Weekly Bulletin 26/5-1/6

Activities of the Claimants

China

Chinese ship sinks Vietnamese fishing vessel

Chinese ship coded 11209 sank a Vietnamese fishing boat with 10 members on board in Vietnamese waters on May 26^th. Boat DNa 90152 from the central city of Da Nang during its regular operation in its traditional fishing ground was deliberately encircled by 40 fishing vessels of China before it was attacked by the Chinese ship 11209. The incident occurred at 4 pm at a site 17 nautical miles from where China’s Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig is illegally standing. The location is the traditional fishing ground of Vietnamese fishermen in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. All 10 fishermen were then rescued by other ships of Vietnam.

China deploys fast attack missile craft, minesweeper to Vietnam’s waters

China has sent a fast attack missile boat and a minesweeper to the Vietnamese waters where its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 has been illegally  placed since May 1^st, the Vietnamese Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department reported on May 26^th. The presence of the two vessels took the total number of Chinese vessels in the waters around the drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 to 113 by on May 26^th, Ha Le, deputy head of the department, told a media briefing in Hanoi. The fast attack missile boat  operated in an area 25-30 nautical miles from the rig, while a Chinese destroyer was arranged nearer to the platform, about 15-20 nautical miles away.  The Chinese minesweeper also operated near the rig, Le added.

China tells Vietnam: Stop resistance, you are only harming yourself

Vietnam should stop resisting China’s deployment of an oil rig in disputed waters because they are only harming themselves, China’s foreign ministry spokesman said after a Vietnamese fishing boat was sunk allegedly by China. “What has happened shows that Vietnam’s unjustified and illegal disruption and destruction of China’s normal operations can lead them nowhere,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a press conference. “They will only end up harming their own interests. We urge the Vietnamese side to refrain from further harassment, bear in mind the big picture of bilateral relations and regional stability, and stop disrupting and sabotaging China’s normal operations,” he said.

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China oil rig finishes first phase of drilling in waters claimed by Vietnam

A giant Chinese oil rig has finished its first round of drilling in South China Sea waters also claimed by Vietnam and moved to another site in the area, the rig's operator, China Oilfield Services Ltd (COSL), said on May 27^th. In a statement, COSL said exploration would still take place off the Xisha islands, China's name for the disputed Paracel chain, suggesting the rig was not moving far.

Xi says China won't stir trouble in South China Sea

Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed not to stir up trouble in the South China Sea but said China would react "in the necessary way" to provocations by other countries, the official Xinhua news agency reported. "We will never stir up trouble, but will react in the necessary way to the provocations of countries involved," Xinhua quoted Xi late on May 30^th as saying in a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia, which is also embroiled in a long-running maritime dispute with China.

Beijing urges Abe not to stir up enmity after Singapore speech

China on May 31^st refuted Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's recent comments regarding maritime disputes by urging the Japanese side to respect truth and not to stir up enmity and mislead the public. "We have taken note of Japanese leader's recent comments in which he has insinuated other countries," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang. Qin's comments came in response to a question regarding Abe's speech at the 13th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 29^th. "In fact, Japan should clarify its recent moves in military security field to the international community, and abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations while addressing territorial and maritime disputes with its neighbors," Qin said.

China denounces US, Japan for 'provocative' remarks

China on June 1^st strongly denounced Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US defence chief Chuck Hagel for making "provocative" speeches against Beijing. "The Chinese delegation ... have this feeling that the speeches of Mr. Abe and Mr. Hagel are a provocative action against China," said Lieutenant General Wang Guanzhong, deputy chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Diverting from his prepared remarks, Wang told a top Asian security forum in Singapore that the speeches of the top US and Japanese officials were "unacceptable". He accused Abe, who spoke on Friday, and Hagel, who delivered his speech Saturday, of coordinating and encouraging each other to attack China in their remarks. Earlier on May 31^st, General Wang Guanzhong blasted the United States for making "threats" after the US defence chief accused Beijing of inflaming tensions in the disputed South China Sea, state television reported. "This speech is full of hegemony, full of incitement, threats, intimidation," Mr Wang was quoted as saying by a reporter from state broadcaster China Central Television. "This speech is completely non-constructive and moreover is public, several times criticising China by name, and these kinds of accusations are completely without basis, without reason," Mr Wang said.

Taiwan beefs up prized South China Sea outpost

Taiwan is building a $100 million port next to an airstrip on Ba Binh Island (internationally known as Itu Aba) in the disputed South China Sea, say military strategists. That would give Taiwan a port able to accommodate 3,000-tonne naval frigates and coastguard cutters while improvements are being made to the 1,200-metre (3,940-foot) long runway for its Hercules C-130 transport planes, they told Reuters.

