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Activities of Related Parties

China

China is building powerful radar on disputed islands

The Washington Post, on Feb. 22, cited from Gregory Poling, head of the Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative at CSIS, saying that if HF radar is installed on Cuarteron then it would enormously boost China’s capacity to monitor ships and aircraft in the South China Sea, Cuarteron is the logical place for such an installation because it is the southernmost of China’s features in the Spratlys, meaning that it would be the best place if you wanted early warning radar to give notice of ships or planes coming up from the Strait of Malacca and other areas to the south such as Singapore." "This would be very important in a Chinese anti-access area denial strategy that sought to reduce the ability of the U.S. to operate freely in the South China Sea, including bringing forces up through the South China Sea in case of any future crisis in Northeast Asia," Poling wrote.

China rejects criticism about the militarisation in the South China Sea

In a press conference on Feb. 22, answered the queries of reporters about China's constructions in the South China Sea, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said, "islands in the South China Sea have been part of China since ancient times...China conducts construction on relevant islands and reefs mainly for civilian purposes of providing better public services and goods for the international community. China's deployment of limited defense facilities on its own territory is its exercise of self-defense right to which a sovereign state is entitled under international law. The US should view that correctly instead of making an issue of that with deliberate sensationalization. Regarding to the criticism of the U.S about the missiles deployment to the Woody island, Ms. Hua said, "There is no difference between China's deployment of necessary national defense facilities on its own territory and the defense installation by the US in Hawaii. US vessels and planes have long been conducting close-up surveillance against countries in the region, the frequency of which increases year by year. It has intensified tensions in the South China Sea, and is most likely to cause militarization in the South China Sea.. We urge the US to play a constructive role for regional peace and stability."

In a press conference on Feb. 23,regarding to the installation of rada on Cuarteron, Ms. Hua said, "instead of focusing only on whether or not China has deployed military facilities on islands and reefs of the Spratly Islands, the media should broaden their horizon and pay more attention to the light houses built by China on its stationed islands and reefs, as well as the facilities for meteorological observation and forecast, emergency shelter and rescue being built by China."  On another issue when The commander of the US Navy's 7th Fleet Joseph Aucoin said the other day that Australia and other countries should follow the US lead and conduct "freedom-of-navigation" naval operations within 12 nautical miles of contested islands in the South China Sea, Ms. Hua said, "It must be pointed out that the freedom of navigation under international law is by no means the freedom for US vessels and planes to make a show of force. Verbally, what the US talks about is navigation freedom. Virtually, what it thinks about is perhaps absolute hegemony on the sea. We hope that the US would stop driving wedges, stop creating tensions and stop making remarks unhelpful for peace and stability in the South China Sea."

Regarding to the deployment of fighter jets to the South China Sea, on Feb. 24, Ms. Hua said,despite the fact about the existing disputes in Paracels, that "the paracels Islands are part of China's territory with no dispute at all. Construction and deployment on China's own territory is totally within China's sovereignty and perfectly justified."

In her answer to the question asking that "DOC also apply to the Paracel Islands" on Feb. 25, Ms. Hua, while ignoring the fact of disputes in the Paracels,  said that "the Xisha Islands are part of China's inherent territory with no dispute at all. Hence the DOC has nothing to do with the Paracels Islands.

Regarding to the statement of the commander of US forces in the Pacific, Adm. Harry Harris told the press on Feb. 25 that even if China declared an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the South China Sea, the US would ignore that, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said that "whether China will declare an ADIZ, it depends on whether China's air safety is threatened. The current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. We hope that the US military would stop playing up the issue of the South China Sea, stop hyping up tensions and stop showing off military might in the South China Sea."

China sends fighter jets to contested island in South China Sea

Fox News channels on Feb. 23 cited from two U.S. officials saying that China recently, deployed fighter jets to Woody Island, the same island where Fox News reported exclusively last week that China had sent two batteries of HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles. According to U.S. Intelligence the two jets are Shenyang J-11s (“Flanker”) and Xian JH-7s (“Flounder”). China has sent fighter jets to Woody Island before. In November last year, Chinese state media published images showing J-11 fighter jets on the island.

China accused the Philippines added fuel to the fire in the South China Sea.

Speaking in the joint press conference with the U.S counterpart John Kerry at Washington on Feb. 23, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, "the Philippines has violated the stipulation of Article 4 of DOC and has given up on the dialogue and negotiations with the direct concerned parties of China." He said, "We will continue to consider the overall interest of peace and stability in the South China Sea and work together with ASEAN countries and in accordance with DOC and push forward the process of the COC negotiation."

China commissions new missile frigate

A new missile frigate named Xiangtan was commissioned by China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) on Feb. 24, in the east China island city of Zhoushan. Xiangtan is a new-generation missile frigates designed and made by China. With the hull number 531, Xiangtan is 140 meters long and 16 meters wide, and its displacement is more than 4,000 tonnes. The missile frigate is one of PLAN's new generation main battle warships. It can attack enemy ships and submarines alone or in coordination with other naval forces. It has strong remote surveillance and anti-aircraft combat abilities.

