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Activities of the Claimants

China

Xi stresses military headquarters' loyalty to Party

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Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the loyalty of headquarters of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at a meeting with PLA chiefs of staff here on September 22nd. Headquarters of PLA forces must have absolute loyalty and firm faith in the Communist Party of China, guarantee a smooth chain of command and make sure all decisions from the central leadership are fully implemented, said Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). Headquarters of all PLA forces should improve their combat readiness and sharpen their ability to win a regional war in the age of information technology, he said.

Beijing to deploy live fish carrier to South China Sea

China is planning to deploy a live fish carrier to Vanh Khan Reef (Mischief Reef) in the South China Sea's disputed Spratly Islands, according to the Beijing-based China Science Daily. Likely in an attempt to solidify their control over the region, Beijing is planning to deploy a 200,000-ton live fish carrier to the waters around the reef. The paper stated that it is time for China to pay more attention to the natural resources beneath the South China Sea. This live fish carrier can be a mobile production base for China in the South China Sea. It can be used as a fish farm while providing multiple services to the Chinese military and civilian vessels operating in the region.

China: Use ‘fair, just rules’ to settle disputes

The country accused of failing to abide by international law in its massive claim on the South China Sea urged the international community to use “fair and just rules” in settling disputes. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the importance of using international law in resolving global problems like crises in Gaza, Iraq, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. Wang did not raise in his speech China’s maritime dispute with some Southeast Asian nations over the South China Sea but outlined Beijing’s approach to international cooperation.

Vietnam

Vietnam urges UN to strengthen global peace, security

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In his address to the General Assembly on September 27th, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh of Viet Nam called on the United Nations and its Member States to lay a firm and long-term foundation for peace, security and development, adding that only peace and development together could put the international community on the path towards a prosperous world. “Peace and security are prerequisites for sustainable development,” Mr. Minh told the gathered delegates at UN Headquarters in New York during the Assembly’s annual General Debate. “The UN and its Member States must therefore live up to their responsibility to strengthen international peace and security, prevent potential conflicts and find solutions to on-going hostilities,” he declared, adding that this was “an urgent task, but also one that requires long-term engagement.” Earlier in a meeting Asia Society members on September 24th, Deputy Prime Minister Minh had highlighted Vietnam's determination in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the policy of resolving the disputes in the South China Sea by available peaceful means, based on the rule of international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS, DOC and COC.

Vietnam ready to take fishermen protection measures

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh has reiterated the Vietnamese Government’s readiness to launch necessary measures to protect fishermen’s normal activities in traditional fishing grounds at a regular Foreign Ministry press briefing in Hanoi on September 25th. On September 24th, China’s Maritime Safety Administration announced that China would conduct a large-scale live ammunition drill in southern Hainan island near Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracels) archipelago. Responding to reporter's question about how the drill will affect Vietnamese fishermen’s fishing activities in traditional fishing grounds and what measures Vietnam will take to protect fishermen, Binh said,  “As soon as getting this information from China’s Maritime Safety Administration, Vietnamese competent agencies verified the information and carried out fishermen protection measures.”

The Philippines

Aquino questions intent of China ships

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said September 23rd his nation will stick up for its territorial rights in the disputed South China Sea and voiced concern that a recent mission by two Chinese survey ships could presage an attempt to drill for oil there. Speaking on the sidelines of a gathering of world leaders at the United Nations, Aquino showed images of what he said was land reclamation by China off the Gac Ma Reef (Johnson South Reef) over the past two years. In another area, known as Co Rong Bank (Reed Bank), which lies about 80 miles from the southern Philippine island of Palawan, Aquino said China had sent two hydrographic ships in June. He said the Philippines was uncertain of their purpose, but wondered if China was planning to dispatch an oil rig that was sent earlier this year to waters claimed by Vietnam, causing a spike in tensions. He said perhaps China was just mapping terrain for its submarines. Earlier in a policy speech delivered at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Aquino underscored the importance of following the rule of law in resolving the dispute in the South China Sea. All signatories to the UNCLOS have bound themselves to the equitable delineation of maritime entitlements, he said, adding that this UN convention grants countries equal rights as well as obligations. “As a founding member of the United Nations, we believe that its covenants, such as UNCLOS, and institutions, such as its International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, provide the most rational, just, and respectful mechanism for countries to find harmony, despite their differences,” he noted. Based on this principle, he said, the Philippine government drafted two tracks of action in addressing the dispute in the South China Sea. First, by continuously calling for the formulation of a binding code of conduct for the South China Sea, and second, through arbitration to clarify the maritime entitlements for all countries concerned.

