Residents with any information have been urged to contact the concerned authority
emergencies8 hours ago
China’s military has established routine naval patrols in the South China Sea, “indisputable territory” of the nation and a matter of “national sovereignty,” defence ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said.
“We will resolutely oppose any military provocations,” Geng said in statements posted on his ministry’s website.
“The determination and will of China’s military to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.”
Geng’s remarks came as the United States launched the largest-ever “Rim of the Pacific” naval exercises in Hawaii, involving 22 nations, including the US, India, Russia, Australia and the Philippines.
China was not invited to participate or observe the exercises.
Tensions in the South China Sea have intensified recently with Vietnam and the Philippines both accusing China of increasingly flexing its military muscle in the region, despite a pledge from all claimants to avoid actions that could further stoke tensions.
Both the Philippines and Vietnam have also sought to shore up relations with the United States to counter China’s increasingly vocal assertions over the region that also includes key international shipping routes.
Geng downplayed the US-sponsored multi-national military exercises, but voiced concerns over Washington’s recent announcement to deploy more of its naval forces to the Pacific Ocean.
“Frankly speaking, we do not believe that this (the multilateral exercises) is such a big matter and it is not worth being upset about,” Geng, who was speaking at a press briefing that was only open to Chinese journalists, said.
But “deploying more military forces in the Asia-Pacific goes against the world’s pursuit of peace, development and cooperation, as well as trust among nations in the region,” he said.
The Philippines said Thursday it was committed to “defuse the tension” with China over a disputed shoal, despite the continued presence of Chinese ships in the area.
“While we continue to assert our sovereignty over (the shoal) and sovereign rights over the waters surrounding it, we are committed to defusing the tension in the area through diplomatic discussions and consultations,” Department of Foreign Affairs Raul Hernandez said in a statement.
“We urge everyone to refrain from making statements that would tend to re-escalate the situation in the area,” the statement added.
China says it has sovereign rights to the whole South China Sea, believed to sit atop vast oil and gas deposits. The sea is also claimed in whole or part by Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Residents with any information have been urged to contact the concerned authority
emergencies8 hours ago
Northeastern University in Boston says the action was taken after some protesters resorted to virulent anti-Semitic slurs
world8 hours ago
The church has been built on 4.37 acres of land, and stands opposite the BAPS Hindu temple
uae8 hours ago
A detailed guide on where to apply, the steps involved, and criteria for eligibility
uae9 hours ago
The Emirates called for strengthening the international humanitarian response and providing urgent relief to those in need
mena9 hours ago
Photonics is the study of light and has several applications including LED, VR, holograms, high-speed internet and solar panels among other things
uae9 hours ago
A delegation from Egypt arrived in Israel on Friday hoping to revive the truce negotiations
mena10 hours ago
The decision aims to protect the safety and security of pilgrims
gulf10 hours ago