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Activities of related parties

China

China, Philippines keep up key exchanges ‘behind the scenes’ to fix frayed ties

Speaking with reporters in Beijing on August 31st, China’s deputy ­foreign minister Liu Zhenmin said that China and the Philippines have retained “important backstage” contacts to improve bilateral ties affected by the South China Sea dispute. “Apart from the publicly reported contacts such as the Hong Kong trip by ex-president [Fidel] Ramos to meet his old Chinese friends, there have been important exchanges behind the scenes.” In addition, he stated the bilateral relationship between China-ASEAN is now at a new starting point with new opportunities, and bilateral cooperation is stepping into the "maturity stage" of quality improvement and upgrade from the "growth stage" featuring rapid development. This year marks the 25th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations,  and ASEAN is the center of East Asia cooperation and the priority of China's neighborhood diplomacy. According to Liu, China continues to be the ASEAN's largest trade partner while the ASEAN is the third largest trade partner of China.

Philippines worried, says more Chinese boats spotted at disputed shoal

According to Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, a Philippines air force plane flew over the rocky outcrop on Saturday and spotted more boats than usual in a flotilla China has maintained since seizing Scarboroug Shoal. "There were four Chinese coastguard ships and six other vessels, including blue-coloured barges, around Scarborough Shoal," he said in a text message sent to reporters. "The presence of many ships other than coastguard in the area is a cause of grave concern." "We don't know yet if those barges are precursors of future dredging operations," he said. "If they try to construct anything in Scarborough it will have far-reaching adverse effect on the security situation."

Vietnam

Vietnam says all will lose in any South China Sea war

Speaking to diplomats, academics and students at a forum organised by the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute on August 30th, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang warned that there would be no winners in any armed conflict sparked by territorial disputes in the South China Sea. "The East Sea (South China Sea), located at the heart of Southeast Asia, not only brings about many important benefits to nations in the region but it is also a vital route to maritime and air transport of the world," Quang said, using the Vietnamese name of the sea. But "recent worrying developments" there "have had a negative impact on the security environment of the region, especially maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight". "And should we allow instability to take place, especially in the case of armed conflicts, there will be neither winners or losers but rather all will lose," he warned.

The Philippines

PH eyes provisional fishing rights deal with China

During the appropriations committee hearing at the House of Representatives on August 30th, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said the Philippines would like China to agree with the provisional rights until both countries arrive at a more permanent solution to the conflict. “We are even thinking about the possibility in the future for the President to make the visit to China. But we would hope that before this visit can be made, these provisional arrangements can be done with the end in view of beginning formal talks for the resolution of this dispute,” Yasay said. “We will not be engaging China in any shooting war in this particular instance. We will exercise maximum tolerance, restraint and sobriety for this purpose. Our task at this point is to make sure that the diplomatic processes that we will be embarking and continue to embark will result in the kind of objectives we would like to achieve,” he added.

Duterte wants to set aside arbitral ruling – for now

During his speech at the National Heroes Day rites at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on August 29th, Duterte told Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jinhua that he does not want to go to war with China. The president said that he will stay silent on the matter of the South China Sea dispute as it might lead to the suspension of talks with China. "I will not use the judgment (of the) arbitral (tribunal) now but I would one day sit in front of your representative or you and then I will lay bare my position  and I would say that this paper, I cannot get out of the four corners of this law and that is the arbitral judgment," Duterte told the Chinese envoy. Duterte proposed that both the Philippines and China should just have a "soft landing everywhere." The president appealed to the Chinese to treat Filipinos as brothers as he has Chinese blood in him. "I know the dynamics inside China. It has been explained to me very well but the Chinese people this time might find a place in their hearts for Filipinos. After all... there's a Chinese blood in me so I hope that you treat us as brothers, not your enemies and take note of the plight of our citizens," Duterte said.

The U.S.

Secretary of State John Kerry calls on China, Philippines to abide by tribunal ruling

In an address to students on a two-day visit to New Delhi on August 31st, United States Secretary of State John Kerry called on China and the Philippines to abide by the international tribunal's decision on the South China Sea. "This is a crucial opportunity to uphold the existing rules-based international order, show respect for international law, and support regional stability and prosperity." Kerry said the United States supported diplomatic efforts to resolve territorial disputes to which there was "no military solution".

"We are also interested in not fanning the flames of conflict but rather trying to encourage the parties to resolve their disputes and claims through the legal process and through diplomacy," he said.

