Weekly Bulletin 8/6-14/6

G7 leaders oppose island-building in South China Sea; Pentagon chief urges China to stop island building; Philippines, Vietnam first to suffer environmental cost of China's reclamation...

18/06/2015

U.S. calls China’s South China Sea building efforts ‘troubling’

The U.S. finds China’s efforts to build military facilities on reclaimed South China Sea islands “troubling” and plans to raise the issue during annual talks in Washington this month, a top State Department official said.

19/06/2015

Weekly News 22/6-28/6

-(Philstar 26/06) China: Philippines dragging others to South China Sea dispute: "It is our consistent position that bilateral military cooperation should be conducive to regional peace and stability, and should not compromise the interest of any third party," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said. -(SCMP 26/06) China, US reaffirm commitment to 'avoid military confrontation' in South...

22/06/2015

Philippines steps up drills with U.S., Japan forces near South China Sea

The Philippines will hold separate naval exercises with U.S. and Japanese forces this week on a Philippine island that is not far from the disputed Spratly archipelago, where China's rapid creation of seven island outposts is stoking regional tensions.

23/06/2015

Weekly Bulletin 15/6-21/6

China says about to finish some land reclamation in South China Sea; Philippines to present case against China's claim over South China Sea at UN court; U.S. Pacific commander may withdraw China’s invite to Rimpac exercise

24/06/2015

Embassy continues demanding China return fishing ship: Spokesman

The Vietnamese Embassy in China is continuing to demand the country unconditionally return a seized Vietnamese fishing vessel, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh at a regular press conference on June 25.

26/06/2015

Weekly News 29/6-5/7

- (The Guardian 05/07) Japan joins US-Australia war games in NT and Queensland amid China dispute: For the first time, Japan is taking part in major US-Australia military exercises as tensions rise with China over islands in the South China Sea. - (The Huffingtonpost 04/07) The U.S. and China Should Not Risk War Over a "Damn Fool Thing" in the South China Sea: both should renew their determination...

29/06/2015

A fair and effective code of conduct for the South China Sea

Some people could blame on the DOC's weaknesses when they look at current picture of the South China Sea which is painted with distrust and tensions. The region is in need of having an effective documnent, so-called COC. Yet, what are elements that should be included?

02/07/2015

Weekly News 6/7-12/7

-(Rappler 12/07) PH to seek provisional measures to stop China reclamation: If the United Nations tribunal decides it has jurisdiction over the case. -(BusinessToday 12/07) OVL not to exit Vietnam block despite poor prospects: OVL has decided to seek a third extension of exploration licence for Block 128 to maintain India's strategic interest in the South China Sea, a top official said.

06/07/2015

Weekly Bulletin 22/6-28/6

Philippines to Hold Military Exercises with US, Japan; China's HD-981 Oil Rig Returns, near disputed South China Sea waters; Vietnamese embassy continues demanding China return fishing ship; US diplomat expresses concerns over China's land reclamation in South China Sea; Managing East Sea conflict from ASEAN perspective

07/07/2015