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Activities of the Claimants

China

China Coast Guard vessel found at Luconia Shoals, Malaysia

China has been detected encroaching on Malaysian waters at the Luconia Shoals, which are known as Gugusan Beting Patinggi Ali, located just 84 nautical miles from the coast here. “With regards to the Gugusan Beting Patinggi Ali issue, we know that there is intrusion in the area, which is why we sent the TLDM (navy) and MMEA (Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency) to monitor the area 24/7 to ensure the sovereignty of the country,” Malaysia Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said. He pointed out that all foreign vessels would normally just pass through the area as they cannot anchor or stay in the area without permission.

U.S. urged to "lower the temperature" over S. China Sea rift with China

In an interview with U.S. cable TV news network CNN, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said that it's hoped that Washington will refrain from making coercive statements and taking actions against China over the issue. "So I hope people in the U.S. will refrain from making all the coercive statements, will refrain from making all the coercive actions there," the Chinese diplomat said. Cui rejected the U.S. claim that China is changing the status quo in the South China Sea, citing similar reclamation activities already done by other claimants long time before. The Chinese envoy reiterated China's position that its activities in the South China Sea are fully within the scope of its sovereignty and are mainly for civilian purposes, adding that the facilities being built "will mainly help ships of china and other countries."

Vietnam

Vietnam, US ink Joint Vision Statement

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The two defense chiefs signed the Joint Vision Statement (JVS) during their talks in Hanoi on May 1st, the second day of Secretary Carter’s three-day visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart. During the talks, both sides agreed that the bilateral defense cooperation during the past time has met the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding this field signed between the two countries in 2011. Speaking at a press conference held after the talks, both defense ministers said the two sides will take practical actions to deepen the defense ties between Vietnam and the U.S., based on the signed JVS, which defines the orientations for bilateral affiliation in defense on the basis of the MoU. One of the important contents of the JVS is that the two nations will strengthen their cooperation in maritime security based on international law and the laws of each country, Vietnam’s Defense Minister Thanh said.

The Philippines

Philippine President visits Japan

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III arrived on June 2nd for a four-day visit to Japan that will see him court investment and seek support for his opposition to China’s land reclamation in the South China Sea. Speaking before the joint session of the National Diet of Japan on May 3rd, he reiterated “the prosperity of maritime and coastal East and Southeast Asia, which relies greatly on the free movement of goods and peoples, is at risk of being disrupted by attempts to redraw the geographic limits and entitlements outside those clearly bestowed by the law of nations.” In the summit meeting on June 4th, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan and President Aquino, jointly declared that the relationship between the two countries has entered the stage of Strengthened Strategic Partnership in which the two countries cooperate for shared principles and goals in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, recognizing that the relationship has become even closer and more dynamic. On the South China Sea issues, both sides reaffirm their strong commitment to ensuring maritime safety and security, sharing serious concern on unilateral actions to change the status quo in the South China Sea including large-scale land reclamation and building of outposts which contravene DOC 2002. On the same day, President Aquino signed a deal worth ¥19 billion ($150 million) with a Japanese shipbuilder to buy a fleet of 10 patrol vessels.

China behaving like Nazi Germany in South China Sea, says Benigno Aquino

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Speaking to an audience of business leaders in Tokyo on June 3rd, Philippine President Benigno Aquino has likened present-day China to Nazi Germany, hinting that the world cannot continue to appease Beijing as it claims ever more territory in the South China Sea. “If there was a vacuum, if the United States, which is the superpower, says ‘we are not interested’, perhaps there is no brake to ambitions of other countries.” “I’m an amateur student of history and I’m reminded of ... how Germany was testing the waters and what the response was by various other European powers,” he said, referring to the Nazis’ territorial conquests in the months before the outbreak of the second world war. “They tested the waters and they were ready to back down if, for instance, in that aspect, France said (to back down). If somebody said stop to Hitler at that point in time, or to Germany at that time, would we have avoided World War II.”

Chinese warship fired warning shot on Pinoy boat

Manila's defense minister said that the Philippines on June 5th expressed concern over reports a Chinese warship has fired a warning shot on a Filipino fishing boat near a reclaimed reef in the disputed South China Sea. "If indeed this happened, it is a cause of grave concern." Defense Minister Voltaire Gazmin told journalists in a text message from Tokyo, where he joined a four-day state visit by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.

Singapore

ASEAN community ‘hinges on hardwork’

Speaking during an interview with ASEAN journalists on June 4th Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the quality of the integration depends on how hard countries work on resolving outstanding issues such as the territorial dispute in South China Sea. “(It) is an issue which directly affects four of the ASEAN countries but indirectly affects the whole of ASEAN because it is a security issue in the middle of South-east Asia. ASEAN has a stand which is that we should be negotiating a Code of Conduct.” “We want to complete the Code of Conduct with China. We are in the process of doing this.” According to him, if the dispute is not resolved in accordance with international law or the Convention on the Law of the Sea, Singapore will have a problem.

South Korea

South Korea urges easing of tensions in South China Sea

South Korea on June 2nd pushed for a peaceful resolution to growing tension in the South China Sea over China's construction of artificial islands in the contested waters. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said peace and stability in the area is important for South Korea as well. "Protecting the freedom of navigation is indispensable for the stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region," ministry spokesman Noh Kwang-il said. He added that the government hopes that the relevant countries will "fully and effectively" implement the DOC 2002.

The U.S.

