France Unveils Its Defense Strategy in the South China Sea and Beyond

In less than two weeks, the situation in the South China Sea has deteriorated at an accelerated pace: a joint Sino-Russian naval exercise; plans for Japan-U.S. joint patrols in the same area; Taiwan building anti-craft gun towers on Itu Aba; Jakarta trying to get U.S. help to upgrade its naval bases.

27/09/2016

Does Russia Have a South China Sea Problem?

At the G20 Hangzhou summit earlier this month, China made clear that Russian president Vladimir Putin was a top guest. Both China and Russia claim that their bilateral relations are the “best ever’ and demonstrate an “unprecedentedly high level of trust.” Putin described the relationships as a “comprehensive partnership and strategic collaboration.”

27/09/2016

Cooperation as a Means to All Ends in the South China Sea

Any meaningful joint arrangements will hinge on Beijing's strategic intentions, although domestic pressure in respective states will also play a key role.

26/09/2016

Weekly News 20/9-26/9

-(SCMP 21/08) China designates US’ first renminbi clearing bank: Premier Li Keqiang: The announcement came only two weeks before the yuan’s inclusion into the IMF’s international reserve asset, the Special Drawing Rights -(Business-standard 21/08) Russia poses most dangerous threat, China second: US general: General John E Hayten said in his confirmation hearing to be the Commander of the Strategic...

21/09/2016

Weekly Bulletin 12/9-18/9

China-Philippines relations are at a new turning point; Deputy PM raises South China Sea issues at Non-Aligned Movement Summit; PH to keep status quo in South China Sea; Duterte wants to stop joint patrols in South China Sea…

19/09/2016

America’s Pacific pivot is sinking

Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, caused shock and sniggers around the world when he called Barack Obama the “son of a whore”. But the Duterte comment that will have really hurt the White House came a few days later. Announcing that he was ending joint naval patrols with the US in the South China Sea, the Philippines’ president stated: “China is now in power and they have military...

19/09/2016

Russian Military Activities from South China Sea to Sevastopol

Russia is simultaneously conducting operations along the eastern Ukraine border, participating in large bilateral naval exercises with China in the South China Sea and conducting large-scale amphibious exercises in the Black Sea around the Crimean peninsula. 

15/09/2016

The Duterte Dilemma (and Why it Matters): China, the US Alliance and Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines’ newly minted president couldn’t have asked for a more high-profile diplomatic debut when he attended this week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, which saw the participation of the leaders from across the Asia Pacific, including the United States, Japan, China, Russia, and India, along with the secretary-general of the United Nations.

14/09/2016

Weekly News 12/9-18/9

-(VOA 13/9) China, Vietnam Vow to 'Maintain Peace, Stability' in South China Sea, amid simmering tension over the dispute. -(CNN 13/9) China, Russia begin joint exercises in South China Sea, adding a new twist to ongoing tensions over Chinese island-building in the region. –(Times of India 12/9) ‘Island seizing’ a part of China-Russia naval drill in South China Sea

13/09/2016

Weekly Bulletin 5/9-11/9

China confirms vessels on Scarborough, denies reclamation; Vietnam’s Prime Minister expresses concerns over South China Sea disputes; Philippines accuses China of secret island building; Obama puts South China Sea back on agenda at summit…

13/09/2016