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Activities of related parties

China

Chinese diplomat tells Singapore to stay out of South China Sea disputes

Speaking after the meeting with ASEAN officials in Manzhouli in Inner Mongolia, China's Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin expressed his hope that Singapore would perform well in its role of coordinating dialogue between China and ASEAN. “As Singapore is not a claimant in the South China Sea, we hope that the Singapore government, on the condition of not interfering in South China Sea issues, will actively promote cooperation between China and Asean,” Liu said.

Hangzhou G20: China determined to keep summit focus on economy

The G20 summit will take place in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang province, China on September 4-5. China's Foreign vice-minister Li Baodong stressed that China aims to keep the focus of this summit on global economic growth rather than issues like the South China Sea disputes. Li said the consensus among members was to “focus on economic development and not be distracted by other parties”. “The Hangzhou summit must focus on economic issues,” Li said. “This is what people want to talk about most at the summit.”

Vietnam

International conference on East Sea (South China Sea) opens in Nha Trang

Nearly 100 scholars from Vietnam, the US, Australia, Japan, the Philippines and India will attend a seminar discussing legal regulations on islands and shoals in international law and East Sea realities, in the central province of Khanh Hoa on August 17-18. During a press conference on August 16, Rector of Pham Van Dong University Pham Dang Phuoc, who is head of the organising board, said this annual event affords participants a chance to clarify legal regulations in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Rector of Nha Trang University Trang Si Trung said the event is to examine the position and role of international law and peaceful solutions to the settlement of international disputes, thereby proposing measures to contribute to peace and stability in the East Sea.

The Philippines

Duterte won't raise territorial row at ASEAN Summit

During a press conference on August 17 in Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said that he preferred to engage China in bilateral talks. "No, I will only bring the issue face-to-face (China)... because if you quarrel with them now, claim sovereignty, make noise here and there, they might not just even want to talk," he said. "Let us create an environment where we can sit down and talk directly, and that is the time I would say, we proceed from here," Duterte added. He reiterated his stance that the Philippines cannot go to war against China over the territorial dispute.

Philippines accepts first of 10 Japan-funded patrol vessels to beef up coast guard

The Philippines on August 18 formally received one of 10 Japanese patrol vessels provided by an official development assistance loan. The 44-meter multi-role response vessel, which will be named BRP Tubbataha and assigned to the Philippine Coast Guard, was built by Japan Marine United Corp. in Yokohama and funded by a 7.3 billion peso ($158 million) loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The Philippine government is contributing 1.4 billion pesos to the 10-vessel project, which is expected to be completed in 2018.

Singapore

Singapore must choose its own place to stand on South China Sea issue

In his National Day Rally speech on August 21, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the country must have its own principled and consistent stand on the South China Sea issue despite pressure from other countries to side with them. Mr Lee laid out Singapore’s interest in and stand on the issue, saying that while the country does not have any claims of its own in the South China Sea, and does not take sides on the specific claims of claimants, Singapore still has a lot at stake in three areas: International law, freedom of navigation and unity in ASEAN. He said that Singapore must support and strive for a “rules-based international order” and depends on words and treaties. "They mean everything to us." Mr Lee also said that while Singapore’s voices carry limited weight internationally, ASEAN collectively can make itself heard better – but only if it is united. He noted that ASEAN has found it hard to take a clear common stand on the South China Sea issue as its members have different interests. “If ASEAN cannot deal with a major issue like this on its doorstep, directly affecting its members, in the long run, nobody will take ASEAN seriously,” said Mr Lee, adding that this is bad for Singapore and every ASEAN member.

Indonesia

Indonesia actively involved in resolving South China Sea disputes

In a state address on August 16, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said: "Indonesia continues to be actively involved in conflict resolution in the South China Sea through peaceful negotiations". "We continue to push for peaceful resolutions to international conflicts". Indonesia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir on August 18 also stated:" "The implementation of the code of conduct is important considering the rising tensions in the South China Sea." Indonesia, which is a not claimant to the vast waters, has been one of the most proactive countries pushing for negotiations and the immediate settlement of the framework, he added.

