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Activities of related parties

China

Beijing deploys sensors in South China Sea to boost scientific data in disputed waters

China has deployed its first batch of eight home-produced floating sensors in the South China Sea as part of an international observation network.  By early next year, Beijing plans to be operating a total of 20 South China Sea sensors, which will enable both civilian and military users to monitor the marine environment up to a depth of 2km using China’s own satellite system, the project’s leading scientist said. The cylindrical sensors, which are about 2 metres tall and weigh up to 30kg, usually drift at about 1km below the surface, but regularly dive to a deeper depth and then rise to the surface – all the while recording ocean data, such as sea temperatures, salinity, oxygen concentrations and currents, for marine and climate research. The data can also be used to help forecast typhoons and fishing and military activities, according to the official website of China’s Argo project.

China urges Australia to be 'cautious' on South China Sea

China’s Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong told Australia's Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin on October 10th that China hopes to push forward the healthy and stable development of bilateral military ties. China "hopes that on the South China Sea issue the Australian side can speak and act cautiously, and that its words and deeds match", the ministry paraphrased Fan as saying.

China berates visiting New Zealand defense minister over South China Sea stance

At the opening of a high-profile security forum in Beijing on October 11th, Fu Ying, chairwoman of China's foreign affairs committee for parliament said: We “"hope that countries who are not involved in the disputes respect the countries who are having the disputes to ... work among themselves. Outside involvement, I think the developments have shown, interferences, can only complicate the differences and sometimes even add to the tension." Fu's comments came in response to remarks by New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee about his country's concerns over the South China Sea. Also at this forum, Chang Wanquan, China’s Defence Minister, levied thinly veiled criticism at recent U.S. involvement in Asia’s trouble spots. “Some countries seek absolute military superiority, ceaselessly strengthen their military alliances, and seek their own absolute security at the costs of other countries’ security.”

Vietnam

Da Nang protests China’s election in so-called Sansha city

Regarding an election for the so-called Sansha city in the East Sea (South China Sea), Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Huynh Duc Tho issued a statement of opposition on October 10th. He noted that Da Nang city’s administration is once again seriously concerned about China’s organisation of an election of deputies to a People’s Congress of the so-called Sansha city on September 22nd.  The election organisation in the area that is part of Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos has seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, he stressed.  “Da Nang city resolutely rejects and strongly objects to the abovementioned action and demands China not repeat similar actions,” Tho emphasised.

Vietnam says no to foreign military base on its soil

Vietnam said on October 13th it would not allow other countries to set up military bases there, just days after Russia said it was considering reopening Soviet-era bases in Vietnam and Cuba. "Vietnam's consistent policy is not to engage a military ally or engage with any country to oppose a third country," Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh told a news briefing. We will also not allow any other countries to set up a military base in Vietnam. While pursuing a neutral foreign policy to befriend many countries and allowing port calls by foreign warships, Vietnam still bars any permanent presence by foreign military forces.”

The philippines

Duterte says he ordered preparations for US drills scrapped

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said October 12th he has ordered his defense chief not to prepare for joint exercises with the U.S. military next year. Duterte, however, reiterated he would not abrogate a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S. that provides a security umbrella for the Philippines. He has said, however, that he'll chart a foreign policy not dependent on Washington. Earlier on October 10th, Capt. Ryan Lacuesta, spokesman for the Philippine marines, said the U.S. and Philippine marines have decided to cut short their amphibious landing exercises and live-fire training in the Philippines, ending the games one day ahead of schedule. "All major events have already been conducted. All the major exercises have been accomplished already so we decided to move the closing," he said.

Philippines commissions first of 10 new patrol ships from Japan

During a commissioning ceremony at the Philippine Coast Guard Headquarters in Manila, attended by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa, the 44-meter long ship, christened the "BRP Tubbataha," was officially inducted into the Philippine arsenal. In his speech at the event, Duterte said the ships were sorely needed to help patrol the 7,000-plus islands.

‘PH must continue sea patrols; only US can stop China poachers’

At the closing of the Amphibious Landing Exercises (Phiblex) 2016 on October 11th, Philippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said President Rodrigo Duterte must understand the importance of continuing holding patrols within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea. “The Philippines must protect its EEZ. That’s the mandate of the Constitution and the only way to protect that is to send patrol ships there because if a foreign fishing vessel will poach on our waters in the EEZ, the only way we can stop them is to patrol there,” he said. “There is only one power on earth that can stop the Chinese from poaching in our EEZ. That is the US,” he added.

Philippine leader says will raise arbitration case with China, won't bargain

At a news conference on October 16th, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he would raise a controversial arbitral ruling on the South China Sea with China's leaders, and vowed not to surrender any sovereignty or deviate from the July award by the tribunal in The Hague. "I will not bargain anywhere, we will continue to insist that is ours," he said. "The international tribunal decision will be taken up."

Regional Snapshots

Xiangshan Forum reaches consensus on maritime security

The seventh Xiangshan Forum concluded in Beijing on Wednesday, with attendees from 59 countries and five international organizations reaching consensus on maritime security, among other issues. About 500 defense officials and scholars gathered to discuss global security cooperation at the forum. Cai Yingting, president of the PLA Academy of Military Science, said consensus had been reached on five aspects, when delivering his concluding speech. Maritime disputes should be handled by directly involved parties through consultations and negotiations in line with the UN Charter and the international law and with respect to historical facts, according to the consensus reached at the forum. Maritime activities should be more regulated and crisis control boosted under a regional multilateral security framework.

China, Cambodia to forge ahead with cooperation, ties

China and Cambodia signed a joint communique here October 13th during Chinese President Xi Jinping's ongoing visit to the Southeast Asian country, pledging to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and traditional friendship. During his visit, Xi met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen, respectively. The two sides conducted in-depth exchange of views on further deepening the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership as well as international and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus, said the document. A total of 31 cooperation documents were signed on a wide range of fields covering economy, technology, infrastructure, efforts to curb human trafficking, tax and maritime cooperation, among others, according to it. China pledged more investment and cooperation with Cambodia on such fields as energy, telecommunication, agriculture, industry and tourism.

ASEAN, EU work towards strategic partnership

The 21st ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) opened in Bangkok, Thailand on October 14th, seeking to strengthen the two sides’ cooperation across the board and work towards strategic partnership. The meeting was co-chaired by Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission. It brought together 40 delegations from ASEAN and EU member countries, and ASEAN General Secretary Le Luong Minh. Delegates will touch upon important issues in the region and the globe and seek to elevate ASEAN-EU cooperation to strategic partnership. They will discuss preparations for the 40th anniversary of their ties in 2017. A Bangkok statement and a Bangkok roadmap to promoting ASEAN-EU relations to strategic partnership in 2016-2017 are scheduled to be adopted.