'Koinu' heads to south China, HK after killing 1
BEIJING: Typhoon «Koinu» headed toward southern China and Hong Kong on Friday after bringing record-breaking winds and leaving one dead in Taiwan.
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Marcos says Philippines not looking for trouble but will defend waters against Chinese aggression
MANILA: The Philippine president said Friday that his country does not want a confrontation but will staunchly defend its waters after its coast guard removed a floating barrier placed by China at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. It was the first time President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has spoken publicly against China's installation of the 300-metre (980-foot) -long barrier at the entrance to Scarborough Shoal which was dismantled at his order. "We're not looking for trouble but what we'll do is to continue defending the maritime territory of the Philippines and the rights of our fishermen, who have been fishing in those areas for hundreds of years," Marcos said in response to a question at a news briefing in southern Surigao del Norte province. The latest flare-up between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, one of the world's busiest trade routes, comes after Marcos decided earlier this year to allow an expansion of the US military presence in the Philippines under a 2014 defence pact. The prospect of more American forces in local military camps in the northern Philippines across from Taiwan and southern China alarmed and infuriated Beijing. After the Philippine coast guard dismantled the rope and net barrier at the mouth of Scarborough Shoal, Filipino fishing boats entered the shallow lagoon and caught about 164 tons of fish in just one day, Marcos said.
Philippine boats breach a Chinese coast guard blockade in a faceoff near a disputed shoal
MANILA: Two Philippine supply boats breached a Chinese coast guard blockade in the South China Sea on Wednesday in a recurring confrontation near a disputed shoal some fear could spark a larger security crisis that could draw in the United States. Two Philippine coast guard ships escorted the smaller supply boats, but it wasn't immediately clear whether the ships were blocked by the Chinese coast guard from coming closer to the Second Thomas Shoal, where a small contingent of Filipino marines has stood guard for years aboard a long-marooned but still actively commissioned warship, the BRP Sierra Madre. China also claims the shoal and has surrounded it with its coast guard ships and militia vessels to prevent the Philippines from delivering construction materials that Beijing fears could be used to reinforce the Sierra Madre and turn it into a permanent territorial outpost. "Despite attempts by a significant number of China coast guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels to block, harass, and interfere with the routine rotation and resupply mission," the two Philippine boats managed to deliver provisions to the Filipino forces at the shoal, a Philippine government body overseeing the disputed waters said in a statement late Wednesday. "The Philippines' resupply missions and maintenance of BRP Sierra Madre are part of regular operations in line with domestic and international law and ensures safety and well-being of our stationed personnel," the inter-agency body said.
Philippines defending territory, not seeking trouble in South China Sea: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr
MANILA: The Philippines will put up a strong defence of its territory and the rights of its fishermen and is not looking for trouble, its president said on Friday, as a row simmers with China over access to a strategic South China Sea Shoal. The Philippine coastguard this week said had cut a 300-m (980-ft) floating barrier installed by China that blocked access to the hotly disputed Scarborough Shoal, an area Beijing has controlled for over a decade.
Philippines, allies kick off naval drills amid Asia-Pacific tension
MANILA: Forces from Manila, Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States kicked off on Monday two weeks of joint naval exercises in Philippine waters as a "show of force", amid flaring regional tension. With more than 1,800 participants, the drills follow last week's move by Beijing to block Philippine fishermen from Asia's most contested maritime feature, the Scarborough Shoal, held by China in the South China Sea. This year's "Sama Sama" drills are being held in the southern part of the island of Luzon, featuring naval exercises in areas such as anti-submarine warfare, air defence and search and rescue, the Philippine navy said. "With this show of force and active engagement of our allies and partners, 'Sama Sama' transcends mere military exercises," Philippine navy chief Rear Admiral Toribio Adaci said at the opening event.
History beckons for Gilas, Jordan in Asiad finale
Hangzhou, China – The Philippines embarks on a mission that would have been impossible two weeks ago as it shoots for its first basketball gold medal in the Asian Games in over six decades when it plays Jordan at 4 p.m. on Friday in the men’s finals at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center here.
Asia's edge isn't just cheap labor, whether it's China, India or Japan, KKR says
BEIJING — Asia's competitive advantage was once cheap labor. Now, whether it's China, India or Japan, the region's edge lies in industrial services, KKR's heads of global and Asia macro said in an October note.
Philippines completes resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre despite Chinese blockade
MANILA, Philippines — Despite attempts by Chinese vessels to block the resupply mission, Philippine boats delivered essential provisions to military personnel stationed on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, the government said.