Activities of Related Parties
China
Navy's patrol aircraft evacuates sick workers from disputed island in SCS
According to a narrative posted on website of China’s Ministry of Defense, a patrol aircraft of the PLA Navy, which was on air patrol in the South China Sea, flew to the Spratly islands and landed on the morning of Apr. 17 at the airfield on the Fiery Cross Reef to transfer 3 seriously sick workers to Hainan for treatment. The post did not reveal the type of the aircraft landed on the island, however it is believed that it was Y8 military transport involved in that evacuation. It should be that this is the first time China lands a military aircraft on disputed Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea.
China defends its military aircraft landing on disputed Spratly islands.
Regarding to recent activity of landing an military aircraft on the disputed Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang, Apr. 18, said that, “This is a fine tradition of the PLA. It is nothing to be surprised at on Chinese soil.” This action raised concern of the US when urging China not sending military aircraft to the disputed islands in the South China Sea, China FM Spokesperson Hua Chunying in a response on Apr. 19, saying that, “We do not understand why the US Defense Ministry made such remarks. We have already said that the military plane flew to Fiery Cross Reef to evacuate three heavily-ill workers. It is a common practice around the world for military aircraft to participate in disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and non-combatant evacuation operations.”
Regarding to the remarks of Hugo Swire, British Minister of State for the Foreign Office, in a conference on Apr. 18 in the Center for Strategic and International Studies, saying that any ruling by the South China Sea arbitral tribunal in The Hague should be binding on both China and the Philippines. The UK will stand alongside the US in support of the ruling, Ms. Hua said, Apr. 20, “Mr. Swire's remarks, which paid no regard to facts and are full of prejudice and partiality, severely violated UK's promise of not taking sides on the relevant issue. We are strongly dissatisfied with that.”
In a response to the statement of the Philippine presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte on Apr. 29 saying that “Build us a railway just like the one you built in Africa and let’s set aside disagreements for a while,”Ms. Hua stressed, Apr. 21, “We have noted that some people from the Philippine side are also reflecting upon the matter whether relevant policies adopted by the Philippines truly meet the interests of their people. We attach importance to developing relations with the Philippines, and hope that its new government can adopt positive and well-thought policies towards China, properly deal with relevant disputes, and improve bilateral relations with concrete actions.”
Regarding to remarks of the US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Vietnam that China's massive land reclamation projects in the South China Sea and the increasing militarization of the military outposts fuels regional tensions and raises serious questions about China's intentions, Ms. Hua said on Apr. 22 that “The US keeps questioning China's intentions. I would like the US to clarify their real motives behind all these hyping-up and exaggerating of tensions in the South China Sea. The US is not a party concerned in the South China Sea issue. It should mind its words and actions, create a favorable atmosphere for the peaceful settlement of relevant disputes through consultation and negotiation between parties directly concerned, and play a constructive and responsible role for regional peace and stability.”
China confirms its intercontinental missile test near the South China Sea
Following the report saying that China test-fired a type of intercontinental missile near the South China Sea on Apr. 12, China’s Ministry of Defense on Apr. 21 said that, “it is normal for China to execute scientific experiments within its territory, and these experiments are not aimed at any specific country nor target.” "The so-called test location reported by the media is pure conjecture," the ministry stressed.
China commences building a library in disputed Woody Island.
According to Xinhua News, the commencement was held on Apr. 21. The library will be built inside a school in Woody Island. China Publishing Group signed a cooperation agreement to donate the first batch of 300,000 yuan to this school.
China is planning to build first maritime nuclear station
According to Global Times on Apr. 22, its maritime nuclear power platform could sail to remote waters and provide stable power to offshore projects. Liu Zhengguo, director of the general office of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), China's leading shipbuilding group in charge of designing and assembling the platforms, said "The development of nuclear power platforms is a burgeoning trend." "The exact number of plants to be built [by CSIC] depends on the market demand," he added, the company is "pushing forward the work."
