Weekly News 23/05 - 29/05

-(Theguardian 29/05) South China Sea fears grow before tribunal rules on disputed islands: China already says it will reject ruling, fanning west’s fears of construction surge in islands and reefs in busy trade route -(SCMP 29/05) US naval air manoeuvres become the ‘new normal’ in Asia-Pacific: US military moves in recent months have led to angry protests from China and Russia

24/05/2016

Should Duterte Step Back on the South China Sea?

Some countries have become wary of China’s aspiration to become a maritime power because the means pursued by the Xi Jinping government — as seen in the disputed South China Sea — appear to ignore the legitimate interests of its smaller neighbors, flout existing international norms and pose risks to regional peace and stability.

25/05/2016

Weekly Bulletin 16/05 - 22/05

China’s response to the annual report of the US Department of Defense to Congress; Vietnam’s Trade union slams China’s fishing ban; Benigno Aquino Says U.S. Must Act if China Moves on Reef in South China Sea; 4-star vows to continue U.S. operations in South China Sea; India’s Eastern Fleet Ships on deployment to South China and North West Pacific

25/05/2016

South China Sea Tensions: How Do We Know What's Really Happening?

Here is the problem, simply put: there are not enough analysts to make sense of every ship or activity at sea; nor enough government assets to persistently monitor them all.

30/05/2016

Australia in the South China Sea: time to act, not react

The rapidly changing strategic landscape in the South China Sea threatens to marginalise Australia unless the government takes positive action now to remain a relevant and influential player in the region’s strategic calculus.

30/05/2016

The South China Sea: Next Stop the UN Security Council?

All the signs indicate that China is preparing to reject the anticipated adverse judgment of the PCA on the South China Sea. What options would then be available to the international community?   

30/05/2016

Weekly Bulletin 23/05 - 29/05

Philippine arrests 10 Chinese fishermen in latest sea spat; Laos urges dialogues on South China Sea rows; U.S Secretary of Defense: China’s actions could erect a Great Wall of self-isolation; President Obama Arrives in Vietnam for Historic Asia Trip; Japan, Canada share 'serious concerns' on South China Sea.

31/05/2016

South China Sea Dispute: Who Will Chicken Out, China Or The US?

China and the US are on a collision course lately. Over the South China Sea disputes, that is.

31/05/2016

Weekly News 30/05 - 05/06

-(SMH 02/06) Beijing welcomes Manila's offer for talks on dispute: Rodrigo Duterte said his country would not rely on long-term security ally the United States, signalling greater independence from Washington in dealing with China. -(Stripes 02/06) Uncertainty over Beijing’s next move in South China Sea ahead of summit: A South China Sea ADIZ would be significantly more provocative, Navy and U.S....

31/05/2016

Newly Found Maps Dispute Beijing's South China Sea Claims

China’s dubious claim to more than 80% of the South China Sea, which includes overlapping claims with the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam, took another hit recently when a Vietnamese historian visited Yale University in New Haven, CT.

01/06/2016