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Activities of Claimants

China

Chinese President Xi Answers about China’s Massive Land Reclamations

Ahead of his first official state visit to the U.S., Chinese President Xi Jinping provided written answers to questions posted on The Wall Street Journal on September 22. In his answers, Xi said that “The Nansha [Spratly] Islands have been China’s territory since ancient times. This is fully backed by historical and legal evidence.” He added that “China’s development and maintenance of facilities on some of our garrisoned islands and reefs in the Nansha [Spratly]  Islands does not impact on or target any other country, and it should not be overinterpreted. These facilities have been built to improve the working and living conditions of the Chinese personnel on the maritime features, provide international public goods and services, and better uphold navigation freedom and safety in the South China Sea.”

China’s MOFA Responds to Australian Prime Minister’s Call to Stop construction building in the South China Sea.

The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei in a Regular Press Conference on September 22 stated that “the situation in the South China Sea remains generally stable. China is resolving relevant disputes through bilateral negotiation with countries directly concerned and maintaining peace and stability of the South China Sea together with ASEAN countries. We hope that the Australian side would honor its commitment of not taking sides on issues concerning sovereignty disputes, respect efforts by China and ASEAN countries and take concrete actions to uphold regional peace and stability.”

Xi Reiterates the Offer of Building a New Model of Major Country Relationship

On September 24, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a policy speech on China-US ties, at a welcome banquet jointly hosted by Washington State government and communities in Seattle, the United States. In his speech, Mr. Xi suggested 4 points are particularly important for the U.S and China relationship, Xi emphasized that the two countries (1) must read each other's strategic correctly, (2) must firmly advance win-win cooperation, (3) must manage differences properly and effectively, (4) must foster friendly sentiments among peoples from two countries. On this occasion, Mr. Xi underlined that “China will keep to the path of peaceful development,” no matter how developed it could become, China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion. Mr. Xi announced that the size of China's military will be cut by 300,000 to demonstrate his commitment to peaceful development. Xi conveyed that “China is ready to work with other countries to build a new type of international relations with win-win cooperation at its core, replacing confrontation and domination with win-win cooperation, and adopting a new thinking of building partnerships.”

Hainan Maritime Safety Administration Launchs Patrol in South China Sea

On September 25, Hainan Maritime Safety Administration launched a patrol in which seaplanes and cruising vessels both participated. The patrol focused on the environment of the cruise routes in southwestern sea area of south China's Hainan Province, condition of drilling rigs of Yangcheng 13-1 and Dongfang 1-1, and pollution state of adjacent sea area.

Vietnam

Vietnam raises protest over Chinese zoning plan on Vietnam’s archipelagoes

On September 23, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh said Vietnam adamantly opposes China’s approval of a national marine functional zoning plan which includes Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes. The remarks was made to respond to the Chinese State Council’s recent adoption of the plan. “Vietnam has repeatedly asserted its indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes. All activities of foreign parties in these areas without Vietnam’s permission violate international law and Vietnam’s sovereignty, and are void”, Binh stressed.

Vietnam demands China respect its sovereignty and immediately desist the wrongful action to contribute practically to the development of friendship and cooperation between the two countries as well as the maintenance of peace and stability in the East (South China) Sea, the spokesman added.

Vietnam opposes construction on rock islets in Hoang Sa, Truong Sa

On September 26, Foreign Ministry’s deputy spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said “the construction and expansion of structures on rock islets and shoals in Hoang Sa and Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission is completely illegal and void,” in a reply to the question regarding to Chinese leaders’ recent statement relating to Truong Sa during the US media’s interview.

Vietnam resolutely opposes the aforementioned actions and requests parties concerned seriously abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, making practical contributions to maintaining peace and stability in the East (South China) Sea, she stated.

The Philippines

Philippines leader pokes fun at Beijing's South China Sea claims, praises Japan

Philippine President Benigno Aquino on September 22 joked about China's disputed maritime territorial claims and praised Beijing's regional rival Japan for passing new legislation allowing the nation's troops to fight abroad. Speaking in an interview with ABS-CBN television, Aquino said that China had proposed the joint development of the South China Sea while at the same time claiming almost all of the strategically sensitive waters. "The joke then was that China was saying 'what is ours is ours, what is yours, we share,'" Aquino said. He also rejected China's calls for a bilateral dialogue, saying that any talks should involve other countries that claim parts of the area such as Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Philippines’ fishermen sue China at UN over sea dispute

Sixteen fishermen from this western Pangasinan town on September 22 appealed to the United Nations to ask China to respect their rights over their traditional fishing grounds in the Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. In a 26-page petition e-mailed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and to the UN special rapporteurs on the right to food and on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, the fishermen said that China must respect their right to livelihood, adequate food and life. They were represented by lawyers Harry Roque Jr. and Gilbert Andres of the Center for International Law Inc., a nongovernment organization. Roque said that since April 2012 the fishermen have been experiencing harassment from the Chinese Coast Guard and other Chinese maritime agencies.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Defense Ministry to focus on improving infrastructure in Natuna

On the sidelines of a meeting with the House of Representatives Commission I on September 21, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu stated that "the purchase of aircraft has not been a priority. We will delay the purchase of the primary weapons defense system (Alutsista) in 2016. However, we will allocate funds for improving infrastructure in Natuna."  Ryacudu opined that the runway at Natuna cannot be used for warplanes but only for transport aircraft. In addition, the ports in the region are not in a condition to be used by warships. Earlier, Indonesia had decided to increase the number of warships and warplanes to patrol and secure the Natuna waters in view of the South China Sea conflict.

