Weekly News 29/08/ - 04/09

  -(Lowyinterpreter 01/09) Vietnam and Singapore: Working together to keep ASEAN relevant, both countries are displeased with China’s active attempts to undermine ASEAN’s multilateralism. -(Nikkei 01/09) Never mind territorial spats -- ASEAN's priorities are economic: This is why the AEC is important. The bedrock of ASEAN's relevance and centrality must be economic; (Nikkei 01/09) Building...

29/08/2016

Weekly Bulletin 22/8-28/8

China stages live-firing drills in Tonkin Gulf amid tensions; Duterte warns China: If you invade PH, it would be bloody; US, ASEAN States Launch Maritime Exercise in Singapore...

30/08/2016

India-US Dialogue Deepens its Reach, With an Eye on OBOR and South China Sea

The US sees the relationship in the context of India’s larger role in Asia, first as a counter-weight to China, and then as a partner in the US-led order. India, unsure of its future role in the region, is mainly looking for transactional benefits.

30/08/2016

Vietnam and Singapore: Working together to keep ASEAN relevant

Earlier this week the President of the Republic of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang chose Singapore to make one of his first international appearances in a three day visit that underlined the importance of the ties of that bind these two countries. Singapore and Vietnam are probably the only members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who have consistently taken a strategic view of regional...

01/09/2016

Assessing the rule of law after the South China Sea arbitration: Will the G-20 be a turning point in China’s behavior?

China will be hosting the G-20 summit on September 4 and 5. Its deputy foreign minister has said that it wants to avoid sensitive issues, and focus on economic development at the world’s premier forum for international economic cooperation.

01/09/2016

Would America Really Go to War Over the South China Sea?

What would America do if China starts to build an island base on Scarborough Shoal, declares an ADIZ over the Spratlys, or in some other way plainly takes steps to strengthen still further its grip on the South China Sea in defiance of international law and American demands?  President Obama ought to think about this very carefully as he visits China for the last time as President, because it has become...

02/09/2016

Is Naval Conflict With China Inevitable?

This week, President Obama is making his final trip to Asia. With the presidential election looming, it is the right time to reflect on Obama’s foreign policy, and to think about what is to come. A key component of the next president’s foreign policy must be to compel China to respect international law. Otherwise, we may be faced by a conflict with a growing navy at a time when ours is decreasing in...

03/09/2016

Will China and USA further escalate tension in South China Sea

South China Sea (SCS) is emerging a hotbed of tension between China, the economic and military power of Asia and its sea neighbors of the Asia Pacific region. Following military activity by China which claims its authority over the zone, tensions between China and its northern maritime neighbours continue to dominate developments in the SCS but further unresolved disputes add to the dangerous atmosphere...

05/09/2016

Weekly News 05/09 - 11/09

-(The Guardian 8/9) Beijing warns US to stay out of South China Sea dispute: Obama hits back by telling Asian leaders China must abide by the international tribunal ruling that its claims to the area have no legal basis. -(Reuters 8/9) As Obama caps years of Asia 'pivot', regional tensions smolder -(National Interest 8/9) Why China's 'Bully' Strategy in the South China Sea (and Beyond) Has Failed:...

05/09/2016

The Perfect Time for China to Make a Big Move in the South China Sea Is Now

The People’s Republic of China is headed on a tragic trajectory that should be familiar to anyone with even cursory exposure to history. Due to a complex composition of factors – a century of torment at the hands of western powers and Japan as well as a toxic brew of nationalism – the PRC is not content with its place as the world’s second largest economy, or even largest when using purchasing-parity...

08/09/2016