Weekly News 24/10 - 30/10

-(QZ 28/10) Beijing pushed the Philippines too far on the South China Sea with just two little words: It insisted any statement on fishermen returning to the area would say China would “allow” or “permit” them to be there. -(Nationalinterest 28/10) What Does China Actually Want in the South China Sea? The South China Sea has a nationalist and identity value above and beyond material resources.

26/10/2016

Asean's South China Sea conundrum

The South China Sea (SCS) contestations have brought Asean into direct diplomatic headwinds with China. Just when one thinks there is sufficient reason for the regional grouping to close ranks and speak with one voice, it would seem that the opposite is happening. Asean responses to the SCS issue are less than unified and reflect four issues.

25/10/2016

Weekly Bulletin 17/10-23/10

U.S. Warship Conducts South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation; Philippines' Duterte says didn't really mean 'separation' from U.S.; Chinese naval fleet visits Cambodia to boost naval ties…

25/10/2016

Weekly Bulletin 10/10-16/10

Beijing deploys sensors in South China Sea to boost scientific data in disputed waters; Vietnam says no to foreign military base on its soil; Duterte says he ordered preparations for US drills scrapped…

18/10/2016

Weekly News 17/10 - 23/10

-(Indiatimes 16/10) China develops world's smallest nuclear plant to take control of South China Sea: The reactor will supply power to new settlements on disputed islands in South China Sea. -(FT 16/10) Duterte to test South China Sea waters; -(Japantimes 16/10) Philippine leader says will raise South China Sea arbitration case with Beijing, won’t bargain; -(nytimes 16/10) Duterte Acknowledges...

17/10/2016

How the Next US President Should Handle the South China Sea

Beijing will test the mettle of the next U.S. administration in the South China Sea. At a minimum, China is determined to use “passive assertiveness” to exercise greater control over this jugular of international commerce.

17/10/2016

Down and Duterte: Shakeup in the South China Sea

On June 30, Rodrigo Duterte was inaugurated as the 16th President of the Philippines. During Duterte’s nomination and election, most commentators focused on his domestic policy platform and controversial human-rights record as the mayor of Davao.

17/10/2016

Beijing seeks new ways to assert South China Sea authority

Beijing could employ controversial measures to control the disputed airspace over the South China Sea, according to a leading expert with close ties to the Chinese government, as it seeks new ways to assert its authority in the contested region.

12/10/2016

Weekly News 10/10-16/10

-(Reuters 12/10) China urges Australia to be 'cautious' on South China Sea, and that its words and actions on the matter match each other. -(Inquirer 12/10) Duterte determined to stop joint patrols in South China Sea, despite Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio’s reminder that the Constitution mandated the state to protect the country’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.

11/10/2016

Could China build the world’s smallest nuclear power plant and send it to the South China Sea?

A top mainland research institute is developing the world’s smallest ­nuclear power plant, which could fit inside a shipping container and might be installed on an island in the disputed South China Sea within five years. Researchers are carrying out intensive work on the unit – dubbed the hedianbao, or “portable nuclear battery pack”. Although the small, lead-cooled reactor could be placed...

11/10/2016