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DEC 29, 2024
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China’s Other Expansion Victimizes Nepal and Bhutan
As the world watches China’s increasingly aggressive moves at sea, its quiet expansion across land borders in the Himalayas serves as a reminder that its ambitions extend far beyond the South China Sea or Taiwan. China is methodically expanding its reach, targeting small, vulnerable neighbors like Nepal and Bhutan.
NOV 24, 2024
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China's Imperialist, Maritime Occupation of the West Philippine Sea
It is no longer sufficient to describe China's aggressions in the West Philippine Sea as if they are a series of individual incursions. We've passed that point. This is now a maritime occupation by a hostile, imperial power. The Philippines and its friends need to adjust their conceptual frameworks, their strategies and their tactics accordingly.
OCT 22, 2024
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Indonesia Expels China Coast Guard Ship Harassing Research Vessel
The China Coast Guard harassed Indonesia's oil and gas exploration activities in the Arwana Block from 17-21 October. Indonesia responded by sending its own vessels to "expel" the Chinese ship.
OCT 15, 2024
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Unlocking China's "Media Unlocked" Propagandists
China Daily's young Media Unlocked hosts pose as independent journalists dedicated to "telling the truth about China". Viewer beware.
SEP 21, 2024
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60 Minutes Goes to Sea ... and Gets Rammed
SeaLight Director Ray Powell tells the behind-the-scenes story of how the world-famous CBS program "60 Minutes" went to the Philippines to tell the world the story of how China is trying to drive its smaller neighbor out of the West Philippine Sea; how the Philippines is putting up an epic fight against steep odds; and why the world should care.
SEP 12, 2024
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China's Disinformation is Testing the Philippines' Transparency Initiative
The lack of automatic information system broadcast data on the Philippine Coast Guard vessels involved in the August 19th Sabina Shoal incident hurts the Philippines' transparency initiative, and gives room for China's disinformation tactics to set the narrative.
SEP 3, 2024
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Giant Clam Harvesting: The South China Sea's Environmental Catastrophe
While land reclamation and island-building have had the most visible impact on the South China Sea's fragile coral reef ecosystem, China's illegal but still active giant clam harvesting industry is actually the most destructive. (Image credit: CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and Maxar Technologies)
AUG 16, 2024
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Why China's "Little Blue Men" are a Big Problem
China's maritime militia is a key asymmetric advantage in its strategy to dominate its maritime approaches, and especially its vast claim to nearly the entire South China Sea, yet the exact size and composition of this expanding paramilitary force is an enigma. Let's go over what we do know.
AUG 3, 2024
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Why is China Surveying the Shoals near Palawan?
For the past week the Chinese research vessel Ke Xue San Hao has been surveying the reefs and shoals west of the Philippine island of Palawan.
JUL 15, 2024
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Transparency has not "failed" the Philippines
Recent debate which casts the Philippines' assertive transparency campaign as as a "failure" for not deterring Beijing's South China Sea aggression risks missing the forest for the trees. Manila has gained much by turning on the cameras.

News & Articles

JAN 20, 2025
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1 Chinese, 2 Filipinos nabbed over alleged espionage activities
Authorities arrested a Chinese national and two Filipinos for allegedly conducting surveillance activities in the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Monday.
JAN 18, 2025
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ASEAN and China must start tackling thorny issues of South China Sea code, Philippines says
The regional bloc ASEAN and China should make headway on a protracted code of conduct for the South China Sea by tackling thorny "milestone issues", including its scope and if it can be legally binding, the Philippines' top diplomat said on Saturday.
JAN 18, 2025
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Philippines turns to US firms for South China Sea oil drills as Beijing tensions persist
Companies explore oil and gas projects in the country’s deep waters as Manila seeks to diversify its energy sources.
JAN 16, 2025
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Repelling a ‘monster’ in our waters
Mr. Marcos has the moral and legal imperative, as well as crucial international support, to make a stronger move to stop this latest mockery of our sovereignty by repelling China’s monster ship off our waters.
JAN 15, 2025
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The South China Sea Comes to a Boil
Why now, what are America’s interests, and what are Trump’s options?
JAN 13, 2025
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China Advances Territorial Claim Against US Ally
China has installed a new structure in sensitive waters near a disputed maritime boundary with South Korea, sparking fears that Beijing may exploit Seoul's ongoing political crisis to assert territorial claims.
JAN 10, 2025
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Exclusive: Beijing resumes disputed installations in West Sea amid S. Korea's turmoil
China has installed a large structure in the Provisional Measures Zone of the West Sea (Yellow Sea), a disputed area where the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of South Korea and China overlap, South Korean officials said Jan. 9.
JAN 9, 2025
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Multiple Chinese warships track Canadian HMCS Ottawa through the South China Sea
It’s Day four at sea onboard HMCS Ottawa. As the Halifax-class frigate crosses into the South China Sea, a familiar presence begins to shadow the Royal Canadian Navy.
JAN 8, 2025
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South China Sea: Philippines urged to ‘lean into US alliance’ to put pressure on Beijing
Manila can invite US military to undertake humanitarian operations or partner American company for oil exploration in disputed waters, analyst says
JAN 4, 2025
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China 'monster ship' spotted near Luzon
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday evening confirmed the presence of the so-called ''monster ship'' of the China Coast Guard (CCG) near Luzon.
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