alt

Activities of Related Parties

China

Chinese continues to deploy fighter jets on contested South China Sea island

Satellite imagery from ImageSat International (ISI) taken on Apr. 7 and authenticated by U.S. defense officials Tuesday show two Chinese Shenyang J-11 fighter jets on Woody Island. The satellite photos also show a newly installed fire control radar system on Woody Island, which makes China’s surface-to-air missile launchers first deployed in February fully operational.Besides, the photos also show four of the eight surface-to-air missiles ready to fire on the eastern side of Woody Island. According to Pentagon, the Chinese J-11s, known as “Flankers” first entered service in 1998. They are a modified version of the Russian Sukhoi Su-27, comparable to a U.S. Air Force F-15 or Navy F/A-18 Hornet. On Apr. 13, a U.S official, who requested anonymity, said that China moved 16 Shenyang J-11 advanced fighter aircraft to Woody Island on Apr. 7. He affirmed such a large deployment was “unprecedented.”    

China angered at G7’s statement on the disputed South China Sea

Speaking in a regular press conference on Apr. 11, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said, “If G7 still hopes to exert influence in the international community, it should adopt an attitude of seeking truth from facts and tackle issues that the international community is more concerned about. If G7 is hijacked by a particular country for selfish gains, this will do no good to the strength, function and future development of G7 itself. On Apr. 12,regarding to the report saying that the Philippines sent transport planes to carry substantial amounts of materials to Thitu island, and was ready to restart work on upgrading an airport on it, Mr. Lu said, “China once again urges the Philippines to respect China's territorial sovereignty and rights and interests, strictly abide by the UN Charter and other international laws and basic principles guiding international relations as well as the DOC, put an end to all actions that encroach upon China's territorial sovereignty and rights and interests, and return to the right track of properly resolving disputes through bilateral negotiation at an early date.” On recent statement of Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about the South China Sea disputes, Mr. Lu said, on Apr. 13, “China speaks highly of Russia’s remarks. Any person, organization and country that is truly concerned about peace and stability in the South China Sea should support China and relevant countries in this region, or countries directly involved to be specific, in resoling possible disputes through negotiation and coordination in accordance with international laws, bilateral agreements and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). It is not constructive for any country or organization outside the region to hype up the South China Sea issue, play up or provoke tensions and drive a wedge between regional countries.” Also at this event, Mr. Lu noted that the G7’s statement,  once it was published, China did find something in it that is not correct. We believe that when engaging with other countries, it is natural for us to present our position and stance to relevant countries if something is wrong. Especially given the fact that some senior officials from a G7 country said in public that they hoped China would listen more to what G7 said, we did summon diplomatic envoys from relevant countries and expressed our solemn position on this issue. Also on Apr. 13, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin stated, "Whether the United States or Japan, both of them are hyping up the issue. Issues on the South China Sea have nothing to do with them. Issues on the South China Sea should be solved through negotiations among parties that are directly related to this issue.” Regarding the arbitration case brought forward by the Philippines, the vice foreign minister said Manila should return to the correct track of resolving relevant disputes through bilateral negotiations. He said China is negotiating with parties directly related to the issue, and will not accept nor participate in forced arbitration.

China urges US-Philippines military cooperation not to aim at others

The Chinese Defense Ministry on Apr. 14 stated, “"The joint patrols between the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea, which is harmful to regional peace and stability, the Chinese military will pay close attention to the situation, and resolutely defend China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests." The ministry also indicted the United States and the Philippines' strengthening military alliance, increasing frontline military deployment and holding joint military drills with specific targets reflected cold-war mentality. In the next fews days on Apr. 17, the Ministry revealed an incident of a patrol aircraft of the PLA Navy flew to the Fiery Cross reef  on an emergency mission to transfer 3 seriously sick workers to a military hospital in Sanya, Hainan for treatment.

China's top military officer inspects islands in South China Sea

The Ministry of Defense said Apr. 15, Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited disputed Islands in the South China Sea in recent days. Fan met with officers and soldiers stationed on the islands as well as construction workers. The ministry said the construction projects, including lighthouses, automatic weather stations, oceanic observation centers and oceanic research facilities are going smoothly. There was no details about which islands that Fan visited on this occasion.

Taiwan illegally held a tour to disputed island in the South China Sea.

