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Is war brewing in the South China Sea? Territorial disputes are raging between China and Vietnam and also between China and the Philippines over a number of island groups in the South China Sea. A recent law passed by Vietnam has added fuel to the fire. The articles and videos below look into the disputes.
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gulftoday.ae | Hanoi rejects Chinese protest over law on islands
HANOI: Vietnam has rejected China’s protest over a new Vietnamese law that reasserts territorial claims over two South China Sea island g…0
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Vietnam slams ‘absurd’ China protest over islands | Business Recorder
Vietnam has defended a new maritime law claiming sovereignty over the fiercely-contested Paracel and Spratly islands, dismissing protests…0
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Vietnam’s maritime claim ‘will harm ties’
Beijing (China Daily/ANN) – Vietnam’s maritime law, which wrongly claims jurisdiction over Chinese islands, will seriously harm Sino-Viet…0
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China, Vietnam dispute over Spratlys
Vietnam has dismissed China’s protest against a new Vietnamese law reaffirming its sovereignty over two island groups China lays claim to…0
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Kalayaan island group integral part of Palawan town – Palace – The Philippine Star ” News ” Headlines
MANILA, Philippines – The Kalayaan Island Group (Spratlys) has always been an integral part of Kalayaan town in Palawan, Malacañang asser…0
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US eyes return to some Southeast Asian military bases
As the Obama administration revamps its Asian strategy in response to a rising China, the US military is eyeing a return to some familiar…0
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China gets tough as Vietnam claims disputed islands
An imposing presence … Chinese Navy submarines and warships take part in an international fleet review. Photo: Reuters BEIJING: In a sh…0
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China urges Vietnam to correct erroneous maritime law – Globaltimes.cn
The National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, on Friday urged Vietnam to correct an erroneous maritime law it passed on …0
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CHINA ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHING SANSHA CITY0
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Can Vietnam´s maritime law stand scrutiny in international court ?0
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China protests Vietnamese Sea Law0
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Tag Archives: brewing
Plinky Prompt: The Morning So Far (In Third Person Narrative)
The morning was angry. A gale was brewing – though the temperature pleasant. Winter was fast passing into Spring. Kevin decided it was warm enough to jump on the push bike and head off to grab the morning papers. This he did, with a decidedly happy disposition. This was going to be a good day.
Draft legislation in Russia might make evangelism impossible
A draft legislation introduced this month threatens to make evangelism nearly impossible in Russia. A date has not yet been released for further ruling on the law, but in the meantime, evangelicals express concern, reports MNN.
“Only religious groups that have been registered in Russia for at least 15 year will be allowed to engage in any evangelistic or missionary activity,” says Bob Provost of Slavic Gospel Association. “For example, if a North American church were to send a youth group over to help with a summer camp (which happens a lot), or if they were to send over a music group to help with evangelistic activity, it would not be allowed. Foreigners in Russia on a temporary visa would not be permitted.”
The legislation also outlaws indigenous churches from any missionary activity within hospitals, orphanages, or homes for the aged. Children, under the new legislation, will be prohibited from attending religious activities without specific permission by a parent or guardian. This part of the law, in particular, would devastate specific ministry opportunities.
“The single greatest evangelistic opportunity that the Church has there today comes at Christmas time when they’re able to hold Christmas events and invite children from the community,” explains Provost. “In many cases, parents and grandparents accompany their children to these meetings and find out that the lies that they’ve been hearing via the media or in the public schools against evangelical Christianity are not true.”
As if all of these restrictions were not limiting enough, the legislation forbids any “offers of material, social and other benefits,” leaving the range of prohibited activity almost completely open-ended.
If passed, anyone convicted of anything under this legislation (offering food to the poor, sharing the Gospel with a child, evangelizing on a short-term trip etc.) could be fined up to $517 USD. The Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (RUECB) has responded to the absurdity of the open-endedness of the draft legislation, but it does not appear as though the government has not appeared to have made any movement.
With all of these objectives brewing, an explanation as to “why” is appropriate. But so far, there doesn’t appear to be substantial reasoning. Provost suggests that the legislation may be in defense of the Orthodox Church in Russia. Although the Baptist Church is not growing astronomically in Russia, it is growing and may well be considered a threat.
“It’s evident to me that president Putin, when he came into power, put the government’s arm around the Orthodox Church again in order to unify the country,” says Provost. As a result, “Any religion that starts to get in the way of the Orthodox Church is going to be considered a threat, and steps are being taken to remove it.”
Amid all of the concern, the Church continues to live on in Russia. “605 men have been set apart and are ready to be sent as missionaries all over the former Soviet Union. We’re praying for partners who would help us send them,” says Provost. “Nine out of ten communities are still waiting for a Gospel witness presence. In other words, nine out of ten communities have never had a Bible teaching church.”
The RUECB is asking churches in Russia to fast and pray that the legislation would not be passed in any of the stages toward becoming law. Please pray with them.
Slavic Gospel Association will continue their work in Russia and the former Soviet Union.
Report from the Christian Telegraph
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