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Activities of Related Parties

China

China wants to boost practical cooperation with the Philippines

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying on May 16 said the purpose of holding the 1st meeting of China-Philippines bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea issue is to establish an institutional platform for dialogues on the South China Sea-related issues in accordance with the spirit of the important consensus reached between Chinese and Philippine leaders last October. “China hopes and believes that the two countries will build up consensus, enhance mutual trust, disperse suspicion, properly manage disputes, and move forward maritime practical cooperation through bilateral dialogues so as to make the conditions more favorable towards the final settlement of the relevant dispute and create a good atmosphere for the sound and steady development of bilateral ties and the smooth progress of practical cooperation in various fields.” Regarding the information that China would not conduct land reclamation activities in Scarborough Shoal in the next 12 months, Hua on May 17asserted that: “China's position on the relevant issues surrounding Huangyan Dao is consistent and clear. Whatever we choose to do or not to do is within our own sovereignty. China will properly deal with relevant issues.” Regarding the joint statement between Japan and New Zealand which expressed concerns over the tense situation in the South China Sea, Hua on May 18said that: “Japan still exerts itself in every possible way to stir up trouble and exaggerate what it called "the tense situation" which does not exist at all. We cannot help but wondering: what does Japan really want? Peace and stability in the South China Sea? Or is it exactly peace and stability in the South China Sea as well as improving relations between China and the Philippines and other ASEAN member states that worry Japan so much?”

China succeeds in mining combustible ice in South China Sea

China has succeeded in collecting samples of combustible ice in the South China Sea, a major breakthrough that may lead to a global energy revolution, Minister of Land and Resources Jiang Daming said on May 18. This is China's first success in mining flammable ice at sea, after nearly two decades of research and exploration, he added. Combustible ice usually exists in seabed or tundra areas, which have the strong pressure and low temperature necessary for its stability. It can be ignited like solid ethanol, which is why it is called "combustible ice."

The Philippines

China to offer $500 million loan for PH defense

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced on May 14 that the Chinese Government had offered a $500-million defense loan to the Philippines. The announcement was made during the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing and after representatives from the Chinese arms manufacturer, Poly Technologies Inc had paid a courtesy call to President Rodrigo Duterte in Beijing. Lorenzana clarified that the Philippine Government will not purchase anything from the Chinese, however, if there is something that the country would need from the Chinese defense industry, the country will use the loan that was offered by the Chinese government.

Duterte open to deals in South China Sea

Speaking at a news briefing on May 16, Philippine President Duterte said he was open to exploring the resources of the South China Sea with rival claimants China and Vietnam. “If we can get something there with no hassle at all, why not?” However, “it has to be fair and it has to be balanced.” Later, speaking at the National Convention of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary on May 19, Duterte revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping had threatened war if the Philippines insisted on pressing its claims in the South China Sea. “I really said, ‘It’s ours. I’d like you to listen for a while.’ I said,  ‘Mr. Xi Jinping, I would insist that that is ours and I will drill oil there.” “They replied to me, ‘We are friends. We do not want to quarrel with you… We want to maintain the present warm relationship. But if you force the issue, we’ll go to war,’” Mr. Duterte said.

Duterte renames 'Benham Rise' to 'Philippine Rise'

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Executive Order 25, officially changing the name of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise. In his order signed May 16, Duterte stressed that Benham Rise is subject to the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines pursuant to provisions of the Constitution, national legislation, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and applicable international law.

Top Philippine judge calls for fresh arbitration case over China 'threat'

Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on May 20 called for Manila to file an international arbitration case and a complaint with the United Nations over what the country's leader said was a threat of war made by Chinese President Xi Jinping. He added the use or threat of force to settle disputes between states is outlawed under the U.N. Charter. "The president cannot simply do nothing, or worse acquiesce to China's action, for inaction is the opposite of protecting Philippine EEZ."

Indonesia

Jokowi observes massive Indonesian military exercise near South China Sea

For the second time in seven months, Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo observed a massive military drill around the resource-rich Natuna Islands, an area where Indonesian maritime authorities have had a number of run-ins with Chinese vessels. Joined by 5,900 troops of the Indonesian Military's (TNI) Quick Response Team, it was larger than the Air Force's Angkasa Yudha exercises, which were held in Natuna last October and involved some 2,000 personnel. Mr Joko dubbed the exercise a show of "TNI's preparedness" in maintaining the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

The U.S.

Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan departs Yokosuka base

The Reagan, the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, departed its homeport in Yokosuka on May 16 after technical problems reportedly delayed its departure a day earlier. The Reagan is also expected to conduct what the navy says are “routine patrols” of the disputed South China Sea.

Regional Snapshots

U.S. and Southeast Asian navies conduct exercises in the South China Sea

Ships from the U.S. Navy, Republic of Singapore navy, and Royal Thai navy conducted a three-day multilateral Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise in the South China Sea last week. U.S. ships participating included the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG-104) and the littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4).  Singapore sent the Formidable-class frigate RSS Intrepid (FFS 69) while Thailand sent the Naresuan-class frigate HTMS Naresuan (FFG 421). The four ships operated a full schedule together at sea and conducted divisional tactic maneuvers; tracking exercises; a gunnery exercise; visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) training; joint flight operations; and communications drills, the U.S. Navy said.

ASEAN, China agree on COC framework

On May 18, China and ASEAN hold the 14th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting on the implementation of the DOC in the South China Sea(SOM-DOC) at Guiyang, GuizhouProvince, China. The Joint Statement reads: “On the COC, we are pleased to announce that the senior officials have completed the negotiation of the draft COC framework, ahead of the mid-2017 deadline which Leaders of ASEAN Member States and China had set. This draft COC framework will be submitted to the Foreign Ministers during the ASEAN-China PostMinisterial Conferencein August2017 in the Philippines for their political support.

China-ASEAN conduct bilateral consultation on the South China Sea

The First Meeting of China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) was held in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China on 19 May 2017. hinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Zhenmin and Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana led their delegations to the BCM. According to the joint pres release,  “both sides exchanged views on the importance of addressing concerns in the South China Sea and handling incidents and disputes in the South China Sea in an appropriate manner. They also held discussions on issues including the promotion of next-step practical maritime cooperation and the possible establishment of relevant technical working groups.” The second meeting of the BCM will be held in the Philippines in the second half of 2017, while the exact date and place will be determined and mutually agreed upon through diplomatic channels.

Chinese naval fleet calls at Myanmar port to enhance exchange

A Chinese naval fleet comprising three warships -- Changchun, Jingzhou and Chaohu of Escort Task Group called at the Myanmar International Terminals Thilawa (MITT) in Yangon's Thanlyin township on May 18. Commander of the Chinese naval fleet Shen Hao told the press following the welcoming ceremony that the Chinese naval fleet's Myanmar visit is to enhance exchange, mutual trust and traditional friendship between navies of the two countries.

Vietnam, Indonesia clash at sea over alleged fish poachers

The clash on May 23 not only led to the Indonesian authorities losing custody of all five Vietnam-flagged boats it had detained, but also resulted in one of its own maritime enforcement officers being held by the Vietnamese coast guard. Indonesia and Vietnam, however, will resolve the matter amicably through diplomatic channels, said Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries secretary-general Rifky Effendi Hardijanto at a press conference in Jakarta on May 21. The Indonesian official added that he had met Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan earlier to address the matter and agreed that they "will not fight at sea". According to Vietnamse side, the spokeswoman said Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that the two sides are coordinating to resolve the issue in the spirit of friendship and on the basis of the countries’ strategic partnership.