Asean Members Walk Back Statement on South China Sea

Foreign ministers from Southeast Asia jointly voiced “serious concern” over rising tensions in the South China Sea, but their unusual show of unity against Beijing appeared to collapse just hours later as their statement was retracted.

15/06/2016

UN Ruling Won’t End South China Sea Dispute: Navy Studies Next Clash

A UN tribunal ruling could trigger the next round of brinksmanship in the South China Sea as early as next week. But don’t expect the ruling to end the dispute, especially since the Chinese have already vowed to ignore an adverse ruling.

20/06/2016

A Guide to Countering Chinese Government Spin on the Fairness of the South China Sea Arbitration Tribunal

Rumors are swirling that the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) arbitral tribunal will release its long-awaited award in Philippines v. China this week. China has already said it will not comply with the award, but it is clearly worried that a negative award will isolate China diplomatically or weaken its future claims in the region.

20/06/2016

Weekly Bulletin 13/06 - 19/06

Philippine protesters say harassed by Chinese during flag stunt; No Philippines-China talks on sea row in 2 years; Indonesian government to formulate official stance on SCS dispute; US to counter China uncertainty with combined Pacific Fleet; Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister meets Chinese counterpart; Special Asean-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting

21/06/2016

Weekly News 20/06 - 26/06

-(Philstar 27/06) Duterte on South China Sea dispute: President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said that he will not make any statement on the South China Sea dispute until the United Nations tribunal issues its ruling on the case. -(Jakartaglobe 27/06) Asean Spurns China’s South China Sea Posture in Kunming: For one brief shining moment, Asean was robustly united and pushed back against China’s bullying.

21/06/2016

U.S. Strategically Squeezing, Says Beijing

The U.S. is continuing to strategically squeeze China in the South China Sea, claims a new editorial in the Beijing-based Global Times newspaper. While not being the official mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist party (CCP), the newspaper often expresses its views and policies.

22/06/2016

ASEAN takes a firmer stance on the South China Sea

Given the place and the occasion, the statement this month by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, criticizing China over its territorial claims in the South China Sea, came as something of a surprise.

23/06/2016

China's Curious South China Sea Negotiation Policy

There has been a great deal of commentary recently on Beijing’s strident refusal to participate in the Philippines’ arbitration case and the almost desperate vehemence with which it is preparing to greet the tribunal’s final judgment.

24/06/2016

Indonesia’s South China Sea Dilemma

For the third time this year, the Indonesian navy has faced off against Chinese fishing vessels trawling within the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding the Natuna Islands.

24/06/2016

The Obama administration is failing to stop China’s Pacific aggression

This month, on their way from Taiwan to Japan, a group of U.S. senators inadvertently flew over a set of islands that both the Chinese and Japanese claim as their own. The Chinese government was incensed.

24/06/2016