-(8/3 CNN) China: New leaders, same assertive foreign policy: If there is any perceived slight, no matter how minor, expect China to pounce.

-(8/3 Indian Express) India-Vietnam pact to protect vessels: India and Vietnam have firmed up an agreement on maritime cooperation which makes it mandatory on merchant vessels to help and protect each other's vessels in distress. Cross-strait 'humanitarian' cooperation in South China Sea: Chinese admiral

-(7/3 Vietnamplus) Vietnam reaffirms sovereignty over Hoang Sa, Truong Sa: All actions in the region that take place without Vietnam ’s permission are violations of its sovereignty which the country resolutely opposes

-(7/3 Thanhnien News) Russia seeks closer naval ties with Vietnam: Russia is looking to step up naval cooperation with Vietnam in the latter’s strategic Cam Ranh Bay in the East Sea though Vietnam is downplaying it, calling the cooperation “normal.” Chinese deepsea rig returns to work after repairs

-(8/3 Channel NewsAsia) Singapore stresses importance of strengthening regional ties: Singaporean Foreign Minister K Shanmugame said it is important for ASEAN to regain unity and credibility by realising community-building targets by 31 December 2015, as well as retain its central role in the regional architecture. Chinese official suggests strengthening construction and sovereignty protection efforts in South China Sea

-(The Daily Yomiuri 7/3) China's dangerous maritime expansion: Stimulating a sense of national greatness among Chinese people by military expansion, thereby diverting domestic frustrations to external elements, is a dangerous game. China speeds up construction in South China Sea

-(The Nation 6/3) Countries gear up for defence of narrow seas in East Asia: Southeast Asian states are pursuing an unprecedented level of naval modernisation as tensions in the South China Sea test their abilities to find diplomatic solutions to their territorial disputes. Chinese helicopter patrols South China Sea

-(PhilStar 6/3) Philippines, Vietnam agree to boost defense cooperation: Defense officials of the Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to explore ways to boost the defense cooperation between their countries.

–(Radio Australia 6/3) Indonesia's former foreign minister Wirajuda calls for dialogue on South China Sea: A former foreign minister of Indonesia says South-East Asian countries need to do more to mediate the tensions between China and its neighbours. Chinese fleet returns after South China Sea patrols

-(Eurasiareview 5/3) Japan-Philippine Relations: New Dynamics In Strategic Partnership: Nevertheless while the Philippines-Japan strategic partnership is strengthening, both countries will not easily find equanimity as China will hardly be intimidated by their reinvigorated alliance. Brunei can set COC by October: Laos

-(SCMP 5/3) China boosts military budget to uphold 'sovereignty, security, territorial integrity': China will increase military spending by 10.7 per cent this year to 720.2 billion yuan (US$115.7 billion), the government announced on Tuesday, building on a nearly unbroken succession of double-digit rises in the defence budget across two decades. China defends booming military spending as official budget numbers to be released

-(Real Clear Politics 4/3) Taiwan Challenges Its Neighbors: In any case, Taiwan is now a wild card in what are already some tense, worrisome confrontations. Washington and other governments need to carefully monitor this latest troubling development.  Three Reasons Why China Isn’t Imperial Germany

-(The Times Of India 4/3) India-China maritime rivalry not inevitable: India-China maritime rivalry is "not inevitable" as both the countries have a common interest in keeping the sea lines of communication open for their trade and energy flows, Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon said. China Analysis: Shockwaves from the China/Japan island dispute

-(CRI 4/3) China Carries Combined Patrol in South China Sea: A joint Chinese sea and air patrol is being carried out in the South China Sea for the first time. China's first deep-sea submersible set to dive

-(PhilStar 4/3) Arrival of new Philippine warship delayed: The arrival of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the second warship acquired by the Philippines from the United States, has been moved to August due to the need to conduct more training for its crew. Veteran diplomat’s advice to PH re UN case vs China: ‘Stop off-tangent remarks’

alt-(The Daily Yomiuri 3/3) China's maritime strategy causing regional arms race: A recent move by China clearly signals that the incoming administration of Xi Jinping seeks to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean as part of its aim to become a maritime giant with massive naval strength.