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Activities of Related Parties

China

China defends its militarization of the South China Sea

Speaking in a press conference on Mar. 30, about the report saying that China has deployed anti-ship missiles in the disputed Paracel Islands, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said that the deployment has nothing to do with the so-called militarization. He argued that deployment is reasonable and justified. When answering the question about Japan’s new security bill has come into force which allows Japan the capable of exercising collective self-defense right, Mr. Hong said, “the implementation of the new security bill is a major post-war adjustment to Japan’s military and security policies, which has raised doubts about whether Japan has second thoughts about the path of peaceful development.. We ask the Japanese side to refrain from doing anything that undermines China’s sovereignty and security interests as well as regional peace and stability.”

Taiwanese Military ready for South China Sea attack

According to Taiwanese media, Taiwanese Minister of Defense Kao Kuang-chi said, in a Ministry of National Defense report to the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee on Mar. 31, tension has been rising in the South China Sea amid an arms race among nations in the region, and that Taiwan’s armed forces are ready to defend its remote island outposts. Mr. Kao said, in recent years, defensive firepower on Itu Aba Island and other outpost has been enhanced with the installation of Bofors 40mm guns and Taiwan’s own T-63 120mm mortar systems, which receive regular repair and maintenance checks by artillery technicians. However, when asked if the ministry has deployed anti-air missile defense systems on these islands, Kao said he was not at liberty to answer.

China’s position about establishing ADIZ in the South China Sea

On Mar. 31 in a press conference, answered the question relating to the likelihood of China’s establishment of ADIZ in the South China Sea, Senior Colonel Yang Yujun, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said, “We have repeated our position on many occasions. What I need to underscore here is that to set up an ADIZ is the right of a sovereign state and we don’t need other countries to make suggestion. Whether or not to set up an ADIZ depends on the assessment of whether or not we face air security threat and the degree of that air security threat.

Vietnam

Vietnam raises its concerns over the placement of Haiyang Shiyo 943 in the South China Sea

Deputy Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said, in a press conference on Mar. 31, “According to China’s announcement, the area where the rig Haiyang Shiyou 943 is operating belongs to the waters off the mouth of the Tokin Gulf, whose delineation is under negotiation between Vietnam and China.” “Parties concerned should, therefore, undertake no unilateral activities that complicate the situation and have detrimental effects on the negotiation and delineation in the area,” the diplomat stressed. “Vietnam reserves its rights to and legal interests in this area as in conformity with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 and related international practicalities,” Hang said.

Chinese vessel seized for illegally entering Vietnam’s waters

Coast guards from the northern port city of Hai Phong said on Apr. 2 that they have captured a Chinese vessel, Qiong Yangpu coded 13056, carrying three Chinese sailors and 100,000 litres of oil without clear origin was illegally entering the territory of Vietnamese island Bach Long Vi on Mar. 31. It was spotted and seized by Hai Phong coast guards at the latitude of 19 degrees 44 minutes North and the longitude 107 degrees 20 minutes East, 12 nautical miles from the marine delineation line in the Tonkin Gulf to the north-west of Vietnam’s Bach Long Vi island. The captain of the vessel admitted that the oil was to sell to other Chinese boats which are illegally fishing in Vietnam’s waters.

The Philippines

Aquino: World stands to lose in war due to sea dispute

In the Publish Asia conference in Manila, on Mar. 30, President Benigno Aquino III stated, “I think all claimant countries in the South China Sea recognize, and other countries that are adjacent to the sea that are not claimant countries, all realize that war is a futile exercise … nobody stands to gain and, in fact, the whole world stands to lose if it does amount to war.” Recognizing the fact that the country could not measure up with China in military might, Aquino said the Philippines had been asking the superpower to adhere to the Unclos to end instability in the region through peaceful means. Nevertheless, he affirmed that Philippines have to accelerate the modernization of our armed forces for self-defense needs. “We are a natural transit point into the Pacific and we are now studying whether or not we do need a submarine force,” he said. Aquino said the Philippines could lose control of its entire west coast should China succeed in enforcing its claims.