Obama to China: Stop "throwing elbows" in South China Sea

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Speaking at the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Fellows Program on June 1st, President Obama warned China that it should not try to expand its sovereignty in the South China Sea by "throwing elbows." "The truth is, is that China is going to be successful, it's big, it's powerful, its people are talented and they work hard and, and it may be that some of their claims are legitimate," the president said. "But they... shouldn't just try to establish that based on throwing elbows and pushing people out of the way." He threw his elbows out to the side for effect. "If in fact their claims are legitimate, people will recognize them," the president said.

US Navy to continue patrols in disputed waters

In an interview aboard the Blue Ridge command ship on June 1st, Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, the commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, said the U.S. military will work to prevent unforeseen clashes in the South China Sea, where Beijing is reclaiming land on disputed islands, and continue its patrols there. He also said the task of the 7th Fleet, based in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, is to ensure "freedom of access" on the high seas and in the airspace above them. "If the Chinese start making claims that are counter to that, that is not going to be recognized by us.” He also expressed hope that the U.S. ally will cooperate with other countries such as the Philippines and Australia to boost its presence in the South China Sea.

U.S. calls for S. Korea to speak out against China's behavior in South China Sea

During the seminar co-sponsored by Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Korea Foundation on June 3rd, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel said that “The role for the Republic of Korea is the role of a major stakeholder in the international order. It's the role of a country of laws. It's the role of a trading nation. It's a role of a country that has flourished under the international system. The fact that, like the United States, the Republic of Korea is not a claimant, in my view, gives Seoul all the more reason to speak out because it is speaking not in self-interest but speaking in support of universal principles and the rule of law.” Russel said China's behavior raises the question of "What kind of a power does China seek to become?" "For China to assert its claims through large-scale land reclamation, through the deployment of paramilitary forces or military forces that its neighbors see as threatening, is inconsistent with the kind of region that you and I want to live in," Russel said.

Australia

China's activity in South China Sea 'beyond anything previously seen'

During a Senate committee on June 1st, the secretary of the Australian defence department, Dennis Richardson, said that “the land reclamation activity by China in the South China Sea has been at a pace and scale in the last two years beyond anything we have previously seen. It dwarfs what the other claimant states have done, and the size of the land reclamation does raise questions about its purpose.” Earlier, at the Shangri La Dialogue, Australia’s Minister for Defence Kevin Andrews voiced opposition to any move by China to militarise the disputed islands.

South China Sea: Australia won't rule out expanded surveillance flights

A spokeswoman for Australia’s defence minister, Kevin Andrews, issued a statement on June 2nd saying it was in the interest of all countries “to ensure free and unencumbered transit through international waters, including those in the South China Sea”. “Australia will continue to transit the South China Sea, including conducting maritime surveillance missions consistent with our rights under international law, as it has been doing for more than three decades now,” she said. “It is well known by all countries in the region that Australia has been patrolling the South China Sea from the air for over 30 years as part of ‘operation gateway’. “We’ve been doing it on an ongoing basis since 1980 and will continue to in the future as part of Australia’s enduring contribution to the preservation of regional security and stability in south-east Asia.”

Australia 'Takes No Sides' In South China Sea Dispute Says Tony Abbott

Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott on June 4th said the country has maintained it will not take sides in the dispute over some parts of South China Sea but it will deplores any unilateral alteration of the status quo. He said disputers should be “settled peacefully” in compliance with international law. He reiterated that Australia will do what it can to uphold the freedom of navigation on the sea and air.

Regional Snapshots

Indian naval ships in Indonesia for annual bilateral exercise

As part of India's Act East policy, two Indian warships - INS Ranvir, a guided missile destroyer commanded by Captain Jaswinder Singh, and INS Shakti, a sophisticated fleet tanker and support ship - arrived in Indonesia's capital to conduct an annual bilateral exercise, the Indian embassy in Indonesia announced on June 2nd. "The visit is aimed at further strengthening its already robust bilateral ties between the two countries and fostering inter-operability between the navies of these two friendly nations," the embassy statement said. During the stay of the two India ships in the harbour, various activities such as official calls, professional interaction between personnel of both the navies, reception on board and ship visits have been planned. On departure, the ships will exercise with Indonesian Navy for improving interoperability in maritime operations and search and rescue.

US, India Sign Defense Pact Countering China's Influence

During U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s visit to India from June 2nd to June 4th, the United States and India signed a new defense pact and a 10-year defense cooperation framework that officials say represent a new dynamic in their efforts to speed up their security relationship. They also say the recent aggressive maritime moves by the Chinese in the South China Sea have helped countries in the region align closer with the U.S. The agreement noticeably included co-production and co-development of naval defense capabilities. According to the agreement, the U.S. will help India build and design an aircraft carrier and jet engines.

Japan, Australia defense ministers pledge to boost cooperation

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Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his Australian counterpart, Kevin Andrews, pledged on June 3rd to boost defense ties through enhanced cooperation on a range of topics including tensions in the South China Sea and Australia’s submarine project. Speaking to reporters after an hour-long meeting with Andrews at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, Nakatani said they both shared “serious concern” on the reclamation work by China in the South China Sea and will oppose unilateral moves to change the status quo through the use of force. “We will jointly urge relevant countries to pursue solutions in accordance with international law,” Nakatani stressed.

China, ASEAN pledge early conclusion of COC on sea disputes

After the 21st China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said that "we agreed to remain committed to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct [DOC] of Parties in the South China Sea and the early conclusion of a COC through consultations." His words were echoed by Noppadon Theppitak, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, who chaired the consultation, which ran from June 3rd to June 4th. ”We recognize that the COC was not meant to resolve bilateral disputes, but enhance confidence building between the parties concerned, to help prevent and manage incidents at sea." Noppadon said.