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Activities of the Claimants

China

Chinese warship warns Philippine patrol plane in disputed sea

A Philippine air force official, declining to be named, told Reuters that "an Air Force Fokker plane was challenged by a Chinese frigate near Subi Reef, aiming a powerful light as it flew over the disputed area." The plane was flying about 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) above a Chinese occupied reef, and was warned by the ship, through its radio, to stay away from the area. This is the first time a Chinese warship has warned a Philippine plane on patrol in disputed area in South China Sea, another military official said.

China says U.S. welcome to use civilian facilities in South China Sea

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The United States and other countries will be welcome to use civilian facilities China is building in the South China Sea for search and rescue and weather forecasting "when conditions are right", China's navy chief has told a senior U.S. officer. n a teleconference with the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert, China's navy chief Wu Shengli said China's building work in the South China Sea would not affect freedom of navigation or overflight. "Instead, it will improve the ability in these seas of public services like weather forecasting and maritime search and rescue, fulfilling international obligations to maintain the security of international seas," Wu said, according to a Chinese Defence Ministry statement released late on April 30th. "(We) welcome international organizations, the United States and relevant countries to use these facilities in the future when conditions are right, to have cooperation on humanitarian search and rescue and disaster relief," Wu added. In respone, the United States on May 1st swiftly rejected this suggestion. "Building facilities on reclaimed land in disputed areas will not contribute to peace and stability in the region," State Department acting deputy spokesman Jeff Rathke told reporters. "This is true even if, as some Chinese officials have stated, the facilities in question were used for civilian disaster response purposes." He added: "If there is a desire to reduce tensions, China could actively reduce them by taking concrete steps to halt land reclamation."

Oil rig COSLPROSPECTOR on her way to operate in South China Sea

On April 30th 2015, COSLPROSPECTOR left the deep-water wharf of CIMC Raffles and officially joined the deep-water fleet of CNOOC. COSLPROSPECTOR is the fourth deep-water semisubmersible drilling rig delivered by CIMC Raffles for COSL. It can operate in all sea areas except for the arctic zone. With the operation depth up to 1,500 meters, drilling depth to 7,600 meters, designed temperature -20℃, accommodation for 130 personnel and the maximum variable deck load of 5,500 tons, it is equipped with most advanced NOV drilling system and DP3 dynamic position system and classed by DNV and CCS.

Vietnam

Prime Minister meets with Malaysian and Philippine leaders

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on April 27th had separate meetings with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Tun Rajak and President of the Philippines Benigno S. Aquino III on the sidelines of the 26th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In their meeting with the Malaysian PM, the two leaders concurred with plans and orientations to bolster links between Vietnam and Malaysia in the coming time. They also compared notes on issues in the South China Sea, while underlining the importance of maintaining peace, stability, mutual trust, and navigation and aviation security, and settling disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful means with respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Philippines

Philippines accuses China of turning water cannon on its fishing boats

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The presidential palace in Manila said China's coast guard used water cannon on April 21st to drive away a group of Filipino fishermen at Scarborough Shoal, damaging some of their wooden boats. Philippine President Benigno Aquino has directed the Foreign Affairs and National Defense departments to come up with a response to the water cannon incident, said presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte. In respones, China on April 22nd defended the actions of its vessels in the disputed South China Sea and urged Manila to increase its "education" of its fishermen.

UN Arbitral Tribunal to decide if it can handle PHL protest vs China

In a notice posted on its website on April 22nd, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) said that aside from looking into the admissibility of the claims raised by the Philippines in its protest, the hearing in July will also address the objections raised by China, saying the PCA has no jurisdiction over the case. “The Arbitral Tribunal will conduct a hearing in July 2015 to address the objections to jurisdiction set out in China's Position Paper. The Arbitral Tribunal will also consider other matters concerning its jurisdiction and the admissibility of the Philippines' claims,” the PCA said. The PCA has given China until June 16th to submit any further comments it wishes to make before the July hearing, especially in respect to the supplemental documents submitted by the Philippines to the arbitral tribunal on March 16th.

