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Activities of Claimants 

China Continues Building an Airstrip on Mischief Reef Despite International Calls for a Halt to the South China Sea Construction Building

On September 14 in Regular Press Conference, answering question about China’s construction building on Mischief Reef, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said “China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters. Construction activities taken by the Chinese side on some stationed islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands are completely lawful, reasonable and justified. As a responsible country and the largest littoral state in the South China Sea, China has the capability, need and obligation to provide the region and the international community with more public goods and services and satisfy the requirement of military defense by building some necessary facilities in the South China Sea.” In the later Regular Press Conference on September 18, regarding to the comment of the commander of US forces in the Pacific that the US should challenge China’s claims in the South China Sea by sending military patrolling vessels close to the artificial islands that China is building in the South China Sea, Hong Lei said “we are seriously concerned about the relevant remarks.” He added “China urges relevant party to exercise caution in its words and deeds, respect China’s territorial sovereignty and security interests, and refrain from taking any provocative and risky action.”

China appears to be working on third airstrip on disputed South China Sea islets

On September 14, Director of CSIS's Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), Greg Poling disclosed that China appears to be carrying out preparatory work for a third airstrip in contested territory in the South China Sea, citing satellite photographs taken last week. The images show a retaining wall around an area 3,000 meters (3,280 yards) long, matching similar work by China on two other reefs in the Spratlys, Subi and Fiery Cross,

Wang Yi “explains” its South China Sea construction building in 14th "Lanting Forum"

Speaking in the 14th “Lanting Forum” on September 16, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said “the necessary construction activities by China on its own islands and reefs in the South China Sea are not directed against anyone. Rather, they are designed to improve logistic conditions, enhance defense capabilities and enable China to fulfill its international obligation as the largest littoral state of the South China Sea.” He continued, “China is committed to finding peaceful solution to disputes through dialogues and consultations on the basis of international law”. Wang added “China is committed to peace and stability in the South China Sea and to freedom of navigation and overflight by all countries in accordance with law. These are China's positions that will stay unchanged.”

Vietnam

Party Chief Holds Talks with Japanese Prime Minister

On September 15, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong arrived in Tokyo, beginning his four-day official visit to Japan at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. During their talks in Tokyo the same day, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on initiatives to foster the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership with a focus on strengthening political trust, economic connectivity and cooperation, and stronger mutual support in regional and global issues.

Turning to regional and global issues, Abe briefed his guest about Japan’s position on several historical issues and policies towards regional peace and security. The Vietnamese guest restated his nation’s commitment to pursuing peaceful development and backing Japan’s constructive contributions to peace, security, cooperation and development in the region and beyond.  On the East Sea (South China Sea) issue, both sides voiced concerns over recent complicated developments in the East Sea, including island reclamation and large-scale construction, which have increased tensions, undermined trust and threatened regional and global peace and stability. They underscored that coastal countries must adhere to international law, including sea-related law, and refrain from unilateral actions that alter the status quo. 

They also highlighted the significance of ensuring peace, security, and maritime and aviation safety and freedom and urged relevant parties to not conduct unilateral actions complicating and expanding disputes in the East Sea, resolve all disputes peacefully in accordance with internationally recognised principles – particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and work to shortly issue a code of conduct in the waters.

Vietnam demands Thailand to promptly investigate its attacking on Vietnamese fishing boats

On September 17, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry sent a diplomatic note to the Hanoi-based Thai Embassy, voicing deep concern over the incident and asking Thailand to probe into the case. Spokesman of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Le Hai Binh said on September 17 that “in any circumstances, Vietnam strongly condemns inhuman treatments, the use or threat to use force on Vietnamese fishermen. Besides investigating the case and dealing with the involved persons, Thailand must properly compensate for human and property losses of Vietnamese fishermen while preventing similar incidents, ultimately avoiding impacts on the two countries’ strategic partnership.”

Philippines

Philippines Hails Japan Security Bill

The Philippines on September 19 hailed the passage in Japan of a security bill that would allow the Japanese Armed Forces to defend allies like the Philippines when under attack. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario issued a statement welcoming the passage of the bill, which has caused controversy in Japan but is seen to be beneficial to the Philippines amid growing tensions in the South China Sea. “The Philippines welcomes the passage of legislation on national security by the National Diet of Japan,” Del Rosario said. “We look forward to efforts that strengthen our strategic partnership with Japan and those that would contribute further to shared goals of greater peace, stability and mutual prosperity in the international community,” he added.

Japan is a strategic partner of the Philippines, second to the United States, the country’s only treaty ally. In the recent years, the Philippines and Japan have strengthened their strategic alliance in the face of China’s increasing aggressiveness in asserting its claims in the South China Sea.

Indonesia

Indonesian navy orders 11 Panther copters to re-enact anti-submarine squadron

Indonesian Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral M Zainuddin said on September 16 that it has ordered 11 Panther helicopters to re-enact its anti-submarine unit Squadron 100 which stopped the service in the late 1980s. "The helicopters would be delivered gradually with four units to arrive by 2017." According to Zainuddin, the Navy is also expecting the arrival of six submarines - three Chang Bogo-class and three Kilo-class. The first three are scheduled to be delivered in 2017.

