CORON, Palawan—National scientist Dr. Angel Alcala warned on Thursday of an impending decline in fisheries production affecting mainly the Philippines and Vietnam as a result of massive coral destruction resulting from China’s widespread seabed dredging activities in the Spratlys. Alcala, a marine scientist and former environment secretary, described the environmental impact of China’s construction activities as “severe” and would affect not only Vietnam and the Philippines but all other countries around the South China Sea. “The widespread dredging being done by China is an irresponsible act because all the nations around the South China Sea is going to be affected,” Alcala said at the start of the two-day seminar for media practitioners from different regions in the Philippines held at Corto del Mar Hotel here. The seminar, organized by the United States Embassy, is titled “Writing for Survival: Media for Marine Conservation.” Alcala noted that Chinese activities in the … [Read more...] about Marine scientist says China destroying corals
South china sea
Thailand To Renounce SEA Games After Cambodia Host Changes ‘Muay Thai’ Name
(CTN NEWS) – BANGKOK – Thailand will not participate in the kickboxing division at the South-East Asian – SEA Games this year to protest the use of the local name Kun Khmer for the sport by the hosts Cambodia. At the regional championships, which will be held in Phnom Penh from May 5–17, the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) stated on Tuesday. To avoid a conflict between the two nations, the NOCT underlined that it would not attempt to prevent the host from holding kickboxing matches under its Khmer name. The SEA Games kickboxing program was completely stripped of any mention of Muay Thai by Cambodia last month, prompting a protest from Thai Muay Thai groups. / nation Thailand The International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) is neither recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) nor by the Olympic Council of Asia. Has been replaced as Cambodia’s overseeing body, according to NOCT commissioner Chaiyapak … [Read more...] about Thailand To Renounce SEA Games After Cambodia Host Changes ‘Muay Thai’ Name
Philippines to expand US access to military bases: official
FILE PHOTO: United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a news conference after a bilateral meeting with Philippines’ Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at Camp Aguinaldo military camp in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 30, 2021. Rolex Dela Pena/Pool via REUTERS Manila , Philippines — The United States and the Philippines are expected to announce a deal Thursday that will give US troops access to another four military bases in the Southeast Asian nation, as the longtime allies seek to deter Chinese aggression in the region. The agreement to expand cooperation will be announced during a visit by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a senior Philippine official told AFP, and comes as the countries seek to repair ties that were fractured in recent years. China’s growing assertiveness on Taiwan and its claims over the disputed South China Sea have given fresh impetus to Washington and Manila to strengthen their partnership. Given its … [Read more...] about Philippines to expand US access to military bases: official
Vietnamese star striker among nominations for best footballer in Asia
Linh is one of the three Southeast Asian players on the list, along with Thailand's defender Theerathon Bunmathan (Buriram United) and Singaporean striker Ikhsan Fandi (BG Pathum United). There are also Asian superstars on the list such as South Korea's Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi (FC Porto) and Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal). "Tien Linh was in consistent form and became the top scorer of the 2022 AFF Cup," organizer Titan Sports wrote. "In the historic 3-1 win of Vietnam against China in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Linh played his part well as a striker and scored the second goal." Linh is also the key player in the SEA Games 31 campaign of Vietnam, helping the team claim the men's football gold medal for the second consecutive time. At the club level, he scored nine goals for Becamex Binh Duong in the 2022 V. League. The 25-year-old has also been nominated for the … [Read more...] about Vietnamese star striker among nominations for best footballer in Asia
Vietnamese athletes to get $1M bonus for Olympic gold medal
Silver and bronze medalists will get $500,000 and $200,000. The bonuses result from a deal signed by the Vietnam Olympic Committee (VOC) and a strategic partner of the International Sports Funding & Support Association (ISF) in South Korea that will sponsor the entire amount. VOC General Secretary Tran Van Manh said at the signing ceremony on Wednesday: "Athletes will also get a bonus from the government. We will keep looking for sponsors to increase the bonus." For the 2020 Olympics, Vietnam announced bonuses of $80,000, $51,000 and $27,300 for gold, silver and bronze medalists. Singapore paid $738,000 to its gold medalist, while Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines paid $346,000, $237,000 and $200,000. Shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh, who won the a gold and a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, received VND180 million ($7,675) from the government though bonuses from others took the total amount to nearly VND5 billion ($213,220). Only four Vietnamese athletes have won … [Read more...] about Vietnamese athletes to get $1M bonus for Olympic gold medal