China's Military Looks to the Sky

September 9, 2016 | 09:16 GMT

As part of its shifting military strategy, China is putting more emphasis on its airborne forces. That includes beefing up its air logistics capabilities by updating its transport aircraft fleet. (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images)

China is broadening its military horizons. The country is pursuing its global interests more proactively, driving its military to focus on becoming a more international presence as part of its "active defense" doctrine. As China extends its reach and expands its efforts to defend its interests around the world, the country has had to rely on branches of its armed forces beyond the army, traditionally the dominant branch. To that end, Beijing has poured money into developing its naval and air power and overhauling and modernizing its command and control structure. At the same time, it has worked to enhance its airborne forces. Click here to continue reading…

South China Sea: Philippines Accuses China Of Preparing To Build On Scarborough Shoal

September 7, 2016 | 08:47 GMT

The Philippines released photos on Sept. 7 that it says show China preparing to begin island-construction activities on Scarborough Shoal, a major flashpoint in the territorial dispute between the two countries, AFP reported. The release of the images was timed to coincide with the beginning of the ASEAN summit in Laos, which is being attended by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The images show Chinese ships that Manila says are capable of dredging sand and carrying out other land reclamation activities. The presence of the ships is a precursor to building activities on the shoal, a Philippines Defense Department spokesman said. Beijing said it has not begun any efforts to transform the shoal into another island, as it has done at several other reefs in contested areas of the South China Sea. The Philippines will continue to use a carrot-and-stick strategy toward China in the South China Sea, choosing not to play up its recent victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in order to reach a compromise.

South China Sea: Japan, U.S. To Up Military Assistance To Regional Allies

September 7, 2016 | 08:59 GMT

Japan and the United States on Sept. 7 both pledged to provide greater military assistance to Southeast Asian states locked in a territorial dispute with China over the South China Sea, AFP reported. According to the Philippine coast guard, the United States pledged two used military surveillance aircraft to help Manila expand sea patrols in the face of territorial disputes with China. Meanwhile, Japan has pledged to give Malaysia an unspecified number of used coast guard patrol vessels, as well as coast guard training and support for necessary communications equipment. Japan’s move follows a pledge on Sept. 6 to give the Philippines two large patrol ships and lend the country as many as five used surveillance aircraft. Japan has been gradually increasing its support for the Philippine military amid rising tension in the South China Sea, including an earlier pledge to provide 10 smaller patrol ships.