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Activities of the Claimants

China

Report underlines Asia-Pacific power rivalry

An annual report from a Chinese military think tank has highlighted the Asia-Pacific region as a "new global center" for geopolitical, economic and military competition. "The Strategic Review 2012," which was released May 28th, was divided into eight chapters covering the Asia-Pacific strategic situation, Sino-U.S. relations, Asia-Pacific Maritime Security and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The report noted that the Asia-Pacific region has become "the new global geopolitical, economic and military center, an area boasting the greatest potential, fastest development, buoyant vitality and richest opportunities."

China condemns Philippine infringement on DOC

Geng Yansheng, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, on May 30th reiterated China's sovereignty over Co May Shoal in the South China Sea, adding that the illegal grounding of a Philippine vessel on the reef represents encroachment on China's territorial sovereignty. China has indisputable sovereignty over the Hoang Sa islands, and their adjacent waters, Geng said, adding that Chinese naval patrols in the area are justifiable. He said the Philippine's act violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Chinese patrols in Asian seas ‘legitimate’ says top general

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Chinese warships will continue to patrol waters where Beijing has territorial claims, a top general said Sunday, amid simmering rows with neighboring countries over the South China Sea and islands controlled by Japan. Lieutenant General Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of general staff of the People’s Liberation Army, defended the patrols as legitimate and said his country’s sovereignty over the areas could not be disputed. “Why are Chinese warships patrolling in East China Sea and South China Sea? I think we are all clear about this,” Qi told the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore.

Taiwanese President takes part in computerized war games

President Ma Ying-jeou on May 28th participated in a virtual military exercise that simulated conflicts in the East and South China Seas. Ma arrived at the National Political-Military Command Center in Taipei's Dazhi district at midday in a "Yunpao" CM-32 armored vehicle -- his first ride in the vehicle -- to preside over the computerized war games. The war games, scheduled to last 10.5 hours starting at 7 a.m., are aimed at testing the government's coordination mechanism in times of crisis, the Taiwanese National Security Council said.

Taiwan's students, scholars visited Ba Binh Island

A group of Taiwanese graduate students and professors recently visited Taiping Island in the South China Sea under Navy escort. The 8-day visit by the group of 18 students and two teachers was part of a workshop on the Spratlys, first held in 2011, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.

Vietnam

Vietnam opposes Chinese ships’ ramming

A Foreign Ministry representative on May 26th met and delivered a diplomatic note to a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi opposing Chinese ships’ recent ramming of a Vietnamese fishing from the central province of Quang Ngai in the waters in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi said on May 27th that such actions by the Chinese ship seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea, causes material losses and threatens the lives of Vietnamese fishermen.

Vietnamese PM highlights strategic trust at Shangri La Dialogue

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has called for the building and reinforcement of strategic trust for peace, cooperation, development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region on the basis of international law. Delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31st, Dung emphasised the upholding of responsibilities of all nations in the region, especially major powers. The PM stressed that above all, the most important factors in building strategic trust are honesty and sincerity in the relations and cooperation among countries as well as in cooperation in dealing with common challenges in the region. He highlighted the indispensable role and contributions of an unanimous and united ASEAN and its central role in many multilateral cooperation forums. Regarding the East Sea issue, PM Dung affirmed the significance of peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea.

Full text of Keynote address

The Philippines

Withdraw ships, Philippines tells China

China should withdraw its ships from Co May Shoal because that area of the South China Sea is an “integral part” of the Philippines’ national territory, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said May 27th. Co May Shoal lies 196 kilometers from Palawan province, well within the Philippines’ 370-km exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Raul Hernandez, spokesman for the DFA, told reporters. “That’s why [China should withdraw its ships from] the area and respect the maritime zones of the Philippines.”

