Philippines orders strengthened military presence after 'Chinese activities' near islands
AI In-Brief
Thailand News in Brief
Thai PBS World
Thailand and the world, every day
AI can make mistakes. Please double-check.
Philippines orders strengthened military presence after 'Chinese activities' near islands
13 Sept 10:49Key points summarised by AI
The Philippines has ordered its military to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea following observed "Chinese activities" near strategic Philippine-held islands.
Manila views any Chinese encroachment or reclamation within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone as a direct threat to its sovereign territory, particularly Pagasa (Thitu) island.
China denies reports of new construction activities in the disputed Spratly islands and states its commitment to resolving maritime issues through friendly consultations, adhering to agreements not to develop uninhabited reefs.
The Philippine military's Western Command reports a "persistent presence" of Chinese militia vessels near Thitu island and other disputed features, underscoring ongoing tensions in the strategically vital region.
Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.