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Activities of related parties

Vietnam

Vietnam calls for law observance at sea, ocean

Vietnam calls on all countries to make constructive contributions in line with international law to maintaining peace, stability and the rule of law at sea and in the ocean, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh. The spokesperson made the statement on October 24th in reply to reporters’ question about Vietnam’s reaction to the US’s USS Decatur navy destroyer sailing near Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago on October 21st. The diplomat noted that as a coastal country in the East Sea and a responsible member of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), Vietnam respects other nations’ exercise of their rights in the sea in accordance with the convention’s regulations, including the freedom of navigation and overflight. Maritime claims and related deeds conducted by countries should follow international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, Binh said.

The Philippines

Duterte wrong on China non-invasion – Philippine Supreme Court Senior Justice

In the article titled “Philippines’ Duterte Praises China on Beijing Visit,” posted in Channel NewsAsia on October 19th 2016, Philippine President Duterte is quoted as saying: ‘It (China) has never invaded a piece of my country all these generations.’ Philippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio argued this statement is "incorrect" because China in 1995 seized the Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands and invaded in 2012 the Scarborough Shoal, which are both parts of Philippine territory in the disputed South China Sea. He also noted that all ancient Chinese maps show Hainan Island as the southernmost territory of China, and had never included the Scarborough Shoal or the Spratlys. Carpio urged government to immediately correct Duterte's statements, warning that this may be used by China to weaken Philippine claim to the resource-rich sea.

PLP to acquire 2 frigates

On October 25th, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has signed a P15.7-billion contract with a South Korean company for the acquisition of two brand-new frigates for the Philippine Navy. Capt. Lued Lincuna, Navy spokesman, said the signing of the contract signals start of construction of the two vessels. “The project is the biggest project yet for the Philippine Navy. Most important, this marks the entry of the Navy into its quest to be a strong and credible navy by year 2020,” he noted.

Philippines Duterte tells U.S. to forget about defense deal 'if I stay longer’

Prior to his departure to Japan, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he was against the presence of any foreign troops in his country and the United States could "forget" an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the Philippines, if he stayed longer, without elaborating. "I look forward to the time when I no longer see any military troops or soldier in my country except the Filipino soldiers." Earlier on October 24th, in an interview with Japanese media outlets, Duterte said that he has no plan to forge a military alliance with any country other than the United States, downplaying concerns over his veering toward China. "The alliances are alive, it is there," the Philippine leader said, referring to the Philippines' longest standing ally, the United States. "There should be no worry about changes of alliances. I do not need to have alliances with other nations." Speaking before Japanese businessmen on October 26th, Duterte said the Philippines should be free of foreign troops in two years and he would abrogate executive agreements, if necessary, in order to achieve this end. “I want them out and if I have to revise or abrogate agreements, executive agreements, I will,” he added, an apparent reference to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA, with the US.

Philippines says Chinese vessels have left disputed shoal

The Philippine defence minister Delfin Lorenzana said on October 28th that Chinese ships are no longer at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea and Philippine boats can resume fishing. "Since three days ago there are no longer Chinese ships, coast guard or navy, in the Scarborough area," Lorenzana told reporters. "If the Chinese ships have left, then it means our fishermen can resume fishing in the area." However, Lorenzana on October 30th said that Philippine aerial surveillance showed Chinese coast guard ships were still guarding a disputed shoal in the South China Sea but they allowed Filipinos to fish “unmolested” for the first time in years. The return of Filipino fishermen to Scarborough Shoal, which China effectively seized in 2012, was “a most welcome development” because it brings back their key source of livelihood, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana added.

Indonesia

Indonesia proposes joint patrols with Australia

Following a meeting with Australia’s foreign and defense ministers, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said on October 29th he had proposed that Indonesia and Australia conduct joint patrols in the eastern South China Sea in the near future to ensure safer waters. “We have already suggested to Australia the possibility of conducting joint patrols in the eastern part of the South China Sea. We are sure that we will soon create a plan on how to realize it. They have more or less agreed,” he told reporters. 

The U.S.