Indonesia

South China Sea conflict a real threat to Indonesia

Indonesia has been warned that the territorial conflict over the South China Sea is a real threat that will sooner or later impact this country. Chief of the Sea Security Coordinating Agency, Vice Admiral Desi Albert Mamahit, conveyed the warning during the opening session of a focus group discussion on maritime security early warning systems held in Batam, the Riau Islands province, earlier this month. He said that the Indonesian waters around the Natuna Islands (Kepri) regency were not actually inside in the disputed territory, but they were very close to the area and China had not yet clarified whatever claims it would make regarding Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (ZEE) around them. “This is clearly a real threat for Indonesia,” said Desi, who is also rector of the Defense University.

The U.S.

Obama on maritime row: China must follow rules

US President Barack Obama urged China to abide by international law following growing tensions with countries in the Asia Pacific over maritime disputes. Obama raised the territorial row between Beijing and Southeast Asian nations as he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, the world's largest annual diplomatic gathering. “We will insist that all nations abide by the rules of the road, and resolve their territorial disputes peacefully, consistent with international law,” Obama said on September 24th. The President also reiterated his commitment to America’s so-called pivot or rebalance to Asia, a policy to boost the US’ ties with allies with the region and expand its naval presence there. “America is and will continue to be a Pacific power, promoting peace, stability, and the free flow of commerce among nations,” he said.

Bombing in Iraq and Syria Won't Slow Pacific Rebalance

The head of U.S. Pacific Command said the bombing campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria isn't slowing down or impacting U.S. military operations in the Pacific theater or thwarting its momentum to continue a rebalance of equipment and forces to the region. Navy Adm. Samuel Locklear told reporters September 25th that military operations in the Pacific aren't likely to be changed much by the current attacks. "From a military perspective, even as a campaign like ISIL is going on, our ability to remain forward and do the things we need to do in the Pacific will not be affected in any significant way," Locklear said, referring to another name for the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. "The U.S. joint force, even in times of sequestration which we've been struggling through, is still a global force and is still capable of pursuing the re-balance in the ways we have articulated."

Regional Snapshots

Singapore and the Philippines to step up defence cooperation

Singapore and the Philippines have agreed to an annual defence dialogue at a senior official level to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. A statement from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said this was agreed upon as Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen met his counterpart, Philippine Secretary of National Defence Voltaire T Gazmin. Dr Ng and Mr Gazmin's discussions focused on maintaining regional stability, which is threatened by disputes over the South China Sea involving the Philippines, China, and other ASEAN countries. "We are not a claimant state. We have no vested interest on who wins what, but we do have a vested interest in preserving the stability of the region and we recognise that because of the South China Sea, it can destabilise the region," Dr Ng said. "We also agreed on the resolution of issues in South China Sea (through) diplomatic initiatives and not military ones," Dr Ng added.

Two US warships dock in Subic Bay for war games

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Two United States warships, complete with combat-ready US Marines and sailors, have arrived in the country for naval war games lasting 12 days, starting in Palawan and Zambales. The two warships will be supporting 5,000 Filipino and US Marines and sailors who will be involved in amphibious operations training. “The training is designed to strengthen military responses to regional issues, humanitarian disasters, maritime-security needs within the Asia-Pacific region,” a press statement from the United States embassy said.

China, US stepping up pace of military confidence-building

China's defense ministry said September 25th that Chinese and US officials agreed earlier this month to quicken the pace of efforts to build mutual confidence between their militaries, just weeks after an air confrontation had raised tensions. US National Security Advisor Susan Rice and General Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Military Commission, met in early September when Rice visited Beijing for three days of talks with officials including President Xi Jinping. Chinese defense ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said that at the meeting Fan and Rice agreed on the importance of a pair of confidence-building measures that the two sides were working towards. "The two sides agreed that the two confidence building mechanisms were very important for enhancing strategic and mutual trust of the two countries and that relevant work should be conducted at a faster pace so that substantial progress can be made," Geng told a monthly ministry press conference. "Currently both sides are making joint efforts toward this goal," he added.

Japan, Australia leaders agree to speed up work on defense cooperation pact

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Australian counterpart have agreed to speed up work on a new defense pact that would facilitate joint exercises and deployments. “We would like to work on our security cooperation in a positive manner and to start arrangements for the new pact as early as possible,” Abe was quoted by a Japanese government official as telling Prime Minister Tony Abbott in New York on September 24th. A joint statement issued after their summit meeting in Canberra in July said the two countries would begin talks on foreign and defense policy. Abe and Abbott also agreed to work closely together to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, along with India and the United States, said Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshige Seko, who briefed reporters on the meeting, which was held over sushi lunch. “Trilateral cooperation between Japan, Australia and the United States is very important for peace and stability in the region,” Abe was quoted as saying.

East Sea (South China Sea) Studies