Malaysia

Malaysia seeks clarification of Chinese-flagged fishing boats in Malaysia’s water

The MOFA of Malaysia confirmed news reports that a large number of Chinese-flagged fishing boats were sighted in Malaysia’s maritime areas in the South China Sea last week. According to press release of Malaysia’s Mofa on Mar. 31, The MOFA of Malaysia have called in His Excellency Dr. Huang Huikang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia to the Ministry to seek clarification as well as to register Malaysia’s concerns over the matter. However, earlier on Mar. 28, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the navy chief told him that there was no trespass by Chinese vessels. "I am relieved that he (the navy chief) confirmed that our waters are safe," he told reporters. On the next day, the head of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar said, "To have 100 boats, we don't consider that normal. This is unprecedented. So... we have taken a very cautious approach," he said, adding that two Chinese coast guard ships were escorting the fishing boats. By the time the navy checked the location where the Chinese boats were first found, they had already moved westward, he said. He also warned that foreign ships illegally fishing in the country’s waters could be sunk and turned into artificial reefs, or auctioned off along with their catch, if convicted under Malaysian law. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said, Mar. 30, the overlapping claims by several countries posed a challenge for Malaysia. "However, this can't be addressed through military might but instead through negotiations and solidarity among Asean countries and parties who support us.”

Indonesia

 Indonesia fired on fishermen without warning

Chief of Taiwan's Fisheries Agency, Tsay Tzu-yaw said in a report, released on Mar. 28, that the Taiwanese fishing boats were hit by 17 bullets, including two that penetrated their cabins. “They were clearly not warning shots,” he said and asked Indonesia to provide an explanation. However, Indonesia says its patrol ship fired at the Sheng Te Tsai and the Lien I Hsing No. 116 only after they ignored repeated warnings to leave Indonesian waters in the Strait of Malacca. It says the Taiwanese were suspected of fishing illegally.

Jokowi urged to ease tensions over Natuna

In a meeting with President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo on Mar. 28, a group of experts urged the President to alleviate tensions revolving around a recent maritime spat with China and called on members of his government to not make any emotionally driven moves that could put ties between the two countries at risk. The government should focus on strengthening the legal standing of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry so that its prosecution against illegal fishing activities in the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) could win the support of the International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) in the event of resistance from foreign vessels. A spokesperson for the group, Connie Rahakundini Bakrie, said that the IMO only recognized ships deployed by the country's Navy and those belonging to the government or coast guard to operate in the EEZ, and it was important for the ministry to register its patrol ships as government ships with the international organization for its prosecution of illegal fishing in the EEZ to be acknowledged and protected by international law. The experts warned that the legal move would not only harm bilateral ties between Indonesia and China but Indonesia would likely lose the legal battle, as the ministry's vessels involved in the incident were not recognized by the IMO.

Indonesia demands 'bully' China hand over fishing boat

In an interview with AFP on Apr. 1, Indonesian Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti called on China to hand over a fishing boat it claims was operating illegally in its waters near the South China Sea. "I do believe China is a great country, with good law enforcement, and they do not back illegal fishing, even if it is done by Chinese vessels, I do believe they will honour me, by handing over this (illegal fishing) vessel,” she said. Ms. Pudjiastuti said big countries should not "bully" smaller ones.

The United States

U.S. says it will not recognize South China Sea exclusion zone

Speaking in an event hosted by the Washington Post, Mar. 30, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work said the US will not recognize an exclusion zone in the South China Sea and would view such a move as "destabilizing". U.S. officials have expressed concern that an international court ruling expected in the coming weeks on a case brought by the Philippines against China over its South China Sea claims could prompt Beijing to declare an air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, in the region, as it did in the East China Sea in 2013. "We have spoken quite plainly to our Chinese counterparts and said that we think an ADIZ would be destabilizing. We would prefer that all of the claims in the South China Sea be handled through mediation and not force or coercion," he said.

