Singapore on which side? ASEAN? or PRC?

[Agoraphobic]

The PRC's exertion of her might has encroached beyond her own territories and has gotten intrusively close to areas claimed by ASEAN nations. With challenges coming from Philippines and Vietnam, where will Singapore's alliance stand? With the ASEAN grouping, or with the big PRC? Or will she choose to be non-aligned? As these events continue, it will be interesting to watch the direction Singapore takes.

Cheers!

http://news.yahoo.com/philippines-raise-china-dispute-asean-summit-102612671.html

Philippines to raise China dispute at ASEAN summit

By OLIVER TEVES May 10, 2014 11:13 PM

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said he will raise his country's territorial dispute with China at a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders and call for support to resolve the conflict through international arbitration.

Aquino said dialogue between two countries is not enough to settle issues that also affect others in the region. Vietnam dispatched a flotilla to confront a Chinese oil rig that Beijing deployed in the disputed Paracel Islands on May 1, triggering a tense standoff.
Foreign ministers from the 10-member ASEAN who gathered Saturday in Myanmar ahead of Sunday's summit issued a statement expressing concern over the latest tensions and urging restraint by all parties.
The Philippines presented evidence in March to an international tribunal against China's sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea, ignoring Beijing's warning that the case would damage bilateral ties.
Manila brought its territorial dispute with China to international arbitration in January 2013 after Chinese government ships took control of a shoal claimed by the Philippines.
"Let us uphold and follow the rule of law in resolving territorial disputes in order to give due recognition and respect to the rights of all nations," Aquino said in a statement. "We cannot rely just on dialogues between only two nations to settle issues that affect others in the region."
In addition to the Philippines and Myanmar, ASEAN also includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
In the latest spat between the Philippines and China, Filipino maritime police arrested 11 Chinese fishermen who allegedly illegally collected more than 300 endangered marine turtles in a disputed shoal close to the western province of Palawan. Manila has ignored Beijing's demands to release the fishermen and their boat apprehended early last week by the police at the Half Moon Shoal.
Last month, Chinese coast guard vessels tried to stop Philippine marines from resupplying and bringing fresh troops to a grounded ship now being used as the country's outpost and symbol of sovereignty at another disputed shoal.
The Philippines could invite even stronger Chinese protests after the Department of Energy announced Friday that it was ready to accept applications to explore for oil and gas in the Reed Bank off Palawan. The area is near where Chinese patrol ships tried to drive away a Philippine exploration vessel in March 2011.

 

[Sinkie]

Fight so much for what? The 21st century is China century. Make no mistake about that.

 

[laksaboy]

Whichever side that makes the higher bid, obviously.

 

[McDonaldsKid]

On the side of money of course.

 

[yellowarse]

Sinkie leaders have always tried to butter their bread on three sides: US (military), China (economic), ASEAN (abang-adik solidarity).

With our incoherent foreign policy, it's little wonder we draw flak from all quarters no matter what we say or do.

 

[winners]

ASEAN is like a toothless tiger when confronting China. Why? Because nations like Indonesia, Malaysia and Sinkie Land are relying a lot on China for economic prosperity.

 

[Agoraphobic]

It looks like there is common acknowledgement that Singapore's stand tends towards monetary offerings. That is speculative, but definitely drawn from some experiences. And nobody wants to fight, this applies also to mighty China. For now, it comes down to whoever has a louder voice and in this area, ASEAN is only letting off a whimper. PRC is speaking loudly and making it known that it is claiming the territory. ASEAN might not be comfortable with a growing PRC presence in her backyard, but can't do anything to prevent this. The main power in South-East Asia is Indonesia, and if she doesn't put her foot down firmly, it is unlikely that any other member will have the balls to do so. Does ASEAN want Uncle Sam to meddle in her affairs? The Philippines would be happy for that to happen.

Cheers!

 

[laksaboy]

Sinkie leaders have always tried to butter their bread on three sides: US (military), China (economic), ASEAN (abang-adik solidarity).

With our incoherent foreign policy, it's little wonder we draw flak from all quarters no matter what we say or do.

Those who try to please everyone will inevitably end up pissing off everyone.

 

[Sinkie]

Talk so much for what? China cannot be defeated...........here's why:

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/59379/chinas-mining-occupation-of-the-philippines

 

[king_of_abalone]

ASEAN is like a toothless tiger when confronting China. Why? Because nations like Indonesia, Malaysia and Sinkie Land are relying a lot on China for economic prosperity.

