Philippines to erect ‘structures’ to assert sovereignty in South China Sea
Politics & Current Affairs
Top politics and current affairs news for March 13, 2017. Part of the daily The China Projectย news roundup "Trump to host Xi at Mar-a-Lago in April โ U.S. media."
-
As concern over China mounts, Duterte orders navy to build โstructuresโ east of Philippinesย / SCMP
Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday that he had ordered the navy to put up โstructuresโ to assert Philippine sovereignty over Benham Rise, an area of ocean about 160 miles from the island nationโs northeastern coast, where a Chinese ship was spottedย by the Philippine military last week. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana further explained that Duterteโs instruction was to increase naval patrols in that region and erect structures that say โthis is ours,โ but he didnโt specify what structures will be built. According to the defense chief, the Philippinesโ military has observed several Chinese survey ships crisscrossing the Benham Rise waters from July to December of last year. In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang saidย that Chinese vessels were only enjoying freedom of navigation and the right to innocent passage โwithout conducting any other activities or operations.โ
Separately, Reutersย reportsย that Vietnam has โdemanded that China stop sending cruise ships to the South China Sea,โ after a cruise ship carrying more than 300 vacationers visitedย the disputed Paracel Islands, which China calls the Xisha Archipelago ่ฅฟๆฒ็พคๅฒ. -
Leung Chun-ying elected vice chairman of CPPCC National Committeeย / Xinhua
Today, Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying ๆขๆฏ่ฑ (aka CY Leung) was officially named vice chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese Peopleโs Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at a closed meeting of the annual session of the advisory body. Jonathan Choi Koon-shun ่กๅ ๆทฑ, a CPPCC National Committee member from Hong Kong, said Leung deserves the new position because he successfully maintained the โone country, two systemsโ principle during his tenure and firmly tackled the โillegal โOccupy Centralโ movement.โ
- China admits political education for students is poorย / Reuters
- Coal mine accident kills 17 in NE Chinaย / Xinhua
- Chinaโs Xi pushes advanced technology for militaryย / Reuters
- As overseas ambitions expand, China plans 400 percent increase to marine corps numbers, sources sayย / SCMP
- Punishing rights lawyers a top achievement, says Chinaย / Al Jazeera
- Chinese teacher killed in Myanmar conflict after shelling hits schoolย / SCMP
