armed vessel was spotted. “We have delivered our strong protest and […]
China military taking whatever measure to protect ‘sovereignty’ against US
China’s Ministry of National Defense said Chinese armed forces is ready to take whatever measure necessary to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and security as well as peace and stability of the region. This is after two American B-52 bombers flew 2 nautical miles from Calderon (Cuarteron) Reef, a Chinese-controlled reef in Spratly Islands. The action […]
USS Fort Worth responds to man overboard in West Philippine Sea
United States Navy littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) is currently on a rotational deployment in support of the Asia-Pacific Rebalance. Fort Worth is a fast and agile warship tailor-made to patrol the region’s littorals and work hull-to-hull with partner navies, providing 7th Fleet with the flexible capabilities it needs now and in […]
China imposes sanctions on Raytheon, Lockheed Martin
The Chinese government has imposed sanctions on American aerospace, defense, security and advanced technologies company Lockheed Martin and defense contractor and industrial corporation Raytheon. “The involvement of US enterprises in the arms sale to Taiwan severely undermines China’s sovereignty and security interests. The Chinese government and enterprises will not conduct cooperation or business with such […]