Vietnam

China urged to stop harassing Vietnamese fishermen

Vietnam has demanded China to stop its aggressive actions against Vietnamese fishermen, as Chinese vessels have been chasing them and threatening them with violence completely within Vietnam’s sea area. “Once again, Vietnam demands China stop its inhumane actions, endangering lives and damaging the property and legitimate interests of Vietnamese fishermen,” Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Le Hai Binh said on May 27^th in response to questions from the media about the recent attacks. He asked the Chinese side to respect international law, punish those responsible in earnest, pay adequate compensation and prevent a repeat of the behaviour. The actions by China violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction in the East Sea, running counter to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), Binh stressed, adding that China continues complicating the situation in the East Sea. On the same day, the Consulate Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi and handed over a diplomatic note against the actions.

Vietnam sends diplomatic note against China to UN chief

Vietnam’s permanent mission to the United Nations has sent a letter to the organisation’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, asking him to circulate as an official document of the 68th session of the General Assembly a diplomatic note from the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The diplomatic note, dated May 4^th, protested China’s refusal to end violations of Vietnam’s sovereignty and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone prescribed by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to with both Vietnam and China are members.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the U.S.: China turning undisputed area into disputed

“China is trying to turn an undisputed area into a disputed area, and that is unacceptable”, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Cuong told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on May 28^th. The diplomat said China’s deployment of an oil rig and many escort ships in Vietnam’s waters is a serious violation of Vietnam sovereignty and sovereign rights. It also infringes international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea agreed by Chinese leaders and ASEAN in 2002, he added. “The Vietnamese people have no other way but to respond peacefully but resolutely”, Cuong stressed.

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Vietnamese Deputy PM talks bilateral ties with EU High Representative

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and EU High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy Catherine Ashton discussed measures to promote bilateral relations during a phone conversation on May 29^th. During their conversation, the two officials exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, including the current East Sea situation. The EU High Representative expressed her special concern about China’s recent acts, saying they may affect the regional security environment. Ashton proposed that the parties concerned together seek a peaceful and cooperative solution in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to continue ensuring security and freedom of navigation. The EU calls on the parties to apply measures to ease tension and take no unilateral acts that negatively impact on peace and stability in the region, she said.

Vietnamese Deputy FM reaffirms Vietnam’s resolve to defend sovereignty

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh reaffirmed Vietnam’s resolve to defend its territory and sovereignty in an interview to Christie Lu Stout, editor of CNN’s News Stream, on May 29. “We reaffirm that we have been very much firm and resolute to defend our territory and sovereignty. We'll continue to do so and take all peaceful measures under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to protect and defend our sovereignty,” he said. Vinh made the remarks while expressing the country’s strong protest against China’s illegal deployment of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 and a large number of escort vessels, including warships, deep inside the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf of Vietnam. Vietnam “will take all peaceful measures under international laws including UNCLOS,” he said in reply to a question on Vietnam’s legal action now.

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Vietnam taking 3 peaceful measures to request Chinese rig removal

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked all competent agencies to continue applying three measures to request China to withdraw its illegal oil rig from Vietnamese waters. At a regular government meeting on May 29^th, Prime Minister Dung and the cabinet members discussed the East Vietnam Sea situation that has become tense since May 1^st when China illegally dispatched the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig to Vietnam’s waters. PM Dung emphasized that China’s recent acts in the East Vietnam Sea are extremely dangerous and seriously compromising peace, stability, maritime safety and security, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large. Vietnam has so far communicated with the Chinese side for 30 times at various levels to request the rig removal. However, China has not only maintained the rig but also used force to continuously attack Vietnamese ships that have been protecting Vietnam’s territorial waters. Therefore, Vietnam should continue to carry out three peaceful measures to cope with China’s violations, PM Dung said. Firstly, Vietnam will continue using its law enforcement forces at sea to affirm and protect the country’s sovereignty over its seas and islands. Secondly, the country will keep using political and diplomatic ways to resolutely demand China withdraw the rig from the sea area. Thirdly, Vietnam will provide the world with correct and true information about the East Vietnamese Sea situation so that everyone can clearly know about China’s infringement of Vietnam’s sovereignty and the peaceful methods the Southeast Asian country has utilized in response to the Chinese violations. Through such provision of information, Vietnamese relevant agencies will at the same time call on the international community to denounce China for not respecting Vietnam’s sovereignty and international law, PM Dung said.

Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung grants interview to Bloomberg

In an interview with Bloomberg on May 30th, 2014, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung spoke about the socio-economic situation in Vietnam in the first five months of this year. He also highlighted that China’s recent acts have seriously infringed upon Vietnam’s sovereignty, seriously violated international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and seriously threatened regional peace and stability. He stated that “Viet Nam will resort to every peaceful means to defend the sacred sovereignty over its islands and waters. We have prepared all evidence and legal dossiers. What we are considering is the appropriate timing.”

13^th Shangri-La Dialogue concerns about tensions in the East Sea

The Vietnamese delegation has held several meetings with foreign partners on the sidelines of the 13thAsia Security Summit of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), known as the Shangri-La Dialogue. Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh held separate meetings with his counterparts from New Zealand Jonathan Coleman and Singapore Ng Eng Heng. They all expressed concerns about dangerous developments in the East Sea saying that they are threatening peace and security in the region. Meanwhile, at a meeting with Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister Anatoly Antonov said that Russia always believed in and treasured ties with Vietnam. He said Russia closely followed the situation in the East Sea, supported Vietnam’s peaceful resolution and opposed actions that cause instability in the region. Furthermore, at a meeting with Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army Lieutenant General Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Defense Minister Vinh said Vietnam doesn’t accept China’s actions and resolutely defends its sovereignty with peaceful measures. Minister Thanh is scheduled to deliver a speech at the dialogue’s third plenary session on Saturday. He will also hold more bilateral meetings with the heads of some delegations to the event.

Vietnam calls on countries to share responsibility for peace

In order to manage risks that may cause disputes, all countries should share the same perspective on international responsibilities, especially the role and responsibility of major powers, Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh has said. In his speech delivered on May 31^st at the Shangri-La Dialogue, General Thanh reiterated that the common aspiration of all nations in the world, including Vietnam, is the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and progress without disputes. General Thanh also mentioned China’ illegal placement of its Haiyang Shiyou-981 rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, a move which has angered Vietnamese people and worried regional countries and the international community. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s stance of persistently settling disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and ASEAN’s Six-Point Principle on the East Sea . He demanded that China immediately remove the rig out of Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf and sit down at the negotiating table to maintain peace, stability and the relationship between the two countries.

The Philippines

Philippine President warns of China’s repeated provocations in East Sea

President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino has warned that China’s illegal placement of an oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf despite Vietnamese and international oppositions shows that Beijing may seek to repeat such an act in other waters in the East Sea, thus worsening instabilities in the region. In an interview with the UK’s Financial Times, Aquino said China is playing a dangerous game that could spiral out of control, hurting diplomatic ties and potentially escalating into clashes. He added that he has received reports about the recent intrusion by a Chinese survey ship in the East Sea. What happens to Vietnam may also happen to the Philippines, he said.

Malaysia

Malaysia Agrees South China Sea Territorial Disputes Be Resolved Through Dialogue

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has agreed that the South China Sea territorial disputes be resolved through dialogue and handled appropriately. Najib said ASEAN countries and China relied on each other. "Both are close neighbours and good friends, hence, both sides should work closely together for mutual peace and prosperity in the region," he said. Malaysia would assume the chairmanship of the 10-member bloc ASEAN in 2015 and was willing to contribute more to promote the development of China-ASEAN relations, he said during a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, in Beijing, May 30^th. Najib also said that Malaysia would be actively involved in the 21st century maritime Silk Road rebuilding and Asian Development Bank.

Japan

Abe's Strategy: Rearrange Region's Power Balance

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe laid out an assertive foreign policy agenda, saying he hoped to accelerate maritime aid to Vietnam amid its territorial standoff with China and host Vladimir Putin this year despite the Russian president's isolation from the West. Beijing's "unilateral drilling activities" for oil in waters claimed also by Hanoi have led to "heightening of tensions," Mr. Abe told The Wall Street Journal in an interview on May 30^th. "We will never tolerate the change of status quo by force or coercion," added the Japanese leader, who has assiduously courted Southeast Asian leaders during the past year and offered himself as a counterweight to China's muscle-flexing. 

Japan urges China to exercise restraint in disputed waters

Japan urged China on May 27^th to exercise restraint in the South China Sea after reports that a Vietnamese fishing boat was rammed by a Chinese fishing boat and sunk in disputed waters the previous day. "It was an extremely dangerous action that could threaten people's lives," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference in Tokyo. "It is important for the countries concerned to refrain from unilateral action that would raise tensions and to handle matters calmly, while observing international law."