China fears Phl may build structures in Co May Shoal

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China has expressed concern that the Philippines might build structures in Co May Shoal. China, which has set up structures in areas it is claiming in the South China Sea, raised the issue during an informal talk between Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing and Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on May 29th. Gazmin assured the ambassador that the government is sending ships to the shoal to deliver supplies to soldiers monitoring the area. “They were concerned that the Philippines is coming up with structures, additional structures in the Co May Shoal,” the defense chief told reporters. In an interview on May 30th, Voltaire Gazmin maintained that the Philippines has been complying with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and that it was China who has been violating it. However, despite China's violations of the DOC, the Philippines will continue to strive to deescalate tensions in the South China Sea. We have to avoid escalating the problem since we have already filed cases [(before the international tribunal] to avoid jeopardizing legal proceedings," Gazmin said.

Philippines: China not in a position to tell us what to do!

Malacañang on May 31st cautioned China against dictating what the Philippines can do in the Co May Shoal, noting that while the country isn’t building structures there, China has no right to dictate what the country can and cannot do with its land. “They will not be in any position to dictate what we do with what properly belongs to the country,” Philippine deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a briefing. Valte added that the government has even asked China to leave the shoal, located in the South China Sea

Singapore 

Advancing Defence Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific

On June 2nd, speaking at the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue took place in Singapore, Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen expressed concerns about the escalating tensions in the East Sea and the South China Sea, noting that the sovereign disputes between China and its neighbors in Asia may hinder economic development in the region. “We must step up practical cooperation, especially between militaries, to build understanding, if not trust”, he said. In addition, Asian countries need to establish channels of communication and other mechanisms at the operational and political levels to prevent or mitigate escalation of tensions

The U.S.

USS Blue Ridge Appears in South China Sea

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The American command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC19) and missile destroyer Chung-Hoon (DDG93) appear in the South China Sea on May 29th. The US navy is currently cruising in the South China Sea, the Philippine Sea, the Java Sea, and the Straits of Malacca. It also is working with the navies of Japan, Indonesia, Cambodia and other countries in exchanges of military personnel and joint training. The Blue Ridge is the lead ship of the two Blue Ridge-class command ships of the US Navy, and the command ship of the United States Seventh Fleet.

The U.S. to maintain its strategic pivot

Speaking at Shangri-La Dialogue on June 1st, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel stated that the United States will deploy more air power, soldiers and advanced weapons to the Asia-Pacific. “Even under the most extreme budget scenarios, the United States military will continue to represent nearly 40 percent of global defense expenditures”, he said. “America’s bilateral relationships and Alliances will continue to underpin the region’s security and prosperity, but multilateral institutions provide critical platforms and opportunities for countries to work together”, he added. Regarding the maritime disputes, he said that the United States stands firmly against any coercive attempts to alter the status quo, calling all claimants to exercise restraint as they publicly pledged in 2002, and to seek peaceful means to resolve these incidents.

U.S. reaffirms defense treaty with Philippines

The United States on June 1st reaffirmed its commitment to a defense treaty with the Philippines, which is currently embroiled in a territorial dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea. The pledge came as US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met his Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin on the sidelines of an annual security forum in Singapore. “Secretary Hagel emphasised the importance of the Philippines as a treaty ally and reaffirmed the United States commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty,” Pentagon spokesman George Little told journalists after the meeting.

Canada

Canadian Defense minister plans tough chat with Chinese counterpart

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Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay will head to China Sunday after meeting with key allies in the Asia-Pacific region. MacKay said he expects to have "frank and open" discussions — diplomatic code for a tough chat — with Gen. Chang Wanquan over China's aggressive military moves in the South China Sea and its penchant for cyberespionage. "I've met with a number of my counterparts here (Singapore) in the last few days. They are quite clarion in their calls for China to respect their jurisdiction, their sovereignty rights and, in fact, some of the resource implications are of great concern," he said. "So I do intend to speak openly, speak frankly and express Canada's view."