China reaffirms the disputes in the South China Sea must be solved bilaterally
Speaking in a press conference on Apr. 22 after his visit to Brunei, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi stated that both China and Brunei are coastal countries along the South China Sea and that the peace and stability of the South China Sea is in the common interests of the two countries. According to Mr. Wang, thanks to the visit, he has exchanged in-depth views with Brunei on the current situation of the South China Sea and reached a series of consensus. Both sides believe that it is necessary to eliminate interferences, overcome difficulties and continue to firmly push forward the "dual-track approach", which means that disputes related to the South China Sea should be addressed properly through negotiations and consultations among countries directly concerned. Mr. Wang pointed out that the "dual-track approach" was first put forward by Brunei. Also on Apr. 22, China’s MOFA issued a joint statement after meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhon of Cambodia and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, saying that Cambodia supports China's stance and proposition on the South China Sea issue. The two countries support parties directly concerned to solve territorial and maritime disputes peacefully through friendly consultations and negotiations in accordance with the international law and provisions DOC in the South China Sea. On the Apr. 23, Mr, Wang stated that China reaches consensus with Brunei, Cambodia, Laos on South China Sea issue: (1) the territorial disputes over some islands, rocks and shoals in the South China Sea are not an issue between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a whole which should not affect the development of China-ASEAN relations; (2) They agreed that the right enjoyed by sovereign states to choose on their own ways to solve disputes under the international law should be respected; (3) territorial and maritime disputes should be resolved through consultations and negotiations by parties directly concerned under Article 4 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC); (4) Countries outside the region should play a constructive role in this regard. Regarding to the joint meeting the press with Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith of Laos after their talks, Mr. Wang said that disputes over Spratlys should not affect the development of China-ASEAN relations. Laos understands China's statement of optional exception in light of Article 298 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). All parties should support that territorial and maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully through friendly consultations and negotiations by parties directly concerned under Article 4 of the DOC in the South China Sea.
Vietnam
Vietnam strongly demands China stop violating territorial sovereignty
In a regular press conference on Apr. 21, regarding to recent report saying Fan Changlong, one of the vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission which controls China's military, went to see soldiers based on the reef and inspect building construction on Apr. 15. Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh said that Vietnam resolutely protest China’s violations of its territorial sovereignty and demand that the country stop repeating similar activities. In earlier day, Hanoi also sent a diplomatic note to the Embassy of China, objecting to Beijing landing a military aircraft Y8 on a runway it unlawfully built on Fiery Cross reef (Da Chu Thap) in disputed South China Sea, according to the Vietnamese diplomat. Mr. Binh asserted that China’s actions were unprecedented developments which have escalated the intensity of the situation in the East Vietnam Sea (South China Sea), adding that all foreign activities done without Vietnam’s consent are considered illegal. He continued, Hanoi ordered Beijing to immediately cease all violations of the former’s territorial sovereignty and refrain from repeating such acts.
The Philippines
PH: Chinese military plane landing on Spratlys airstrip ‘provocative’
Philippine Defense spokesperson Peter Paul Galvez, Apr. 21, accused China for its provocative action, saying that “It was definitely provocative. We’ve always been saying that we will address the issue through peaceful means — the diplomatic and our approach to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and we will keep holding on to that. Hopefully the decision will come out soon so we can avoid issues like these. They are the ones doing trouble there.” “They have not been true to their word. They say their moves are for civilian purposes. Actually for whatever purpose it may be because it’s an artificial island — it keeps getting bigger. We don’t know what’s in there,” Galvez stressed.
Cambodia
Cambodia supports China’s position on South China Sea issues
Speaking to the press after the meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Apr. 22, new Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon reaffirmed the importance of the relationship with China. About the South China Sea issues, Mr. Sokhon said, “Cambodia still maintains a neutral stance, the stance of Cambodia has always been to appeal to all sides involved to make efforts to solve the dispute through peaceful means, if all countries respected these principles like Cambodia, we would not have problems.” On his part, Mr. Wang said, “We are concerned that there are some powerful countries that use the South China Sea conflict to increase military activity in this area. These activities are not useful for stability and peace in the South China Sea.”
