U.S. Announces New Freedom of Navigation Exercise in the South China Sea

On Friday, the U.S. Navy officially announced another episode of its planned “freedom of navigation” series in the South China Sea, shortly after U.S. President Barack Obama met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a nuclear summit in Washington.

11/04/2016

How to Turn The Heat Down in the South China Sea

On April 5, Indonesia blew up 23 Malaysian and Vietnamese fishing vessels in a public display to deter others from illegally fishing in its waters. That was one day after Vietnamese state media announced that Vietnamese authorities detained a Chinese vessel accused of illegally entering Vietnamese waters.

11/04/2016

For first time, Japan will send Ise destroyer into the South China Sea

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) officially announced plans on Apr. 5 to send its Ise destroyer into the South China Sea. The ostensible reason behind the move is training with Indonesian navy, but move likely to irritate China.

07/04/2016

China's Super Strategy to Dominate South China Sea: Little Green Fisherman

China’s militarized fishing fleet is Beijing’s analogue to Russia’s ‘little green men’. The protection of ‘innocent actors’ from local authorities (for instance, the Indonesian Coast Guard lawfully defending its EEZ) is only the latest event in which Chinese coast guard vessels were empowered to conduct acts of war.

07/04/2016

Weekly Bulletin 29/02 - 06/03

  China blames US escalating tension in South China Sea; Vietnam voiced against CNOOC’s recent inviting foreign bids for oil and gas blocks in the East Sea; The Philippines called on China to respect the Hague ruling; The US warns China agaisnt militarization in the South China Sea

06/04/2016

Weekly News 04/04 - 10/04

-(SMH 08/04) South China Sea: claims White House 'gagged' US navy chief over China criticism: There was still an active debate in Washington about how to respond to China. -(SCMP 08/04)EU says economic security linked to maritime disputes in South China Sea: Half the world’s trade passed through the South China Sea and that the EU’s economic security was closely linked to stability in the Asia-Pacific...

05/04/2016

Weekly Bulletin 28/03 - 03/04

China’s position about establishing ADIZ in the SCS; Vietnam raises its concerns over the placrement of HYSY 943 in the SCS; Indonesia demands 'bully' China hand over fishing boat; U.S. plans third patrol in the South China Sea; US, Philippines hold war games as China flexes muscles.

05/04/2016

Is Beijing’s militarisation of the South China Sea really 'defensive'?

The latest buzzword of the South China Sea 'war of words', as observed in media reports, academic opinion and official press remarks is none other than 'militarisation'. But what does 'militarisation' mean?

05/04/2016

This Is How America Can Make China Pay a Price in the South China Sea

As if things could not get any worse in the South China Sea, China’s placement and testing of anti-ship missiles in the South China Sea all but confirms Asia’s worst fears: America’s goal to ensure that China’s rise is peaceful and that Beijing would take its place among nations of the Asia-Pacific and larger Indo-Pacific as a “responsible stakeholder” is dead and buried.

04/04/2016

Kicking Down the Door: Ohio-Class Subs vs. China's A2/AD

How best could the United States metaphorically “kick down” the anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) “door” of a near-peer adversary during a conflict? This has been an idée fixe for American defense planners during recent years, in view of the rising A2/AD capabilities of strategic competitors such as China. There seem to be no clear answers to this question.

04/04/2016