Regional Snapshots

Philippines, Taiwan start parallel probe

The Philippines and Taiwan on May 27th started a parallel investigation on the fatal shootinf of a Taiwanese fisherman in the Balintang Channel off Batanes island. This, as an eight man team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrived in Taiwan and a an investigating team from Taiwan arrived in Manila. Philippine Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier said that the NBI probers will inspect the fishing vessel involved in the fatal shooting and interview the companions of the Taiwanese fisherman. Meanwhile, Taiwan investigators will corporate with an Interpol officer to conduct its own investigation on the fisherman's fatal shooting.

India and Japan agree to deepen defence ties

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At a time when China is flexing its muscles in the Asia-Pacific region, India and Japan on May 31st welcomed the expanding bilateral defence ties and agreed to further cooperate on maritime issues to ensure freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce. Terming Japan as a partner, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that at a time of global uncertainties, change and challenges, India and Japan are "natural and indispensable partners for advancing prosperity in our two countries and for a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous future for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions".

The Joint Statement

Vietnam, China talk sea area off Tonkin Gulf

Vietnamese and Chinese experts discussed the sea area off the Tonkin Gulf during the third expert-level negotiation round in Hanoi on May 29th - 30th. The two sides presented their detailed opinions on the demarcation of the sea area beyond the mouth of the Tonkin Gulf and agreed to discuss finding a location where they can implement cooperation for mutual development in this area. They reached an agreement to establish a group of technical experts to jointly survey the sea area off the Tonkin Gulf in order to perform the negotiation tasks.  They also agreed to organise the fourth round of their talks on this area in the last half of 2013 in China.

Japan, US, Australia share concerns over China

3rd June | News on Japan

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera says he was able to share his concerns with US and Australian counterparts regarding China's increasing maritime activities. Onodera held talks with US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith on June 1st in Singapore, on the sidelines of the Asia Security Summit. After the talks the 3 countries issued a joint statement. It calls for ensuring the freedom of navigation in regional waters and promoting a peaceful resolution of any conflict based on international law.

Commentaries & Analyses

China turns on the charm at Regional Security Forum

By John O'Callaghan and David Alexander

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Senior Chinese military officials came ready to talk at Shangri-La Dialogue, a major regional security forum over the weekend, surprising delegates with a new sense of openness at a time when Beijing is making strident claims to territory across Asia's seas. The charm offensive by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) officers, less than a week before Chinese President Xi Jinping meets U.S. President Barack Obama for an informal summit, appeared to be designed to tone down the recent assertiveness by emphasising cooperation and discussion. "There's no question that this year the PLA delegation has come very prepared to engage in dialogue," said John Chipman, director-general of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, which convenes the forum. "The intensity of the Chinese engagement and the manner of their engagement is different." China, the world's second-largest economy and a rising military power, is aware it needs what it calls a "stable and peaceful external environment" for its own development. Indeed, Chinese officials at the forum sought to ease concerns about Beijing's intentions. "China's development and prosperity is a major opportunity instead of a challenge or even threat to countries in the Asia-Pacific region," Lieutenant General Qi Jianguo, the PLA's deputy chief of general staff, told a session on regional security. Qi, China's top official at the forum, said dialogue "by no means denotes unconditional compromise" and he gave no ground on sovereignty claims, calling the presence of Chinese warships in the East China Sea and the South China Sea "totally legitimate and uncontroversial to patrol within our own territory"..

South China Sea: Indian Navy Operational Cruise

By Dr. Subhash Kapila

Indian Navy ships for some years now have been carrying out operational cruises and exercises with Navies of the Western Pacific and the South East Asian region. The cruise in 2013 carries significant symbolic value in that it is confined to three of the four countries that are involved in a territorial and sovereignty disputes with China in the South China Sea. Also symbolic is the fact that this Indian Navy cruise to South China Sea comes soon after Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang visit to New Delhi. In an another coincidence, the Indian Navy ships cruising through the South China Sea coincides with the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Japan where the highlights are going to be increased defence cooperation with Japan. It needs to be noted that Japan and China are intensely locked in confrontation over the Japanese Senkaku Islands to which China has now laid claims. Media reports indicate that in the Joint Statement on May 20 2013 by the Indian and Chinese Prime Ministers it was stated: “Asia Pacific plays an important role in global affairs. The current priority is to establish an open, transparent, equal, and inclusive framework of security and cooperation based on the observance of the basic principles of international law”. Intended or not, this reference carries a lot of weight when viewed in the context of China’s aggressive brinkmanship in the South China Sea disputes with Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. India is a significant stakeholder in the South China Sea and in the context of China’s aggressive military brinkmanship extending from the South China Sea to the Himalayan heights of Ladakh, India needs to stand strategically tall with other countries so affected and subjected to Chinese political and military coercion.

