China’s U-shaped Line in the South China Sea: Possible Interpretations, Asserting Activities and Reactions from Outside, by Tran Truong Thuy

China (and Taiwan) has circulated the map of South China Sea with the U-shaped line (or nine-dotted line) in different internal documents and publications since 1948. However, it was not until 2009 that, for the first time, the People’s Republic of China included it in an official international document, namely in the Note Verbal sent to United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf...

22/01/2013

Weekly Bulletin (14 January - 20 January)

China to strengthen combat readiness; Vietnam sovereignty documents on display; Philippines backs Brunei's code of conduct for disputed seas; Brunei to raise South China Sea issue at ADMM-6…

22/01/2013

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Brunei Darussalam reportedly wants to pursue a binding code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea as a priority during its chairmanship of Asean this year. The new Asean secretary-general, former deputy foreign minister Le Luong Minh of Vietnam, said in his inaugural speech at the transfer-of-office ceremony at the Asean Secretariat on January 9 that "Asean should speed up efforts towards an...

25/01/2013

Statement by Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario on the UNCLOS Arbitral Proceedings against China

On 22nd January, the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Ma Keqing was summoned to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and was handed a Note Verbale by Philippine Assistant Secretary Teresa Lazaro. The Note Verbale contains the Notification and Statement of Claim that challenges before the Arbitral Tribunal the validity of China’s nine-dash line claim to almost the entire South China...

25/01/2013

Weekly News 28/1-3/2

-(The Brunei Times 2/2) China, ASEAN must boost dialogue, cooperation: Secretary-General of ASEAN Le Luong Minh has stressed China and ASEAN should further strengthen dialogue and cooperation and bring bilateral relationship to a higher level. China committed to peaceful development -(The JamesTown Foundation 1/2) Manila Ups the Ante in the South China Sea: While a final decision by the tribunal...

28/01/2013

China harassed Philippine boats

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Philippine Aquino said that the two incidents at the Panatag (Scarborough) shoal had led to Manila seeking United Nations arbitration this week over the territorial dispute. 

28/01/2013

US lawmakers: China should face Philippines before UN

Six visiting US congressmen, led by House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Rep. Ed Royce of California,  expressed support for the decision of the Philippines to seek assistance from the United Nations arbitral tribunal to resolve disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

31/01/2013

Weekly Bulletin (21 January - 27 January)

Philippines to take China dispute to UN tribunal; Viet Nam, China responses to the Philippines’ decision to taking China to international arbitration; United Nation urges ‘amicable’ end to Philippines, China sea dispute; Aquino alleges China harassed Philippine boats…

01/02/2013

Weekly News 4/2-10/2

-(Xinhua 10/2) Chinese ship patrol Diaoyu Islands (Senkaku Islands) waters, South China Sea: Two fleets of Chinese marine surveillance ship were carrying out regular patrol missions in the East China Sea and the South China Sea respectively during the Spring Festival, the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said on Sunday. -(The Economist 9/2) All change at ASEAN: Getting ASEAN back on track will...

04/02/2013

Weekly Bulletin (28 January - 2 February)

China opposes taking sea disputes to UN; Chinese navy depart for West Pacific training; Philippines buys 12 fighter jets from South Korea, deploys more troops in Spratlys island; India, Japan make common cause to thwart China's maritime moves…

07/02/2013