Tension between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea rose again today. Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons to keep three Philippino ships carrying fuel and food supplies to fishing boats near Scarborough Shoal from waters in the South China Sea, for which both parties stake out claims. Philippine authorities condemned China’s action for being “illegal and aggressive.” Meanwhile, Chinese officials stated that they took measures against ships entering their waters without permission.
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Download File: https://iha.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/iha-chinese-ships-drove-away-philippine-ships-with-water-cannons-2023-12-09_14-23-27_099829.mp4?_=1At the NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands, allied leaders approved a final declaration pledging to allocate 5% of GDP to defense by 2035. The declaration reaffirmed commitment to NATO’s collective defense and included 3.5% for core military spending and 1.5% for infrastructure, civil preparedness, and resilience. Aid to Ukraine will count toward these figures.
The next summit will be hosted by Türkiye in 2026.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron. He emphasized Türkiye’s cooperation with Germany, EU accession goals, the importance of sustaining calm between Israel and Iran, a just peace in Ukraine, and improving conditions in Syria for refugee return
TR