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Activities of Related Parties

China

China opposes the US FONOP in the South China Sea

In response to the information that US Navy warship carried out a freedom of navigation operation within 12 nautical miles of the Mischief Reef, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said: “The Chinese navy legally identified and verified the US vessel and warned it to leave. The relevant action of the US vessel undermined China's sovereignty and security interests and is highly likely to cause untoward incidents in the waters and airspace. China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to this.” China’s spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, Colonel Ren Guoqiang, on May 25 stated the missile frigates CNS Liuzhou and Luzhou identified and verified the American ship, warned and dispelled it. Regarding G7 statement on South China Sea and the East China Sea, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang on May 28 said: “China's position on the issues of the East and South China Seas is clear and consistent. The Chinese side stays committed to properly managing and addressing relevant disputes through negotiation and consultation with countries directly concerned. We hope that the G7 and countries without the region will get a clear picture of the situation, honor their commitment of not taking sides on relevant disputes, fully respect efforts made by countries within the region to manage disputes, stop making irresponsible remarks and work constructively for regional peace and stability.”

Chinese jets intercept U.S surveillance plane

Two Chinese fighter jets intercepted a U.S. Navy surveillance plane over the South China Sea on Wednesday, with one coming within 200 yards (180 meters) of the American aircraft, U.S. officials told Reuters. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial reports showed that the U.S. P-3 Orion surveillance plane was 150 miles (240 km) southeast of Hong Kong in international airspace when the Chinese aircraft carried out the unsafe intercept. One Chinese aircraft flew in front of the American plane, restricting its ability to maneuver. The Pentagon confirmed that two Chinese jets had carried out the intercept, saying it was "unsafe and unprofessional." Meanwhile, China's defense ministry ejected the US accusations and urged again the US to stop such activities.

Vientam

Vietnam opposes Taiwan’s drills in Truong Sa archipelago

in reply to reporters’ query on Vietnam’s reaction to that China’s Taiwan conducting a number of live-fire exercises in the waters area around Ba Binh island (Itu Aba), Vietnam’s Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang said Vietnam resolutely opposes China’s Taiwanese activities. Taiwan’s organisation of drills in Ba Binh area in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago is a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago, threatening peace, stability, security, and safety of navigation, as well as causing tensions and complicating the situation in the East Sea (South China Sea), she added.

The Philippines

Philippine Ex-Foreign Secretary urges return of joint patrols with US

The Philippine government should revisit the joint patrols of the country's exclusive economic zone with the United States and other partners in response to China's alleged threat of war, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said. The former top diplomat also suggested that the government heed the advice of Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to file a protest with the United Nations.

Philippines, China play down Duterte's talk of war in disputed sea

Speaking to reporters on May 22, Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said their meeting was frank and friendly, and the discussion was largely about preventing conflict, not threatening it.  He added: "I will not contradict the president's words. I am just telling you ... my interpretation: there was no bullying or pushing around, it was not a threat." Earier, Duterte met China's President Xi Jinping for talks in Beijing and later said Xi had warned him there would be war if the Philippines tried to explore for oil in a disputed stretch of sea.

Duterte: West is all 'double talk', I want China and Russia

In an interview with Moscow-based TV network Russia Today, Duterte said that though he has nothing against the US, the Philippines needs a foreign policy that is independent from American interests. “[US President Donald] Trump is my friend. But my foreign policy has shifted. I want to deal with China and Russia. Because in Western world, it’s double talk," he said. "Russia sells weapons, no conditions. With the US it’s a different story. They make conditions. But I’m not gonna stand on bended knees."

Indonesia

Indonesia officials release another 100 Vietnamese fishermen

Indonesian authorities have agreed to release an additional 100 Vietnamese fishermen and launch a joint investigation with Vietnamese authorities into a sea incident that occurred this past weekend. The incident began when an Indonesian sea patrol intercepted Vietnamese fishing boats with 55 crew on Sunday (May 21) after they crossed into Indonesian waters near the Natuna Islands, said Rifky Effendi Hardijanto, secretary general of Indonesia's Fisheries Ministry. Hardijanto told a news conference that officials of the two governments have agreed to settle this incident through diplomatic means.

U.S. Warship Sails Near Mischief Reef

A United States Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island claimed by China in the South China Sea on May 25. The warship, the guided missile destroyer Dewey, passed near Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, not far from the Philippines, American military officials said. A Pentagon official involved in the operation said the American warship did a “man overboard” rescue drill while passing by the island. The particular exercise was intended to show China that the United States would operate anywhere on the high seas in accordance with international law, the official said.

U.S. South China Sea policy unchanged under Trump

Speaking at a news briefing in Beijing, Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton on May 26 said Washington's policy on the South China Sea has not changed under President Donald Trump. Earlier, a U.S navy warship conducted a so-called freedom of navigation drill near Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.

India plans tsunami warning system for South China Sea

India is trying to extend its influence over the disputed South China Sea by exploring the possibility of setting up a tsunami early warning system for the region. India's system would provide South China Sea littoral states such as Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia with early alerts in the case of a tsunami -- high waves caused by a quake in the sea that can cause unmitigated damage. M Rajeevan, secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said India already had a system in place to provide tsunami warnings to south-east and south Asian nations.

Regional Snapshots

Former U.S. Cutter Morgenthau Transferred to Vietnamese Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard transferred a Hamilton-class cutter to the Vietnam Coast Guard during a Thursday ceremony in Hawaii. The former high endurance cutter Morgenthau (WHEC 722) was originally commissioned in 1969 and was decommissioned in mid-April ahead of the planned transfer. “This cutter provides a concrete and significant symbol of the U.S-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership,” said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Michael J. Haycock, assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer in a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi. “The Coast Guard is honored to see this vessel continue to preserve global peace and prosperity as a part of the Vietnam Coast Guard.”

G7 leaders send strong statement on South China Sea

The G7—composed of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States—urged all parties to pursue demilitarization of disputed features in the region. "We reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a rules-based order in the maritime domain based on the principles of international law, including as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes through diplomatic and legal means, including arbitration," the G7 leaders said in a joint communique following their meeting in Taormina, Italy on My 27.