Malaysia
Malaysia advocates multilateral mechanism to address security threat
In his remarks at the closing session of the Putrajaya Forum 2016, which wrapped up in Kuala Lumpur on Apr. 19, Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi stressed that Malaysia advocates the importance of multilateralism and regional cooperation as well as networks of diplomatic relations to collectively address emerging security challenges. According to him, ASEAN is well recognised as a platform for maintaining regional peace and stability and has continued to engage regional and extra- regional powers constructively. He said there are still several security issues which remain a challenge in the region's efforts to ensure continued peace and stability. He added that ASEAN will have to continue to keep adjusting itself, revisit and enhance its capacities and capabilities with the changing times.
Malaysia deploys 20 new combat boats to beef up security in Sabah waters
On Apr. 20 during a ceremony at the Defence Services Asia Exhibition 2016, the Viper and Stingray interceptors were handed over to Armed Forces Chief Jeneral Tan Sri Zulkifli Mohd Zin by MRI Technologies Malaysia Sdn Bhd (DSA 2016). Zaulkifli said the boats were procured in a RM20mil “government operate, company own and maintain” (Gocom) contract. These boats would take part in the Ops Pasir, under the Joint Force Command, and would be used to combat sea-borne threats. “It will be stationed at strategic areas in Malaysian waters off Sabah, including Sandakan, Kudat and Semporna. “The inclusion of these assets is part of our efforts in strengthening the security in the waters of Sabah’s eastern coastline,” he said.
The United States
U.S. protests after Chinese military jet lands on South China Sea island
Speaking in a statement, Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said, "We're aware that a Chinese military aircraft landed at Fiery Cross Reef on Apr. 17. It is unclear why the Chinese used a military aircraft, as opposed to a civilian one." Capt. Jeff Davis added, "We urge China to reaffirm that it has no plans to deploy or rotate military aircraft at its outposts in the Spratly's, in keeping with China's prior assurances." Also about this incident, on Apr. 19, Department of State’s Spokesperson, John Kirby said that, “It’s difficult to understand why they needed a military aircraft for that. So again, we continue to make the case that militarization of outposts in the South China Sea is counterproductive to peace and stability in the region.”
The US criticizes China’s unilateral action in the SCS.
In his remarks in “China's Growing Pains" Conference held in The University of Southern California on Apr. 22, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel R. Russel stated, “We don’t ask China to renounce its territorial claims in the East or South China Seas, but we do ask China to renounce unilateral and destabilizing actions that change the status quo at the expense of the other claimants. We don’t object to China exercising international maritime rights, but we do urge it to clarify its South China Sea maritime claims consistent with international law and to recognize other countries posess the same rights it exercises. We don’t seek to undermine China’s interests, but we’re determined not to let China undermine the interests of all other nations, including the U.S.” Mr. Russel added “We think the UNCLOS arbitration case can clarify the maritime entitlements of the Philippines and China in a way that narrows the maritime area that’s in dispute between them.” He believed this decision could open up space for all claimants to take a deep breath and attempt meaningful discussions of resource management, of joint development.
US warplanes in Clark conduct fly ops on Scarborough Shoal
Said in a statement, on Apr. 22, Pacific Air Forces Public revealed that Four A-10s Thunderbolt and two HH-60G Pave Hawks were part of the aircraft left behind at Clark Air Base after the annual US-Philippine drills that concluded recently, conducted flying operations, Apr. 19, in the contested Scarborough Shoal for its first maritime situational awareness flight. Col. Larry Card, commander of the Air Contingent said, “Our job is to ensure air and sea domains remain open in accordance with international law. That is extremely important, international economics depends on it—free trade depends on our ability to move goods.” These are U.S military aircraft used in the Balikatan exercises that stayed behind at Clark Air Base. Earlier on Apr. 18, Philip Goldberg, U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, said that the United States will transfer an observation blimp to the Philippines to help it track maritime activity and guard its borders amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. Also, Washington would give Manila $42 million worth of sensors, radar and communications equipment. "We will add to its capability to put sensors on ships and put an aerostat blimp in the air to see into the maritime space," Goldberg said. He added, the two allies had agreed to set up a system for "secure and classified communications" as part of a five-year, $425 million security initiative by Washington in Southeast Asia. Manila will receive some $120 million in U.S. military aid this year, the largest sum since 2000 when the American military returned to the Philippines for training and exercises after an eight-year hiatus.
