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Activities of the Claimants

 China

China ends illegal drilling near Paracel islands

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The China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) announced on July 15th that it had completed its drilling and exploration off Vietnam’s Paracel archipelago in the South China Sea, and is relocating its rig in Hainan Islands. The company started drilling two wells in early May and completed the work on May 27th and on July 15threspectively, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua quoted the company’s statement as saying. The rig illegally operated in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone despite of strong protest from Vietnam and the international community. According to the High Command of the Vietnam Coast Guard, China’s oil rig Haiyang Shiyou – 981 was moving north-northwest toward China’s Hainan island at 21:03 on July 15th.

China asks the U.S. to stay neutral in the South China Sea issue

As regards to the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Michael Fuchs’s comment that call on claimants in the South China Sea to freeze construction, land reclamation, establishment of new outposts and other alterations to the statue quo of disputed islands and reefs, and to create an environment for negotiations on the "code of conduct of the South China Sea", Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said on July 15th that “It is regrettable that certain countries have intensified their illegal presence with construction work and weaponry buildup over recent years, keeping infringing upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to that. We hope that countries outside the region can stay neutral, distinguish right from wrong and truly respect the joint efforts made by regional countries for peace and stability of the region.” On July 16th, Hong Lei said the HYSY 981 drilling rig has completed successfully its operation in waters off the Tri Ton Island on July 15th and moved on to the project in Lingshui, Hainan as scheduled. “The 981 oil rig is relocated in accordance with relevant company's plan of operation at sea. Going forward, relevant company will work on and map out a specific work plan in the next step based on a thorough study and assessment of the geological data that has been obtained from this operation,” he added. Concerning the statement of U.S. Department of State that welcomes China's announcement of the relocation of HYSY 981 oil rig, spokeperson Hong Lei on July 17thstated that this move follows relevant company's normal plan of operation at sea and has nothing to do with any external factor. “We hope that relevant country can be objective and fair on relevant issues,” he added.

China studies floating gas plants for South China Sea

Chinese energy giant CNOOC Group is studying the possibility of building a multi-billion-dollar floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel, as-yet untried technology that would likely be used to produce gas from the deep waters of the South China Sea. While the state-run company has made no public announcement, a pre-feasibility study was well under way, CNOOC and other industry officials said. CNOOC was already talking to global engineering firms about possible joint design of the vessel, two industry officials added. FLNG ships are ocean-based liquefaction plants that can be positioned above reserves to chill extracted gas and load it into LNG tankers for delivery. That could make fields too remote or too small to develop using undersea pipelines viable for production.

Vietnam

Vietnamese fishermen captured by China released

Thirteen Vietnamese fishermen detained by China several days ago have been set free, according to the Vietnamese Embassy in China. “They are on their way home on a fishing boat of Quang Binh coded QB93256 TS,” Luong Thanh Quang, Assistant to chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ General Consulate Department, told reporters on July 15th. The fishermen consist of seven crewmembers of QB 93256 TS boat from Quang Binh and six of QNg 94912 TS vessel from Quang Ngai. The Chinese side confiscated the Quang Ngai boat and fishing tools of the two vessels, the official said, adding that Vietnamese representative agencies in China continue to work with the Chinese side to solve the case.

China asked not to take rig back for peace in South China Sea

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Vietnam demands China not take its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 back or dispatch any other rigs to Vietnam’s oil and gas Block 143 or any other areas belonging to Vietnam’s waters as prescribed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in order to create a peaceful and stable environment in the South China Sea, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh has said. “Vietnam has again affirmed that the area where Haiyang Shiyou-981 has operated since early May belongs to Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Operations of the rig and escort ships of China over the past two months in the area are totally illegal, infringing regulations of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS,” the spokesman said. “Vietnam wishes to reach an amicable settlement of disputes and disagreements in the South China Sea on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS,” Binh noted, demanding China respect Vietnam’s sovereign right and jurisdiction to her exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The spokesman confirmed that Vietnam resolutely defends her sovereignty and sovereign right in conformity with international law.

The Philippines

Manila urges unity for South East Asian nations in China sea dispute

The Philippines is pushing for a meeting among four Southeast Asian nations with conflicting claims to waters in the South China Sea so that they can hammer out a common stand in dealings with China, Manila's foreign minister said on June 18th. Albert del Rosario said the Philippines wanted to hold talks with Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam before foreign ministers from regional grouping the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meet for an annual conference in Myanmar next month. "We are working towards having a possibility of claimants meeting before the ASEAN ministerial meetings," Del Rosario told reporters after talks with Thailand's acting foreign minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow. "We don't have any dates yet and it's a work in progress." Earlier on July 15th, Albert del Rosario visited Jakarta, Indonesia and met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr. R.M. Marty Natalegawa to discuss bilateral cooperation activities and exchange views on matters of mutual concern. 

The U.S.

US welcomes China’s oil rig removal

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The US Department of State has praised China's removal of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 from Vietnam’s waters in the South China Sea. Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said at a July 16 press conference that “the oil rig incident has highlighted the need for claimants to clarify their claims in accordance with international law to reach a shared understanding on appropriate behavior and activities in disputed areas”. She noted that the US wants the issue resolved diplomatically and the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2002 should be the guiding document, she added.

Regional Snapshots

Vietnam, Singapore hold political consultation

Vietnam and Singapore have agreed on a set of measures to carry their strategic partnership forward at the recent eighth political consultation between the two foreign ministries held in Singapore. Specifically, they will facilitate all-level visits, with a Vietnam visit by former Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong scheduled for this September. Regarding South China Sea issue, both sides underscored the need to earnestly abide by international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, to which ASEAN and China are signatories, and formulate the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea soon. They also gave high opinion of ASEAN’s active role in ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, maritime and aviation freedom in the South China Sea.

Obama tells China's Xi wants 'constructive management of differences'

U.S. President Barack Obama told Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 15th the wants U.S.-Chinese relations defined by more cooperation and a constructive management of differences during a phone call. A White House statement about the Obama-Xi conversation did not get into the details of U.S.-Chinese tensions. It came after two days of talks in Beijing that were an opportunity for the world's two biggest economies to lower tensions after months of bickering over a host of issues. Obama and Xi have tried to develop a working relationship over the past year, meeting for two days in June 2013 at a retreat in the California desert and, more recently, chatting in March at The Hague on the fringes of an international summit. However, their talks have done little to resolve festering issues in the Asia-Pacific region. The statement suggested the two leaders would seek to work together when they can despite their disagreements."The president reaffirmed his commitment to developing a relationship defined by increased practical cooperation and constructive management of differences," the White House said.

Vietnam, Thailand hold fourth political consultation

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Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh and Thailand’s acting Minister and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow co-chaired the fourth annual Vietnam-Thailand political consultation in Bangkok on July 17th. At the meeting, the two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as joint cabinet meetings, the Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade or joint working group on politics and security. They reached consensus on coordination to build plans for activities celebrating the 40 th anniversary of Vietnam – Thailand diplomatic ties in 2016. Regarding the South China Sea issue, the two sides shared deep concern and emphasised ASEAN’s role and principles as reiterated in the bloc’s Six-Point Principle statement and the May 10th, 2014 statement on the South China Sea issue. They agreed to increase talks with other ASEAN member states for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea, while pushing for an early formation of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, building trust, and settling disputes by peaceful means in line with international law.

East Sea (South China Sea) Studies