Japan’s decisive defence development

The recent changes in Japan’s defence policy, towards being a more active player, should be of primary interest to the EU.

10/05/2016

Weekly Bulletin 02/05 - 08/05

Chinese navy to conduct drill in South China Sea; 4 Indian Naval ships to take part in Malabar exercise; Foreign Minister Kishida visits China and Southeast Asia; Voters from Truong Sa island district cast votes for deputies to the Vietnam’s 14th National Assembly and People’s CouncilsActivities of Related Parties

10/05/2016

Russia's South China Sea Conundrum

On April 29, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a joint press conference in Beijing during which they strongly opposed the deployment of a THAAD anti-missile defense system in South Korea by the United States as well as outside interference by non-claimants in the South China Sea (SCS) territorial dispute. 

09/05/2016

China’s new strategy in South China Sea

Clearly, Obama’s pivot to Asia to contain China (as well as Russia) came as a timely warning to Beijing to take precautionary measures against US mischief in the South China Sea.

08/05/2016

Japan's East China Sea Military Buildup Continues

He who lives by the military buildup, dies by the military buildup. Though the recent visit to Beijing by Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida suggests a thaw in Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, there remains a gulf—or more accurately, a sea—between the two Asian powerhouses.

06/05/2016

Why Malaysia's South China Sea policy seems confused

In March this year, Malaysia's National Security Minister Shahidan Kassim revealed that surveillance by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) had discovered about 100 Chinese vessels sailing close to the Luconia Shoals, which Malaysia claims.

05/05/2016

Weekly News 02/05 - 08/05

-(ABC 08/05) Fishing boat and cargo ship collision leaves 17 missing, two dead in East China Sea: China has detained 20 crews from the freighter Catalina, however they did not state their nationalities. -(Gmanetwork 08/05) China carries out military drill in South China Sea: China periodically announces such exercises in the South China Sea as it tries to demonstrate it is being transparent about...

04/05/2016

Weeky Bulletin 25/04 - 01/05

China will start reclamation work at Scarborough Shoal; Singapore stresses on resolving disputes through legal and diplomatic processes; Cambodia refutes new SCS-related agreement with China; Presidents Barack Obama criticize China’s behavior at sea; The 5th CICA upholds the principles of international law in resolving disputes.   

03/05/2016

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.

02/05/2016

Playing by the rules in the South China Sea

China’s adventurism in the South China Sea has prompted a change in Australian policymaking that merits wide international attention. In making maintenance of a “rules-based global order” a core strategic priority, Australia’s new defense white paper adopts language not often found at the heart of national defense charters.

02/05/2016