Neutral Asean members can do more on South China Sea issues

By Simon Tay

The countries chosen for Foreign Minister Wang's visit to Southeast Asia were deliberate choices for China. Indonesia and Singapore are non-claimants in the South China Sea but have been notably active in trying to propose solutions after the failure in Cambodia. Brunei has claims that overlap with China's but the chair of the group has been self-restrained on the issue. And Thailand was designated as coordinator for Asean dialogue with China. These four countries can serve as the core of Asean opinion on the issue. To do so, they must aim to ensure the group's unity while responding actively but neutrally. Asean must help strike a balance that allows the claimant states to buy in, while maintaining China's trust. Further progress on the issue is possible, although by no means guaranteed. A critical step that Asean leaders urged is for officials to start work on the promised Code of Conduct. Official negotiations must be undertaken at a sufficient level and pace. Only where there are issues that are more technical or too sensitive at present, should Asean and China appoint eminent persons to study and advise. Joint development - which China has called for - should also be considered, provided that suitable areas can be identified and agreed upon. For its part, Beijing must not abuse the process and string out discussions indefinitely. If positive steps are not forthcoming and incidents at sea escalate, diplomatic efforts will be seen as empty promises and erode goodwill with Asean. A reality check will come at the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), which will bring together foreign ministers from across the Asia-Pacific region. Discussion of the South China Sea with ARF members beyond Asean is inevitable. Whether Asean and China can keep and handle the issues amongst themselves will test and reveal the temperament not only of Beijing's leaders but also those of Asean members. The US and others with a stake in managing peace and stability across the wider region will judge the situation accordingly.

US should help mediate territorial dispute between Taiwan and Philippines

By Charles I-hsin Chen

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The escalating tension between two close allies - Taiwan and the Philippines - has caused embarrassment to the United States. A State Department spokesperson has urged both sides “to refrain from provocative actions” and “take all appropriate measures to clarify disagreements and prevent recurrence of such tragic events.” Meanwhile, as in other cases of territorial disputes in nearby waters, the US principle of taking no position on the disputed maritime boundary remains. This position is not satisfactory. Americans should do much more to defuse this tension as well as promote a peaceful and workable model for other territorial disputes in the South China Sea. US intervention now would serve the interests of all parties. For the Philippines, it could be the only way to persuade President Aquino to change his mind. Without American support, any concession to Taiwan under pressure of sanctions may backfire.  For Taiwan, US intervention could be the best reason for Taipei to stop issuing more sanctions that actually carry few threats to Manila. The anti-Philippine sentiment surging in Taiwan has forced President Ma to take a harder and harder stance. Room for conciliation has also been reduced by the Taiwanese decision to impose 11 sanctions while the two countries were attempting to negotiate a settlement. However, Taipei’s leverage may have been used up, while Manila may still feel no pain. A timely and proper shuttle diplomacy by Washington should be welcome to Taipei. An active US role in this dispute to promote an effective negotiation can serve its own interests. With its tremendous influence in Taiwan and the Philippines, the cost for the US to mediate a resolution is low — much lower than to mediate other territorial disputes in the West-Pacific Ocean. Washington has been looking without success for a common code of conduct among claimant countries in the South China Sea. A model for an agreement between Taiwan and the Philippines over fishing rights in overlapping seas might be regarded as a small version of a bigger maritime framework.