Latest news with #Asanagi
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Ally Issues Warning Over China Military Expansion in Pacific
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China's "aggressiveness" in the Asia-Pacific region has been years in the making and does not depend on which U.S. administration is in power, Philippine defense chief Gilberto Teodoro warned Wednesday. "It depends on its own plan of action in the region—in our view, its own expansionist activities, its own need to control the area," he said during remarks at the Reuters NEXT Asia summit in Singapore. Why It Matters China claims nearly the entire South China Sea as its territory, citing historical rights—a position that puts it at odds with the Philippines and several other countries with competing claims. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines has mounted a strong challenge to China's growing presence within its exclusive economic zone. Chinese maritime forces have responded with blockades at disputed reefs and forceful measures during confrontations with Philippine government vessels. This has brought renewed focus on the Southeast Asian country's defense treaty with Washington, which could potentially draw U.S. forces into a conflict with geopolitical rival Beijing. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via a request for comment by email. What To Know Asked whether U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership style had prompted China's behavior, Teodoro said Beijing's designs are "predetermined by their own leader—irrespective of who an American leader is," though he acknowledged "U.S. pushback" remains a factor. Crew members of the Philippine Coast Guard ship Teresa Magbanua wave during exercises with the United States Coast Guard ship Cutter Stratton and the Japan Coast Guard ship Asanagi in the waters around the southern... Crew members of the Philippine Coast Guard ship Teresa Magbanua wave during exercises with the United States Coast Guard ship Cutter Stratton and the Japan Coast Guard ship Asanagi in the waters around the southern Japanese city of Kagoshima on June 20, 2025. More Richard Brooks/AFP via Getty Images As for the prospect of war, the official said he believed the chances are "remote." "That would entirely depend on the internal conditions of China," Teodoro said, pointing out the Philippines is constitutionally barred from seeking war "as an instrument of national policy." He said Manila seeks to balance diplomacy with a credible deterrent. "What we are doing is merely putting a stop—as best as we can—to the illegal incursion of China, of which I do not think any country in the world supports," Teodoro said. His remarks echoed comments he made in a Newsweek interview at last month's Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where he said China's actions have bred weariness and distrust. Both the administrations of Trump and former President Joe Biden have reaffirmed the U.S.' commitment to the defense treaty with the Philippines, which remains "ironclad." Beijing has repeatedly accused the Philippines of being in a pawn in U.S. efforts to contain China's rise and touted bilateral dialogue with its neighbor as the only solution to their territorial dispute. What People Are Saying Rahm Emanuel, former U.S. ambassador to Japan, said of the Asia Pacfic's hot spots during a recent interview with CNN: "On China, let me say this, everybody focuses on Taiwan. Look, you have the South China Sea with the Philippines. That is a country that's a treaty ally of the United States. You have our entire reputation and clarity of deterrence on stage. "…And Xi does not have the confidence in his own military to make that move yet [against Taiwan]. So to me, the real challenge is, first and foremost in the front queue, is the South China Sea with the Philippines." What's Next President Marcos has indicated that any deliberate act by China resulting in a Philippine death would constitute a "red line." Still, in its pushback against China, the country has sought to avoid outright conflict, opting instead to document and publicize Chinese vessel movements and incidents, such as ramming and water cannon attacks. Even so, tensions with China are driving the Philippines' ongoing $35 billion military modernization program, which includes efforts to acquire more capable fighter jets and warships.
