Briefs, December 29, 2012
The Philippines said yesterday it "strongly objects" to China's deployment of a new patrol vessel in the South China Sea, where the two countries have a seething territorial dispute.
MANILA - The Philippines said yesterday it "strongly objects" to China's deployment of a new patrol vessel in the South China Sea, where the two countries have a seething territorial dispute. Such patrols would not boost China's claim to the disputed territory, where the two countries have been in a stand-off since April, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said. He called on China to respect his country's "territorial sovereignty". AFP
TOKYO - Japanese vessels left port for the Southern Ocean on their annual whaling hunt. Three vessels departed from Shimonoseki, while environmental group Greenpeace said the mother ship had left a second port in the country's west. The fleet plans to hunt up to 935 Antarctic minke and up to 50 fin whales. AFP