Weekly Bulletin 12/1-18/1

Activities of the Claimants

China

China slams Philippines for criticizing island project in South China Sea

China on January 12^th hit back at the Philippines for criticizing Beijing's ongoing reclamation project in the disputed South China Sea, saying that its actions were within the scope of Chinese sovereignty. Last week, Philippines General Gregorio Catapang told reporters that China's reclamation in the area is "50 percent complete". "It is alarming in the sense that it could be used for other purposes other than for peaceful means," he said. China reiterated that Beijing had "indisputable sovereignty" over the Spratly Islands, where most of the overlapping claims lie, especially between China and the Philippines. "China's actions on the relevant islands and reefs are all matters within the scope of China's sovereignty," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

Suspected Chinese link delays Taiping project on Ba Binh Island

Taiwanese Deputy Defense Minister Kao Tien-chung (高天忠) on January 12^th confirmed that the project at Taiping Island has been suspended. The suspension is due to several opposition lawmakers' questions over the government's decision to hire a vessel linked to China to be responsible for transporting structures to Taiping for the project, Kao said. Kao made the remarks when asked by a ruling lawmaker to comment on the latest progress of the expansion project.

Vietnam

Vietnam Deputy PM: Vietnam treasures ties with China

Attending a banquet celebrating the 65 th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties held by the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi on January 15, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign MinisterPham Binh Minh stressed that during the 65-year journey the bilateral relations have sometimes met with difficulties, but the cooperation and friendship have kept growing thanks to concerted efforts. He noted that in the current global context, both countries and their Parties are dealing with new opportunities and challenges in the renewal and nation-building courses. They both need the external environment to be peaceful and stable and cooperative. In 2015, the two countries should strictly implement agreements and common perceptions reached between their senior leaders, while ceaselessly deepening the bilateral relations for the sake of the two peoples, practically contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiao Yong affirmed China always treasures its ties with Vietnam and wishes to work with the neighbor to bring the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level of development.

The Philippines

The Philippines launches digital pamphlet on the South China Sea

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) launched today the digital version of the pamphlet, “Ang West Philippine Sea: Isang Sipat.” “Ang West Philippine Sea (South China Sea): Isang Sipat” was jointly developed by the DFA and the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) to serve as an accessible and comprehensible resource material on the South Chin Sea. It presents the issues in a question-and-answer format and is written in the national language to further facilitate understanding by ordinary Filipinos. Printed copies will be distributed to all Philippine Foreign Service Posts and Regional Consular Offices for their dissemination.

Indonesia

Air Force to bolster presence in South China Sea

The Indonesian Air Force expects to deploy more of its assets to secure the country’ territory in the South China Sea as competition in the area intensifies. Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Moeldoko said he expected the Air Force to contribute more to operations. “In the future, I hope the Indonesian Air Force will be able to boost our sovereignty, especially in the South China Sea,” Moeldoko said during the inauguration of new Air Force Chief Vice Marshal Agus Supriyatna at the Halim Perdana Kusuma Military Base in Jakarta on January 15^th.

Regional Snapshots

China, US holding joint drill in South China

China and the United States started a joint drill on January 19^th on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) to further improve military-to-military ties, long regarded as the least developed part of the overall bilateral relationship. The drill between the two militaries and a symposium will be held from Jan 12-19 in Guangzhou of Guangdong province, and Haikou of Hainan province, according to China's Ministry of National Defense. About 150 engineering and medical service personnel from the two nations will participate in the drill and talk, the ministry announced on January 18^th. Dave Eastburn, spokesman for the US Pacific Command told Chinathat 30 US Army soldiers, four Marines, and four Coastguardsmen are joining 50 soldiers from China in a Disaster Management Exchange (DME). The 2015 DME, hosted by China's People's Liberation Army, includes three parts of an expert academic discussion, the establishment of a HA/DR coordination center and a practical field exchange.

Vietnam, India hold ninth defence dialogue

Vietnam and India will focus their defence cooperation on applying technological advances and developing information technology and defence industry, it was agreed at the ninth Vietnam-India defence dialogue in New Delhi on January 16^th. At the dialogue, Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh and his Indian counterpart Shri R.K. Mathur also agreed that both sides will continue sharing defence strategies and polices via visits and training courses for armies, especially naval forces. Turning to regional and global issues of common concern, they shared the view that all disputes and differences should be settled via peaceful dialogues and in line with international law without the use or threat of force.