-(Reuters 9/4) China, Vietnam pledge peaceful resolution for sea dispute: The two countries agreed to "use well the Sino-Vietnam government border negotiation mechanism, uphold friendly consultations and negotiations to look for a basic and lasting resolution both countries can accept". –(Vietnamplus 8/4) Vietnam, China issue joint communiqué
-(The Wall Street Journal 8/4) U.S. wary of possible China island fortresses: U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said the U.S. was concerned by China’s land reclamation and by the possibility that construction there has a military dimension. –(The New York Times 8/4) Piling sand in a disputed sea, China literally gains ground.
-(Sydney Morning Herald 9/4) Australia joins South China Sea war games: Australian military will participate in civil-military humanitarian assistance operations on the Philippine islands of Palawan and Panay during the war games called Balikatan that begin on April 20th. –(Vietnamplus 8/4) Indonesia, US hold joint sea survey exercise
-(China Post 9/4) ROC won't give up S. China Sea territory: However, President Ma Ying-jeou said that the country nwill continue to seek peaceful means to address the territorial disputes in the region.
-(AMTI 8/4) Terriclaims: The new geopolitical reality in the South China Sea: Terriclaims, short for territorial reclamation, is a term that is useful for describing a nation’s reclamation activities when it seeks to preserve or expand territory as part of a broader geopolitical ambition.
-(The Diplomat 8/4) The other problem in the South China Sea: It is the destruction of the marine environment in the region which is home to more marine biodiversity than anywhere else in the world. -(CFR 8/4) New South China Sea contingency planning memo by Bonnie Glaser
-(Vietnamplus 7/4) Vietnamese, Chinese Party leaders hold talks: The leaders agreed on avoiding actions that could complicate and enlarge disputes and promptly employing measures to solve issues appropriately to maintain Vietnam-China relations and peace and stability in the East Sea. –(VOA News 7/4) Xi: China, Vietnam must cooperate on Sea dispute
-(The America Interest 8/4) High Stakes on the High Seas: The South China Sea’s contested islands are host not only to conflict between China and its smaller neighbors, but also to a standoff between Chinese ambition and American strategic resolve.
-(The Diplomat 7/4) Why Kissinger’s South China Sea approach won’t work: Because China is now demonstrating the capacity and the will to advance its claim in SCS; seeing the very notion of U.S. involvement in SCS as external interference. Will This Plane Let China Control the South China Sea?
-(Channel NewsAsia 6/4) US, Philippines set to hold expanded war games: They double the size of their annual war games this month, with some exercises to be staged close to a South China Sea flashpoint.
-(The Wall Street Journal 6/4) U.S. defense chief heads East, talking tough on China: “We and many other countries are deeply concerned about some of the activities China is undertaking,” Mr. Carter said.
-(Vietnamplus 6/4) Vietnamese, Russian Prime Ministers hold talks: Regarding East Sea issues, the leaders agreed that the disputes should be addressed through peaceful means with respect to international law, as well as fully and effectively implement DOC, working towards the formation of a Code of Conduct.
-(QDND 6/4) US naval vessels on friendship visit to Da Nang city: The visit will focus on sharing experience in military medicine, search and rescue and maritime security along with workshops on maritime laws, concerts, community activities, and sports.
-(April 6/4) PHP welcomes US’ readiness to help secure Asia-Pacific, saying the US is one of the allies providing concrete aid to the Philippines. –(ABS-CBN News 5/4) US ready to respond to threats in Asia-Pacific region
-(Reuters 4/4) Pentagon chief to visit Japan, Korea on first Asia-Pacific trip: The trip aims to boost the U.S. strategic rebalance to the region.
-(Today online 3/4) Thai-China defence ties a marriage of convenience: The South China Sea conflicts are the major reason China is seeking a closer friendship with Thailand.
