“The political will is strong. And also, they can bring [it] down to the practical level.”
Carl Thayer of the Australia Defense Force Academy is expert on South China Sea disputes. He says the agreement between China and Vietnam makes it seem that both parties are cooperating. But he says the central arguments remain unsettled.
Mr. Thayer says China has publicly expressed a lot of support for the agreements. But he says if you look at them carefully, they represent only very minor steps ahead. And they do not yet reach joint development.
Philippines energy officials have been hopeful about making a deal. But President Benigno Aquino has made his policy clear about any partnership between Forum Energy and CNOOC. He says that means the area Forum Energy explores is clearly within the Philippines exclusive economic area. And he says the CNOOC would have to honor the Philippine position in the dispute.
“Any exploitation of the same has to be in conformity with our laws.”
In January, the Philippines brought the issue to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea. A ruling in the case could come as soon as next year.
I’m Christopher Cruise.
Multi-Generation Homes Become More Popular
In the United States, homebuilders and developers are seeing growing demand for homes designed to house families of three or more generations. Kelly Jean Kelly has more on the story in this report from Elizabeth Lee.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25