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Activities of Related Parties

China

China Expands Land Filling at North Island in the Paracels

Satellite imagery from Mar. 2 shows a marked expansion of China’s dredging and land filling at North Island in the Paracels. The newly manufactured terrain links North Island with Middle Island, along a long and straight reef structure that could accommodate a runway and parallel taxiway with dimensions equivalent to those recently built by China at Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratlys. The reef complex that includes North and Middle islands has a favorable size and geometry for an airstrip, and it occupies a total area of approximately five square kilometers.  Lying at the northern edge of the Paracel Islands, 300 kilometers southeast of China’s Yulin/Longpo naval base, North Island is well situated for sensors to monitor an area through which Yulin-based surface and submarine vessels must frequently pass.

China will launch civilian flights to Woody Island

On Mar. 5, Xiao Jie, the mayor of the so-called China's "Sansha City," said that its airport is expected to open to passenger planes within this year, and the city will gradually open more to tourists. According to Mr. Xiao, the city’s tourism infrastructure and other tourism-related facilities lag somewhat behind, therefore the full development of tourism in Sansha will need some time. The city is also exploring an inter-island cruise, and considering the possibility of increasing waterways and cruise ships, Xiao said.

China enlists fishermen’s help to protect maritime rights in disputed South China Sea

Speaking on the sideline of the annual parliamentary session in Beijing, Mar. 7, Luo Baoming, the Communist Party chief of southern province Hainan said that “Given the current situation in the South China Sea, fishermen have to protect their normal fishing operations in the region, because it is our ancestors’ fishing place." There were more than 100,000 fishermen in Hainan, which administers China’s vast claims in the sea. The Hainan government had provided resources such as shipbuilding and fuel subsidies to those involved in pelagic fishing, Luo said. It had also provided training in self-defence. He said some Chinese fishing boats operated in high seas and displaced up to 400-tonnes of water – meaning they were bigger than some naval warships from Southeast Asian countries.

China defends its militarisation activities in the South China Sea

On Mar. 8, the Fourth Session of the Twelfth National People's Congress held a press conference. Foreign Minister Wang Yi was invited to answer questions on China's foreign policy and external relations. On the South China Sea issue, Wang said, " China was the first country to discover, name, develop and administer the South China Sea islands. Our ancestors lived and worked there for generations. He said, "China is building defense facilities on our own islands and reefs and is exercising its right to self-preservation under international law." When the construction is completed and the condition is ripe, we will consider inviting foreign journalists to visit the islands and reefs. Wang said. Regarding to maritime cooperation between China and Asean, Wang pointed that "We have set up a China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund, which has supported over 40 cooperation projects. We are actively advancing the COC consultation. On the question about the arbitration, Wang said, "the Chinese government exercised its right under Article 298 of UNCLOS and made a declaration that excludes compulsory arbitration. So, by not accepting the arbitration case, China is acting entirely in accordance with the law." Speaking about the US-China relationship, Wang said that China and the United States are having cooperation and friction. China is not the United States, and China will not and cannot become another United States. We have no intention to displace anybody or dominate anybody. He added, "Perhaps you (the US) may want to spend more time learning about China's cultural tradition distilled from its 5,000-year history, and don't always judge China with the American mindset."

China responded to the Philippines' lease of five training planes from Japan to partrol in the South China Sea

Speaking in a press conference on Mar. 10, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said, the Chinese side has noted the relevant report. If the Philippines is meant to challenge China's sovereignty and security interests, it will be met with firm opposition from the Chinese side. "I also wish to reiterate that Japan is not a party related to the South China Sea dispute. We are on high alert against its move. We urge the Japanese side to act with prudence instead of further complicating the situation and jeopardizing regional peace and stability," he said. In a earlier press conference on Mar. 9, Mr. Hong, in answering a question of reporter about The US plans to base long-range bombers in Australia for the freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea,  said that "Peace, cooperation and development has become a major trend of the region that all people are aspiring for. Cooperation between relevant countries should focus on safeguarding regional peace, stability and development. Any bilateral cooperation must not jeopardize a third party's interests."