Deputy Secretary Anthony J. Blinken call on China to respect international law
On Apr. 21, Deputy Secretary Blinken had a remark at University of Social Sciences and Humanities under Vietnam National University, Hanoi. On the South China Sea issue, Deputy Secretary Blinken said, “We call on China, as we call on all nations, to respect the Arbitral Tribunal decision on the Philippines-China case as legally binding, when it is issued; to demonstrate good faith by clarifying its maritime claims in accordance with international law; to uphold freedom of navigation; to commit to peacefully resolve differences, including through rules-based mechanisms, like arbitration and not through unilateral action; and to agree to engage in serious diplomacy and a diplomatic process to develop a shared understanding of how to behave in disputed areas.” Mr. Blinken reaffirmed that the United States will defend its national interests and support allies and partners in the region. He said, “we will continue to sail, to fly, to operate anywhere that international law allows. Our vision for the future of the region is clear—it’s one where disputes are settled openly and in accordance with the rule of law, where businesses excel, where innovation thrives, and opportunities.”
Regional Snapshots
China, Russia oppose internationalizing South China Sea dispute
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Apr. 18 within the framework of the 14th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation, the Republic of India and the People's Republic of China in Moscow. The two Minister during the talks voiced their opposition to internationalizing the South China Sea dispute, calling for settlement through negotiation and consultation.Wang Yi said, “China is safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests in South China Sea and is entitled to choose, in accordance with relevant laws, ways for resolving disputes by itself. China's rejection and nonparticipation in the arbitration case unilaterally proposed by the Philippines over the South China Sea is a move meant to uphold the dignity and authority of the law. Both China and Russia should stay on guard against abuses of the mandatory arbitration mechanism.”
Vietnam, China hold talks on maritime cooperation
Vietnam and China have agreed to step up their cooperation in less sensitive maritime issues during the eighth round of talks between working groups from the two countries, which was held in Qingdao, a coastal city in China’s Shandong province, from April 19-22. During the talks, the two sides agreed to continue realising their all-level common perceptions, including the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related matters, as well as outcomes of the meeting between the two countries’ Deputy Foreign Ministers last April.
Russia, India and China call on resolving South China Sea disputes through direct negotiations between the parties concerned.
The Foreign Ministers of Russia, India, and China had the 14th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation, the Republic of India and the People's Republic of China on Apr. 18 in Moscow. The joint communique after the meeting stressed that they are “committed to maintaining a legal order for the seas and oceans based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the UN Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS). All related disputes should be addressed through negotiations and agreements between the parties concerned. In this regard the Ministers called for full respect of all provisions of UNCLOS, as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the Guidelines for the implementation of the DOC.
The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence expressed concerns over tensions in the SCS during a multilateral forum in Laos.
The ASEAN Defence Senior Officials Meeting Plus (ADSOM+) in Vientiane, Laos on Apr. 24. The event also saw the participation of representatives from other ASEAN member nations and eight partner countries of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand, Russia and the US. In an interview granted to the Vietnamese press on the sidelines of the event, Amy E.Searight, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia, said Washington is concerned about escalating tensions in the East Sea (South China Sea), which the US has discussed with all regional nations and at almost multilateral forums like this. The US called on all the countries to handle such disputes peacefully through diplomatic and legal measures, without threatening to use force and changing the status quo, she said.
THE EAST SEA STUDIES
