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Activities of the Claimants

China

China completes fishery survey in South China Sea

China has completed a survey of fishery resources in the middle and southern regions of the South China Sea after two years of research, said a Chinese expert on February 23rd. The survey showed the area around the Spratly Islands has fishery reserves of about 1.8 million tonnes, with about half a million tonnes available for fishing, said Yang Beisheng, deputy head of the South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences. More than 20 fish species in the Nansha Islands maritime area are rare or have a high economic value, according to the investigation. The institute has carried out eight survey trips to the South China Sea using the country's first domestically produced advanced maritime fishery survey ship, the Nan Feng, since 2013.

China defends its South China Sea activities

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China defended its activities in the South China Sea as restrained and responsible on February 27th after the U.S. intelligence chief called its expansion of outposts in the region an "aggressive" effort to assert sovereignty. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the country's activities on shoals and in surrounding waters it claims are "reasonable, legitimate and legal" and that its attitude has been one of "restraint and responsibility." Hong said China hopes the U.S. can be more "circumspect" regarding the issue. "No other country has a right to make unfounded accusations," he said at a daily ministry briefing.

The Philippines

Philippines halts explorations in South China Sea

The Philippine government has ordered a temporary suspension of all exploration activities for mineral resources in a disputed part of the South China Sea pending resolution of the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China. Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said concerned government agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), have agreed that exploration activities in Recto Bank should be shelved until summer of this year. Petilla said the moratorium will give way for possible talks between the Philippine and Chinese governments to resolve the dispute. “The government decided to hold off all explorations in that area. At the very least, until this summer,” Petilla told reporters. If nothing happens to the talks, Petilla said he might ask the DFA, who initiated the suspension, to lift the moratorium so that explorations could push through.

The U.S.

U.S. flies most advanced surveillance plane from Philippines

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The United States has begun flying its most advanced surveillance aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, out of the Philippines for patrols over the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy said on February 26th, acknowledging the flights for the first time. The U.S. Navy said in a statement it demonstrated the capabilities of P-8A in both littoral and open ocean environments, explaining the aircraft's multi-mission sensors to Philippine forces. "It was a remarkable opportunity to work alongside the members of the Filipino armed forces," said U.S. Navy Lieutenant Matthew Pool, Combat Air Crew 4 patrol plane commander. "Sharing this aircraft's capabilities with our allies only strengthens our bonds."

U.S. intelligence chief: China is expanding its South China Sea outposts

China is expanding its outposts in the South China Sea to include stationing for ships and potential airfields as part of its "aggressive" effort to exert sovereignty, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on worldwide threats on February 26th. "Although China is looking for stable ties with the United States it's more willing to accept bilateral and regional tensions in pursuit of its interests, particularly on maritime sovereignty issues," Clapper said. He described China's claims traced by a so-called nine-dash line — a rough boundary covering more than 80 percent of the South China Sea — as "exorbitant." Meanwhile, Senator John McCain, the committee's Republican chairman, displayed commercial satellite imagery showing expansion of the Chinese-occupied Gaven Reef in the Spratly Islands in the past year. He said China's expansion could allow it to employ weaponry, including anti-air and other capabilities.

Regional Snapshots

USS Fort Worth conducts CUES with Chinese Navy

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U.S. Littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) practiced the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) with the People's Liberation Army-Navy [PLA(N)]’s Jiangkai II frigate Hengshui (FFG 572) on February 23rd, enhancing the professional maritime relationship between 7th Fleet and the PLA(N). Fort Worth and Hengshui were conducting routine training and operations in international waters of the South China Sea when the ships realized a training opportunity was present. “The interaction with the Hengshui was safe and routine, and the professionalism that was on display by both ships is commendable,” said Cmdr. Matt Kawas, Fort Worth Crew 103 commanding officer. “As the first underway for Crew 103 aboard Fort Worth in 7th Fleet, this was a real-time situation where we relied upon our months of training in San Diego to execute.” Fort Worth and Hengshui rendezvoused and used CUES as a signaling protocol to indicate ship maneuvering. CUES, a set of procedures endorsed by naval leaders at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium in April 2014, is a guideline for unplanned maritime encounters while at sea, providing standards for communication, safety procedures and maneuvering instructions for naval ships and aircraft.

Philippines, France opposes coercion, force in sea row

France renewed its call for a peaceful resolution of the South China Sea dispute during a meeting between its leader President Francois Hollande and President Aquino at Malacañang. In a Joint Declaration on the Enhanced Partnership between the Philippines and France, Aquino and Hollande affirmed their “opposition to any acquisition or claim, by coercion or force, of any or all territory of a State by another State, in violation of international law, especially the Charter of the United Nations.” “We call for a full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in fostering peace and stability,” they said.

Japan eyes naval exercises with Philippines

The commander of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force arrived in the Philippines on February 24th for a four-day visit that includes meetings with defense and military officials, and a scheduled tour at a military camp close to the South China Sea. Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, public affairs officer of the Philippine military, said Adm. Tomohisa Takei first met with Lt. Gen. Virgilio Doming, deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, on February 25th and they "discussed concerns on maritime domain awareness and challenges" in the South China Sea. "They also expressed mutual interests in conducting bilateral naval exercises and disaster response operations in the future," Cabunoc said. Takei later met with Philippine Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta and with Philippine Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan. According to Millan, Takei's visit is aimed at exploring "possible navy-to-navy interactions under the framework of the new memorandum on defense cooperation and exchanges between" the defense ministries of the Philippines and Japan signed in late January.