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Activities of Claimant

China

PLA to conduct live-fire shooting training from Aug. 12 to 13

According to the official website of the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on August 11, The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducts live-fire shooting training in the sea area within 2.5 nautical miles radius of 18-49.55N 110-33.80E in the South China Sea at 06:00 to 13:00 from August 12 to 13, 2015,

Chinese diplomat outlines limits to freedom of navigation

China’s ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said late August 11 that China respects freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea but will not allow any foreign government to invoke that right so its military ships and planes can intrude in Beijing's territory, the Chinese ambassador said. "Freedom of navigation does not mean to allow other countries to intrude into the airspace or the sea which is sovereign. No country will allow that," Zhao said. "We say freedom of navigation must be observed in accordance with international law. No freedom of navigation for warships and airplanes." Zhao also repeated an earlier pronouncement by Beijing that China's use of land reclamation to create new islands at a number of disputed Spratly reefs has ended. China, he said, would now start constructing facilities to support freedom of navigation, search and rescue efforts when accidents occur, and scientific research.

Taiwan builds a lighthouse in South China Sea

Lighthouse on Taiping Island (also known as Itu Aba) which will be completed by the end of September, the Maritime and Port Bureau said on Aug. 7. Reaching 13.7m above sea level, the lighthouse will have a range of 10 nautical miles. It will also be automated and regularly maintained, the bureau added. Taiwan has improved airport facilities on the island and is also building a wharf, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, ensuring the island can be used for humanitarian tasks, the Ministry of National Defense said.

Philippines

New Navy chief vows to defend West Philippine Sea

Newly installed Philippine Navy chief Rear Admiral Caesar Taccad vowed August 10 to defend the country’s maritime domain from China’s aggressive moves in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). “I will keep counting on each one of you as we stand together being the gallant protectors of the Philippine archipelago, our country, our home. Now I have this great privilege and opportunity to lead you whether you’re a sailor, a Marine or reservist or civilian of the Philippine Navy,” Taccad said. “We will continue to protect our seas and secure the future of our nation and its people. We shall continue to be a dependable naval force, prompt in response and sharp in action.” Describing the current situation in the South China Sea, newly appointed Navy chief Rear Admiral said “it’s much heated before. I think we are in a better position now. We are communicating with China, and more or less not as threatened as before. You know what they are trying to do and we try to maintain more or less peaceful co-existence or settlement of what issue we have.”

While holding this posture, Taccad made an assessment that he does not see any expansion from China. His assessment runs counter to what Magdalo party-list Rep. Ashley Acedillo bared on the same day.

Philippines to China: Ensure freedom of navigation, halt construction

Malacañang stressed August 12, China can better help ensure freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea by not proceeding with its plan to construct facilities on lands it has reclaimed in disputed areas. This is a response to Ambassador Zhao Jianhua’s announcement on earlier night that Beijing is set to construct facilities on its artificial islands to support freedom of navigation, search and rescue efforts in case of accidents, and scientific research. Disagreed with Chinese announcement, on August 14, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez doubts it with questions that “for whom are those search-and-rescue facilities?” “Is it for our ships and installations that they are threatening to destroy?” he added.

Korea

Seoul's Position on the South China Sea Issue

In a written interview with The Korea Herald last week Seoul’s Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se reiterated “the South China Sea is one of the world’s major sea lines of communication. Therefore, maintaining the peace and stability of the South China Sea, including the freedom of navigation and overflights, is clearly in the interest of all the countries in the region.” He added Seoul’s position that differences should be resolved peacefully in accordance with internationally established norms of conduct and this position was reiterated at the recent ARF and EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Malaysia. He highlighted that Seoul “looks forward to substantive progress being made toward the early conclusion of the COC.”

Britain calls for freedom of navigation in South China Sea

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, speaking in Beijing on August 12 that The Great Britain “wants to see claims dealt with by rules-based, not power-based, solutions in Asia as elsewhere, in a way that is consistent with the long-term peace and stability of the region, with freedom of navigation and overflight, and in accordance with international law.” He added “Britain had a great interest in the stability of the South China Sea though it does not take a position on territorial issues.”

Regional snapshot

Chinese Surveillance Ship Parks Near Contested Shoal

Congressman Francisco Acedillo says his intelligence sources learned that the Chinese coast guard vessel was in waters “very near” a dilapidated, rusty old WWII ship, which is lodged onto Second Thomas Shoal. “To me that presents a very big problem because assuming there is a situation where our marine contingent of eight soldiers is forced to leave Ayungin, that would easily allow the Chinese to gain a foothold in Ayungin Shoal," the lawmaker said. He added the Chinese vessel dropped anchor more than a month ago and it is not immediately clear whether it is still there.

Vietnam, China convene fifth strategic defence dialogue

Vietnam and China convened their fifth strategic defence dialogue in Hanoi on August 10, aiming to narrow differences and create strategic trust for the friendship between the two armies and peoples. Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh and Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the China People’s Liberation Army Sun Jianguo co-chaired the event. Both sides discussed developments in each country, the region and the world as well as issues related to national defence and security. Reviewing the outcomes of bilateral defence cooperation since the fourth dialogue, they discussed steps to deepen their defence ties, contributing to the long-standing friendship between the two armies and peoples.

China hits back at U.S. criticism over South China Sea 'restrictions'

On August 10, China hit back at U.S. criticism that it restricts navigation and overflights in the South China Sea amid a festering marine territorial dispute with some of its neighbours. Freedom of overflights and navigation doesn't mean allowing foreign warships and military jets to violate other countries' sovereignty and security, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement to Reuters on August 10, after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry accused China of restricting such movements in the region last week.

 

THE EAST SEA STUDIES