Philippines warns China’s actions in East Sea

Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on April 4 that China was looking to occupy more areas in the East Sea.
Philippines warns China’s actions in East Sea ảnh 1Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Source: Internet)

Hanoi (VNA) –
Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said onApril 4 that China was looking to occupy more areas in the East Sea.

The continued presence of Chinese vessels around Sinh Ton island cluster revealstheir intent to further occupy areas in the East Sea, according to Lorenzana’s statement. 

It was the second statement by Lorenzana in two days as he repeated calls bythe Philippines for the Chinese boats to leave Sinh Ton island cluster of theTruong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

According to Lorenzana, there were still 44 Chinese vessels in the watersdespite improved weather conditions.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a diplomatic protest thatthe swarming and threatening presence of the Chinese ships creates anatmosphere of instability and shows that China is ignoring its commitments topromoting peace and stability in the region.

Many countries in the world have showed serious concerns over China’s recentdeployment of over 200 ships around Sinh Ton island cluster in Vietnam’s TruongSa (Spratly) archipelago and requested the country to immediately bring thesevessels out of the area and end all provocations.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said that theoperation of the Chinese ships within the territorial waters of Sinh Ton Dongisland in the Truong Sa archipelago has violated Vietnam’s sovereignty and the1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)’s regulations on theoperation of foreign vessels in the territorial waters of coastal nations, runcounter to the spirit and content of the Declaration on the Conduct of Partiesin the East Sea (DOC), and complicated the situation which is unfavourable forthe process of negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct ofParties in the East Sea (COC)./.
VNA

See more

nearly 4,000 Korean companies are currently operating in the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). (Illustrative photo: vietnamtimes.org.vn)

RoK to seek closer ties with ASEAN

The Republic of Korea (RoK) will make efforts to expand economic exchanges and cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to address anticipated changes in the global trade environment after the new US administration signaled plans to implement protectionist measures, according to its Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his successor Prabowo Subianto inspect the progress of the new capital project Nusantara on Aug. 12, 2024. (Photo: Jakarta Globe)

Indonesia approves budget for new capital’s next development phase

The Indonesian government has allocated 48.8 trillion IDR (2.99 billion USD) for the second phase of developing Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital, for the 2025-2029 period. This represents a notable decrease from the 89 trillion IDR set aside for the first phase in 2022-2024.

In the past four elections, the time between the committee’s formation and polling day has ranged from four to 11 months. (Photo: Straits Times)

Singapore prepares for general election

A committee reviewing Singapore’s electoral boundaries was established by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the Elections Department (ELD) said on January 22.

Head of the National Narcotics Agency of Indonesia (BNN) Marthinus Hukom (Photo: antaranews.com)

Indonesia prioritises drugs combat

Head of the National Narcotics Agency of Indonesia (BNN) Marthinus Hukom stated on January 22 that Prabowo Subianto is the first President to make drugs combat one of the country’s priority programmes, as outlined in the Asta Cita mission.

Officers measure emissions from a pickup truck at a checkpoint set up in front of Chatuchak Park on Phahon Yothin Road in Bangkok in January 2024. (Photo: Bangkokpost)

Thai cabinet approves carbon tax to curb emissions

The Thai cabinet approved a carbon tax of 200 THB (5.9 USD) per tonne of carbon emissions on January 21, as part of the country’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul.