Recent content
2024-01-26 | BY Zheng Zhihua
The critical examination of the reasoning of arbitral ruling unveils the fragility of its finding regarding the Shoal's nature. The dependence on Philippines' selective and decontextualized claims, alongside antiquated evidentiary material, casts serious doubt on the finding's impartiality and accuracy.
2024-01-14 | BY Lei Xiaolu, Yan Yan
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on 30 Dec. 2023 reveals the position of the regional states on regional maritime rules and the situation in the South China Sea at present as well.[1] The regional maritime rules should respect and protect the common interest of China and ASEAN members, especially the interests of peace, safety, security, stability, and prosperity.
The ASEAN...
2024-01-10 | BY Zheng Zhihua
The grounding of the BRP Sierra Madre was publically acknowledged as accidental and temporary in nature. Since 2010, the Philippines has attempted to reinforce and refurbish the BRP Sierra Madre, and has consistently caused incidents in violation of the DOC's obligations for all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from occupying uninhabited features. It is attempting to unilaterally alter the status quo at Second Thomas Shoal. Manila claim that "Philippines has been in long, continuous, peaceful, uninterrupted, and effective possession of the shoal under international law" is a complete falsehood.[8] At present, there are still over a hundred uninhabited and features in the Spratly Islands. If the Philippines flagrantly violates this commitment, it could trigger a new wave of occupation activities, exacerbate tensions and chaos in the South China Sea, and significantly impede negotiations for a code of conduct in the region.
2023-12-28 | BY Lei Xiaolu
Currently, the China-Philippines relationship is at the crossroads. In 2023, the Philippines undertook a major shift in its orientation of the South China Sea policy. The Philippines and the US strengthened the military and paramilitary cooperation in the region, announcing 4 additional military sites under the 2014 EDCA and conducting joint patrols and joint exercise in the South China Sea. Despite this, the Philippines becomes more provocative at the sea.
2023-11-24 | BY Hu Xin
This year, with the encouragement and support of extra-regional countries, some claimant countries have taken frequent unilateral and provocative actions, which have aggravated the volatility of the situation in the South China Sea. In this circumstance, China and ASEAN countries urgently need to consolidate and enhance political mutual trust under the framework of the DOC, continue to promote practical maritime cooperation in the South China Sea, contribute to the construction of regional maritime governance, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region.