Daily Express
22-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Japan-US-Philippines coast guards simulate crisis amid China threat
Published on: Sunday, June 22, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 22, 2025 Text Size: Members of the Japan Coast Guard prepare to toss a dummy into the sea for a rescue operation simulation during a maritime exercise with the Philippine Coast Guard ship 'Teresa Magbanua', the United States Coast Guard ship 'Cutter Stratton' and the Japan Coast Guard ship 'Asanagi' in the waters around the southern city of Kagoshima, Kagoshima prefecture. Japan: Helicopters buzzed in the shadow of a smouldering volcano and boats rescued dummies from the sea this week in a show of maritime unity by Japan, the United States and the Philippines. The joint coast guard exercises held off Japan's southwest shore follow a warning from the three countries about Chinese activity in disputed regional waters. Tensions between China and other claimants to parts of the East and South China Seas have pushed Japan to deepen ties with the Philippines and the United States. This week marked the second time the countries' coast guards have held training drills together, and the first in Japan. They took place over five days off the coast of Kagoshima, where Sakurajima volcano dominates the skyline, quietly puffing out smoke and ash. Dozens of personnel took part, with Friday's final exercises featuring one vessel from each of the three countries' coast guards. Advertisement They included the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which was provided to the Philippines by Japan through a loan agreement. The 2,265-ton vessel, named after a schoolteacher and revolutionary, usually monitors Chinese boats in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines have engaged in months of confrontations in the contested waters, which Beijing claims almost entirely, despite an international ruling that the assertion has no legal basis. Chinese and Japanese patrol vessels in the East China Sea also routinely face off around disputed islands. On Friday, Manila accused China of using a water cannon on two of its fisheries department boats as they attempted to resupply Philippine fishermen near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The US Coast Guard was represented in the exercises by the cutter Stratton, which can carry up to 170 personnel, and Japan by the 6,000-ton Asanagi. Friday's drills began with a simulation of a person falling overboard. Once the dummy, wearing a bright red lifejacket, was in the water, a US drone was launched from the Stratton, circling high above as it scanned the area. A small Philippine rescue boat then emerged from the Teresa Magbanua, zipping across the water before coast guard personnel fished the dummy out of the water. Other rescue scenarios enacted included a Japanese helicopter racing from shore to pull a human subject from the sea. The helicopter's rotor blades whipped up the calm blue waters, where the occasional small hammerhead shark could be seen idly swimming alongside the Asanagi. The exercises concluded with a simulated collision and fire, with all three coast guards blasting the stricken vessel with their water cannons. Japan Coast Guard official Naofumi Tsumura said the joint exercises had 'built mutual understanding and trust'. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Observer
21-06-2025
- General
- Observer
Japan, US, Philippines stage unified maritime training exercise
ON BOARD THE ASANAGI, Japan: Helicopters buzzed in the shadow of a smouldering volcano and boats rescued dummies from the sea this week in a show of maritime unity by Japan, the United States and the Philippines. The joint coast guard exercises held off Japan's southwest shore follow a warning from the three countries about Chinese activity in disputed regional waters. Tensions between China and other claimants to parts of the East and South China Seas have pushed Japan to deepen ties with the Philippines and the United States. This week marked the second time the countries' coast guards have held training drills together, and the first in Japan. They took place over five days off the coast of Kagoshima, where Sakurajima volcano dominates the skyline, quietly puffing out smoke and ash. Dozens of personnel took part, with Friday's final exercises featuring one vessel from each of the three countries' coast guards. They included the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which was provided to the Philippines by Japan through a loan agreement. The 2,265-ton vessel, named after a schoolteacher and revolutionary, usually monitors Chinese boats in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines have engaged in months of confrontations in the contested waters, which Beijing claims almost entirely, despite an international ruling that the assertion has no legal basis. Chinese and Japanese patrol vessels in the East China Sea also routinely face off around disputed islands. On Friday, Manila accused China of using a water cannon on two of its fisheries department boats as they attempted to resupply Philippine fishermen near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The US Coast Guard was represented in the exercises by the cutter Stratton, which can carry up to 170 personnel, and Japan by the 6,000-ton Asanagi. Friday's drills began with a simulation of a person falling overboard. Once the dummy, wearing a bright red lifejacket, was in the water, a US drone was launched from the Stratton, circling high above as it scanned the area. A small Philippine rescue boat then emerged from the Teresa Magbanua, zipping across the water before coast guard personnel fished the dummy out of the water. Other rescue scenarios enacted included a Japanese helicopter racing from shore to pull a human subject from the sea. — AFP
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Japan-U.S.-Philippines coast guards simulate crisis amid China threat