Malaysia and Indonesia both already kowtow to PRC regarding this islands issue because they already beneficiaries of PRC's billions of dollars (or equivalent).

Only Pinoy and Viets kow peh because PRC not interested in investing with them. So they now open their legs to invite Uncle Sam to come and insert his troops.

 

[mojito]

Backside of course! Singapore loves kissing ass.

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Sinkie leaders have always tried to butter their bread on three sides: US (military), China (economic), ASEAN (abang-adik solidarity).

With our incoherent foreign policy, it's little wonder we draw flak from all quarters no matter what we say or do.

Actually the US-China constitute one single side. It is in the US long term strategic interests to ally with China and ensure that China is stable and remains a strong anchor in the region. On the more immediate horizon, Russia is re-emerging don't forget they're China's old enemy. The US will want the Chinese counter-weight again. Anyone in pacific region who allies with the US in the pacific region must also ally with China. Friend of your friend must also be your friend concept.

 

[Jah_rastafar_I]

what if it was shitskinland vs philippines?

 

[Agoraphobic]

what if it was shitskinland vs philippines?

Singapore at present is friends with everybody. But sometime in the coming future, she has to make a stance on that (see below). Either ASEAN functions as a united grouping and act as one, or it will fall apart. This choice is up to Singapore. I don't think the member states will tolerate other members switching sides to their own convenience in the long term.

Cheers!

http://www.manilatimes.net/vietnam-seeks-asean-help-in-row-with-china/95861/

VIETNAM SEEKS ASEAN HELP IN ROW WITH CHINA

May 11, 2014 11:36 pm

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: Surging maritime tensions dominated a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders on Sunday as Vietnam called on its regional neighbors for support in its deepening territorial dispute with China.
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) convened just days after Vietnam and the Philippines locked horns with China in contested waters, stoking international alarm.
The summit, hosted for the first time by Myanmar in its showpiece capital Naypyidaw, is set to be dominated by discussion of the South China Sea, which is crisscrossed by key shipping lanes and thought to contain vast energy reserves.
In prepared remarks for the summit seen by Agence France Presse, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung urged his Asean counterparts to protest what he termed China’s “serious violation” in the sea.
Tensions flared after a controversial decision by Beijing to relocate a deep-water oil rig into territory also claimed by Hanoi in early May.
The move sparked a series of incidents in the disputed waters, with Vietnam on Wednesday accusing its neighbor of attacks on its ships.
“This extremely dangerous action has been and is directly threatening peace, stability and maritime security and safety,” Dung said, according to the prepared remarks.
On Saturday, Asean foreign ministers expressed “serious concerns over the ongoing developments” in a joint statement ahead of the summit, as the bloc sought to present a unified front in dealing with the region’s massive neighbor.
The standoff has stoked bitter anti-China sentiment in Vietnam, with about 1,000 people joining one of the country’s largest ever rallies against Beijing in Hanoi on Sunday. Protests also broke out in two other major Vietnamese cities.
China and Vietnam, who fought a brief border war in 1979, frequently trade diplomatic barbs over oil exploration, fishing rights and the Spratly and Paracel islands.
Vietnam’s communist regime, which is wary of public gatherings that could threaten its authoritarian rule, has alternated between tolerating anti-China rallies and violently breaking them up.
Observers have said Beijing’s decision to move the rig could have been a tit-for-tat response to a visit to the region by US President Barack Obama, who reaffirmed support for Asian allies the Philippines and Japan, which is locked in its own maritime territorial dispute with China.
Beijing claims sovereign rights to almost the whole of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea to Manila).
The Philippines and Vietnam are China’s most vocal critics within Southeast Asia.
But the South China Sea is also claimed in part by Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia as well as Taiwan.
Manila, which has asked a UN tribunal to rule on China’s claims over most of the sea, also said on Wednesday it had detained a Chinese fishing boat in disputed territory.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino 3rd on Saturday urged fellow Southeast Asian leaders to face up to the threat posed by China’s increasing assertiveness in the sea, stressing that it affected regional security.
Beijing prefers to negotiate directly with its smaller, weaker neighbors on a bilateral basis, a policy that is rejected by rival claimants.The other Asean members are Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.