The U.S. reaffirms alliance with the Philippines

Daniel Russel, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs on October 24th, said President Duterte’s controversial remarks and a “real climate of uncertainty” about his administration’s intentions have sparked distress around the world. “I’ve pointed out to Secretary Yasay that the succession of controversial statements, comments and a real climate of uncertainty about the Philippines’ intentions has created consternation in a number of countries, not only in mine,” Russel told reporters. The unease, Russel said, was also palpable “not only among governments, but also … in other communities, in the expat Filipino community, in corporation boardrooms as well.” Regarding drug killings in the Philippines, Russel said that while the United States supported Mr. Duterte’s “effort against the scourge of drugs,” Washington was concerned over the loss of lives. “This is not a positive trend,” he said, adding that the United States remains committed to continuing a solid alliance with and providing assistance to the Philippines, including in fighting the drug menace.

US verifying if Chinese left disputed shoal

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner on October 28th said the U.S. was still assessing reports that Chinese boats have left Scarborough Shoal and Filipinos have resumed fishing there. "We hope it is certainly not a temporary measure. We would like it to be a sign that China and the Philippines are moving toward an agreement on fishing access at Scarborough that would be in accordance with the July 12 arbitral decision," Toner told reporters in Washington.

Regional Snapshots

Philippines, Japan to boost maritime safety

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on October 26th vowed to ensure maritime safety in the region, with Japan agreeing to help the Philippines acquire new vessels. In a joint statement released in Tokyo, the Philippines and Japan said “maintaining open and stable seas is essential in the region,” and stressed the importance of a “rules-based approach to the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes without resorting to the threat or use of force.” “The two leaders emphasized the need to ensure maritime safety and security which are vital elements for the peace, stability and continued prosperity of both countries and of the region,” the joint statement said. “The two leaders emphasized the importance of self-restraint and non-militarization,” the joint statement said, in apparent reference to China’s reclamation activities in the Spratly islands declared illegal by the July arbitration ruling.

Vietnam, Singapore pledge to beef up ties

On October 26th, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan as part of the Singaporean minister’s official visit to Vietnam. Deputy PM Minh appreciated Singapore’s consistent stance on the East Sea (South China Sea) issue as well as the country’s role and tangible contributions as the coordinator for ASEAN-China relations for 2015-18. They affirmed ASEAN’s common stance on the settlement of disputes in the East Sea and committed to maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of maritime and aviation in the sea. They called on relevant parties to exercise self-restraint, not use or threaten to use force, fully respect diplomatic and legal procedures, settle disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS). They also pledged to support the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and quickly reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Vietnam, Myanmar call on a peaceful settlement for South China Sea disputes

Vietnam and Myanmar have issued a joint statement on the occasion of Myanmar President Htin Kyaw’s State visit to Vietnam, vowing to build on the achieved outcomes to further expand and deepen the close friendship between the two countries. The State leaders reiterated their commitment to safeguarding and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes, including full respect for diplomatic and legal process, no use of force or threat to use force, obedience to widely-recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).  The two sides re-affirmed support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (South China Sea) (DOC) and accelerated joint work to finalise a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Vietnam, the U.S. to promote peace and cooperation in the region

During an official visit to the U.S. from October 24th – October 30th, Dinh The Huynh, Politburo member and Standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat,  held talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. According to Huynh, Vietnam welcomes the active role of countries inside and outside of the region, including the US, in keeping peace and stability in the East Sea (South China Sea) and the US’s cooperation in coping with climate change, protecting the environment and boosting development cooperation in Asia-Pacific. He also spoke highly of Secretary Kerry and the US Government’s attention to the East Sea situation, repeating Vietnam’s viewpoint of resolving East Sea disputes through peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), with respect to diplomatic and legal processes, and without force, threat to use force, or militarisation and unilateral actions. On his part, Secretary Kerry affirmed that after the November 8 election, the US will continue its rebalancing efforts in Asia Pacific and relations with ASEAN, including Vietnam. He praised the expansion of bilateral ties, especially since the historic visits by their leaders. The US values Vietnam’s position and considers the country an important partner. Echoing Huynh’s opinions, he said he believes that their countries’ relations will continue to thrive for their own nations’ interests and regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development.