A group of experts on international law and political science from Taiwan and abroad toured Itu Aba Island Apr. 15. The visit, at the invitation of the ROC government, came a day after the scholars had taken part in the International Conference on South China Sea Disputes and International Law at Soochow University in Taipei. On the island, the scholars surveyed the wells, natural vegetation, farm, Temple, historical sites, solar power system, lighthouse, wharf, and communications equipment, as well as the hospital. Following the inspection visit to the Island by this group of international scholars, the ROC government reiterates that Itu Aba Island can sustain human habitation and economic life of its own, and meets the criteria of an island as defined in Article 121 of UNCLOS.

China launches upgraded drills for South China Sea fleets

According to an article published by the PLA Daily on Apr. 17, China's South China Sea fleets have conducted training drills with upgraded methods that resemble actual combat conditions to increase the fleets' combat effectiveness. Division commander Tian Junqing said, "To think about special situations in an even more complex way, to make the enemy situation even more dangerous, to make the battlefield environment even more lifelike, is an important path in order for the navy and air force to stick close to the demands of real combat and accelerate its transformative production model for fighting strength." Previously, the fleets have also conducted all-weather drills, beyond visibility range training and low-altitude, high-speed exercises to hammer their pilots into shape. The article did not specifically say where in the South China Sea the drills took place.

Vietnam

Vietnam hails G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on security

In a press conference on Apr. 14, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh made the statement in reply to a reporter’s query on Vietnam’s reaction to the G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement that expressed concerns about the situation in the East and South China Seas, “Vietnam welcomes the G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on security that featured a common goal of safeguarding aviation and maritime security and safety, maritime security and respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” he said. “Vietnam asks for parties concerned to make practical contributions to the maintenance of peace, stability, and obedience to the law in seas and oceans,” he stressed.In a response to recent remark by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovthat all attempts to "internationalize" the disputes must be stopped, Mr. Binh stated, disputes over the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago must be settled by all countries concerned. Other issues that affect countries outside the region, such as security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, must be discussed and settled by all nations that share the same interests, he said. Regarding to the report saying thatChina’s deployment of 16 fighter jets J-11 to Paracels, Mr. Binh the deployment was a serious encroachment on Vietnam's sovereignty that threatened peace and stability in the region, “Vietnam resolutely objects and strongly requests China to cease its infringement of Vietnam’s sovereignty on the Paracel Islands by withdrawing its military fighters from the area and not repeating the act,” Binh said.

The Philippines

PH diplomat to China: Don’t turn shoal into island

Speaking to the press on Apr. 12, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr. expressed Manila’s concern over Chinese survey ship’s in the Scarborough Shoal a few weeks ago which has reinforced suspicions that Beijing is eyeing the vast atoll as its next target in its island-making spree. “That I think will be very provocative if they will build on Scarborough Shoal,” Cuisia said, adding such an action “will further escalate the tensions and the conflict.” “The Philippines is incapable of stopping China from constructing an island in the shoal. We hope that the U.S. and other countries … would convince China not to proceed with that,” he said.

Indonesia

Jokowi calls for unity among maritime forces

The statement was made during the opening ceremony for Komodo 2016 at the Padang Main Naval Base II on Apr. 12. The Indonesian Navy fielded 11 warships in the event, joined by 20 warships from 16 countries, including Singapore, India, Japan, France, Russia, China, Australia and the US, alongside 11 other vessels types from other institutions. Speaking in an opening remark, President Jokowi said, “An operation will be optimal if it is not carried out alone [by a single country]; we need to establish cooperation with other countries, particularly those in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean.” “Cooperation at sea must be maintained,” he stressed.

The United States

U.S. Secretary of State criticizes China’s unilateral actions in the South China Sea

In a remarks at the Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles, CA on Apr. 12, the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry put it, “China seems determined to unilaterally assert and act on territorial claims in the South China Sea that several countries in the region dispute. We don’t take a position on the disputes themselves, but we do take the position that they ought to be resolved without unilateral action, without militarization, through diplomacy, through negotiation.” Also at this event, Mr. Kerry reaffirmed that the importance of the TPP, “if we don’t step up to the plate and shape the agenda, believe me, others will be all too eager to fill the void by moving in the dangerous direction of low or no standards and no accountability, no transparency, no enforceability, no rule of law,” he said while warning that China is working to finish its own version of TPP, binding its market with 16 countries, extending from India to Japan.