Helicopters buzzed in the shadow of a smouldering volcano and boats rescued dummies from the sea this week in a show of maritime unity by Japan, the United States and the Philippines. The joint coast guard exercises held off Japan's southwest shore follow a warning from the three countries about Chinese activity in disputed regional waters. Tensions between China and other claimants to parts of the East and South China Seas have pushed Japan to deepen ties with the Philippines and the United States. This week marked the second time the countries' coast guards have held training drills together, and the first in Japan. They took place over five days off the coast of Kagoshima, where Sakurajima volcano dominates the skyline, quietly puffing out smoke and ash. Dozens of personnel took part, with Friday's final exercises featuring one vessel from each of the three countries' coast guards. They included the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which was provided to the Philippines by Japan through a loan agreement. The 2,265-ton vessel, named after a schoolteacher and revolutionary, usually monitors Chinese boats in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines have engaged in months of confrontations in the contested waters, which Beijing claims almost entirely, despite an international ruling that the assertion has no legal basis. Chinese and Japanese patrol vessels in the East China Sea also routinely face off around disputed islands. On Friday, Manila accused China of using a water cannon on two of its fisheries department boats as they attempted to resupply Philippine fishermen near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. Man overboard! The US Coast Guard was represented in the exercises by the cutter Stratton, which can carry up to 170 personnel, and Japan by the 6,000-ton Asanagi. Friday's drills began with a simulation of a person falling overboard. Once the dummy, wearing a bright red lifejacket, was in the water, a US drone was launched from the Stratton, circling high above as it scanned the area. A small Philippine rescue boat then emerged from the Teresa Magbanua, zipping across the water before coast guard personnel fished the dummy out of the water. Other rescue scenarios enacted included a Japanese helicopter racing from shore to pull a human subject from the sea. The helicopter's rotor blades whipped up the calm blue waters, where the occasional small hammerhead shark could be seen idly swimming alongside the Asanagi. The exercises concluded with a simulated collision and fire, with all three coast guards blasting the stricken vessel with their water cannons. Trust-building Japan Coast Guard official Naofumi Tsumura said the joint exercises had "built mutual understanding and trust". "More than anything, we have strengthened coordination and cooperation between us," he said. In 2024, the three countries issued a joint statement that included strong language aimed at Beijing. "We express our serious concerns about the People's Republic of China's (PRC) dangerous and aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea," it said, describing "dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels". They also expressed "strong opposition to any attempts by the PRC to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea". This week's joint exercises were the first since the statement was released. Tsumura said there were small details that could have worked better and vowed to improve in future collaborations. He said the three countries' coast guards had "come to understand each other better, or as the Japanese often say, to know each other by face". "I believe we are now able to conduct maritime rescue operations more effectively," he said.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Japan-US-Philippines coast guards simulate crisis amid China threat
Helicopters buzzed in the shadow of a smouldering volcano and boats rescued dummies from the sea this week in a show of maritime unity by Japan, the United States and the Philippines. The joint coast guard exercises held off Japan's southwest shore follow a warning from the three countries about Chinese activity in disputed regional waters. Tensions between China and other claimants to parts of the East and South China Seas have pushed Japan to deepen ties with the Philippines and the United States. This week marked the second time the countries' coast guards have held training drills together, and the first in Japan. They took place over five days off the coast of Kagoshima, where Sakurajima volcano dominates the skyline, quietly puffing out smoke and ash. Dozens of personnel took part, with Friday's final exercises featuring one vessel from each of the three countries' coast guards. They included the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which was provided to the Philippines by Japan through a loan agreement. The 2,265-ton vessel, named after a schoolteacher and revolutionary, usually monitors Chinese boats in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines have engaged in months of confrontations in the contested waters, which Beijing claims almost entirely, despite an international ruling that the assertion has no legal basis. Chinese and Japanese patrol vessels in the East China Sea also routinely face off around disputed islands. On Friday, Manila accused China of using a water cannon on two of its fisheries department boats as they attempted to resupply Philippine fishermen near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. - Man overboard! - The US Coast Guard was represented in the exercises by the cutter Stratton, which can carry up to 170 personnel, and Japan by the 6,000-ton Asanagi. Friday's drills began with a simulation of a person falling overboard. Once the dummy, wearing a bright red lifejacket, was in the water, a US drone was launched from the Stratton, circling high above as it scanned the area. A small Philippine rescue boat then emerged from the Teresa Magbanua, zipping across the water before coast guard personnel fished the dummy out of the water. Other rescue scenarios enacted included a Japanese helicopter racing from shore to pull a human subject from the sea. The helicopter's rotor blades whipped up the calm blue waters, where the occasional small hammerhead shark could be seen idly swimming alongside the Asanagi. The exercises concluded with a simulated collision and fire, with all three coast guards blasting the stricken vessel with their water cannons. - Trust-building - Japan Coast Guard official Naofumi Tsumura said the joint exercises had "built mutual understanding and trust". "More than anything, we have strengthened coordination and cooperation between us," he said. In 2024, the three countries issued a joint statement that included strong language aimed at Beijing. "We express our serious concerns about the People's Republic of China's (PRC) dangerous and aggressive behavior in the South China Sea," it said, describing "dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels". They also expressed "strong opposition to any attempts by the PRC to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea". This week's joint exercises were the first since the statement was released. Tsumura said there were small details that could have worked better and vowed to improve in future collaborations. He said the three countries' coast guards had "come to understand each other better, or as the Japanese often say, to know each other by face". "I believe we are now able to conduct maritime rescue operations more effectively," he said. amk/kaf/cwl
