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Activities of the Claimants

China

China Urges Philippines to Ditch Its South China Sea Case

On July 14, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated China's opposition to the arbitration, and said China "will never accept the unilateral attempts to turn to a third party to solve the disputes." The statement followed the arbitration panel's latest request for input from China. "China urges the Philippines to come back to the right track of resolving disputes through negotiation and consultation," she said in a statement.

On July 15 Malacañang Palace brushed aside China’s call for the Philippines to drop its South China Sea case with a United Nations international tribunal and instead enter into bilateral talks with Beijing. Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said “having presented our case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, it is imperative that we pursue this course of action to its full fruition”. “The Philippines affirms its adherence to international law and preference for rules-based resolution of maritime entitlement issues,” he said.

China Scolds Philippines For South China Sea Ship Repair

"China strongly protests and firmly opposes such an act," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement on July 15. She also argued that Philippines, “on one hand, promised to tow away the illegally “grounded” vessel on many occasions, yet on the other hand, it schemes to permanently occupy the Ren’ai Jiao by reinforcing the vessel. The Philippines’ breach of its own promise to the international community discloses its hypocrisy and duplicity, and stands as another example that the Philippines is the real trouble-maker and rule-breaker in the region.”

Semi-Submersible Donghaidao Deployed With PLA's South China Sea Fleet

According to Chinese Press on June 15, the PLA Navy has added a domestically developed semi-submersible ship called the Donghaidao to the South China Sea Fleet. The Donghaidao is 175.5 meters long and has a beam of 32.4 m, with a displacement of 20,000 tons. It can carry amphibious landing craft, helicopters, speedboats and armored vehicles.

The main duties of the ship will be maritime construction and troop transport. The ship is also capable of carrying the Zubr-class air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC), allowing the country the ability to launch offensive landing attacks against small islands. In addition to its transport and strategic projection functions, it can also be turned into a maritime base, which can aid the PLA in carrying out large-scale offensive landing operations and can also serve as a makeshift dock to allow PLA personnel to carry out repairs on damaged ships.

Vietnam

Vietnam Protests All Action Hindering Vietnamese Fishermen’s Operations In Their Traditional Vicinities.

 

Regarding a fishing boat from central Quang Ngai province sunk by a Chinese vessel while operating in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago waters, Vietnam Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Le Hai Binh, at a regular press conference in Hanoi on July 16, said that Vietnam’s authorised agencies have actively worked to clarify the specific details of the incident. He stated “we affirm that Hoang Sa and the waters surrounding the archipelago are of Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction and are traditional fishing ground of Vietnamese fishermen. Therefore, we strongly protest all action hindering Vietnamese fishermen’s operations in their traditional vicinities.”

On China’s call on the Philippines to renounce efforts to deal with the East Sea dispute in international court and discuss directly with Beijing, Binh said Vietnam has a clear and constant stance on issues related to disputes in the East Sea. “Vietnam supports the settlement of East Sea disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he underscored.

Philippines

Philippines Makes Final Pitch For Sea Row Case

On July 13, the Philippine delegation to The Hague will make its final pitch to a five-member tribunal on the merits of its jurisdiction on the arbitration case filed against China. Charles Jose, Foreign Affairs spokesman, said that the delegation has to go through "round two" on Monday after the tribunal presented questions last Friday. "For us, that's positive. That means they are exhausting all possible questions and erase any doubt on their jurisdiction," he said. By Thursday, 23 July 2015, the Philippines will submit further written responses to the questions posed by the Arbitral Tribunal during the hearing.

Google Maps Urged To Remove Chinese Reference To Shoal

Filipino netizens are urging technology giant Google to remove from its maps service a Chinese reference to the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. A Change.Org petition said Google Maps has identified the shoal, located off the coast of Zambales, as part of China’s Zhongsha Islands – a group of submerged reefs and shoals in the area being claimed by several countries, including the Philippines. Panatag Shoal is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Several Filipino netizens have called on the tech giant to remove the Chinese reference. According to Change.Org “Google maps showing this is part of Zhongsha island chain gives credence to what is plainly a territory grab that peace loving nations should stand against.” “The use of that name promotes the violation of the UNCLOS if it perpetuates China’s unlawful claim,” said Quezon City resident.

