Perhaps China and the Philippines are taking the right steps to ease tension in the contentious South China Sea, announcing last week they were considering joint surveys for valuable underwater resources. Beijing has long been at the loggerheads with several members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including the Philippines and Vietnam, over disputed islets in the sea. The conflict has led to immense tension and security risk in the region as China – and to a far lesser extent some Asean countries – establish and develop artificial islands that could conceivable be used as military launch areas. Attempts to settle the disputes have produced no tangible results, since all the countries involved reserve their right to sovereign territory, placing their own national interest above regional stability. Since 2013, there have been at least 38 reported small-scale incidents between vessels under the flags of claimant states. In November 2002 Beijing and … [Read more...] about What lies below the South China Sea
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China wants to start testing drone ships in the South China Sea
China has started building a ‘test field’ for unmanned shipping The 225 square nautical miles site is in the South China sea, adjacent to Macau The project will be China’s main base for unmanned ship technology and could become the largest project of its kind. China completed its first test of unmanned surface vessels last week. China has begun building a test field for unmanned ships, according to the government-authorized site China Internet Information Center. The Wanshan Marine Test Field, which began construction on Saturday, is being built in the South China Sea off Zhuhai, which is adjacent to Macau, and not far from one of the world’s busiest shipping ports, Hong Kong. Ships will use the 225 square nautical miles to test technology including autonomous steering and obstacle avoidance. The project, which the center reported “will be the largest of its kind in [the] … [Read more...] about China wants to start testing drone ships in the South China Sea
Chinese angry at US probe in South China Sea
SHANGHAI: A US Navy destroyer this week sailed near the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed lagoon claimed by China in the South China Sea, US officials said on Saturday, and Beijing vowed to take "necessary measures" to protect what it said was its sovereignty. China's foreign ministry said USS Hopper missile destroyer came within 12 nautical miles off Huangyan island, better known as the Scarborough Shoal and subject to a rival claim by the Philippines, a historic ally of the United States.It was the latest US naval operation challenging extensive Chinese claims in the South China Sea and came even as US President Donald Trump's administration seeks Chinese cooperation in dealing with North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.Two US officials confirmed that the USS Hopper had sailed within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop and prime fishing spot due to its bountiful catches and calm waters.With a permanent presence of large coastguard vessels, China blockaded the … [Read more...] about Chinese angry at US probe in South China Sea
2 bodies recovered from burning oil tanker involved in collision in East China Sea
BEIJING—Rescuers on Saturday recovered the bodies of two crew members of an Iranian oil tanker that’s been on fire since colliding with a freighter last week in the East China Sea.The bodies were found on the lifeboat deck of the Sanchi on Saturday morning, state broadcaster CCTV said. Rescuers stayed aboard less than 30 minutes but were able to recover the ship’s data and video recordings, it said.The network said rescuers were prevented from entering the crew living quarters by temperatures as high as 89 C. Read more: China suspends firefighting, rescue efforts after explosion on oil tanker that collided with freighter … [Read more...] about 2 bodies recovered from burning oil tanker involved in collision in East China Sea
Indonesia takes Asean lead on S.China Sea dispute
JAKARTA: The Indonesian government said Tuesday it will push for an effective code of conduct in the South China Sea to defuse tensions in the region as a part of the country's strategic foreign policy this year. "Indonesia shall actively strive so that Asean and China could produce a practical and effective COC (Code of Conduct) for the sake of stability and security of the South China Sea," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said, reading a press statement with foreign diplomats in attendance.She expressed hope that negotiations on the code of conduct between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China will start in March in Vietnam, one of the claimants in the sea, and will conclude as soon as possible.Retno did not elaborate further, but stressed that Asean should be preserved as the "prominent player in the region" with "collective leadership and concerted action."During the East Asia Summit in Manila last year, Indonesia initiated a meeting of Asean foreign ministers to set … [Read more...] about Indonesia takes Asean lead on S.China Sea dispute