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Activities of related parties

China

Vietnam opposes China’s election in so-called Sansha city

In reply to reporters’ queries about Vietnam’s position on China’s election of deputies to the People’s Congress in the so-called Sansha city, Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Le Hai Binh said that this move is a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty. According to him, such illegal actions could not change the truth about Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratlys).  Vietnam resolutely opposes and asks China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty, immediately end above wrongful actions, seriously abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (South China Se) (DOC) and the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea between Vietnam and China, he said.

The Philippines

Philippines tells US no joint patrols in South China Sea

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on October 7th said he told the U.S. military that plans for joint patrols and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea have been put on hold. also said that 107 U.S. troops involved in operating surveillance drones against Muslim militants would be asked to leave the southern part of the country once the Philippines acquires those intelligence-gathering capabilities in the near future. President Rodrigo Duterte also wants to halt the 28 military exercises that are carried out with U.S. forces each year, Lorenzana said. Duterte has said he wants an ongoing U.S.-Philippine amphibious beach landing exercise to be the last in his six-year presidency as he backs away from what he views as too much dependence on the U.S.

Indonesia holds military drill at South China Sea islands

The Indonesian air force October 6th held a major exercise around its islands in the South China Sea. Thousands of personnel as well as F-16, Sukhoi and Hercules planes took part in the drill around the remote Natuna islands in the far northwest of the archipelago. Military spokesman Tatang Sulaiman said the exercise was aimed at making preparations in case of potential threats and to "face challenges". "We are conducting this exercise so that if there is an operation in this area, we know what to do," he said. Widodo flew to the Natunas to watch the air force drill, inspect weapons systems and observe the development of the fishing industry, his second visit to the islands in recent months.

No joint war games in South China Sea to enhance neutrality: Indonesia military chief

Speaking at a promotion ceremony at the army headquarters in Jakarta on October 6th, Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) chief Gatot Nurmantyo said: “"Indonesia has done its utmost to promote peace and stability in the South China Sea, and appealed to all parties not to engage in activities that may increase instability." "As such, the TNI will not carry out military exercises with any other country in the South China Sea," he added.

The U.S.

US Navy holds exercise in the South China Sea

According to U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group joined two guided-missile destroyers from the Pacific Surface Action Group for a series of interoperability drills in the South China Sea. The BHR ESG employed the capabilities of USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Decatur (DDG 73) to practice defense in depth of the amphibious ships including anti-submarine warfare and air defense scenarios and live-fire events with embarked helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The U.K.

UK supports PCA ruling

On October 3rd, Vietnam's National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan held a meeting with UK Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Eleanor Laing. Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea) issue, the guest said the UK backs the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling as well as the peaceful settlement of the disputes in line with international law.

Regional Snapshots

India workshop seeks legal solution to South China Sea imbroglio

The Society for Indian Ocean Studies (SIOS) held a workshop in New Delhi on October 3rd to seek a legal and political solution to the complicated situation in the East Sea (South China Sea). Participants talked about the legality of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the crucial role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in restraining as well as settling disputes in the East Sea. They hailed the historical ruling of the arbitration tribunal in The Hague, the Netherlands, which rejected China’s sovereignty and nine-dash line claims in the East Sea. Experts agreed that the involved parties need to absolutely respect the ruling.

Pentagon downplays Philippine leader's threat to scrap treaty

Philippine President Duterte on October 2nd said he might scrap the treaty, known as the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) because “it does not bear the signature of the president of the republic.” Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the military was aware of Duterte's comments. But "it hasn't really so much translated into tangible actions that we've seen with regards to our actions under the alliance," he said.

US to hold joint drills with Philippines

The exercise is scheduled to take place from October 4th -12th on the Filipino islands of Luzon and Palawan, with the latter located near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. According to the US embassy in Manila, the initiative to invite the US troops to take part in the 33rd Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX 33) came from the military of the Philippines and was welcomed by the American side. A total of 1,400 US soldiers stationed in Okinawa in Japan, and 500 Philippine troops will take part in an amphibious landing exercise, live-fire training and humanitarian assistance efforts as part of PHIBLEX 33.