With more than 1,200 people have signed a Change.org petition asking the technology giant to remove the Chinese reference. On July 13, The map now refers to the sandbank as Scarborough Shoal, the more neutral reference to the area being claimed by different countries, including the Philippines.

Philippines To Station Warplanes, Frigates At Former U.S. Base Facing Disputed Sea

According to the Philippine Navy source, two FA-50 light attack fighters made by Korea Aerospace Industries would be based at the former Cubi Naval Station in Subic Bay from early 2016. The two planes arrive in December. The full squadron of FA-50s would be based at Subic, as well as the 5th Fighter Wing, which would relocate from a rundown base in northern Luzon. Two naval frigates would be stationed at Subic Bay's Alava Port. This is the first time the massive installation has functioned as a military base in 23 years.

Philippines Cheers Growing Outcry Over South China Sea

The Philippines on July 19 hailed growing international support for its efforts to counter China’s claims to most of the South China Sea. Herminio Coloma, spokesman for President Benigno Aquino III, said that “there are additional voices supporting our move for a peaceful resolution to the debate over… the South China Sea.” He said many nations agreed that the dispute “must go through legal process as signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea”. “We welcome the growing support for the position of our country,” Coloma told reporters, citing the European Union, Australia, Japan and fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Coloma also cited recent remarks by leading US senators such as John McCain, praising the Philippine efforts to resolve the matter peacefully and calling on the United States to continue to maintain peace in the region.

India

India Clears Defence Purchases Worth Over Rs.29,000 Crore

New Delhi, July 14 India cleared defence purchases worth over Rs.29,000 crore ($4.5 billion) at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). The DAC approved a deviation in offset clause for acquiring four Boeing P8I maritime surveillance aircraft.

Also approved was for replacing the 1960s vintage L70 and ZU 23 anti-aircraft guns. Official sources said 428 guns will be acquired under the ‘buy and make in India’ clause of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). Other proposals cleared include upgradation of the weapons and sensor systems of six ships of the Delhi and Talwar class.

The DAC also approved a proposal for placing air combat maneuvering systems in the Indian Navy’s MiG-29Ks and Hawk AJT aircraft

The army will also get 14,000 units of Multi Spectrum Camouflage Net, a Bi-Modular Charge System for 155 mm artillery guns for 3.5 lakh modules, and an upgraded system for electronic warfare, which will be replaced in one of the corps.

Besides, according to Navy sources, in order to boost its underwater capabilities, the Navy is planning to build at least six SSNs in India. To be fitted with the indigenous vertically launched Brahmos missile. They also shared the aspiration of the Navy - which currently has 48 ships under construction on various shipyards across the nation - is to become a 200 ship navy by 2027.

Japan

Japan Military Chief Says South China Sea Surveillance Possible

 

Speaking in Washington on July 16 at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, Japan's top military commander, Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, said he expected China to become increasingly assertive in the South China Sea and it was possible Japan would conduct patrols and surveillance activities there in the future. Kawano said there had been "talk" of Japan conducting such patrols in the South China Sea, including anti-submarine activities. He argued "But our position on this is that we consider this as a potential future issue to be considered depending on how things pan out.”

The United States

Senators Praise Efforts By The Philippines To Peacefully Resolve Territorial Disputes

On July 16, S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jack Reed (D-RI), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement today in support of efforts by the Philippines to peacefully resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The statement says that “the United States must continue to support our partners and allies, including the Philippines, as they contend with China’s assertiveness. This requires not only routinely exercising freedom of navigation and overflight activities in the East and South China Seas, but also bolstering the maritime capabilities of South East Asian nations and conducting joint exercises and patrols.” “It is also critical that the United States take the necessary steps to sustain a balance of power that will continue to uphold peace and stability throughout the region. Given the pace and scope of China's military trajectory, we believe this will demand a sustained investment in our military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.”

