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Activities of Related Parties

China

Chinese fleet arrives in Hawaii for RIMPAC 2016 drill

A Chinese fleet with about 1,200 soldiers and officers arrived in the Pearl Harbor June 29 to take part in the Rim of the Pacific 2016 (RIMPAC 2016) multinational naval exercise. It is the second time the Chinese Navy has taken part in RIMPAC. The fleet, PLAN TG - XI'AN, is composed of missile destroyer Xi'an, missile frigate Hengshui, supply ship Gaoyouhu, hospital ship Peace Ark, submarine rescue vessel Changdao and three helicopters, as well as a marine squad and a diving squad. As previously agreed by China and the United States, the Chinese Navy will take part in drills including gunfire, damage control and rescue, anti-piracy, search and rescue, diving and submarine rescue. Sports events and exchanges will also be held.

China reaffirms its stance on the South China Sea arbitration

In a regular press conference on June 30, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei stated: " With regard to territorial issues and maritime delimitation disputes, China does not accept any means of third party dispute settlement or any solution imposed on China. The Chinese government will continue to abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and work with states directly concerned to resolve the relevant disputes in the South China Sea through negotiation and consultation on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law, so as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea." Also on June 28, Spokesperson Hong Lei responded to Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama's statement that the Japanese side is closely watching the South China Sea arbitration. " From what the Japanese official said, we can tell that some people from Japan are really anxious to see the world in disorder. To make that happen, they keep running a negative publicity campaign against the South China Sea issue, stoking tensions in the region and sowing discord among countries in the region. Japan has a disgraceful track record on the issue of the South China Sea. It is hoped that Japan will not renew the record, and that countries in the region will stay vigilant about Japan's attempt," he added.

China will protect interests but not run ‘one-man show’ in Asia, Xi Jinping says

China will not seek to cast a long shadow over Asia but will also not succumb to threats of military force, President Xi Jinping vowed at a gathering in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People to mark the Communist Party’s 95th anniversary on July 1. Xi said China had no intention of running a “one-man show” or “creating its own backyard” in the region, but it would not compromise on its national interests. “China does not covet any interests of other nations, but we’ll never waive our legitimate rights,” he said.“Other nations should not expect us to haggle about our core interests or swallow the bitter fruit of undermining our interests concerning sovereignty, security and development.” “China will adhere to the military approach of active defence. We will not resort to threats of military force or shows of military strength at another’s doorstep,” he said, seemingly referring to frequent patrols by American warships. “Such muscle flexing does not reflect real strength and will not deter anyone.”

China to hold drills in South China Sea ahead of court ruling

In a brief online statement, China's maritime safety administration said the drills would take place from July 5-11, and gave coordinates for the drills that cover an area from the east of China's Hainan island down to and including the Paracels. Other ships are prohibited from entering those waters during that time, it said, without further elaboration.

Vietnam

Vietnam urges 'fair' ruling from court handling South China Sea case

Vietnam has called for an international tribunal in The Hague to deliver a "fair and objective" ruling in an arbitration case lodged by the Philippines that challenges China's expansive claims in the South China Sea. In a carefully worded statement two days after the court announced July 12 as the verdict date, Vietnam's foreign ministry said it hoped the ruling would provide a basis for peacefully resolving rows. "Vietnam has always been observing the development of the case and wants the arbitration court to deliver a fair and objective decision, creating a basis to peacefully resolve disputes in the (South China Sea)," Vietnam's foreign ministry spokesman, Le Hai Binh, said in a statement late on July 1.

Singapore

ASEAN must play role in resolving South China Sea rows: Singapore

Singapore’s defense minister has said there is a firm basis for ASEAN helping to resolve disputes involving several of its member states and China in the South China Sea, “a critical waterway for international trade.” “The Chinese would prefer individual nations, claimant states, to settle their claims bilaterally, and they have said openly and in that respect for ASEAN to stay out of it,” Ng Eng Hen told reporters, noting that Beijing has similarly cautioned non-ASEAN countries like the United States not to involve themselves. “But for ASEAN and other countries, there is no ignoring that fact that the South China Sea is an international waterway,” he said, speaking in a group interview July 1 on the occasion of Singapore Armed Forces Day. “And yes, the Chinese has assured the freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight. But no responsible government can approach this on the basis that ‘Let’s hope that nothing happens even though the tensions are up.’ So we do pay attention to it.”

