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Activities of Related Parties

China

Taiwan says no cooperation with China in South China Sea

According to a narrative posted on Taiwanse website, it said that the Republic of China (Taiwan) has its own foreign policy and will not join forces with China or act in its interests on South China Sea issues. They stressed their long-term peaceful efforts in the South China Sea have demonstrated to the world its firm determination to safeguard the its sovereignty and rights to territorial seas and that others should not have any doubts about this.

China kicks start the operation of lighthouse on Subi Reef in disputed South China Sea

China's Ministry of Transport on Apr. 5 held a completion ceremony for the construction of a lighthouse on Subi Reef, marking the start of its operation. Construction of the Lighthouse is 55-meter-high, with a lantern of 4.5 meters in diameter on the top and rotating lights inside. The lighthouse emits white light in the nighttime, with a light range of 22 nautical miles and a glowing cycle of five seconds. According to China, this lighthouses accompanied with the two lighthouse which China earlier installed on disputed islands would help China better perform international responsibilities and obligations in maritime search and rescue, prevention and elimination of natural disasters, marine environmental protection and navigation safety.

China defends its operation of the lighthouse in disputed the Spratlys

Speaking in a press conference on Apr. 6, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said that The Chinese side has been working to provide more public goods and services for navigation in the South China Sea to ensure and facilitate the freedom and safety of navigation in the region. It serves business activities of coastal countries in the region and countries outside the region. Regarding to the reports saying that there have been frequent confrontations between fishing boats from in the region, some of them have involved China's coast guard authorities and even the military, Mr. Lu, on Apr. 7, said “Fishery cooperation is an important part of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and neighboring countries including coastal countries in the South China Sea. A very good approach of resolving disputes through friendly consultation has been developed over time. As for the disputes you mentioned, China and relevant countries are trying to solve them through friendly consultation. Regarding to Vietnam’s demand China to move the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 and abandon plans to start drilling in waters outside the mouth of Gulf of Tonkin where the two countries have disputes, Mr. Lu said, “the operation is in waters under undisputed jurisdiction of China. It is a normal activity of business exploration. It is hoped that the relevant party will be objective and reasonable about that.”

China's army planning trip for Chinese public to visit Paracels

The PLA Daily announced on Apr. 7 that the PLA will let three readers of its official newspaper accompany the navy for a visit to Paracels this month. The readers have to post comments about the Paracels on the PLA Daily's mobile phone app, or on its social media accounts on WeChat or Weibo. A representative from the newspaper told that it will pick three lucky winners to go on a three-day tour, departing on a navy vessel from the southern beach resort of Sanya on Hainan island. Journalists from Xinhua, CCTV and People's Daily will be on the trip as well

Chinese FM: G7 should not hype up S. China Sea issue

Ahead the meeting of Group of Seven (G7) took place in Hiroshima, Japan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a meeting with foreign ministers of two G7 members from Britain and Germany. During the meeting with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in Beijing on Apr. 9, Mr. Wang suggested that the upcoming meeting of Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers should not play up the South China Sea issue. Wang said that China hopes Britain will adopt an objective and fair stand in the issue, and not take sides. On the same day, speaking in a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier after the conclusion of the 2nd China-Germany strategic dialog on diplomatic and security issues in Beijing, Wang said "We hope the G7 summit will focus on the topics of economy and development, which are the biggest concern all around the world, just as G20 does.” If some countries deliberately put historical issues or even disputes over territorial sovereignty into the G7 summit, it will not only be helpless for resolving the issues, but also be harmful to regional stability, he said.

Vietnam

Vietnam asks China to stop actions complicating East Sea situation

On Apr. 7, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh made the statement in reply to reporters’ queries about China’s Haiyang Shiyou 981 in the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin. Mr. Binh said that Vietnam requested China to cancel its oil drilling plan and promptly remove its Haiyang Shiyou 981 drilling rig out of the water whose delineation is under negotiation. “Vietnam demands China not repeat such unilateral actions that complicate the situation and make pragmatic contributions to peace and stability in the East Sea,” Binh said. Also on Apr. 7, Binh extended Vietnam’s response to China switching on a lighthouse on Xubi (Subi) Reef of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago. He said China’s aforementioned act has seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa archipelago. And it is illegal and void. The same day, a Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative met and handed a diplomatic note to a Chinese Embassy representative to object to the deed.

The Philippines

Aquino warns against int’l apathy in sea row

Speaking in an event of the 74th commemoration of the Day of Valor held at Mt. Samat Shrine in Bataan on Apr. 9, Filipino Presidents Benigno Aquinostressed that “What is the most important lesson we learned from World War II? It is clear: During times of chaos and disorder, any free country—even those who aren’t part of either side engaged in conflict—cannot stand idly by or remain quiet, “If we do not address the root of the problem, then we will certainly reach a point where the problem will worsen, until we reach the point where no country can avoid it.” He added, “All nations live in, and share, one world, which is why the problems of one become the problems of all. If there are challenges in other parts of the world, however far away, we must still participate and contribute to the solution. If we allow these challenges to grow, then, in the end, we will only be affected by their negative effects.”