New Commander Assures Allies US Forces Ready To Respond To Any Contingency In South China Sea

 

Adm. Scott Swift, who assumed command of the Pacific Fleet in May, said the Navy may deploy more than the four coastal combat ships it has committed to the region. Swift also disclosed that he was "very interested" in expanding annual combat exercises the U.S. Navy holds with each of several allies into a multi-nation drill, possibly including Japan. The new U.S. commander of the Pacific Fleet assured allies on July 17 that American forces are well equipped and ready to respond to any contingency in the South China Sea. On July 18, Adm. Scott Swift joined a seven-hour surveillance mission on board a P-8A Poseidon plane on to witness the aircraft’s full range of capabilities. Swift said he was “very satisfied with the resources that I have available to me as the Pacific Fleet commander.”

USS Lassen, USS Fort Worth Complete First Combined South China Sea Operations

On July 19, American Navy released note saying that the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) partnered with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) to complete their first combined South China Sea presence operations, July 9.

"Our presence operations with USS Lassen demonstrates the U.S Navy's commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and emphasizes our ability to conduct maritime operations freely on the high seas," said Cmdr. Rich Jarrett, commanding officer of Fort Worth. "The 16-month deployment rotation for littoral combat ships like USS Fort Worth provides persistent presence that contributes to maritime stability throughout the region."

During combined presence operations in the South China Sea, Fort Worth and Lassen conducted joint maneuvering exercises at sea, working together to seamlessly share information between the two platforms.

Regional Snapshots

Singapore and United States Hone Capabilities in Joint Maritime Exercise

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Fleet Commander Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lew Chuen Hong and the United States Navy (USN) Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific RADM Charles Williams officiated at the opening ceremony of the 21st Singapore-US Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise at Changi Naval Base this morning. Exercise CARAT Singapore 2015 will be conducted from 13 to 24 July 2015.

The exercise focuses on honing conventional maritime warfare capabilities such as anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine operations, as well as maritime air and base defence operations. A total of 1,400 personnel from both countries are involved in this year's exercise. The exercise will involve five ships, a submarine, a naval helicopter, a maritime patrol aircraft and fighter aircraft from the RSN and the Republic of Singapore Air Force, while the USN and United States Marine Corps are participating with three ships, a submarine, three naval helicopters and a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

Better To Solve South China Sea Dispute As A Bloc

European Union (EU) Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Malaysia Luc Vandebon said at a briefing on ASEAN-EU relations held at the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) headquarters that ASEAN member countries involved in the South China Sea dispute should consider solving the issue as a regional bloc rather than on individual basis. Based on the concept that "ten voices are stronger than one," Vandebon believes the claimants would benefit more if they approached the issue in this manner. Vandebon stresses that "about 50 per cent of the world's tonnage in shipping is through South China Sea and we are involved in export-import with the ASEAN bloc, so of course we want peace and stability in the area."

Italian Mps Speak Out Against China’s Actions In The East Sea (South China Sea)

On July 14, the Italian Chamber of Deputies’ Committee of External Affairs conducted a hearing on the concern over China’s actions in the East Sea (South China Sea). Fabrizio Cicchitto, Chairman of the Committee of External Affairs, said the hearing was to clarify the security issues and sovereignty disputes in the region, with a focus on China’s violations of international law. During a hearing, Italian Members of Parliament expressed their concern over China’s actions, which violate international laws and threaten peace and stability in the region. They said these actions could increase the risk of conflict considering there is currently no regional dispute settling mechanism in place.

Italian MPs called upon the Italian Government and European states to raise their voices against China’s illegal actions in the East Sea in order to safeguard the observance of international laws and secure peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung Welcomes Chinese Vice Premier

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli in Hanoi on July 16. The PM said Vietnam treasures the maintenance and stable and sustainable development of friendship and cooperation with the Party, Government and people of China, stressing that this is the consistent policy and top priority of Vietnam’s external policy.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Prime Minister Dung urged both countries to maintain effective control of differences at sea; avoid activities that complicate the circumstances further; strictly implement the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between two nations and the DOC in the East Sea; foster collaboration with ASEAN countries to complete a COC in the East Sea; address sea disputes through peaceful measures in line with international laws, including the 1982 UNCLOS; and work together to maintain regional and international peace and stability.