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Activities of related parties

The Philippines

Philippines' Duterte says didn't really mean 'separation' from U.S.

On October 20th, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had told Chinese and Philippine business people at a forum in Beijing's Great Hall of the People that America had "lost now", as he sought what he calls a new commercial alliance with China. "I announce my separation from the United States," he had said, to sustained applause. However, Duterte said on October 21st he was not severing ties with his country's long-time ally the United States, but merely pursuing a more independent foreign policy by strengthening relations with China. "It is not severance of ties. When you say severance of ties, you cut diplomatic relations. I cannot do that," the Philippine leader told reporters at a midnight news conference in his southern home city of Davao. "It's in the best interest of my countrymen to maintain that relationship." Earlier on October 17th, Duterte said he is open to joint military exercises with China and Russia, and reiterated he will no longer allow war games with the United States; on October 19th, Duterte described the judgment of the South China Sea arbitration case as a "piece of paper" and will "take the back seat" during talks with China; on October 13th, in an interview with Xinhua, he revealed his grandfather is Chinese and “it's only China (that) can help us.” In terms of the South China Sea issue, he added that he prefers negotiation to confrontation. "There is no sense in going to war. There is no sense fighting over a body of water," Duterte said. "It is better to talk than war.

Malaysia

South China Sea dispute should be resolved through dialogue

Speaking to Malaysia’s Parliament on October 17th, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government will not compromise on the sovereignty of the country in light of the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. He also reiterated the importance of DOC and COC, however, he stressed “the DOC and COC are not instruments to resolve the issue of overlapping claims in the South China Sea.”

The U.S.

U.S. Warship Conducts South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation

USS Decatur (DDG-73) conducted the operation near Triton (Tri Ton) and Woody (Phu Lam) Islands in the Paracel Island chain off the coast of Vietnam in the South China Sea, a U.S. defense official confirmed to USNI News. “USS Decatur (DDG-73) conducted this transit in a routine, lawful manner without ship escorts and without incident on Oct. 21… specifically in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands, to uphold the rights and freedoms of all States under international law, as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention,” read a statement from Pentagon spokesman Cmdr. Gary Ross. “The United States conducts these routine operations on a regular basis around the world, in full compliance with international law.” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest stressed: “The purpose of this mission was to uphold the rights and freedoms of all states under international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.  This operation demonstrated that coastal states may not unlawfully restrict the navigation rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea that the United States and all states are entitled to exercise under international law.” In response, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying stated “In accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone and regulations of relevant international law, foreign warships must ask for approval of the Chinese government before entering Chinese territorial waters. The US warship did so without approval of the Chinese side, and thus infringed upon China's sovereignty and security interests, violated relevant Chinese law and international law and disrupted peace, security and good order of the relevant waters. We warn the US to reflect upon its policy, urge them to respect and abide by Chinese law and international law, stop provocative actions that damage China's sovereignty, security and maritime rights, and make more efforts to promote mutual trust with China and peace and stability of the region.” According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) Chinese Navy's guided-missile destroyer Guangzhou and guided-missile frigate Luoyang identified and verified the US vessel immediately and warned it to leave. 

Regional Snapshots

PH to agree on joint oil exploration with China in disputed sea

The Inquirer learned that Duterte administration officials were in talks with their Chinese counterparts to finalize a deal that could see both governments work hand in hand to find oil or natural gas in the South China Sea. “What we are looking at is a deal that will first cover exploration activities in uncontested areas,” said an administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the sensitive discussions were still ongoing.  Asked about which potential areas would be considered uncontested given that China’s so-called nine-dash line territorial claim encompasses most of the South China Sea, the official said that these may be “areas closer to the Philippines, including Recto Bank (Reed Bank).” However, President Duterte shot down, the possibility of a joint exploration for energy between the Philippines and China in the waters of the South China Sea, saying he has not been empowered by Congress to do so.

Xi, Duterte agree on full improvement of ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte on October 20th agreed that the two countries will properly handle differences and achieve full improvement and greater progress in bilateral ties. Calling the countries "neighbors across the sea," Xi said that though their relations have gone through twists and turns, the foundation of the China-Philippines friendship and the willingness to cooperate remain unchanged. China highly values its relations with the Philippines, and is ready to work with the country to cement political trust and mutually beneficial cooperation, properly handle differences and become good partners, Xi said during talks with Duterte in Beijing. He said managing differences in the South China Sea issue through dialogue and consultation was an important foundation for the healthy and stable growth of China-Philippines relations. On his part, Duterte said China is a great country, and the long-lasting friendship between the Philippines and China is unbreakable. The Philippines is ready to enhance coordination with China in international and regional affairs and push forward closer China-ASEAN ties, said Duterte. After the meeting, the Philippines and China signed 13 documents on cooperation in areas ranging from maritime security to agriculture. Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhien Min gave a statement to media saying Duterte’s state visit was “highly successful” and “signalled a full recovery of biletaral relations” between China and the Philippines.

Chinese naval fleet visits Cambodia to boost naval ties

The 23rd Chinese naval escort task force, comprising Xiangtan, Zhoushan and Chaohu of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, arrived at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in southwestern Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk province on October 16th for a five-day visit. The 23rd Escort Task Group had just ended its four-month mission in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somali coast and returned home. It had visited Myanmar and Malaysia. The Chinese and Cambodian naval personnel would exchange experience in maritime defense and play sports together. Besides, Chinese sailors will visit Cambodian communities in order to learn Cambodian culture and people's daily lives.

Indian coast guard ship visits Da Nang

The Indian coast guard ship SAMRAT, with 20 officers and 120 sailors aboard, docked at Tien Sa port in the central city of Da Nang on October 23rd. The SAMRAT is 105 metres in length and 12.9 metres in width, with a loading capacity of 2,577 DWTs. During their five-day stay, the Indian guests will visit the High Commands of the Military Zone 5 and Vietnam Marine Police Department. They will also have a working session with the High Command of Marine Police Zone 2 and take part in drills and sport events with officers and soldiers in the zone.