Singapore

Singapore calls for peaceful resolution for the South China Sea disputes

Speaking to the Parliament on Apr. 7, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated that "We urge all parties to commit to non-militarisation, exercise self-restraint and refrain from the use or threat of use of force. We all stand to lose if tensions escalate. It is thus important to maintain open dialogue on issues of mutual concern, to prevent contentious issues from overshadowing the overall ASEAN-China relationship. Under the DOC, Dr Balakrishnan said work has begun on a hotline between ASEAN and China's Foreign Ministries for maritime emergencies. "We also agreed to pursue the extension of the observation of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) and we hope that this will be extended to all Parties’ naval vessels in the South China Sea," he said, adding that Singapore has also suggested that an ASEAN-China CUES can be extended to cover both navy and coast guard vessels. "This will send a positive signal of our joint commitment to prevent loss of assets and lives, and ensuring peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Dr Balakrishnan.

Indonesia

Indonesia takes hard line on  illegal fishing

The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry is stepping up its campaign against poachers by unveiling a new plan to sink 30 foreign vessels, mostly from Malaysia and Vietnam, proven to have conducted illegal fishing in the country’s territorial waters. According to its records, since November 2014, 153 foreign vessels, including one from China, have been sunk. At the same time, Minister Susi Pudjiastuti reiterated that she would send another letter to China to express Indonesia’s anger over its arrogance and demand that Beijing hand over the Kway Fey to Indonesian authorities for prosecution. Susi further said that most of the arrested eight crew members of the Kway Fey would be deported to China, leaving only the ship’s captain and engineer and fishing masters to be prosecuted.

Indonesia officially assigns four patrol ships to its Fisheries Inspectorate Vessels System

On Apr. 8 at Tanjung Priok port, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has officiated the launching ceremony of four locally built Orca patrol ships that will join the Indonesian Fisheries Inspectorate Vessels System. The move is meant to prove the government's resolve in protecting Indonesia's maritime resources. "I want Skipi to contribute more on securing the seas, our EEZ [Exclusive Economic Zone], for poachers to see the government's presence in guarding our waters," Susi said. The ships will be used to patrol waters off Natuna as well in the Arafuru sea between Papua and Australia and other border areas.

France

France opposes any escalation in South China Sea

Ahead of a Group of Seven ministerial meeting in Japan, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Apr. 9 had an interview with The Nikkei. On the South China Sea issue, Mr. Ayrault expressed French position that opposes actions by any nation that escalate regional tensions, implicitly urging China to restrain its development of maritime military outposts. He stressed, "We respect international law and the freedom of navigation." France wants the countries involved "to resolve their opposing views peacefully," Ayrault said.

European Union

EU concerns over the disputes in the South China Sea

Speaking in the EU-China Think Tank Dialogue in Beijing on Apr. 6, European External Action Service Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Gunnar Wiegand stated, “Recent developments in the South China Sea are a cause of concern. The EU's economic security is closely linked to security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region with about 50% of world trade going through the South China Sea. While not taking any position on claims, the EU is committed to a maritime order based upon the principles of international law, in particular as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).” In the meantime, Michael Reiterer, principal advisor on Asia Pacific to the EEAS said EU have a stake in the rule of law being obeyed. This applies to the Unclos. “It also applies to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.”

Regional Snapshots

China: Xi's meeting with Obama 'eases tensions'

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Apr. 4 that President Xi Jinping's meeting with US President Barack Obama has helped to alleviate tensions at a time when some countries have been playing up the South China Sea issue. "The Americans have said that they will not take sides (in the South China Sea issue), so it should not be a problem for the China-US relationship," Wang said. The relationship should not be affected by historical problems between China and some US allies, he added. During the 90-minute meeting, Xi acknowledged that China and the US have disputes and differing views on some subjects, and said both sides should respect each other's concerns and seek solutions through dialogue.

Japan to send destroyer through South China Sea to join joint drills off Indonesia

The Maritime Self-Defense Force said Apr. 5 that it will dispatch its destroyer Ise to a multinational maritime exercise to be hosted by the Indonesian navy on Apr. 12-16. Adm. Tomohisa Takei, MSDF chief of staff, told a news conference he hopes that the MSDF’s participation in the exercise will improve its tactical skills and help promote mutual understanding and trust among the participating countries. The Japanese destroyer is also expected to make a port call in Subic Bay in the Philippines, where the MSDF submarine Oyashio arrived on Apr. 2.

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