China looking to use force to change status quo in South China Sea

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed concern over China's possible use of force in the disputed South China Sea. While Mr Abe said Japan will work with ASEAN to ensure that the rule of law be respected in settling territorial disputes, he also argued that such tensions highlight the need for Japan to expand the role of its Self Defense Force. China's military buildup is topmost on Mr Abe's mind when it comes to securing Japan. Speaking in Parliament about his plans to expand the role of the country's Self-Defense Force, Mr Abe highlighted that China has increased its military budget by almost four times in the last 10 years. Its budget for this year is US$132 billion. That's more than two-and-a-half times Japan's US$49 billion budget. Mr Abe is concerned this would increase the possibility of China using force in the disputed South China Sea - something he warned China against. "China is looking to change the status quo in the South China Sea through the use of force. We will work with ASEAN countries to assert that the rule of law should be respected," he told Parliament.

Japan’s Abe pledges greater role in Asia-Pacific security, as Chinese power grows

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said May 30^th that his country was ready to take a stronger role in collective defense in the Asia-Pacific area and beyond, and made clear that he views China as the most immediate threat to regional stability. “Japan intends to play an even greater and more proactive role than it has until now in making peace in Asia and the world something more certain,” Abe told a gathering of East Asian defense ministers and officials, including U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, gathered here for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue on regional security.

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Japan urges China to open defense hotline

Japan's defense chief has asked a high-ranking Chinese military officer to quickly establish a hotline system between the two defense authorities to avoid contingencies. Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera talked for about 5 minutes on Friday with Lieutenant General Wang Guanzhong of the People's Liberation Army. Onodera asked Wang to expand a maritime communication mechanism to avoid any unexpected encounters, both in the air and at sea. Onodera was referencing a recent incident in which Chinese aircraft flew unusually close to Japanese Air Self-Defense Force planes over the East China Sea. Onodera told reporters that Wang said it would be difficult for China to respond positively unless various bilateral problems are solved beforehand.

Japan to join disaster relief drill in South China Sea

A Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel will be used to transport 140 Australian and U.S. troops during an international disaster relief exercise in the South China Sea. “It’s not a military exercise, but a drill focusing on humanitarian aid activities,” a senior Defense Ministry official said. However, the participation of the MDSF vessel Kunisaki will demonstrate unity among Japan, the United States and Australia in the Southeast Asia region toward China, he said. Vietnam is also taking part in the exercise. The ministry said it will be the first time an MSDF vessel will carry more than 100 U.S. and Australian personnel.

The U.S.

U.S. 'largely' blames China for rig tensions with Vietnam

China is to blame for most of the tensions surrounding the deployment of an oil rig in the South China Sea, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department said. A Vietnamese fishing boat capsized after it struck a Chinese vessel near a Chinese oil rig deployed in disputed waters. Reacting to reports the Chinese intentionally rammed the Vietnamese boat, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said both sides were called on to exercise restraint. "Provocative actions" from the dispute, she added, "have largely been from the Chinese side."

U.S. Congressman: China's Behavior in South China Sea Shows Necessity of Strong U.S. Presence in the Asia-Pacific

U.S. Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and Chairman of the Congressional China Caucus, released the following statement on the reported sinking of a Vietnamese civilian vessel in the South China Sea: “China’s continued escalation of its maritime dispute with Vietnam, including actions that have led to the sinking of a Vietnamese fishing vessel in recent days, has only reinforced the perception that Beijing is willing to resort to military coercion to achieve its political objectives. From Tokyo to Manila to Hanoi, China’s neighbors are looking for a clear signal that the United States is determined to maintain the existing regional status quo where freedom of navigation is respected, disputes are managed peacefully, and the military balance continues to favor the United States and its allies. The United States should never accept the resolution of territorial disputes in the Asia-Pacific by military force or other forms of coercion.”

U.S. Senator says it’s unacceptable to ram, sink Vietnamese fishing boat

The incident in which a Chinese vessel rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing boat on May 26^th is obviously unacceptable and at high risk of not only loss of property but loss of life, U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin told reporters at a press conference in Hanoi on May 28^th.  “That’s obviously unacceptable and at high risk of not only loss of property but loss of life. So we for many reasons but including this, believe it’s important to deescalate not escalate circumstances where life can be lost.” 

