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Activities of the Claimants

China

China commissions new guided missile destroyer

A guided missile destroyer was delivered and commissioned to the People's Liberation Army Navy on Friday. The warship "Kunming" with hull number 172, was officially handed over at a ceremony held at the port of Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) CO., Ltd in Shanghai. The warship belongs to the new generation of China-made guided missile destroyers and has a strong capacity for regional air defense and naval warfare, navy sources said.

Chinese army to raise military training standards

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The level of Chinese military training will be raised to actual combat standard to improve the army's capabilities, according to a guidance issued by the country's military leadership. The Central Military Commission (CMC) issued the guidance after approval by Xi Jinping, Chinese president and chairman of the commission. The guidance outlined concepts, principles, major tasks and measures to raise the military training level. The guidance said strengthening combat readiness should be viewed as a top priority. It also called for improved mechanisms for training.

China cannot tolerate Philippines' occupation of reef

China will not tolerate the Philippines' occupation of the Co May Shoal (internationally known as Second Thomas Shoal, the Philippines calls it Ayungin shoal, China calls it Ren’ai Reef) in the South China Sea and will closely watch the next move in the area, a spokesman said on March 17th. "The Chinese government is as resolved to safeguard our sovereignty as ever," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily news briefing. "We will never tolerate the Philippines' occupation of the Ren'ai Reef which violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)," Hong said in response to a question after the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the reef.

The Philippines

New Philippine DFA Spokesman banks on experience in China

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With a total of eleven years of experience in three diplomatic posts in China, the new spokesperson of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said March 17th that he is ready to face the hot issues between the Philippines and China. “I know being the DFA spokesperson will be a tough job, but I’m happy to take on the challenge of this position that was given to me,” Assistant Secretary Charles Jose told reporters as he formally assumed the post as head of the DFA’s Public Information and Services Unit. Jose was head of the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai from March 2011 up to February 2014. In an interview on March 19th, Jose said that unlike China, which flaunted its military might around the area, the Philippines would comply with the Unclos to resolve the territorial dispute in the area. Jose added that the DFA has filed a case to the Arbitration Tribunal of the Unclos, and on March 30 they would file their arguments, to get the answer on who has exclusive jurisdiction on the waters of the South China Sea.

Philippines to sign USD 526M aircraft deals

The Philippines will award aircraft contracts to South Korean and Canadian companies worth USD 525.62 million (P23.7 billion), a senior defense official said on March 21st, boosting its capability as tension simmers in the South China Sea. The Philippines has embarked on a 5-year, P75-billion modernization program to boost its capability to defend its maritime borders against the creeping expansion of China in the South China Sea. Fernando Manalo, undersecretary of defense for finance, munitions, installations and materiel, said the Philippines would acquire 12 brand-new FA-50 fighter-trainers and eight Bell 412 helicopters under a government-to-government deal. "This is significant because we need to give our armed forces the minimum capability to perform its mission and responsibility," Manalo told reporters after completing negotiations with the two companies.

Vietnam

China asked to probe damages to Vietnamese vessels

Vietnam has asked China to seriously investigate the recent acts of chasing and damaging two Vietnamese fishing vessels in Vietnam’s waters by several Chinese ships. The request was stated by a representative from the Consular Department of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs after handing over a diplomatic note to a representative from the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi during their meeting on March 17th. According to the Consular Department, since the beginning of the year, some Vietnamese fishing vessels have been prevented, chased and damaged by Chinese ships when operating at traditional fishing grounds around Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago. “These actions of Chinese competent forces violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, and sovereign and jurisdiction rights in the East Sea, intruded upon property and infringed upon the legitimate interests of Vietnamese fishermen,” stated the note. According to the Vietnamese representative, the Chinese side was requested to make satisfactory compensation to the Vietnamese fishermen on these vessels and not let similar actions happen again.

VN's second submarine arrives in Cam Ranh

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A ship carrying the second Kilo-class submarine Russia built for Vietnam arrived at Cam Ranh port in central Khanh Hoa province on March 19th, after a nearly-two-month voyage from Kaliningrad. The HQ 183-Ho Chi Minh City is the second of the six ones of this kind Vietnam buys from Russia.

Regional Snapshots

Vietnamese state leader pays official visit to Japan

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Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and his wife arrived in Tokyo on March 16th, beginning his State visit to Japan at the invitation of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. On March 18th, President Truong Tan Sang delivered speech before the National Diet of Japan. He stressed that the close cooperation between the Vietnamese and Japanese legislative bodies has laid an important legal foundation for the two countries’ relations to follow the right track and ceaselessly develop. On March 18th, President Truong Tan Sang met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. During their talks, the two sides agreed to establish the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries for peace and prosperity in Asia.

PH on US troops deal: Let China interpret message

The proposed agreement on an enhanced military cooperation between the Philippines and the United States is open to China's interpretation, Malacañang said on March 17th. "Let China interpret that... We don't need to send a message. The medium is the message," Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a televised press briefing. Lacierda said the presence of US forces here would "certainly" help the Philippines in light of its continuing territorial disputes with China, which is claiming virtually the entire South China Sea. "The reason why it helps is because there is some technology-transfer, there's knowledge-sharing between the American forces and Philippine forces when they do conduct military exercises. It improves the quality of the Philippines in terms of preparedness," Lacierda said.

International defense dialogue in Indonesia aims at promoting maritime cooperation

Indonesia opened on Wednesday the fourth annual informal dialogue between defense officials from several countries, expecting to strengthen cooperation in maritime security and stability. The two-day Jakarta International Defense Dialogue (JIDD) event was attended by delegates from 46 countries, among others those from ASEAN member countries, China, Australia, the United States and several countries from Europe and Africa. Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgoantoro said in his welcoming remarks that the forum would be the best place to share update issues about challenges faced by countries to improve their maritime security, tackle trans-boundary crime, and encourage establishment of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in settling maritime conflicts.

Vietnam, Philippines to strengthen naval ties

Vietnamese and Philippine naval forces should further cooperation in information sharing, search and rescue drills, and skill training, Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh told his Philippine guest on March 20th. The minister offered the suggestion while receiving a delegation of the Philippine Navy led by Vice Admiral Jose Luis M. Alano in Hanoi. During the reception, Thanh said the visit will help realize the bilateral defense cooperation agreement between the two countries’ armies, enhance their mutual understanding, and strengthen their trust. For his part, Jose Alano expressed his hope that the two armies will work closely together in various areas, especially the training of naval graduates. The Philippine Vice Admiral added that the armies of the two countries should continue boosting cooperation in many areas, including training naval officers at the bachelor’s degree level.