China's actions in South China Sea far bigger than other claimants, says US official

Ms. Colin Willett, US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told South-east Asian journalists Mar. 29 in a teleconference call from Washington that the Chinese claim that reclamation and construction in the South China Sea are for civilian purposes does not pass muster, "we simply don't need these types of facilities to protect civilians or assist distressed fishermen or monitor the weather," Ms Willett said. She added: "The runways they have built are designed to accommodate strategic bombers.” China's campaign of land reclamation and military construction on features in disputed waters of the South China Sea "vastly outstrips what all other claimants have done over the past several decades." Regarding to the arbitration in the South China Sea, Ms. Willet said, "The case itself doesn’t actually involve questions of who has sovereignty over the land features in the South China Sea, but it will make some important decisions about the maritime space, the rights of claimants with respect to the Sea and its resources." Willett noted that China will face further complication with its neighbors if it chooses to ignore the upcoming ruling of the international tribunal. Ms. Willet also vowed, "We certainly intend to continue to fly, operate and sail through the region in accordance to international law. We will continue to coordinate closely with our friends and security partners in the region."

U.S. plans third patrol near disputed South China Sea islands

Citing from a source, Reuters on Apr. 2 said that the U.S. Navy plans to conduct another passage near disputed islands in the South China Sea in early April. On Apr. 1, a senior Obama administration official said, "Our long-standing position is unchanged - we do not take a position on competing sovereignty claims to naturally formed land features in the South China Sea, and we routinely conduct such operations throughout the world to challenge maritime claims that would unlawfully restrict rights and freedoms provided in international law. This applies to the South China Sea as well."

Australia

Australia sends three ships to Philippine Navy

Philippine Navy spokesman Capt. Lued Lincuna on Mar. 28 said three more Balikpapan-class landing craft heavy (LCH) vessels, namely (HMAS) Balikpapan (L126), HMAS Wewak (L130) and HMAS Betano (L133) arrived arrived in Liloan, Cebu last Mach 26. With their capability of moving large amounts of cargo, personnel and equipment, these vessels will bolster the PN’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. They will also be useful in transporting troops from one operational area to another especially during amphibious operations.

Regional Snapshots

Leaders of the US and China discuss about South China Sea

On Mar. 31, the U.S. President Barack Obama and China’s President Xi Jingping met on the margins of the fourth Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. One aspect of the discussion was the South China Sea disputes. Chinese President Xi Jinping said that his country will not accept any act under the disguise of freedom of navigation that violates its sovereignty and damages its security interests. Xi stressed China is resolute both in defending its sovereignty and related rights in South China Sea and in safeguarding peace and stability in the region, and sticks to the principle that the disputes should be settled in a peaceful way by relevant claimants through direct consultations and negotiations. On his part, President Obama urged China to address differences with its neighbors on maritime issues peacefully and in accordance with international law and emphasized the United States global interest in upholding freedom of navigation and overflight.

Japan and India hold talks about China’s activities at sea

At their meeting on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on Apr. 1, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, shared their concerns over China’s increasingly assertive maritime moves. Abe told Modi that Japan is seriously concerned about China’s unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the East and South China seas, which have raised regional tensions. Modi supported the Japanese stance, saying that actions need to be taken in line with international law in the international community, where interdependence is deepening.

Japanese submarine docks at Subic

The Japanese submarine Oyshio was accompanied by two Japanese warships, JS Ariake (DD-109) and JS Setogiri (DD-156), which berthed alongside JS Oyashio at about 10 a.m on Apr. 3, starting their 3-day visit to the Philippines. At a briefing, Yoshino noted that their visit is expected to enhance the already strong relationship between the Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. According to Yoshino, their visit has nothing to do with the ongoing tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea

US, Philippines hold war games as China flexes muscles

The 11-day Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) kicked start on Apr. 4 with the involvement of thousands of US and Filipino soldiers. Balikatan spokesman Captain Celeste Frank Sayson said 55 US aircraft would take part in the drills, while the Philippines will deploy fighter jets it has recently acquired. While no specific staging areas have been disclosed, the two allies have in recent years held war games at air bases just 230 kilometres (140 miles) from the disputed areas in the South China Sea.

THE EAST SEA STUDIES