Rappler's latest stories on Philippine China relations
China rejects Philippines' call to comply with Hague ruling
China says its 'territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea will under no circumstances be affected' by the historic award
4 years later, Philippines says Hague ruling 'non-negotiable'
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr marks the 4th year since the Philippines won its historic case against China by reaffirming Manila's 'adherence to the award and its enforcement without any possibility of compromise or change'
PH Coast Guard to block departure of Hong Kong ship crew in Liberty 5 case
In a tearful meeting with the families of the 14 missing crew and passengers of the ill-fated fishing vessel, the Philippine Coast Guard urged them to pray for justice and a miracle – that the victims be found alive
PH Coast Guard files criminal cases vs HK ship crew
(UPDATED) The company and officers of bulk carrier Vienna Wood are formally accused of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property, as the 14 crew of fishing boat Liberty 5 remain missing
PH issues rare warning of 'severest response' vs China drills
In a rare video message, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr delivers the threat himself: 'Should the exercises spill over to Philippine territory...it will be met with the severest response, diplomatic and whatever else is appropriate'
PH Coast Guard 'building evidence' vs Hong Kong ship crew
Without any trace of the 14 Filipino crew of Liberty 5, the search for survivors becomes a search for bodies, but Philippine Coast Guard chief George Ursabia Jr says he is still hoping for a miracle
No trace of 14 fishing boat crew 5 days since collision with HK ship
(UPDATED) Chances of finding survivors get slimmer by the minute, says the Philippine Coast Guard
Locsin: Don't politicize PH boat collision with HK ship
'It happened in Mindoro waters and I don’t want to make those Mindoro waters into international waters just to please a few idiots back here,' says Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr
China 'shocked' by PH boat collision, opposes 'politicization' of incident
'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the missing crew members and passengers. We sincerely hope all of them could be rescued at the earliest,' says the China embassy in the Philippines
Hong Kong ship did not try to rescue 14 Filipino boat crew after collision – PCG
(UPDATED) The bulk carrier, however, stayed in the vicinity of the incident, which Philippine Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral George Ursabia Jr says was likely an accident
'Banggaan lang': Palace doubts PH boat collision with HK ship to hurt China ties
(UPDATED) 'Wala naman pong malaking implikasyon 'yan. Banggaan lang po 'yan,' says Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
PCG search on for missing fishermen who collided with Hong Kong-flagged ship
(4th UPDATE) The Philippine Coast Guard identifies the cargo vessel as Hong Kong-registered MV Vienna Wood, as it searches for the 14 missing crew of fishing boat Liberty 5 off Mindoro
14 Filipinos missing after fishing boat collides with Chinese ship off Mindoro
(UPDATED) There are 14 Filipino crew missing after fishing boat Liberty Cinco collides with a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship off Occidental Mindoro
Lorenzana: China’s planned air defense zone in West PH Sea breaks rules
'It is my fervent hope that China would not proceed with this planned action for the continued peace and stability in the entire South China Sea,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
2 U.S. carrier strike groups hold drills in PH Sea amid China airspace control fears
The Western Pacific's traditional power showcases its naval might as China plans to establish an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea
vDuterte officials finally aid Gem-Ver fishermen vs Chinese ship owner
12 months and 13 days after Filipino fishermen were left floating at sea, Philippine officials say they will reach out to the owners and crew of fishing boat Gem-Ver to help them claim damages for the sinking of their vessel
Duterte halted VFA termination due to South China Sea tensions
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr says for President Rodrigo Duterte, 'having a rise in military tensions in the South China Sea was not helping anybody'
Xi to Duterte: PH will be 'priority' recipient of China coronavirus vaccine
In a phone call on the eve of Philippine Independence Day, the Chinese leader talks to President Rodrigo Duterte about the COVID-19 pandemic
WATCH: Upgrades on Pag-asa Island continue as Chinese militias prowl its waters
The government inaugurates a new beaching ramp at the Philippines' main outpost in the West Philippine Sea, which is still hounded by the presence of Chinese paramilitary ships
Locsin hits PLDT after China, Vietnam roaming texts on Pag-asa Island
'Just drop that roaming partnership shit with China and Vietnam,' Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr tells PLDT
‘Let’s not hurt China’s feelings’: Why Duterte hasn’t visited Pag-asa Island
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana explains the President’s reason for calling off planned visits to the country’s main outpost in the West Philippine Sea
On 45th year of diplomatic ties, PH shows complicated relationship with China
On the 45th anniversary of Philippines-China relations, the Duterte government says one thing and does another
Experts warn of China-backed candidates in 2022 PH elections
There may be several 'Manchurian candidates' in the presidential race in 2022 as China tries to tighten its grip on the Philippines, say military and diplomatic experts
Welcome to China, Vietnam: Roaming texts greet officials arriving on Pag-asa Island
Pag-asa Island lies in an area of the West Philippine Sea where signals from other claimant countries overlap, and the strongest ones win out
'Total disarray': Carpio slams Duterte gov’t West Philippine Sea strategy
'The Filipino people do not deserve this,' says retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio
More plans to upgrade Pag-asa Island as Lorenzana unveils beaching ramp
The ramp allows for the delivery of large equipment and supplies in the West Philippine Sea. A new sheltered harbor will also be inaugurated on Friday, June 12.
