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Activities of the Claimants

China

China’s New Corvette Suqian Joins South China Sea Fleet

A commissioning ceremony for the new corvette was held on July 20 at a naval port in Sanya of south China's Hainan Province. According to China Military Online, a new China's type 056 corvette, Suqian has joined the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy. The type 056 corvette is designed for offshore defense and capable of performing multiple missions including sea patrol, escorting fishing boats, conducting independently or coordinating anti-submarine or surface combat.

Despite sea feud, Beijing says ties with Manila can flourish

The Chinese ambassador in Manila said, on July 22, that trade between China and the Philippines grew last year despite their protracted territorial conflicts. Zhao told reporters, "despite the difficulties we have, I think last year bilateral trade grew 17.6 percent and our trade stands at over $44 billion," he added "from these figures, you can see that our bilateral relationship is quite strong ... so that gives us hope for a better relationship." He stated that "no single commercial ship has been affected negatively when they go through the South China Sea."

Zhao reiterated China's offer for both countries to settle their differences through one-on-one negotiation and not through international arbitration. "Come back to bilateral talks," he said "it seems that China and the Philippines have different approaches but our preference is peaceful negotiation directly between the two countries."

Chinese Navy Begins Offshore Live Fire Drills In South China Sea

On July 22, CNTV and Asia Times reported the Chinese navy begins 10 days of military training in the waters near eastern Hainan Island in the South China Sea, amid heightened tensions in the region. No vessel will be allowed to enter the designated maritime areas during the exercises, according to a drill plan released by China’s Maritime Safety Administration. Chinese military experts said the drills are not directly related to the persisting tensions over disputed waters in the sea, but rather are part of China’s broader military modernization effort.  Xu Liping, an expert on Southeast Asian affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the drill is China's legitimate act within its own territory and has “nothing to do with the tension in the South China Sea.’’ Yet, The Ministry of National Defense did not respond to comments on the training exercise. On July 23, Vietnam condemned Chinese naval drill in South China Sea. Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh demanded China stop the exercise immediately, saying it violates Vietnam's sovereignty over the chain of islands and reefs known as the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, raising tensions and threatening the region's maritime security. He added that China’s actions go against what leaders of both countries have agreed upon.

China Opposes Russell's Comment On South China Sea Arbitration

On July 24, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the remarks while responding to a recent comment by Daniel Russell, assistant U.S. secretary of state for East  Asian and Pacific affairs. Lu said Russell's comment is attempting to push forward the Philippines' unilateral move on arbitration of the South China Sea issue. The U.S. acts like an "arbitrator outside the tribunal", designating the direction for the arbitral tribunal established at the request of the Philippines, Lu said. This is inconsistent with the stance the U.S. claims to uphold on the South China Sea issue, Lu said, and he also urged the U.S. not to undermine regional peace and stability. Lu said China's position of neither accepting nor participating in the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines remains unchanged.

China navy: Don't excessively interpret South China Sea drill

On july 25, a Chinese navy spokesperson Liang Yang said the navy drills in South China Sea was part of the annual exercises, suggesting the avoidance of "excessive interpretations." "Holding sea drills is a common practice for navies with various countries. The annual, regular drill by the Chinese navy aims to test the troops' real combat abilities, boost their maneuverability, search and rescue power and the abilities to fulfil diversified military missions," Liang said. He noted that such a drill is in line with international laws and practices, and the navy will continue to hold similar drills in the future.

Philippines

Filipino Fishermen Remove Chinese Buoys Near Disputed Shoal, Officials Say

On July 25, nine Filipino fishermen said they had found three long, orange containment booms, used to control oil spills, floating about six miles (4 km) off Scarborough Shoal. It was the first time fishermen there had found such devices. "The buoys have Chinese markings," one of the fishermen told the GMA television network in the area. "The markings showed the company that manufactured it. It even has phone numbers."