United States seeks access to Philippine bases as part of Asia pivot

At least eight locations in the Philippines have been identified as possible sites where U.S. troops, planes and ships will be rotated through a series of military training and exercises, Philippine General Gregorio Catapang, military chief, told local television network ABS-CBN. But, the Americans will have to wait until after the Philippine's Supreme Court makes its rulings on the constitutionality of the military deal, called Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, signed last year between Manila and Washington. It may decide later this year. Four of the locations are on the main island of Luzon, where U.S. and Filipino soldiers usually hold exercises, two on the central Cebu island, and two more on the western island of Palawan, near the disputed Spratly.

Philippines calls on ASEAN to urge China to halt land reclamation

In a speech to foreign ministers ahead of the official opening of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario did not name China directly but said its "northern neighbour" was quickly advancing with land reclamation. "Is it not time for ASEAN to say to our northern neighbour that what it is doing is wrong and that the massive reclamations must be immediately stopped?" Rosario asked.

PLP chief dares China to prove its alleged reclamation

Regarding a statement of China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei accusing the Philippines of building and expand an airport on Thi Tu Island (internationally known as Thitu Island) and constructing other facilities on some islands, Philippines Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. on April 30th said that :"We are not doing anything inside the areas that we control. We are just maintaining the area and we could have easily repaired our runway but we await for the decision of the ITLOS before we can decide what the next move will be or develop our controlled areas in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea)." He said to prove its allegation, China should show photos of the areas where it claims the Philippines has been conducting reclamation activities. "If the Chinese can show pictures that we are also developing our area, they can show it.” 

Patrol flights to continue over South China Sea

The Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue its patrol flights in the South China Sea despite last week’s incident when a Chinese vessel challenged a Philippine military plane. “We will continue with our patrol. It was just a normal flight that we are doing,” AFP Chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on April 27th. “Anyway, it was just a challenge so our troops know how to disengage if they are challenged,” Catapang said. He added that the plane was flying unarmed. “When they go on patrolling they are unarmed. They just have their cameras to photograph the area so to monitor what’s happening. We don’t have any offensive equipment inside or armaments,” Catapang said.

Malaysia

ASEAN to hold more discussion on China's maritime Silk Road policy

ASEAN needs to hold more discussions with the Chinese government on its proposal for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. "We are supportive of the Chinese proposal (Silk Road initiative) and will have more discussions on it," Najib told a media conference on April 28th. China unveiled the principles, framework, and cooperation priorities as well as mechanism for the proposal, in a bid to enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter future together. The Belt and Road routes run through the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, while connecting the vibrant East Asia and developed European economic circles.

Singapore

ASEAN has role to "keep temperature down" on South China Sea dispute

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, at the close of the 26th ASEAN Summit in Langkawi, Malaysia on April 27th said the situation in the South China Sea has become more serious in the past year, and if not managed, will lead to tension on the ground and at sea. He urged all parties to adhere to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in the conduct of activities in the South China Sea and to ensure that rights to freedom of navigation and overflight are not jeopardised. He said ASEAN has a role to "keep the temperature down". Leaders should also work together with China to expeditiously conclude a Code of Conduct (COC) to help prevent and manage incidents in the area. “The Thai country coordinator who coordinates ASEAN's relations with China gave an update on the status of the COC discussions. They are making progress, but in the nature of these discussions it takes some time. Of course, the sooner we can get them done, the better,” he said.

The U.S.

US condemns China’s use of water cannons

The use by Chinese coast guards of water cannons on Filipino fishing boats at Scarborough Shoal would be provocative if reports on the incident prove accurate, the US State Department said on April 21st. “I can’t independently confirm the reports, but if true, the use of water cannons against Philippine civilian vessels that have a longstanding practice of fishing in these waters at Scarborough Reef or in other disputed areas of the South China Sea would be a provocative act,” Harf said at a press conference. “It would represent a step backward in finding a diplomatic resolution to the dispute,” she added.