A year later, Gem-Ver fishermen still unpaid by Chinese ship owner
'Kung aasa naman kami sa ayuda, kailan pa po?' asks Gem-Ver owner Fe dela Torre
Former coast guard chief Garcia to lead National Coast Watch Council Secretariat
Retired Admiral Joel Garcia returns to the National Coast Watch System, which he helped lead before taking over the Philippine Coast Guard in October 2019
Del Rosario: PH can seize China's assets as payment for West PH Sea damage
Assets that can be seized include China's stakes in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and the 3rd telco, says former foreign affairs chief Albert del Rosario
ASEAN states should follow Indonesia, invoke Hague ruling vs China – Carpio
Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio says raising the landmark ruling is the 'best and most effective' argument under international law to thwart China's encroachment of Southeast Asian states' waters
LOOK: New harbor on Pag-asa Island
The harbor, along with other new structures on the island, will make both civilian and military visits easier – a small but significant step forward in establishing Filipino presence in the West Philippine Sea
Fontana Chinese get coronavirus test results faster than some OFWs
Chinese workers at the resort complex are included in a list of OFWs who’ve tested negative for COVID-19, even though their swab samples were taken later than some Filipino repatriates still waiting for their results
First time: PH Navy ship docks at Pag-asa Island
A new port and beaching ramp near completion on the country's largest outpost in the West Philippine Sea
Chinese aggression, pandemic likely to delay sea code – analysts
Still, experts agree that pursuing the code of conduct is a worthwhile investment to show that Southeast Asian nations and China can cooperate to solve disputes
West PH Sea turning into a wasteland – analyst
Reclaiming coral reefs, harvesting giant clams, and overfishing – mostly by China – have reduced the contested sea into a 'boneyard,' says Asia maritime expert Gregory Poling
ASEAN should rally behind Hague ruling to counter Chinese intimidation, experts say
Maritime experts say China will have no choice but to adjust if its Southeast Asian neighbors put up a united front in the strategic waterway
Beijing continues South China Sea aggression during pandemic
The strategic waterway is choppy as ever as China presses on its expansive claims, leaving countries to battle a pandemic and defend their territories
Little hope ASEAN can rein in China in sea dispute – analyst
The long-delayed, highly anticipated code of conduct in the coveted waterway will unlikely restrain China’s assertive actions, says US-based Asia maritime expert Greg Poling
[OPINION] China’s silent invasion
'It remains a mystery as to why the Duterte government locks down everybody else except mainland Chinese, who tour or dock on our shores to extract our minerals, and recklessly expose our people to COVID-19'
PH protests China districts, features in West PH Sea, asserts Hague ruling
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs says it does not recognize names given to maritime features in the Kalayaan Island Group as well as China’s declaration the area is under the jurisdiction of Sansha City
Authorize mapping agency to name features in West PH Sea – Carpio
Retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio says once the country's central mapping agency can approve names for features in the Philippine waters, China's attempts rename features there will lose its bearing
'Offensive,' Lorenzana says about China's laser gun aimed at PH Navy ship
'Why does the Chinese Navy need to aim their target acquisition radars at our airplanes or ships?' asks Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Lorenzana, AFP defend military chief's 'out of place' letter to Chinese envoy
Although the military chief's letter to the Chinese envoy may have been 'out of place,' Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says he sees nothing wrong with it
'Difficult' to sue China over coronavirus pandemic, says Carpio
Retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio says while China is covered by the doctrine of sovereign immunity, its officials may be held legally liable if one can prove the spread of the coronavirus was deliberate
Universal Records says they are 'not involved' in 'Iisang Dagat'
The label says their name was included in the caption for the song's video without their consent
AFP chief asked Chinese envoy help to buy COVID-19 'medicine,' then recalls letter
A leaked letter shows AFP chief General Felimon Santos Jr requesting Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian’s help in obtaining Carrimycin tablets, which he said he used when he was sick with COVID-19
'Iisang Dagat': China embassy pens song of 'friendship' with PH during coronavirus crisis
The song comes with a music video showcasing assistance and messages of thanks from Philippine officials, including President Rodrigo Duterte. Meanwhile, China continues to assert its claims in the West Philippine Sea.
Carpio hits China's 'pure and simple bullying' in West Philippine Sea
Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal also calls a Chinese warship's targetting of a Philippine Navy vessel a 'provocative and reckless escalation' of tensions in the West Philippine Sea
Pompeo urges ASEAN to call out Beijing's moves in South China Sea during pandemic
'The U.S. strongly opposes China’s bullying and we hope other nations will hold them to account too,' says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Chinese warship targeted Philippine Navy vessel in West PH Sea – AFP
The hostile act is a clear violation of international law and Philippine sovereignty, says the AFP Western Command based in Palawan