China accused U.S militarising in the South China Sea

In a press conference of China's Defense Ministry on Feb. 25, spokesperson Colonel Wu Qian said, "As a country out of the region, the US has dispatched military vessels and aircraft to enter the adjacent waters, airspace and even territorial seas of relevant Chinese islands and reefs, conducting provocations and frequent close-in reconnaissance. Does this count as militarization? The US also leaves no stone unturned in persuading and encouraging its allies and partners to conduct highly targeted joint military exercises and joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea. Does this count as militarization? The US, while keeping a blind eye to such actions of militarization, makes irresponsible accusations against the lawful and reasonable development of defense facilities by the Chinese side. I can only say that this is typical double-standard." On the report of China's fighter jets deployment to the Woody island, Mr. Wu said, while ignoring the fact of disputes in the Paracels, that "it is China’s legitimate right to deploy defense facilities within its own territory, no matter in the past or at present, no matter on temporary or long-term basis, and no matter what kind of equipment it is. To hype up the reasonable and lawful military activities of the Chinese side by the US is with ulterior motives." Regarding to the possibility of China to establish ADIZ in the South China Sea, Mr. Wu said, "whether to establish such a zone and when to establish it depends on the threat that China faces in the air and the level of such kind of threat. And various factors have to be taken into consideration."

China CNOOC tenders 18 offshore blocks, mostly in South China Sea

China National Offshore Oil Company, or CNOOC, on Feb. 25, has issued a tender inviting foreign firms to bid for 18 blocks off China's northern, eastern and southern coast. The blocks have a total size of 52,257 square km, including three blocks in the Bohai Bay area, one in East China Sea and 14 in the northern part of the South China Sea. Data rooms for these blocks are open from Feb. 24 through June 30. A couple of the blocks are located close to the disputed Paracel Islands, which China occupies and Vietnam claims, while a few are located near the Pratas Islands, which are occupied by Taiwan.

China’s military is prepared ‘to defend sovereignty’ in South China Sea: military chief

In his first public remarks as commanding officer of the newly-established Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army, General Wang Jiaocheng said, on Feb. 25, “The military will be capable of dealing with any security threat. No country will be allowed to use any excuse or action to threaten China’s sovereignty and safety.”  Wang said his aim was to “ensure security in border controls and maritime defence." "But the foremost mission is to safeguard rights and interests in the South China Sea,” he added. General Wang said the PLA had planned for all possible scenarios regarding military risks in the region.

Vietnam

Vietnam confirms territorial sovereignty

A seminar titled “East (South China) Sea: security and economic implications” took place in New Delhi, India on Feb. 24. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh affirmed that Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes belong to Vietnam. Vietnam has sufficient historical and legal evidence to affirm its sovereignty over the areas. He urged parties concerned to maintain status quo, refrain from threat or the use of force to settle disputes so as to prevent complicating the situation in the region, while seriously and fully abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and promptly reaching an agreed Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.

Vietnam calls for responsible actions in East Sea

The spokesperson made the appeal on February 25 in reply to reporters’ queries on Vietnam’s response to China’s deployment of warplanes to Phu Lam (Woody) Island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago and its construction of a high frequency radar facility on several features in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, as well as news released by the US media that the country may put mobile artillery weapons in the East (South China) Sea.

The spokesman said China’s acts, regardless of objections and concerns raised by Vietnam and the international community, not only seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty and accelerate militarisation in the East Sea, but also threaten peace and stability in the region as well as maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the Sea. “Vietnam strongly opposes to the actions that seriously infringed its sovereignty and demands China have responsible and constructive words and deeds in maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world in respect for international law,” Binh said.

The spokesman said the recent developments in the region, especially in Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes, show that the region’s status quo is being broken, and what is most worthy of worry is the militarisation of the South China Sea. According to him, the tensions would harm peace, stability, and maritime and aviation security and safety in the region.

The Philippines

Japan to supply Philippines with military equipment

On Feb. 27, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told that Japan will sign an accord with the Philippines to allow Tokyo to supply military equipment to Manila. Mr. Gazmin said the agreement he'll sign on Feb. 29 with the Japanese ambassador in Manila is not directed against any country but aims to address gaps in the underfunded Philippine military's capabilities. the Philippine military currently needs to upgrade its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Singapore

Singapore will work to formulate Code of Conduct in South China Sea

On Feb. 27, answered the press's queries after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' retreat in Vientiane, Laos, Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said, "As country coordinator of ASEAN-China relations, Singapore will focus on the formulation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea." "Singapore’s not a claimant state. Nevertheless, because we are a small country, we have to firmly adhere with the concept of a rules-based world order. In other words, we cannot have a world where might is right," he said." "So we and in fact, all the ASEAN countries, have been encouraging strict adherence to international law for a peaceful resolution of conflicts or differences with full respect for legal and diplomatic processes," Dr Balakrishnan added.