Indonesia plans to change name of South China Sea to Natuna Sea

Indonesia announced on Wednesday evening that it will seek to change the name of the South China Sea to the Natuna Sea in the area within 200 miles of its Natuna Islands. Ahmad Santosa, the Chief of Task Force 115, an agency combating illegal fishing, said the proposal will “be given to the United Nations”, adding that “if no one objects ... then it will be officially the Natuna Sea”. The plan would involve renaming the sea surrounding the Natuna Islands, which lie to the northwest of the Indonesian part of Borneo, within their 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Indonesia sinks foreign boats to mark independence

Indonesia sank dozens of impounded foreign boats to mark Independence Day, an official said on August 17. "Today we offer 60 boats" to be scuttled in eight locations, fisheries ministry official, Mas Achmad Santosa, said. "This is a gift (for Indonesia) and goes to show our consistency in enforcing the law," Santosa added. Since elected, President Joko Widodo has intensified a campaign to exercise Indonesia's maritime sovereignty and has sunk and blown up scores of foreign vessels.

The U.S.

US conducts integrated bomber operation in Pacific

On August 17, the U.S. Air Force bomber trio (B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit) conducted the first coordinated operation in the U.S Pacific Command AOR (Area Of Operations). The three aircraft launched in sequence from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, performed a flyover and then dispersed to conduct simultaneous operations in the South China Sea and Northeast Asia. The bomber trio mission “demonstrated the U.S. commitment to supporting global security and our ability to launch a credible strategic defense force,” said Brig. Gen. Douglas Cox, the 36th Wing commander in an official statement.

Regional Snapshots

China, ASEAN reaffirm to solve disputes via negotiation

The statement came as senior officials held a meeting in Manzhouli, a land port city in northern China, on August 15 and August 16, which focused on implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). oth sides agreed to continue to implement the DOC and reaffirmed plans: to solve disputes via negotiation, manage differences with a regional framework of regulations, deepen maritime cooperation, and move forward negotiation on the code of conduct in the South China Sea (COC) to safeguard peace and stability of the region. The both sides agreed to seek to finish a draft framework of the COC by the middle of next year. China's Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said that diplomats approved a guideline for a China and ASEAN hotline for use during maritime emergencies and a joint declaration that the Conduct for Unplanned Encounters at Sea, which was signed by more than 20 Pacific nations in 2014, applies to the South China Sea. He also said that documents about the hotline and the conduct for unplanned encounters will be presented to the meeting of leaders from China and ASEAN, scheduled for early September, for final approval.

Vietnam, Indonesia seek closer fisheries cooperation

Vietnam and Indonesia will set up a hotline to handle emerging incidents at sea as agreed during a visit to Indonesia by Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam. Under a joint statement, which was made at a Vietnam-Indonesia meeting on cooperation in fisheries and seafood development during the visit, both sides admitted existing problems, including illegal fishing and territorial encroachment and agreed not to let these issues affect the bilateral ties. The two sides agreed to compile a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral collaboration in fisheries and seafood. The MoU will be signed in mid-September 2016 on the occasion of a business forum in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Vietnam, China continue to foster comprehensive cooperative relations

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received Chinese Ambassador Hong Xiaoyong in Hanoi on August 17, noting that Vietnam and China should strengthen their comprehensive cooperative relations. Regarding the complex developments in the East Sea (South China Sea), Mr. Phuc said Vietnam and China should comply with the common perceptions shared by their senior Party and State leaders, and the bilateral agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues. Both sides should resolve disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, while managing disputes and avoiding actions that might complicate or expand disputes in the East Sea. China, together with ASEAN, need to fully and effectively enforce the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, to push forward a Code of Conduct, and to maintain peace and stability at sea.