Charmless, Offensive: Beijing's Bogus South China Sea PR Campaign

There’s a new Chinese charm offensive underway in Southeast Asia, Beijing’s officials are trying to spread love. They’re trekking around the world spinning a story in which China is the virtuous actor in the South China Sea, suggesting that the only reason for all the trouble there is Washington’s arm-twisting of its dupes in the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.

17/05/2016

Weekly Bulletin 09/05 - 15/05

Taiwan enters South China Sea legal fray; Vietnam firmly opposes to Taiwan’s sovereignty violations; Australia supports US warship exercised right FONOPS; ASEAN officers join training course on protection of EEZ; Japan - U.S. navies agree on cooperationActivities of Related Parties

17/05/2016

Weekly News 16/05 - 21/05

-(Gmanetwork  20/05) PNoy on Duterte’s stance on sea dispute: President Benigno Aquino said he would like to believe that incoming President Rodrigo Duterte, would “do what is best for our country” in dealing with the sea dispute in the South China Sea. -(Nikkei 20/05) China pushes back against US over South China Sea: China's latest move to keep American meddling in check comes ahead of Friday's...

17/05/2016

China’s Nuclear Subs Are Ready to Terrorize the Sea

Beijing will soon be able to launch nuclear missiles from the sea. And that’s going to make it harder to deter any future Chinese aggression.

18/05/2016

Will The Philippines Hedge, Balance, or Bandwagon? Previewing Duterte’s South China Sea Policy

After garnering at least 15.9 million votes last May 10th, Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte was elected as the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines. He will assume office at noon on June 30, succeeding Benigno Aquino III. 

20/05/2016

The U.S. Army’s Big Guns go to the South China Sea

Senior Army and Pentagon strategists and planners are considering ways to fire existing weapons platforms in new ways around the globe – including the possible placement of mobile artillery units in areas of the South China Sea to, if necessary.

20/05/2016

China divides ASEAN in the South China Sea

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s whirlwind tour of Brunei, Cambodia and Laos during 22–24 April 2016 courted support for his country’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

21/05/2016

Lords of Navigation: Grotius, Freitas, and the South China Sea

The debate between Grotius and Freitas reminds us that the development of maritime principles has not followed a linear progression. Each side has espoused principle and accepted political expediency.

22/05/2016

Japan Enters South China Sea Dispute

In the coming months, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague is set to issue its judgment on the case brought by the Philippines that challenges China’s claims in the South China Sea. Beijing appears to be anticipating an unfavorable ruling and is reaffirming its stance on the illegitimacy of the UN tribunal.

24/05/2016

Troubled waters: conflict in the South China Sea explained

A United Nations arbitration court will soon rule over the sovereignty of islands in the South China Sea, a territorial dispute between China and the Philippines with global implications.

24/05/2016