VN calls for strong regional coordination

A senior Vietnamese parliamentarian has called for an enhancement of coordination between the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and other mechanisms in the region, in order to develop regional potential. National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong made the appeal at the plenary session of the 20 th APPF meeting in Tokyo on Jan. 9, adding that APPF needs to adjust its structure to follow...

10/01/2012

Exclusive Economic Zone in Major Media and Academic Journals in 2011: South China Sea and Other Seas, by Yearn Hong Choi

Introduction Every coastal nation attempts to expand its sea territory by extending or expanding exclusive economic zone to the maximum possible. The EEZ was a new concept and a specific legal regime in the Law of the Sea Convention, building on the “exclusive fishing zones” and “fishing conservation zones” already in existence. The EEZ regime in the Convention was primarily aimed at living resources...

10/01/2012

UNCLOS and maritime security in the South China Sea, by Nguyen Thi Lan Anh

Maritime security is a relatively new concept and there are several approaches on its definition within the overall concept of security in international relations. Maritime security is developed to emphasize the importance of maintaining good order at sea in terms of the use and management of the marine resources for human development. In a hotspot like the South China Sea, where sovereignty disputes...

11/01/2012

Straight baselines around insular formations not constituting an archipelagic state, by Erik Franckx & Marco Benatar

I. Introduction The South China Sea (SCS) dispute has proven to be a hotbed for a variety of juridical quarrels, ranging from the extent of maritime zones[1], to territorial insular claims[2] and navigational rights.[3] One of the outlying issues that warrants closer examination concerns the baselines to be drawn around mid-ocean SCS islands.[4] As a starting position, one would surmise the applicability...

11/01/2012

Weekly News 16 - 23/1

- (Minda News 16/1) Situation in South China Sea ‘peaceful and stable’: as countries involved held their meeting here on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in South China Sea. - (Philippines Daily Inquirer 17/1) DFA: Expect friendly exchanges with China: “the two sides had friendly and constructive talks and affirmed the commitment of the two governments to promote...

15/01/2012

ASEAN-China senior officials meet on DOC implementation

Senior officials of ASEAN member countries and China gathered in Beijing on Jan. 14 for their fourth meeting (SOM) on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

16/01/2012

Hoang Sa, Truong Sa belong to Vietnam

Vietnam has sufficient historical and legal evidence to prove its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, which the country occupied peacefully in the 17th century and has since exercised its jurisdiction over them.

17/01/2012

The Internationalization of the South China Sea: Conflict prevention and management, by Leszek Buszynski

Introduction The South China Sea issue began as a territorial dispute over the sovereignty of the islands and sea territory involving China and five ASEAN countries, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.  Both China and Vietnam claim the entire area and the islands within while the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have laid claims to contiguous areas based on EEZs and continental...

17/01/2012

Vietnam manufactures its first warship

Vietnam already boasts a thriving merchant ship construction sector, and has also built some coastal paramilitary craft in recent years. Now, the country is emerging as a warship builder.

17/01/2012

PetroVietnam says oil activities normal in East Sea

The state-owned Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) said despite "complications" last year, it was business as usual for it in the East Sea. Phung Dinh Thuc, the chief executive of PetroVietnam, which explores and drills oil in the sea, said at a press conference Monday that thanks to assistance from the ministries of public security, defense, and foreign affairs, its activities in the East...

18/01/2012