News Roundup 02 June 2024
Jun 02, 2024 • 4 min Read
China defense minister warns of ‘limits’ to Beijing’s restraint on South China Sea | PHILSTAR.COM – SINGAPORE, Singapore — China’s defense minister warned Sunday of “limits” to Beijing’s restraint on the South China Sea and over the deployment of ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific region.
Dong Jun’s remarks at a security forum in Singapore were a clear reference to the Philippines and the United States, which have been boosting defence ties in the face of China’s growing military might and influence.
“China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face of rights infringements and provocation, but there are limits to this,” Dong told the Shangri-La Dialogue, which is attended by defence officials from around the world.
The Philippines and the United States are longstanding treaty allies, and Manila is a key focus of Washington’s efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region, which has enraged Beijing.
Given its position in the South China Sea and proximity to self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own, Philippine support would be crucial for the United States in the event of any conflict.
The US Army said in April that it had deployed a Mid-Range Capability missile system capable of firing the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile in the northern Philippines for annual joint exercises.
The deployment of “medium-range ballistic missiles” was “severely damaging regional security and stability”, Dong said.
“Acting in this way will ultimately burn oneself.”
Dong also warned of “limits” to Beijing’s restraint on the South China Sea, following a series of confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels near disputed reefs.
China Coast Guard vessels have used water cannon against Philippine boats multiple times in the contested waters. There have also been collisions that injured several Filipino troops.
Manila and Beijing have a long history of maritime territorial disputes, but tensions have worsened under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries, including the Philippines, and ignoring an international ruling that its claims have no legal basis.
Marcos has sought closer ties with the United States as he stands up to Chinese actions in the waterway.
In remarks to the security forum on Friday, Marcos said the Philippines would not give in to Chinese pressure.
“Illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions continue to violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdictions,” Marcos said.
“I do not intend to yield,” he said. “Filipinos do not yield”.
Story at: China defense minister warns of ‘limits’ to Beijing’s restraint on South China Sea | Philstar.com
50 percent back divorce for irreconcilably separated – SWS | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — More Filipinos still support the legalization of divorce for irreconcilably separated couples, a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.
The survey, conducted from March 21 to 25, found that 50 percent of the respondents support the statement, “married couples who have already separated and cannot reconcile anymore should be allowed to divorce so that they can get legally married again.”
The figure comprises 28 percent who “strongly agree” to the statement, and another 22 percent who said they “somewhat agree” to it.
Some 31 percent disagreed with the test statement while 17 percent were undecided.
According to SWS, the latest survey resulted in a net agreement score of +19, classified as “moderately strong.”
The net agreement score on the proposal to legalize divorce went down from “moderately strong” +27 in June 2023 (55 percent agree, 27 percent disagree, correctly rounded) and the record-high “very strong” +44 in March 2023 (65 percent agree, 21 percent disagree).
Full Story at: 50 percent back divorce for irreconcilably separated – SWS | Philstar.com
Chinese defense minister: US causing friction in supporting Taiwan, PH | INQUIRER.NET – SINGAPORE — China’s defense minister on Sunday acknowledged the importance of newly renewed military-to-military communications with the United States as tensions escalate in the Asia-Pacific, while at the same time accusing Washington of causing the friction with its support for Taiwan and the Philippines.
“We will not allow anyone to bring geopolitical conflicts or any war, whether hot or cold, into our region,” Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun told the Shangri-La defense forum in Singapore through a translator.
“We will not allow any country or any force to create conflict and chaos in our region,” he added.
China has been increasingly assertive in pressing its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, a key global shipping route, which has led to a growing number of conflicts, most notably with the Philippines, whose ships have been rammed by Chinese vessels and hit with water cannons.
Full Story at: China: US causing friction with its support for Taiwan, PH (inquirer.net)
Fisherfolk leaders urges Marcos to certify bill creating fisheries dep’t as urgent | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A fisherfolk council formed through a program under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has adopted a resolution urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify a bill aiming to establish a department managing the country’s aquatic resources.
House Bill No. 1977 or the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) Act, which was principally authored by Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron P. Salo.
“The creation of the DFAR is essential for better management and sustainable development of our aquatic resources. It will significantly improve the livelihoods of our fisherfolk and enhance food security in the Philippines,” Salo said in a statement.
Full Story at: Fisherfolk leaders urges Marcos to certify bill creating fisheries dep’t as urgent (inquirer.net)