The fishermen said they towed the buoys back to Masinloc to show officials there and turned them over to a coast guard detachment. They said they did not know why the buoys were there because there was no sign of any oil spills.

‘US Has Freedom Of Overflight In South China Sea’

On July 21, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said there was nothing irregular or provocative about the recent US surveillance mission over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), as such operation was an exercise of freedom of overflight. “They were flying over international airspace. They have every right to exercise freedom of overflight,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a press briefing, referring to last Saturday’s surveillance flight by a P-8A Poseidon aircraft over the West Philippine Sea.

Singapore

Singapore Diplomat Supports Manila Arbitration Case Vs. China

A respected Singaporean lawyer and diplomat believes that China should start acknowledging the arbitration case filed by the Philippine government before the UN court in The Hague, Netherlands, instead of continuously ignoring it. In his editorial piece “The Asian way to settle disputes” on The Straits Times early this month, Koh cited several border conflict between Asian countries which were successfully resolved by the international court. Koh said Asians have been pursuing a peaceful, stable and prosperous region and “want the rule of law to be strong and for all disputes between states to be settled peacefully, in accordance with the law and not on the basis that might is right.” China should therefore reconsider its position in order to conform to the best Asian and international practice,” Koh explained.

Cambodia

Cambodia Seeks Role as Mediator Between Asean, China

On July 22, Cambodian Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong said Cambodia will continue to seek to be a mediator in South China Sea disputes between China and Asean nations. Speaking to reporters after meeting with China’s newly appointed ambassador to Asean, Xu Bu, Hor Namhong said Cambodia would like to maintain good relations between China and Asean, to sustain security in the region and bolster long-term economic growth. “Cambodia wants to mediate in order to reduce the tense atmosphere between Asean and China because we discern that no solution can be found without talking to each other,” Hor Namhong said Wednesday. “If we want to get a diplomatic solution, we must talk to each other. If not, we can’t find any solution.” Xu Bu gave few details of his meeting or position on the South China Sea, but he praised the Cambodian government for its efforts to mediate.

The United States

U.S. Admiral Says His South China Sea Surveillance Flight 'Routine'

A top U.S. Navy admiral said he joined a routine surveillance flight over the disputed South China Sea on July 18, drawing a stern rebuke from China which said such activities seriously damaged mutual trust between the two countries. Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, confirmed at a press roundtable in Seoul on July 20 that he had been aboard the seven-hour flight of a Boeing P-8 surveillance plane, but gave no specific details about the flight. At the press, he said that "there are forces of instability at play in the region, and that's generating uncertainty. I wish I had a crystal ball that I look into the future and see. I am concerned about the forces of destabilization that appear to be more current here in the theater," he said. "And that's what I hear from my friends in the region as I communicate with them ...”

Regional Snapshots

Conference Updates Developments In East Sea (South China Sea)

The latest developments and policy options in the East Sea were at the heart of a conference held in Washington D.C. on July 21. Organised by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the fifth annual function drew experts from Vietnam, China, the Philippines and the US, among others. Panels addressed recent developments in the East Sea, legal issues and strategic balance and engage in a crisis simulation. Two hot issues highlighted at the full-day event were the Philippines’s lawsuit against China to the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and China’s illegal construction of artificial islands in the East Sea. Daniel Russell, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs said any disputes must be solved via diplomatic solutions and in line with international law.

Chinese Destroyer Ship (Jinan) At Mumbai Harbour Anchorage For Four Days

Luyang-II Class guided-missile destroyers (Jinan) of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is at Mumbai harbour anchorage on July 20. The Chinese Naval vessel will be going alongside berth likely at Mumbai Port Trust on July 21. The vessel is going to stay in Mumbai for the next four days. The destroyer ship reached Mumbai harbour after completing its term of anti-piracy patrol at Gulf of Eden. "The PLA Navy vessel was on anti-piracy patrol and shall be leaving for Salalah from Mumbai on July 24.

THE EAST SEA STUDIES