Indonesia

Indonesia sinks foreign boats to stop illegal fishing

On Feb. 22, Tyas Budiman, Director of the Maritime and Fisheries Ministry’s Monitoring Affairs Directorate General, made the announcement that Indonesia’s anti-illegal fishing task force 115 has sunk 30 vessels in five separate locations for poaching in the country’s rich seas. That it is the first of such events this year. Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said the government is taking stronger and firmer action to enforce regulations to keep Indonesia’s waters safe.

The United States

US navy commander urges Australia to carry out patrols in disputed islands in the South China Sea

Speaking to the press in Sydney on Feb. 22, Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, Commander of the massive, Japan-based 7th Fleet, stressed that it would be valuable for other countries including Australia to challenge Beijing's assertiveness rather than leave it to the US. Admiral Aucoin said he wished the challenge to Beijing's island-building and unilateral territorial claims in the strategically vital waters were not "portrayed as the US versus China" but rather that "all countries, no matter what the size or strength can pursue their interests based on the law of the sea". Admiral Aucoin also vowed that the presence of Chinese missiles on islands would not deter the US from continuing freedom of navigation operations.

White House to China: Hawaii is not the South China Sea

Regarding to recent statement from China, saying that "what it is doing in the South China Sea is just like what the United States has done with its military in Hawaii, Press Secretary Josh Earnest, on Feb. 22, said that "There is no other country that has a claim on Hawaii.  But yet when you consider the land features in the South China Sea, there are a variety of overlapping territorial claims that a variety of countries have made on those features. And I recognize that the Chinese government may have a disagreement about the claims that are made by other countries.  That's all the more reason that we believe that all of the parties should resolve their differences of opinion about this matter in a way that doesn't provoke a military confrontation."

US ambassador concerned over China’s fighter jets deployed to East Sea

Speaking ata press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia on Feb. 24, US Ambassador to ASEAN Nina Hachigian has expressed concern over China sending fighter jets to Phu Lam Island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa Archipelago where earlier this month, it deployed HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles.“We are very concerned that these actions are increasing tensions in the region and are counterproductive,” she said.

USS Ashland Completes South China Sea Patrol

Amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) conducted a routine patrol in international waters of the South China Sea Feb. 26 after participating in exercise Cobra Gold 16. The Navy said USS McCampbell (DDG 85) completed a similar patrol Feb. 22. "As always, the officers and crew navigated the ship in a highly professional manner," said Cmdr. Dan Duhan, commanding officer of Ashland. "Routine in execution, transits like these have the additional benefit of training our junior officers and watch standers on real world applications associated with International Maritime Law.

Japan

Japan's Suga: Government gathering info on China's move with 'serious interest'

Japan's top government spokesman said on Feb. 24 the country was gathering and analyzing information on China's moves in the South China Sea with "serious interest". Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga repeated the government's concerns about China's moves, saying Japan would cooperate with related nations.

Australia

DFAT talking points outline Australia's position on growing China tensions

The ABC on Feb. 23 published a seven-page document given talking points to Australian Government MPs and officials on how to handle questions about rising tensions in the South China Sea, following a recent escalation of activity by Beijing. The media talking points have been prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), in consultation with the Defence Department and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

India

India protests unilateral actions in the South China Sea

Speaking to the press on Feb. 25 about China's constructions in the South China Sea, India's FM Spokesperson Shri Vikas Swarup said, "India has repeatedly stressed the need for all to respect the freedom of navigation in international waters, right of passage and over flight, unimpeded commerce and access to resources in accordance with the 1982 Convention of the Law of the Sea. We have also consistently maintained that all States should avoid unilateral actions in the South China Sea that can lead to tensions in the region." The Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar,on Feb. 28, said India wants to find a solution to the South China Sea dispute in a peaceful manner under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “We are not interested in finding a solution to the issue by way of force,” Parrikar stated, adding that India could be affected from the particular dispute as it has two oil-related contracts with Vietnam and need free channel for sea lane, in the South China Sea.

Regional Snapshots

China admiral talks warships with Cambodia as navy drill shores up ties

China held a joint naval drill with Cambodia for the first time on Feb. 25. Sailors from both countries took part in a rescue exercise in Preah Sihanouk during a five-day trip that the ranking Chinese navy officer, Rear Admiral Yu Manjiang, said showed their warm ties and was "like visiting a sibling's home". The visit also saw some discussion about China possibly supplying Cambodia with warships to defend its maritime territory.

Japan, Australia, India share concern over S. China Sea tensions

On Feb. 26, Senior officials of Japan, Australia and India agreed on the importance of maintaining the rule of law in the South China Sea, sharing "strong concerns" about tensions in the region amid China's rising maritime assertiveness. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Peter Varghese, secretary of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki said, "We shared strong concerns about moves to unilaterally change the status quo that would lead to destabilization in the region." "We also shared the need to establish a new rule in the region to secure the rule of law and the freedom of navigation," Saiki said, referring to the ongoing discussions between China and the ASEAN to conclude the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, a legally binding document that could be used to resolve deadlocks, disputes and tensions in the sea.

THE EAST SEA STUDIES