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Activities of related parties

China

China slams Japanese defense minister’s remarks on South China Sea

Speaking at a Regular Press Conference on September 19th, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang criticized the Japanese defense chief's recent remarks on the South China Sea issue, urging Japan to stop going against the consensus of countries in the region. “Let's take a look at the development of the South China Sea issue for a period of time. let's take a look at what Japan has done with all means to disorder the region. To start with, Japan launched a negative publicity campaign to stir up troubles in the South China Sea while claiming to represent the ‘international community’. I suggest Japan be mindful of two things. First, China is committed to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Second, China and ASEAN countries are committed to properly handling the South China Sea issue through the dual-track approach.”

Taiwan’s new facilities on Ba Binh Island may have military use

According to a recent Google Earth map, Taiwan is building four concrete structures on Ba Binh  Island in the South China Sea, in what might be a facility to increase its military alertness. The structures, about three to four storeys high, were found to have been built on the coastline of the west side of Taiping surrounding a circular structure still under construction on the shore Taiwanese Defence Minister Feng Shih-kuan on September 20th declined to reveal what exactly the structures were for. “It is inconvenient for us to reveal any military facilities we are installing on Taiping (Ba Binh) Island and what their purposes are as they are all considered secrets,” Feng told reporters. Military experts said they could be used to launch mobile surface-to-air missiles but they were more likely devoted to detection and surveillance.

Vietnam

Vietnam opposes Taiwan’s construction on Ba Binh Island

Answering reporters’ queries about Vietnam’s response to the Japanese Defence Minister’s announcement that Japan will step up its joint patrols with the US in the East Sea (South China Sea), Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Hai Binh said on September 22 said that all countries in and outside the East Sea share benefits as well as responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the area. Regarding the recent joint drills conducted by China and Russia, Binh said Vietnam, as a coastal nation and a member of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), holds that all activities in the East Sea, including military ones, should observe international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS. Vietnam hopes that all countries will make active contributions to maintaining peace and stability, and ensuring maritime and aviation security and safety in the sea as well as Asia-Pacific, he noted. Asked about Vietnam’s reaction to Chinese Taiwan’s discreet construction of several facilities on Ba Binh island of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago to serve its military purposes, Binh said competent Vietnamese agencies are verifying the information. “Vietnam has repeatedly affirmed its sovereignty over Truong Sa archipelago. Therefore, Taiwan’s occupation and operations in the area are illegal and seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty. And Vietnam vehemently opposes such actions,” he said.

Vietnam’s Deputy PM: Law is for every state

Speaking at the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24th, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh has called on countries to work together to “promote multilateralism and adherence to international law, for peace, cooperation and sustainable development”. With regard to recent developments in the East Sea (South China Sea), Minh called upon all parties concerned to exercise self-restraint and solve disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, fully respect diplomatic and legal processes, implement the Declaration on the Conduct of parties on the East Sea (DOC) and expedite the completion of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The Philippines

We need US for South China Sea

In a speech before the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Mawab, Compostela Valley on Spetember 20th, Philippine President said that “I said there will be some time in the future that I will ask the US special forces to get out, almost 117 of them, better that you get out so that I can talk peace… and so I can show that you are not there. I never said get out of the Philippines. For after all, we need them in (South) China Sea.” On Sept. 12 in Malacañang, Duterte said he wanted the US soldiers to get out of Mindanao because they might be kidnapped. This was after he repeated his story on the Bud Dajo massacre to point out the Americans’ lack of moral ascendancy to talk about human rights. Also, according to Duterte, the Philippines does not have enough equipment to fight a war with China. “We do not have armaments. But we are also not ready to go to war with China. As far as I am concerned, I am against it. Because it will just be a massacre,” he said.

Indonesia

Indonesia explores possibility of obtaining US aid to finance base in South China Sea

A delegation of five senior Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) officers are currently in the United States to explore the possibility of tapping into Washington's foreign military financing (FMF) programme to fund upgrades of a naval base in the South China Sea, sources within the service told IHS Jane's on September 20th. The delegation of flag officers has been invited under Washington's Distinguished Visitor Orientation Tour (DVOT) and will also make visits in several cities to study the US Navy's installations and training facilities including Quantico in Virginia, and San Diego in California. The visits are taking place over two weeks till end-September 2016. Meanwhile, Indonesia and the United States have planned to carry out joint patrols around the outer maritime boundaries of Indonesian territorial waters in an effort to combat illegal fishing and human trafficking, Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries said on September 21st.

The U.S.

US criticizes the militarization of the South China Sea

Speaking at the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, US President Barack Obama addressed a number of world’s flashpoints, including the South ChinaSea. “In the South China Sea, a peaceful resolution of disputes offered by law will mean far greater stability than the militarization of a few rocks and reefs,” he stated.

Regional Snapshots

G7 foreign ministers express concerns over maritime disputes

In a statement released after a G7 meeting on the sidelines of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, G7 foreign ministers “express our strong opposition to unilateral actions that raise tensions in the South China Sea, such as land reclamations and building of outposts, as well as their use for military purposes, and urge all parties to comply with their obligations under international law and refrain from such actions. In this context, we welcome the Chairman’s Statement of the 11th East Asia Summit which specifically emphasizes the importance of non-militarization. We call on all parties to refrain from actions that jeopardize freedom of navigation and overflight and to pursue the peaceful management and settlement of maritime disputes supported by confidence-building measures, in good faith and in accordance with international law, including through applicable internationally recognized legal dispute settlement mechanisms, including arbitration.”

Biden, Abe Agree to Increase US-Japanese Coordination in South China Sea

In a press release by the White House on September 21st, US Vice President Joe Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and reaffirmed the unwavering strength of the US-Japan alliance.  Both leaders agreed to increase coordination on East China Sea and South China Sea issues. Biden and Abe, also shared views on the importance of sustaining an open, rules-based order in the Asian-Pacific region.

Indonesia seizes two Chinese fishing vessels

Indonesia seized two Chinese fishing boats for fishing illegally off Indonesia’s northwest coast, near the Natuna islands.  This announcement was made by Susi Pudjiastuti, Indonesia’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, on September 22.  This was the first arrest since The Hague tribunal in the Netherlands rejected China’s “nine-dash line” claims in the East Sea on July 12th. Indonesia will soon launch joint patrols with the US to combat illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, stated the minister on her visit to the US last week.