Back to Basics in the South China Sea

As the debate around Chinese activities grows more complex, a murky understanding of both Chinese claims and how they relate to international law and accepted international norms persists among the general public. It may, therefore, be useful to revisit some of the basics.

13/04/2016

Tension on the South China Sea draws concerns. So should submarine warfare underneath.

Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter is in Asia this week, making stops in India and the Philippines to bolster relationships that the United States could call on in a time of crisis.

13/04/2016

Weekly News 11/04 - 17/04

-(AFR 15/04) Beijing warns Malcolm Turnbull to be 'careful' on South China Sea: Mr Turnbull raised Australia's concerns over China's inflammatory land grab in the region and he planned to raise it again. -(BusinessInsider 15/04) The US is about to spend a lot more time patrolling the South China Sea: Demonstrating that the two countries are increasing security cooperation amid joint concerns over...

12/04/2016

Weekly Bulletin 04/04 - 10/04

Vietnam asks China to stop actions complicating East Sea situation; China's army planning trip for Chinese public to visit Paracels; Aquino warns against int’l apathy in sea row; France opposes any escalation in South China Sea; EU concerns over the disputes in the South China Sea

12/04/2016

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

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

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