Vietnam

Vietnam's fishing boat sunk in Hoang Sa (Paracels)

The five fishermen went adrift after their fishing boat, coded KH 96440 TS of Khánh Hòa, sank after colliding with an unidentified ship off Vietnam’s Paracels on Mar. 8. Shortly after being notified about the incident, the consular department sent a diplomatic note to the Chinese Embassy in Hà Nội, and ordered the Vietnamese Embassy in China to immediately inform and coordinate with relevant Chinese agencies to verify the information and search for the fishermen, a representative of the Vietnamese foreign ministry’s consular department said. In another incident happened on Mar. 7, Quang Nam Province Fisheries Association has sent document to Vietnam Fisheries Association to register their protest by an attack by a Chinese coast guard ship (number 46101) on local fishermen near the Paracel Islands, said Ngo Tan, chairman of the association. "We asked the Vietnam Fisheries Association to protest against the barbaric actions taken against Vietnamese fishermen and have asked the Chinese government to compensate for the damage caused to Vo Quang Thai's boat (coded QNa91939)," the document says.

The Philippines

Philippines: No involvement in joint patrols in disputed seas

Speaking to the press on Mar. 6, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.  said that the joint naval exercises near the South China Sea does not involve the Philippines in any way. “The Philippines believes that regional stability is achieved when the rule of law is upheld. Hence, we have joined cause with ASEAN in advocating the adoption of a legally binding Code of Conduct on the South China Sea,” Coloma stressed.

Philippines to lease planes from Japan to patrol disputed sea

Speaking at an air base south of Manila on Mar. 9, Philippine President Benigno Aquino said he had done more to build the air force than three previous governments, increasing the number of planes and helicopters to move troops and supplies and guard maritime borders. "All this new equipment will enhance the capability of the air force to guard our territory," Aquino said. He revealed that Philippines is are leasing from Japan five TC-90 training aircraft to assist our navy in patrolling our territories, particularly in the South China Sea. However, he did not say when the Japanese aircraft would arrive.

Stay the course: Del Rosario’s parting words on South China Sea

At a luncheon hosted by the Makati Business Club on Mar. 11, Del Rosario, head of the foreign service over five years suggested that the next administration on foreign policy, particularly in handling the South China Sea dispute: Stay the course. He also wished the next administration would carry out the Department of Foreign Affairs’ “three pillars” in a principled manner which are “enhancement of national security, attainment of economic security and … promotion of the interest of all Filipinos overseas.” On proposals for the Philippines to jointly develop the South China Sea with China, Del Rosario said he was amenable to that as long as “it is in accordance with the rule of law.”

PH decries China plans to fly planes from disputed islands

Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Charles Jose on Mar. 12 said China’s plan to start launching civilian flights to and from the contested Paracels within a year is provocation. “We reiterate our previous statements on China’s unilateral and provocative actions in the South China Sea,” he said. Asked if the Philippines may be expected to file a diplomatic protest over the incident, Jose said, “We’ll have to study that,” and called China should desist from its activities and “not do anything more that would further complicate the situation.”

The United States

The US urges China must state its military’s intentions in disputed seas

US 7th Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Joseph P. Aucoin, on Mar. 7, told a select group of reporters in an interview while touring USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) which is docking in Manila Bay of the Philippines that in order to make the situation in the South China Sea more stable and less uncertain, it would be good for China to state what their intentions are regarding its extensive land reclamation work and deployment of air defense and surface-to-air missile systems in disputed areas in the region. He said China's unilateral activities add to the uncertainty and anxiety in this region that is escalating the tension, and I would hope that we would not do anymore of those kinds. We can be more transparent with what we’re trying to achieve. He disclosed that the US Navy is planning to visit China and hold a dialogue with its Chinese counterparts towards the latter part of this year even as it vows to conduct freedom of navigation operations to ensure security and stability in the region.

