Why the US-China Summit Failed on the South China Sea

President Obama did not use the opportunity of his meeting with President Xi to publicly criticize China’s illegal nine-dash line. He also did not emphasize the responsibility of a big country like China to both facilitate the implementation the DOC and cease its stonewalling of a binding COC.

09/10/2015

US Navy will challenge Chinese territorial claims in South China Sea

The Navy is preparing to send a surface ship inside the 12-nautical-mile territorial limit China claims for its man-made island chain, an action that could take place within days but awaits final approval from the Obama administration, according to military officials who spoke to Navy Times.

09/10/2015

U.S. Tells Asian Allies That Navy Will Patrol Near Islands in South China Sea

The United States has been briefing its allies in Asia on plans to conduct naval patrols near artificial islands built by China in the disputed South China Sea, a move that could escalate tensions with Beijing after President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Washington, American and Asian officials have said.

12/10/2015

Weekly News 12/10-18/10

-(UPI 18/10) U.S., Japan display warships amid rising tensions with China: The review ceremony came after U.S. officials earlier this month said they would begin conducting maritime patrols within the territorial limits of China's man-made Spratly Islands. -(SCMP 18/10) US to soon begin patrols around disputed areas in South China Sea, sources say: Washington has notified Southeast Asian...

13/10/2015

Weekly Bulletin 05/10 - 11/10

China completed two large lighthouses in the South China Sea; US boosts maritime law enforcement aid to 4 countries; U.S. warns against 'egregious' restrictions in contested South China Seas

14/10/2015

What 12 Nautical Miles Does and Doesn’t Mean

The U.S. Navy is reportedly preparing to conduct “freedom of navigation” operations, sending ship(s) within 12nm of Chinese-claimed features in the South China Sea. The administration has been pressured to go ahead with this demonstration of U.S. views on conduct at sea, but the terms of the public debate have failed to match the legal and political implications.

15/10/2015

U.S. Must ‘Draw a Line with China’ on Military Expansion

The Obama administration has previously failed to deter China from expanding its military ambitions in the region, Webb said. Failing to challenge China in the South China Sea would also threaten other significant territories in the Asia-Pacific.

16/10/2015

America vs. China: Is War Simply Inevitable?

Thucydides loomed large over last month’s summit between Presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping. Their remarks, however, suggest a misunderstanding of the very point Thucydides made that could most help avoid conflict between the two great powers.

18/10/2015

Weekly News 19/10 - 25/10

-(FinancialReview  26/10) Why business should care about the South China sea dispute: International affairs If China militarises the Spratly Islands and there is a clash with the US navy, almost one-third of global trade will be at risk. -(Reuters 25/10) U.S. patrols to raise stakes with Beijing in disputed South China Sea: “Nobody wants to give the Chinese a new no-go zone and an effective territorial...

19/10/2015

Weekly Bulletin 12/10 - 18/10

Vietnam protests China’s illegal lighthouse construction; Chinese top military commanders trying to ease regional concerns in the SCS; US plan to sail through South China Sea consistent with Int’l Law; The U.S and Australia expressed concerns on the disputes in the South China Sea.

20/10/2015