Obama warns against "aggression" in South China Sea

President Barack Obama warned on May 28^th that the United States was ready to respond to China's "aggression" toward its neighbours at sea, but said Washington should lead by example by ratifying a key treaty. In a wide-ranging speech on foreign policy to US military cadets at West Point, Obama said that the United States should shun isolationism and that its military must be prepared for crises. "Regional aggression that goes unchecked - whether it's southern Ukraine, or the South China Sea, or anywhere else in the world - will ultimately impact our allies, and could draw in our military," Obama said. But Obama emphasised caution on any decision to use force and said: "American influence is always stronger when we lead by example." "We can't try to resolve the problems in the South China Sea when we have refused to make sure that the Law of the Sea Convention is ratified by the United States - despite the fact that our top military leaders say that the treaty advances our national security," Obama said, not naming China directly as he diverted from his prepared text. "That's not leadership; that's retreat. That's not strength; that's weakness," Obama said.

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US accuses China of "destabilising" acts in South China Sea

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Beijing Saturday against "destabilising actions" in the South China Sea, and backed its regional rival Japan's plans to take on a more muscular security role in Asia. Stressing US commitments to allies and friends in Asia, Hagel called for a peaceful resolution of international disputes and issued a blunt message to China, which was represented by a high-level military delegation at the forum in Singapore. "In recent months, China has undertaken destabilising, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea," Hagel told fellow defence chiefs, military officials, diplomats and security experts attending the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. He accused China of restricting the Philippines' access to Scarborough Shoal, putting pressure on Manila's long-standing presence in Second Thomas Shoal, beginning land reclamation at various locations and moving an oil rig into disputed waters with Vietnam. Hagel said that while the United States does not take sides on rival claims, "we firmly oppose any nation's use of intimidation, coercion, or the threat of force to assert these claims". "The United States will not look the other way when fundamental principles of the international order are being challenged," he said.

Regional Snapshots

Japanese military chief, Myanmar leader agree to boost defense cooperation

Japan's military chief Gen. Shigeru Iwasaki met with Myanmar's President Thein Sein on May 28^th, with Japanese diplomats saying they reaffirmed the two countries' goal of enhancing defense cooperation and exchanges at every level. The details of their talks in Naypyitaw, the country's administrative capital, were not immediately available.

Australia, Japan, U.S. oppose attempts to change status quo by force

The defense ministers of Australia, Japan and the United States said in a joint statement May 30^th that the three countries oppose any attempt to change the status quo by force, amid China's increasing assertiveness in the East and South China seas. Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, Australian Defense Minister David Johnston and U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel "expressed their strong opposition to the use of coercion or force to unilaterally alter the status quo in the East China and South China seas" as they discussed a recent incident in which Chinese fighter jets flew unusually close to Japanese Self-Defense Forces aircraft.

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Vietnamese Defence Minister meets US, UK, French counterparts

Vietnam’s Defence Minister, General Phung Quang Thanh on May 31^st held separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the US, UK and France on the sidelines of the 13th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. At the meeting between Minister Thanh and US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in searching for US servicemen missing in action (MIA) during the war, clearing post-war mines and unexploded ordinance and dealing with the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam. Regarding the current East Sea situation, both Thanh and Hagel stressed the need to respect international law and the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and maritime and air security and freedom in the East Sea. During Thanh’s meetings with French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, the French and UK partners voiced their concern over tensions in the East Sea following China’s illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Hammond affirmed the UK ’s strong support for the EU declaration which showed concern over disputes between China and Vietnam regarding the illegal rig and called on the concerned parties to ease tensions and avoid unilateral actions that may harm peace and stability in the region. He underscored that the UK opposes the use of force in settling any dispute. Meanwhile, Le Drian said he backs the settlement of disputes by peaceful means.

Japan, Vietnam agree on strong defense ties amid China threats

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and Vietnamese Defense Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh agreed June 1^st to strengthen defense cooperation amid alarm in both countries over China's maritime assertiveness in the East and South China seas. "We need to send a joint message among parties concerned because doing so will help resolve issues that we are confronting," Onodera told reporters after te talks, held on the sidelines of a regional security forum in Singapore. Onodera told his counterpart at the outset that Japan supports Vietnam's handling of its recent standoff with China, that the use of force to change the status quo should not be tolerated and that the issue should be resolved through dialogue.

Vietnam expects Japan coastguard ships next year

Vietnam expects to take delivery of coastguard ships from Japan early next year, the country's vice defense minister said on June 1^st, as Hanoi looks to boost its defenses amid a territorial row with China in the South China Sea. Vietnam Vice Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh told Reuters on Sunday Japan, itself locked in a bitter territorial spat with China, was helping it to train its coastguard and share information with its teams, as well as sending some vessels. "The process is developing very well and we are planning to receive the ships by early next year," Vinh said in an interview on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's biggest security forum.