Thailand

Thailand Pledges to Probe into Fatal Shooting of Vietnamese Fishermen

On September 21, Minister Counsellor Pham Thanh Nam at the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand met Thai police’s Public Affairs Division director Major-General Apichart Suribunya in Bangkok to discuss the recent fatal shooting of Vietnamese fishermen at sea. The Minister Counsellor expressed deep concern over the issue during the meeting, saying that the use of force has violated international law and demanding Thailand promptly investigate and punish all individuals involved in the shooting. He also requested Thailand prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Major-General Apichart Suribunya, who is also Thailand’s Interpol Director, said Thailand is seriously looking into the incident with a special taskforce to be set up for the investigation. He affirmed that Thailand will investigate the case in an open and transparent manner and ensure that those determined to be guilty will be tried in accordance with the law. The Thai government will inform the Vietnamese Government on the outcomes of the investigation as soon as possible.

The United States

The U.S urges China to stop building outposts in the South China sea

On September 21, The U.S. National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice delivered a remarks on the U.S.-China Relationship at George Washington University. In her remarks, Ms. Rice emphasized that “the US have an interest in preventing territorial disputes from growing into larger conflicts that destabilize the region.  The G-7 and ASEAN share our concerns, and we will work with all our partners to establish a peaceful process, based in international law, for resolving maritime claims with diplomacy, not force or coercion.  We call on all claimants to reciprocally halt land reclamation, construction of new facilitates, and militarization of outposts on disputed areas.  Instead, we urge China and ASEAN countries to conclude a Code of Conduct and set clear, predictable, binding rules of the road in the South China Sea.”

The U.S Senator admonishes China’s assertive action by jet.

Regarding to the incident on September 15, when Chinese Jet in near-collision with U.S. Spy Plane, the U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, on September 22, released statement that states “China feels emboldened to continue its pattern of aggressive behavior in the Asia-Pacific region. That this flight came amid negotiations of rules for air-to-air encounters and just one week ahead of President Xi’s arrival in the United States raises further questions about China’s intentions and the Obama Administration’s response thus far.” Following this incident, Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R., Va.), chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Sea Power, also criticized China for the dangerous intercept. “Even on the eve of their president’s visit to Washington, China is again behaving as a destabilizing force in the international system,” Forbes said. “Despite the 2014 memorandum of understanding affirming China’s commitment to ensure the safety of military aircraft in the event of an unplanned encounter, Beijing continues to harass U.S. aircraft conducting lawful missions far from Chinese territory,” he added.

Australia

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says China 'pushing the envelope' in South China Sea

Speaking on ABC news on September 21, Mr. Turnbull said the rise of China should not disturb the harmony of the region. He underlined that "the pushing the envelope in the South China Sea has had the consequence of exactly the reverse consequence of what China would seek to achieve." He added "my own view and the Government's view is that China would be better advised, in its own interests frankly, not to be pushing the envelope there and that is why there's been resistance against that activity." He claimed the China’s recent assertiveness has pushed smaller countries in the region to the United States. He urged China to “create a sufficient feeling of trust and confidence among its neighbours that they no longer felt the need to have the US fleet and a strong US presence in the western Pacific."

Regional Snapshots

South China Sea issue in the 2015 US - China Summit

On September 25, Chinese President Xi Jinpiing paid an official visit to the U.S on the occasion of the 2015 US - China Summit, the two leaders had have discussions on series of vexed issues, including the disputes in the South China Sea. In his speech to the press, the U.S. President Obama reaffirmed that “the United States will continue to sail, fly and operate anywhere that international law allows.  I conveyed to President Xi our significant concerns over land reclamation, construction and the militarization of disputed areas, which makes it harder for countries in the region to resolve disagreements peacefully.  And I encouraged a resolution between claimants in these areas.  We are not a claimant; we just want to make sure that the rules of the road are upheld.”

The Chinese President Xi Jingping, on his side, stated that “we're committed to respecting and upholding the freedom of navigation and overflight that countries enjoy according to international law. Relevant construction activities that China are undertaking in the island of South – Nansha [Spratly] Islands do not target or impact any country, and China does not intend to pursue militarization.” He added “the countries directly involved should address their dispute through negotiation, consultation and in peaceful means.”

Vietnamese President meets with UN Secretary-General in New York

On September 24, during his official visit to the United Nations in New York, President Truong Tan Sang had a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and discussions on regional issues that both sides share their concerns. President Truong Tan Sang spoke highly of the UN Secretary-General’s viewpoint and positive and objective comments on the East Sea matter. He asked Ban Ki-moon to further advocate and push for the peaceful handling of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East (South China) Sea (DOC), along with efforts to shortly finalise a code of conduct in the waters (COC). Ban also renewed that East (South China) Sea disputes must be solved through peaceful measures on the basis of the 1982 UNCLOS and DOC and endeavours to conclude a COC.

Speaking at the United Nations Summit on September 25, President Truong Tan Sang reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy to resolve disputes in the East (South China) Sea by peaceful measures on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, effective and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early conclusion of the Code of Conduct (COC).

Vietnam, US hold 5th Defence Policy Dialogue

On September 27, Deputy Defence Minister Sent. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh led the Vietnamese delegation to the dialogue, which forms part of the officer’s working visit to the US. Stronger defence ties are expected in military medicine, the settlement of post-war consequences, information sharing in service of search and rescue, and humanitarian aid. Experience in undertaking UN peace-keeping missions and search for soldiers missing in action will be discussed, as will regional and international issues of mutual concern. The Vietnamese officers are scheduled to meet with high-ranking officials of the US Departments of Defence and State, and Congress.

THE EAST SEA STUDIES