Obama: Consequences if China violates rules and norms

In an exclusive interview with CNN, U.S. President Barack Obama stressed that the United States welcomes China's rise but there will be consequences if Beijing violates international rules and norms. "[W]here we see them violating international rules and norms, as we have seen in some cases in the South China Sea, or in some of their behavior when it comes to economic policy, we've been very firm". "And we've indicated to them that there will be consequences." He added that he has tried to communicate to Chinese President Xi Jinping that part of the United States' strength is that it restrains itself. "You know, when we bind ourselves to a bunch of international norms and rules, it's not because we have to, it's because we recognize that over the long-term, building a strong international order is in our interests."

Australia

Malcolm Turnbull urges China to respect international law

In his bilateral meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of G-20 summit, Australia’sn Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urged China to peacefully resolve the South China Sea dispute "in accordance with international law". In response, President Xi reportedly urged Australia to respect China's "core interests".

Russia backs China's call for US to stay out of South China Sea row

On the sidelines of G-20 summit in Hangzhou on September 4th, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Details of their conversation have not been revealed, but the two leaders are said to have reiterated the two countries' shared position that it is inappropriate for a third party to meddle in other countries' affairs. This is the argument Beijing has used to criticize U.S. involvement in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Regional Snapshots

Vietnam, China agree to deepen defence ties

Vietnamese Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich and his Chinese counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen Chang Wanquan held talks in Beijing on August 30th as part of Lich’s official friendly visit to China. The two defence ministers have agreed to deepen defence ties between the two countries, thus bringing pragmatic interests to their people and contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world at large. Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea) issue, Lich affirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance that the two countries should observe common perceptions reached by their high-ranking leaders and solve disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS). They need to seriously follow the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related matters and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and work to reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) as soon as possible. The two sides should take no actions that complicate and expand the disputes, particularly not use or threaten to use force to address the disputes, and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

Vietnam, Singapore call for a peaceful resolution for the South China Sea disputes

On the occasion of the State visit to Singapore by Vietnam’s President Tran Dai Quang, Vietnam’s President held talks with Singapore’s President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. In a a joint press statement released after the visit, “both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability and upholding freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea. They emphasised the importance of resolving disputes peacefully, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law, including as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They reaffirmed their support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and work expeditiously for the early adoption of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.” On this occasion, President Quang expressed his high appreciation for Singapore's efforts in its role as the country coordinator for the ASEAN-China Dialogue Partnership.

US, India urge countries to respect South China Sea ruling

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, August 31, the U.S. and India “stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation, freedom of overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce throughout the region, including in the South China Sea.” “They [India and the US] urged the utmost respect for international law, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the statement said. “They reiterated that states should resolve disputes through peaceful means, and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability.” The two nations released the statement during U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to India as part of their annual Strategic and Commercial Dialogue.

India Offers Vietnam $500 Million Credit To Lift Military Deterrents In South China Sea

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered Vietnam a credit line on Saturday of half a billion dollars for defence cooperation, giving a lift to a country rapidly pursing a military deterrent as discord festers in the South China Sea. The deal was among a dozen cooperation agreements Modi signed in Hanoi alongside his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, on the first visit to the country by an Indian prime minister in 15 years. In an address to media, Modi said the credit was for "facilitating mutual defence cooperation" and the relationship between the two countries would "contribute to stability, securities and prosperity in this region".

Xi Jinping Meets with U.S. President Barack Obama of US

On September 3rd, President Xi Jinping met with President Barack Obama of the US, who was in China for the G20 Hangzhou Summit, at the West Lake State Guesthouse in Hangzhou. Xi Jinping emphasized that China and the US should firmly stay on the right direction of the development of bilateral relations, adhere to the principle of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation as well as manage and control differences in a constructive way, so as to promote the sustained, sound and stable development of China-US relations. In regard to the South China Sea issue, Xi Jinping pointed out that China will continue to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea while insisting on settling disputes through peaceful consultations and negotiations with parties directly concerned, so as to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea with ASEAN countries. It is hoped that the US can play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. On his part, U.S. President Obama reaffirmed that the United States will work with all countries in the region to uphold the principles of international law, unimpeded lawful commerce, and freedom of navigation and overflight.  He encouraged efforts by all parties to lower tensions and create conducive conditions for the peaceful resolution of disputes.