New Zealand

New Zealand Defense Force joining South China Sea exercises

The exercise, Bersama Shield, will be hosted by Malaysia, which is one of many countries in dispute with China over territory in the South China Sea. The maritime exercise will be among countries in the Five Power Defence Arrangement – Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and Britain – and will be held in the South China Sea, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore from Apr. 17 to 29. Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says there is nothing provocative in New Zealand taking part in a military exercise in the South China Sea when the Prime Minister is in China. In the meantime, according to Major General Tim Gall, the New Zealand Commander of Joint Forces, New Zealand will be contributing a P-3K2 Orion surveillance aircraft and up to 38 personnel to Bersama Shield. “Our participation provides an opportunity to enhance our ability to operate alongside partner nations in Southeast Asia as our people will be conducting operations in a multinational environment,” he said. “It also reflects our long term engagement in the region.”

Russian Foreign Minister reveals its position on the South China Sea

In an interview with the press from China, Japan and Mongolia on Apr. 12 in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov talked about the situation in the South China Sea. He said, “All states involved in these disputes must respect the principle of the non-use of military force and continue searching for mutually acceptable political and diplomatic solutions. It is necessary to stop any interference in the talks between the concerned states and any attempts to internationalise these disputes.” He added, “Many attempts have been made there to internationalise the issues related to the South China Sea dispute. It is my opinion that these attempts are counterproductive. Only negotiations, which China and the ASEAN countries have launched and are conducting, will produce the desired result, that is, a mutually acceptable agreement.” In the meeting with Mongolia’s Foreign Ministry, Ulan-Bator on Apr. 14, when asked about Russia’s position about the arbitration court against China on the disputed territories, Mr. Lavrov said, “Our position is determined by the wish, natural for any normal country, to see disputes resolved directly between the countries involved in a peaceful political and diplomatic manner, without any interference from third parties or any attempts to internationalise these disputes. Regrettably, such attempts have taken place. We can witness them during various multilateral events. This trend has prevailed so far, despite being counterproductive. Only parties to the conflict can resolve their dispute through direct talks.”

Regional Snapshots

G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement express concerns over provocative unilateral actions in the South China Sea

G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on Maritime Security on April 11, in Hiroshima, Japan stressed that “free, open and stable seas are a cornerstone for peace, stability and prosperity of the international community.” The statement stated, “We reaffirm the importance of maintaining a maritime order based upon the universally recognized principles of international law, including those reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).” Also, in the statement, the ministers reiterated their commitment to the freedoms of navigation and overflight and other internationally lawful uses of the high seas and the exclusive economic zones as well as to the related rights and freedoms in other maritime zones, including the rights of innocent passage, transit passage and archipelagic sea lanes passage consistent with international law. The ministers call on all states to pursue the peaceful management and settlement of maritime disputes in good faith and in accordance with international law, including through applicable internationally recognized legal dispute settlement mechanisms, including arbitration, recognizing that the use of such mechanisms is consistent with the maintenance and enhancement of the international order based upon the rule of law, and to fully implement any decisions rendered by the relevant courts and tribunals which are binding on them, including as provided under UNCLOS. Regarding to recent situation in the East and South China Sea, the ministers express their strong opposition to any intimidating, coercive or provocative unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions, and urge all states to refrain from such actions as land reclamations including large scale ones, building of outposts, as well as their use for military purposes.

Vietnam, Philippines to boost extensive, comprehensive cooperation

On Apr. 11, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh convened a meeting with Filipino Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Rene Almendras in Hanoi, conferring about measures to realize the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines, which was established in November last year. Aside from the bilateral cooperation, the two nations have been increasingly discussing regional and international issues. In terms of the disputes in the East Vietnam Sea (South China Sea), Hanoi and Manila have reiterated the significance of international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea (DOC). The two supported the peaceful settlement and negotiation of differences, opposing any activities that escalate disputes as well as the use of violence. Hanoi and Manila highlighted the essential role of ASEAN in the preservation of peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Vietnam Sea.

