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Activities of the related Parties

China

China is building a floating nuke plant in South China Sea

China officially began building an offshore floating nuclear power plant the country plans to place in the disputed South China Sea. This plant and others like it are intended to power isolated locations in the South China Sea, according to a statement by the state-controlled China General Nuclear Power Corp. According to China Daily, the platforms could secure power supplies in the future for lighthouses, seawater desalination plants, rescue and relief equipment, defense facilities and airports and harbors on islands in the South China Sea.

China confirmed Liaoning aircraft carrier is testing weapons in South China Sea

In a press conference on January 4, Chinese Foreign Spokeperson Geng Shuang confirmed that Liaoning carrier and accompanying ships are testing weapons and equipment and running exercises in the relevant waters of the South China Sea in accordance with their plan. Earlier on January 2, Chinese Navt said the carrier's J-15 fighter jets conducted flight exercises in "complex sea conditions". It also added that the carrier ran helicopter exercises but did not give a precise location.

The Philippines

Philippines says South China Sea ruling not on agenda at ASEAN summit

Speaking to reporters ahead of the ASEAN meeting chaired by the Philippines in April, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Enrique Manalo said: “The Hague ruling will not be on the agenda in the sense that it’s already part of international law. So we really can't discuss the ruling. It's there." What the 10-member ASEAN will focus on is the completion of a framework for a code of conduct to ease tension in the disputed waters, Manalo said.

Philippines open to joint military drills with Russia

Speaking at a conference on January 5, Philippine presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said: “The president has said that he is open to joint military exercises with Russia, the goodwill visit by the Russian Navy will contribute to the strengthening of friendship with the Philippine navy, it also is an indication of our maritime cooperation can further be enhanced by naval diplomacy and camaraderie.” Earlier, Russia's Admiral Tributs anti-submarine destroyer and Boris Butoma sea tanker arrived in the Philippines for a four-day visit.

Russia envoy urges support for int’l law in South China Sea dispute

Speaking to reporters in a press conference on January 4 aboard Admiral Tributs, Russian ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev said: “We won’t take sides in these disputes. But as a member of the UN Security Council, the Russian Federation has been speaking in favor of exclusively peaceful solution of these disputes. No use of threats or threats to use force is acceptable. There is no alternative to negotiations. Of course the solution to these disputes should be mutually acceptable and be based on international law including the UN Sea Law Convention of 1982. That’s our consistent fundamental position.”

Regional Snapshots

US, Japan agreed to boost alliance relationship

According to the Readout of US Vice President Biden’s call with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan on January 5, “both leaders praised the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance, which serves to increase stability, prosperity, and security in the region and around the globe.” The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to deepen and enhance the U.S.-Japan alliance.

Japanese ships in Philippines for 3-day port visit

Japanese naval ships docked in Subic Bay, Olongapo, on January 4 for a three-day port call before it heads home to Japan. The ships of Escort Division Four, JS Inazuma (DDG-105) and JS Suzutsuki (DD-117), are led by Captain Atsushi Minami, the Philippine Navy said in a statement. The ships are in the country to replenish supply, conduct maintenance work, and for crew rest after conducting counter-piracy operations at the Gulf of Aden. “The visiting Navy vessels will also hold a Passing Exercise with the Philippine Navy off the waters of Corregidor Island on January 6.

Duterte hopes Russia will become Philippines' ally and protector

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on January 6 visited the Russian Navy vessel Admiral Tributs, a large anti-submarine ship, docked at the south harbour port area in metro Manila. Speaking to Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov, head of the Flotilla of the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet, he said: “We welcome our Russian friends. Anytime you want to dock here for anything, for play, for replenish supplies or maybe our ally to protect us.” The Admiral stated: “We really hope that in a few years, the military exercises for example in your region, in the South China Sea, will (involve) for example, not only Russia-Philippines, but Russia, Philippines, China and maybe Malaysia together.” Also on this occasion, the Russia's ambassador to the Philippines revealed that Russia is ready to supply the Philippines with sophisticated weapons including aircraft and submarines and aims to become a close friend of the country.

PH, Japan navies hold war games

The Philippine and Japanese navies on January 6 engaged in maritime exercises in waters off Subic to demonstrate freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Atsushi Minami, captain of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), said the brief naval exercise involved communication training and execution of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea. “We are very much excited to have this interaction with the Philippine Navy,” Minami told reporters here. The Japanese Navy sent two warships—the Inazuma and the Suzutsuki—for the drill.