Raging Waters in Benham Rise

Philippine secretary of national defense Delfin Lorenzana stirred up a political maelstrom in Manila last week with the revelation that Chinese survey vessels were apparently conducting oceanographic research work off the east coast of Luzon, the largest island of the Philippines. 

23/03/2017

Indonesia-Australia Ties: Joint Patrols in the South China Sea?

A proposal for “joint patrols” between Indonesia and Australia in the eastern part of the South China Sea, which was raised in October 2016, became highly publicised just before President Joko Widodo’s visit to Australia in February 2017. Notwithstanding the hype, it is in reality a distant prospect.

22/03/2017

Weekly News 20/3-26/3

-(AMTI 22/3) Raging Waters in Benham Rise: As the Benham Rise controversy begins to subside, the two governments may have learned that in the future, it would be best to tread very carefully in these raging waters. -(RSIS 22/3) Indonesia-Australia Ties: Joint Patrols in the South China Sea? Notwithstanding the hype, it is in reality a distant prospect.

21/03/2017

Weekly Bulletin 13/3-19/3

China plans station on disputed South China Sea shoal; Wary of China, Duterte tells navy to build 'structures' east of Philippines; U.S. Senators introduce bill targeting Chinese aggression in South China Sea; U.S. Secretary of State visits China…

21/03/2017

Weekly News 13/3-19/3

-(PhilStar 17/3) China plans station on disputed South China Sea shoal: A local Chinese government says it plans to build an environmental monitoring station Scarborough Shoal. -(US Senate 15/3) Rubio, Cardin Introduce Bill Targeting Chinese Aggression in SCS

13/03/2017

Weekly Bulletin 6/3-12/3

China: South China Sea's Code of Conduct draft ready; PH commissions third of 10 patrol ships from Japan; Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay dumped for lying; Australia says no plan for joint South China Sea patrols with Indonesia…

13/03/2017

A New Washington Naval Conference Could Prevent a Deadly South China Sea Showdown

Since the turn of the century political scientists and historians have been warning us about a new Thuycidean trap in which a rising power confronts a declining power. In this scenario, China would play the role of Wilhelmine Germany during the early twentieth century.

12/03/2017

Weekly News 6/3-12/3

-(Reuters 8/3) China says first draft of South China Sea code of conduct ready, adding tension in the waterway had eased notably. -(GMA Network 8/3) Australia says no plan for joint South China Sea patrols with Indonesia, despite his country aimed to work more closely with Indonesia over maritime security.

08/03/2017

Tracking Compliance with the SCS Arbitral Award: China’s 2017 Summer Fishing Moratorium May Rekindle Conflict with the Philippines

Last week, Chinese media reported that the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture has promulgated a summer fishing moratorium that includes many parts of the South China Sea.

07/03/2017

Weekly Bulletin 27/2-5/3

China to build first underwater platform in South China Sea; Taiwan to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea; Vietnam rejects China’s new fishing regulations; Trump budget plan boosts Pentagon…

06/03/2017