The US, India strengthen cooperation, ensuring regional security

U.S. Secretary of Defense Dr. Ashton Carter is on an official visit to India at the invitation of Raksha Mantri Shri Manohar Parrikar from April 10-13.  Raksha Mantri hosted Secretary Carter in Goa. In a joint press conference the two diplomats announced their in principle agreement to conclude a logistics exchange memorandum of agreement, and to continue working toward other facilitating agreements to enhance military cooperation and technology transfer. They reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, including in the South China Sea. They vowed their support for a rules-based order and regional security architecture conducive to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean, and emphasized their commitment to working together and with other nations to ensure the security and stability that have been beneficial to the Asia-Pacific for decades. Also, They commended the on-going discussions at the Jet Engine Technology Joint Working Group (JETJWG) and the Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Cooperation (JWGACTC). They agreed to work towards greater cooperation in the field of cutting-edge defense technologies, including deepening consultations on aircraft carrier design and operations and jet engine technology.

Japanese naval ships visit Cam Ranh port in Vietnam

The two vessels, JS Ariake and JS Setogiri, carrying 500 crew members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force docked at Cam Ranh International Seaport, Vietnam on Apr. 12, beginning its four-day visit to the country. The occasion is aimed at sharpening the skills of Japanese naval officers via an extended sea journey as well as an exchange of activities with their Vietnamese counterparts.

At the welcome ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Fukada Hiroshi read a letter written by Japan's Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani, saying maintaining the East Vietnam Sea as a tranquil and safe maritime route in accordance with international law has become a top priority in determining stability for the region and the world. This is the first visit to the port by the Japanese naval unit, according to Morishita Osamu, commander of the two vessels. Prior to the visit to Vietnam, the two vessels, accompanying a submarine, arrived in the Philippines for the first time in 15 years.

Vietnam, the UK express their concerns over the South China Sea disputes

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond held a joint press conference after the meeting between the two on Apr. 12 in Ha Noi. Regarding to the South China Sea issues, they said all disputes must be resolved peacefully, without actions complicating the situation or use or threat to use force, in compliance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and with efforts to expeditiously finalise a code of conduct in the waters. On his part, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the UK has major national interests in maintaining and ensuring stability and security in the region. Its consistent stance is that territorial disputes in the East Sea need to be settled in line with international principles and law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS. The concerned parties should not use or threat to use force, or take unilateral actions such as deploying military forces and weapons in disputed waters, he noted.

U.S. defense chief visits Philippines amid sea dispute with China

On Apr. 13, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in the Philippines as the two countries conduct joint military exercises and on the heels of an agreement that allows a U.S. military presence at five Philippine bases. While the initial agreement allows for five bases, Carter told reporters while on the way to the Philippines that there would be more in future. This year the United States is providing the Philippines with about $40 million as part of the five-year, $425 million Maritime Security Initiative (MSI). That money will be used to train staff at the Philippines National Coast Watch Center, better enable the sharing of classified information between the U.S. and the Philippines, and buy better sensors for Philippine Navy patrol ships. Secretary Carter said the United States has begun joint patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea, the first taking place last month and the second, early this month. Ỏn Apr. 15, Carter stood alongside Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin visited aboard the USS John C. Stennis underscores persistent complaints from the U.S. and its allies in the region about China's military build-up in the South China Sea. Carter said his message in making the trip is that the United States "intends to continue to play a role in keeping peace and stability in this region."

Philippines and Singapore push for Asean solidarity and centrality in discussing SCS issues

Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras travelled to Singapore on April 12-13 and had a meeting with  Singaporean counterpart Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. According to the statement after meeting, both the Singapore PM and FM reiterated that as a non-claimant state, Singapore’s key interests lie in ensuring that the rule of law prevails over any dispute, preserving freedom of navigation and the unimpeded conduct of commerce in the South China Sea. Both sides agreed that in discussing and resolving regional issues, including the South China Sea, ASEAN’s solidarity, unity and centrality is fundamental as it is vital.

Australian PM discuss the South China Sea disputes with Chinese counterpart.

Speaking to the press during his visit to China, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said, "(We have) a very honest and open relationship as two leaders who can speak to each other candidly and frankly about all of these issues and of course many others as well," after having a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Apr. 14. Mr Turnbull said Australia's clear position was all claimants should settle the disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law. "The remarkable economic gains in this region, by every country including our own and of course China, has been based on the foundation of peace and stability," he said. "Anything which has the potential of disturbing that peace and stability works against the interests of all nations." Previously, Mr Turnbull has described China's actions in the disputed waters as "counterproductive".

THE EAST SEA STUDIES