South china sea platform for prosperity or arena for altercation? by Nazery Khalid

This paper highlights the importance of the sea as a critical global trade waterway and a key energy sealane as a prelude to discussing the overlapping claims by several nations on parts of the sea.  It warns against overzealous acts by nations to stake their claims that may pose a threat to security, stability and prosperity in the region and may invite the presence of outside powers keen to capitalize...

05/03/2011

Weekly News 7/3 - 14/3

- (The Atlantic 11/3) In Japanese Quake Disaster, a Chinese Opportunity - Could Beijing's navy, long contained by a U.S.-led coalition, use humanitarian intervention to expand its regional influence? - (ISEAS 10/3) Key obstacles to China becoming a global leader - (Economist 10/3) Carps among the Spratlys - The risk that almost comical regional competition in the South China Sea turns serious -...

07/03/2011

Weekly News 7/3 - 14/3

- (The Atlantic 11/3) In Japanese Quake Disaster, a Chinese Opportunity - Could Beijing's navy, long contained by a U.S.-led coalition, use humanitarian intervention to expand its regional influence? - (ISEAS 10/3) Key obstacles eto China becoming a global leaser - (Economist 10/3) Carps among the Spratlys - The risk that almost comical regional competition in the South China Sea turns serious -...

07/03/2011

Weekly News 14/3 - 21/3

- Carlyle A. Thayer, Vietnamese Strategies to Constrain China in the South China Sea - Paper to International Studies Association 52nd Annual Convention, Montréal, Québec, Canada, March 16-19,2011 - (Eurasia Review 19/3) Defence Spending: China And India – Analysis - The thrust of China’s military spending over the years focuses on three critical areas - (Gulf News 19/3) China responds to harassment...

14/03/2011

Weekly News 21/3 - 28/3

- (Inquirer 25/3) Vietnam poachers nabbed in Palawan - A Philippine law enforcement team onboard two slow outrigger boats caught six Vietnam nationals poaching inside Palawan waters using a speedboat fitted with three 60 horsepower engines. - (Breitbart 24/3) Manila set to pursue oil development in S. China Sea, China piqued+ - (Sify News 24/3) Indian, Singaporean navies hold war game in China's...

21/03/2011

The Application of Article 121(3) of the Law of the Sea Convention to the Five Selected Disputed Islands in the South China Sea, by Yann-huei Song

The purpose of this paper is to examine the interpretation and possible application of Article 121, in particular its third paragraph, to the five selected disputed islands. Following this introductory section, a brief summary of the development of the “Regime of Islands” at the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (hereafter referred to as UNCLOS III)[7]will be given in Section II,...

23/03/2011

Recent developments in the South China Sea - Implications to peace, stability and cooperation in the region, by Gen. Daniel Schaeffer

Before coming to the core of the question, it appears necessary to remind briefly some elements of the past. Because we cannot explain or understand what is happening today in this part of the World if we ignore the legacy of the past and its influence on the present.

24/03/2011

Recent developments in the South China Sea: Implications for peace, stability and cooperation in the region, by Carlyle A. Thayer

This paper focuses on Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea in 2009. According to official policy, China promotes ‘peace, cooperation and development’ in the Asia-Pacific under the new doctrine of creating a ‘harmonious world’. China has therefore given priority to the primacy of economic growth and a peaceful international environment.

24/03/2011

South China Sea Security Issues and Regional Cooperation, by Li Jinming

This paper suggest that the countries surrounding the SCS would be able to undertake fishing cooperation activities inside the area and would significantly reduce attacks, harassments and arrest of fishing boats.

24/03/2011

Renewed Tensions and Continuing Maritime Security Dilemma in the South China Sea: A Philippine Perspective, by Rommel C. Banlaoi

Otherwise known as the New Philippine Baselines Law, RA 9522 reaffirms the Philippines’ claims to its territorial waters, including its extended continental shelf, economic zones and an area of the contested Spratlys archipelago known as the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

24/03/2011