Regional Snapshots

China, Indonesia vow to further deepen comprehensive strategic partnership

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo agreed on April 22nd to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between their two countries. The two leaders shared the view of pushing forward bilateral relations to wider areas and deeper levels, according to a joint communique released as Xi is in Indonesia for the Asian-African Summit and commemorative activities for the historic 1955 Bandung Conference. In the communique, Xi and Widodo reaffirmed their commitment to comprehensively synergizing China's strategic vision of building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and Indonesia's development plan of Global Maritime Fulcrum. They also agreed to strengthen policy coordination, practical cooperation and exchanges of experience from each civilization, and forge a maritime partnership for common development and shared prosperity.

China, Cambodia pledge closer cooperation under Belt and Road framework

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed on April 23rd to boost bilateral cooperation under the framework of Beijing's Belt and Road initiatives. "Currently, bilateral relations are blessed with vital opportunities," Xi said in a meeting with Hun Sen held on the sidelines of an ongoing Asian-African summit. China, Xi added, "will firmly advance comprehensive strategic cooperation with Cambodia and firmly support Cambodia's efforts to maintain stability and development." On top of promoting collaboration in traditional areas, Xi suggested, the two countries boost cooperation in infrastructure interconnectivity under the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives and maintain proper operation of the Sihanoukville Port Special Economic Zone. For his part, Hun Sen said the Cambodian side stands ready to continue working with China.

ASEAN foreign ministers urge China to stop reclamation in disputed waters

The foreign ministers of ASEAN on April 26th urged China to stop reclamation in the disputed waters in the South China Sea and engage in discussion ahead of a regional summit. “It would be much appreciated if China can stop work and sit down with us and member states and discuss,” said Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman after the ministers of the regional bloc met in Kuala Lumpur. “The ASEAN member states want to see that this matter is to be settled, to complete amicably because it does affect not just the claimant states but ASEAN as a whole. Because we’re in this region and if there’s any instability in the region, then even those non-claimant states will be affected,” Anifah added. Earlier on April 23rd, in an e-mail interview with The Star, Foreign Minister Anifah also said that Malaysia hopes China will work together with ASEAN member states in hastening the conclusion of negotiations on the COC. In order to make good progress on the CoC, it was important that parties concerned sustain the positive momentum of dialogue and consultation on the issue to promote greater understanding and avoid possible tension, he added.

ASEAN Summit raised concerns about land reclamtion activities in Malaysia

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The 26th ASEAN Summit kicked off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 27th under the theme “Our People, Our Community, Our Vision.” During the event, leaders of 10 ASEAN member countries are to discuss measures for the building of the ASEAN Community, the shaping of the association’s post-2015 vision, the bloc’s external relations, the central role played by ASEAN and the challenges facing the grouping. In the Chairman’s statement issued after the meeting, the leaders expressed their serious concerns on the land reclamation being undertaken in the South China Sea, which has eroded trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security and stability in the sea. In this regard, they said they instructed Foreign Ministers to urgently address this matter constructively including under the various ASEAN frameworks such as ASEAN-China relations, as well as the principle of peaceful co-existence.  They also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight over the South China Sea. While noting the progress made in the consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), they urged that consultations be intensified, to ensure the expeditious establishment of an effective COC.

Obama, Abe share concerns over China's maritime claims

U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed shared concerns over China's advances in resource-rich Asian seas in a joint press conference held on April 28th.  "I want to reiterate that our treaty commitment to Japan's security is absolute, and that Article 5 covers all territories under Japan's administration, including Senkaku Islands," Obama said, referring to a clause in the bilateral security pact requiring the U.S. to defend Japan in the event of an attack. "We are united in our resoluteness in opposing unilateral attempts to change the status quo in whatever form," Abe said. Obama noted that Tokyo and Washington "share a concern" about China's land reclamation in disputed territory in the South China Sea, but he also said they welcome the peaceful rise of China.