Ralph Jennings

Beijing Takes Pivotal Technology Lead in South China Sea

The flap over a US underwater naval drone picked up by China last month reveals how far Beijing’s surveillance extends into the disputed waters

Philippines, Cool to US, Explores Military Relationship With Russia

Duterte visited China and Japan in October, winning nods from both to help the relatively poor Southeast Asian country with aid and investment

Taiwan President Heading to the Americas to Protect Fragile Foreign Relations

Washington broke formal ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favor of the larger and faster-growing China

China-Vatican Talks Threaten Taiwan With Loss of Most Crucial Ally

Philippine Economic Growth on Track to Lead Southeast Asia

President Rodrigo Duterte points to advances in infrastructure and foreign relations as reasons for a forecast 6.7 percent GDP increase this year

Taiwan Watchful as Chinese Ships, Planes Edge Near Territorial Space

Analysts say China is warning Taiwan’s president by letting an aircraft carrier and several planes approach its territorial limits

Civilians Helping Governments Stake Claims in South China Sea

Beijing's start of charter flights to Paracel Islands has upset Vietnam but is seen as less severe than military move

Philippines Takes Strides Toward Alliance With China

The Chinese and Philippine coast guards met for the first time Friday in Manila and agreed to pursue maritime cooperation

Taiwan’s Loss of a Diplomatic Ally Points to Growing Anger in China

Taiwan says China ‘tempted’ Sao Tome and Principe to break ties after 20 years and analysts warn of more moves by Beijing

China, US Readying for Tougher Rivalry in Disputed Asian Sea

Experts say already tense situation in disputed South China Sea could become even more strained

Philippine VP to Contest Duterte’s Deadly Anti-Drug Campaign

Leni Robredo quit the Cabinet and will use her office to oppose suspected extrajudicial killings of drug dealers

S. China Sea Dispute Hangs on Philippine Leadership of ASEAN

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, though warming toward China, has the option of putting Beijing’s maritime expansion on the 2017 ASEAN agenda

Vietnam Pivots Away from US-Led Trade Zone as Trump Preps for Office 

Southeast Asian country shifting its focus to free trade deals with China, Russia and the EU in lieu of the TPP

Strained US-Philippine Ties Show Signs of Improvement

The new U.S. ambassador received a warm reception in Manila, while U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke to the Philippine leader about building relations

Taiwan Preps for Closer US Cooperation After Trump Phone Call

The new US administration may be open to arms sales, trade deals and military cooperation with isolated Taiwan despite China’s displeasure

Philippine Marine Sanctuary in Disputed Sea Risks Upsetting China

Manila’s zone to regrow depleted fisheries would cover a shoal once bitterly contested by Beijing

Trump, Taiwan Put China on the Defensive With Historic Phone Call

Taiwan’s president phoned Friday looking for U.S. relief from diplomatic isolation

Philippine Leader Suggests Talks With Violent Muslim Rebels

President Duterte suggests negotiations with Abu Sayyaf and another violent group in the southern Mindanao despite a stepped up military campaign

China Ponders ADIZ in Disputed Sea

Other countries would likely defy an air defense zone in the South China Sea, causing friction as far away as Washington

Vietnam Taking Long-Term Hard Line Toward China on Maritime Claims

The government in Hanoi is reclaiming land and militarizing some of it to compete with Beijing in the contested South China Sea