The United States

Stop unilateral, destabilising actions in SCS: US tells China

On September 14, Department of Defence spokesman Bill Urban said that the Pentagon asked China to stop its unilateral and destabilising actions such as land reclamations by creating artificial islands to ease tension in the busy South China Sea. Urban said "we share an interest with the region in maintaining regional stability and upholding the existing rules-based order. In that spirit, we encourage all claimant states to take concrete steps to reduce tensions in the South China Sea." "We note China's August statement that it has halted its reclamation. At the same time, China has also stated its intent to further construct facilities, including for the purpose of military defence," he said.

"It's not clear to us that they've stopped, and we will continue to watch that situation very closely and engage with the Chinese, as we have in the recent past, on the subject," he added.

Carter calls China 'out of step' in South China Sea

Speaking at an Air Force conference on September 16, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said “with its actions in the South China Sea, China is out of step with both the international rules and norms that underscore the Asia-Pacific's security architecture, and the regional consensus that favors diplomacy and opposes coercion."

Carter suggested that China's approach to disputed reefs and atolls in the South China Sea have wider implications for Beijing's relations with the U.S. He added "given our concern about China's growing military capabilities and coercive approach to disputes, we are taking prudent steps to prepare for heightened competition." Carter underscored that the U.S. will not be deterred in its commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation in the region, "the United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as U.S. forces do all over the world," Carter reiterated that “after all, turning an underwater rock into an airfield simply does not afford the rights of sovereignty or permit restrictions on international air or maritime transit."

Testimony on maritime security strategy in the Asia-Pacific region

On September 17, the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee held a hearing on Washington’s “Maritime Security Strategy in the Asia-Pacific Region.” The committee heard from Admiral Harry Harris, Jr., commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and David Shear, the assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs. The discussion included a particular focus on the question of U.S. freedom of navigation patrols within 12 nautical miles of China’s artificial islands.

Speaking in the testimony before the senate armed services committee, Admiral Harry H. Harris expounded the concerns on the activities of massive land reclamation and airstrip building of China in the South China Sea. According to Harris the newly-created islands as potential “forward operating posts” for the Chinese military, showing such capabilities that China could be deployed a network of missile sites, runways, fighter planes and surveillance sites. "It creates a mechanism by which China would have de facto control over the South China Sea in any scenario short of war," he said.

The U.S Admiral emphased the U.S. should exercise freedom of navigation, both maritime and flight, within 12nm, against those ‘islands’ that are not islands, in the South China Sea.

As the question raised by Chairman John Mccain about U.S operations within 12nm of reclaimed features, the assistant secretary of defense for Asia-Pacific security, David Shear acknowledged “I believe the last time we conducted a freedom of navigation operation within 12 nautical miles of one of those feature was 2012.” According to Shear, the Chinese had not yet placed advanced weaponry on the artificial islands and he added, "we are going to do everything we can to ensure that they don't." He suggested “this is going to be a long-term effort."

In line with the U.S. operations in the South China Sea, Committee chairman Senator John McCain criticized the Obama administration for failing to challenge China by sailing within 12 miles of the artificial islands, saying this "dangerous mistake" amounted to de facto recognition of Chinese claims.

Regional Snapshot

Vietnam, China reaffirm working together to manage sea disputes.

On September 15, Deputy PM Phuc pays an official visit to China, where he will attend the China-ASEAN Exhibition Fair and the 12 th China-ASEAN Trade and Investment Summit in Guangxi province. During the meeting with his counterpart, the Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli, the officials discussed measures to efficiently implement agreements reached by the two countries’ top leaders to develop the comprehensive cooperative strategic partnership in a stable and sustainable manner.

On maritime issues, Deputy PM Phuc emphasised that sovereignty- and national interest-related issues are sacred and Party and State leaders of the two countries had reached common perceptions on the issues, including working together to manage sea disputes, not taking any actions that could complicate or worsen disputes and maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea for peace, stability and development in the region in line with international law – particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China, Malaysia start first joint military exercise

On September 18 Chinese and Malaysian armed forces launched their first joint military exercise, aiming to deepen all-round strategic partnership between the two countries. The drill, coded "Peace and Friendship 2015" and scheduled to be conducted in the Malacca Strait and surrounding waters, includes exercises for joint escort, joint search and rescue, hijacked vessel rescue, weapons use, humanitarian rescue and disaster relief. This joint drill is the largest bilateral military exercise between China and a country from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. According to Spokesman Yang Yujun on the Chinese side there are 1,160 Chinese participants, two Chinese destroyer-frigates, one hospital ship, four transportation aircraft and three shipboard helicopters will be involved in the exercise.

China committed to building major-country relations with U.S.

On September 17, speaking in a meeting with a group of U.S. business leaders and former U.S. officials. President Xi Jinping said that China is committed to working with the United States to build a new type of major-power relationship. Xi asserted if the goal can be achieved, it will be good for the people of China and the United States, as well as for world peace and development. He urged both sides must accommodate each other's core interests, avoid strategic miscalculation, and properly manage and control differences.

THE EAST SEA STUDIES