America’s Pacific pivot is sinking

Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, caused shock and sniggers around the world when he called Barack Obama the “son of a whore”. But the Duterte comment that will have really hurt the White House came a few days later. Announcing that he was ending joint naval patrols with the US in the South China Sea, the Philippines’ president stated: “China is now in power and they have military...

19/09/2016

Weekly News 20/9-26/9

-(SCMP 21/08) China designates US’ first renminbi clearing bank: Premier Li Keqiang: The announcement came only two weeks before the yuan’s inclusion into the IMF’s international reserve asset, the Special Drawing Rights -(Business-standard 21/08) Russia poses most dangerous threat, China second: US general: General John E Hayten said in his confirmation hearing to be the Commander of the Strategic...

21/09/2016

Cooperation as a Means to All Ends in the South China Sea

Any meaningful joint arrangements will hinge on Beijing's strategic intentions, although domestic pressure in respective states will also play a key role.

26/09/2016

Weekly Bulletin 19/9-25/9

Vietnam opposes Taiwan’s construction on Ba Binh Island; Indonesia explores possibility of obtaining US aid to finance base in SCS; G7 foreign ministers express concerns over maritime disputes…

27/09/2016

Does Russia Have a South China Sea Problem?

At the G20 Hangzhou summit earlier this month, China made clear that Russian president Vladimir Putin was a top guest. Both China and Russia claim that their bilateral relations are the “best ever’ and demonstrate an “unprecedentedly high level of trust.” Putin described the relationships as a “comprehensive partnership and strategic collaboration.”

27/09/2016

France Unveils Its Defense Strategy in the South China Sea and Beyond

In less than two weeks, the situation in the South China Sea has deteriorated at an accelerated pace: a joint Sino-Russian naval exercise; plans for Japan-U.S. joint patrols in the same area; Taiwan building anti-craft gun towers on Itu Aba; Jakarta trying to get U.S. help to upgrade its naval bases.

27/09/2016

Weekly News 26/9-2/10

-(Nikkei 29/9) Philippines, Vietnam discuss security partnership in South China Sea: Their meeting here marked the first visit to Vietnam by a Philippine president in 22 years.  -(Reuters 29/9)China armed forces warn Japan against South China sea patrols and it would not sit watching from the sidelines

27/09/2016

U.S. Air Force and Navy May Challenge China in the South China Sea

Air Force Secretary Deborah James said the service will likely conduct new freedom of navigation flights in the skies above the South China Sea in response to China’s continued militarization and artificial “island-building” in the area.

29/09/2016

Announcement for the 8th South China Sea International Conference

The  Diplomatic  Academy  of  Vietnam  (DAV),  Foundation  for  East  Sea Studies (FESS) and the Vietnam Lawyers’ Association (VLA) are pleased to announce our 8th South China Sea International  Conference: “Cooperation  for  Regional Security and Development” on November 13-15, 2016 in Nha Trang City, Viet Nam.

30/09/2016

Weekly News 3/10-9/10

-(ABC News 7/10) Philippines Tells US No Joint Patrols in South China Sea: The Philippine defense chief said Friday that the U.S. military has been told that plans for joint patrols and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea have been put on hold as the country's new president desires. -(Reuteres 6/10) Amid South China Sea uncertainty, Indonesia stages a show of force: Indonesian warplanes...

03/10/2016