Indonesia

Indonesia to step up oil exploration, fishing in South China Sea waters

Indonesia's president on Wednesday ordered an expansion of offshore oil exploration and commercial fishing in the waters near the Natuna Islands, the latest in a new campaign to assert sovereignty over the area in the South China Sea. "Out of 16 blocks around Natuna, only five are producing," Widodo said before a cabinet meeting to discuss development of the area. "We want to push so that they enter production stage sooner." Widodo also said current fishing production around Natuna was only around 9 percent of its potential.

Indonesia to build military bases in Natuna

Indonesia will build several military bases in Natuna Islands to safeguard its sovereignty and implement the rule of law, according to Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu.  "We have been planning the construction since September 2015, starting with a policy issued by the defense minister and then its implementation by the commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI)," he stated on July 1.

Cambodia

Cambodia continues to oppose the South China Sea ruling

The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, has once again called for countries outside the Asean region to cease their interference in the dispute over the South China Sea and stop using it as a bargaining chip or hostage at regional and international meetings. Speaking at the 65th anniversary of the CPP, Mr. Hun Sen said the party will not support the court’s ruling in this case and will never support any declaration by Asean states or others to support court decisions relating to the South China Sea. Cambodia has repeatedly cited its stance of non-interference, believing the issue should be dealt with between the countries involved.

The U.S.

U.S. reiterates support for South China Sea arbitration, peaceful resolution

The United States on June 29 reiterated its call for the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, in response to the setting of a date for a decision in an international court case brought by the Philippines against China. "Consistent with our longstanding policy, we support the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, including the use of international legal mechanisms such as arbitration," a State Department spokeswoman, Anna Richey-Allen, said when asked about the announcement.

Japan

Japan’s U.N. envoy airs concern over South China Sea disputes

Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Koro Bessho on June 1 voiced deep concern about territorial spats between China and other countries and said the U.N. Security Council will take up the issue if requested. “Japan is deeply concerned about the situation” associated with the vast sea areas, he said at a news conference convened on the day Japan assumed the presidency of the 15-member council for July. Bessho said the Security Council will put the issue on its agenda if there is a request from its members or other U.N. members.

Regional Snapshots

Top Chinese envoy visits Vietnam as South China Sea tension rises

China's top diplomat met Vietnam's leadership on June 27 during a scheduled visit aimed at strengthening historically close relations at a time when ties are strained by squabbles over the South China Sea. Yang, who outranks China's foreign minister, and Vietnam's Foreign Minister and deputy premier, Pham Binh Minh, expressed a need to implement joint agreements on preventing rows from getting out of hand, said Vietnam's foreign ministry. That included "controlling conflicts well, boosting negotiation mechanisms ... and finding basic and long-term solutions that both sides can accept through peaceful exchanges and negotiations", the ministry said in a statement. China's state news agency Xinhua quoted Yang as saying both countries must "appropriately handle relevant disputes and problems".

Japan, U.S. affirm coordination over maritime security

Speaking to reporters after talks June 27 with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama said Tokyo and Washington agreed on continued cooperation in questions of maritime security ahead of a ruling by an international court on the South China Sea. Sugiyama said he is “closely watching” to see how the U.N. tribunal will rule in the arbitration case brought by the Philippines to challenge Chinese territorial claims in the waters.

PCA to issue ruling on Philippines vs China on July 12

United Nations' Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has announced that it will issue its final award in the arbitration case initiated by the Philippines against China on July 12. "The Tribunal will issue its Award on June 29, 12 July 2016 at approximately 11 A.M. CEST, The Hague," the Netherlands-based tribunal said in an advisory issued on Wednesday. The ruling will first be sent through e-mail to the involved parties along with a press release written in English in French, with an unofficial Mandarin Chinese translation.