U.S. says in talks to base long-range bombers in Australia

Lt. Col. Damien Pickart, a spokesman for the U.S. Air Force in the Pacific on Mar. 9, said that the United States is in talks to base long-range bombers in Australia. He stressed that discussions were continuing and no decisions had yet been reached. "These bomber rotations provide opportunities for our Airmen to advance and strengthen our regional alliances and provide (Pacific Air Forces) and U.S. Pacific Command leaders with a credible global strike and deterrence capability to help maintain peace and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," said Pickart. The deployments could include B-1 bombers and an expansion of B-52 bomber missions.

The US voices concern over China's plan of launching civilian flights to disputed South China Sea

The U.S. State Department spokesperson Anna Richey-Allen, on Mar. 11 said China's launching the flights would be "inconsistent with the region’s commitments to exercise restraint from actions that could complicate or escalate disputes." "China should heed to its prior public commitments to cease land reclamation and militarization on their outposts in the South China Sea, and instead focus on reaching agreement on acceptable behavior in disputed areas," Anna Richey-Allen said.

Japan

Japan to continue joint drills in South China Sea

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, in a ceremony held at the Ominato Base in Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture on Mar. 7, indicated that Japan will continue to take advantage of the anti-piracy mission off Somalia, holding joint drills in the South China Sea with other countries. He said that although there was no piracy incident last year, the threat still remains, and that it is essential the SDF fully carries out its tasks.

Russia

Rosneft Commences Exploratory Drilling Offshore Vietnam as a Project Operator

The announcement of Rosneft Vietnam B.V., a company of Rosneft group, on Mar. 9, said that the Company would drill another exploration well in Block 05.3/11 also in the Nam Con Son basin. This is the first time Rosneft is operating a drilling project, in International waters. The expected recoverable reserves of natural gas in the area are estimated at 12.6 bcm, and 0.6 mt of gas condensate. Rosneft is currently involved in projects of gas and condensate production and exploration in two blocks offshore Vietnam.

European Union

The EU raised concern over recent developments in the South China Sea

On Mar. 11, Fédérica Mogherini, high representative of the EU, released Declaration on Recent Developments in the South China Sea. According to the declaration, The EU is committed to maintaining a legal order for the seas and oceans based upon the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This includes the maintenance of maritime safety, security, and cooperation, freedom of navigation and overflight. The EU is concerned about the deployment of missiles on islands in the South China Sea. The temporary or permanent deployment of military forces or equipment on disputed maritime features which affects regional security and may threaten freedom of navigation and overflight is a major concern. The EU therefore calls on all claimants to refrain from militarisation in the region, from the use or threat of force, and to abstain from unilateral actions. The EU encourages further engagement in confidence building measures which seek to build trust and security in the region.

Regional Snapshots

Indonesian minister to spell out stance on South China Sea to Japan

On Mar. 8, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan revealed the plan to discuss the former’s stance on territorial disputes and China’s land reclamation work in the South China Sea. Luhut said that while Indonesia is not a claimant to the islands and reefs on which China has been carrying out construction and land reclamation works, it does claim the Natuna Islands and has an interest in freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. He added that China had recognized Indonesia’s claim to the Natuna Islands and that his country is interested in maintaining good relations with both China and Japan.

Japanese Minesweeping Mother Ship Arrives In Malaysia For Three-day Goodwill Visit

The vessel from the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (MSDF) Minesweeper Division 51 was accompanied by minesweeper, JS Takashima (MSC-603) arrived in Port Klang on Mar. 12, started its three day goodwill visit to Malaysia. The commanding officer of both vessels, Captain Toshihiro Takaiwa who leads more than 170 crew members on board, said the mine warships arrived at Port Klang for a goodwill visit and replenishment before taking part in a United States-led mine countermeasures exercise in the Middle East.

US submarine docks at Subic for Indo-Asian-Pacific tour

The USS Charlotte (SSN-766), a Los-Angeles-class submarine, docked at the Alava Pier at about 7 a.m., according to the seaport department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). The submarine is on a six-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, according to the website of the Pacific Submarine Force (Subpac). The submarine, which measures 360 feet long and displaces more than 6,900 tons when submerged, has about 150 crews. It is considered as one of the most advanced fast-attack submarines in the world.

THE SOUTH EAST SEA STUDIES