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Activities of Relevant Parties

China

China hits at US 'provocations', says doesn't fear 'trouble

Speaking in a security summit in Singapore on 5 Jun, China's Admiral Sun Jianguo said China does not fear "trouble" over its territorial disputes with neighbours in the South China Sea. He added, "Countries outside should play a constructive role in this regard, not the other way around. The South China Sea issue has become overheated because of the provocations of certain countries for their own selfish interests". Admiral Sun repeated China's pledges to seek a peaceful solution but accused Washington of a "Cold War" mentality. "I reiterate that our policy on the South China Sea remains unchanged. China has wisdom and the patience to resolve the disputes through peaceful negotiations. We also believe other countries concerned have the same wisdom and the patience to walk on the path of peace along with China," he said.

On June 3, regarding to some media saying that the Philippines and the arbitral tribunal characterize Itu Aba island as a "rock" other than an "island. Ms. Hua said, "The working and living practice of Chinese people on Itu Aba island fully proves that it is an "island" which is completely capable of sustaining human habitation or economic life of its own. The Philippines' attempt to characterize Itu Aba as a "rock" exposed that its purpose of initiating the arbitration is to deny China's sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and relevant maritime rights and interests. This violates international law, and is totally unacceptable."

In her comment on US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani' statements on the South China Sea issue, Ms. Hua on 4 Jun said, "They were mostly repeating their old tunes, which have no fact in them and are full of groundless accusations against China's legitimate construction activities on relevant islands and reefs. They blamed China for the regional security issue when China is actually the victim and sowed discord between China and other regional countries. China is firmly opposed to that and the Chinese delegation attending the meeting has made our position clear."

Vietnam

Vietnam Welcomes G7 Summit's Declaration on Maritime Security

At the press conference on June 2, the spokesman Le Hai Binh said Vietnam welcomes the recent G7 Summit’s Declaration, which includes commitments to safeguarding security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, maritime security, and respecting international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. “Vietnam asks the relevant parties to continue practical contributions to maintaining peace, stability and law adherence on seas and oceans,” he stressed. Mr. Binh also revealed that China senior officials’ meeting on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea  (DOC) would take place in Vietnam’s Ha Long city on June 9. In that earlier day on June 8 the ASEAN – China joint working group will convene the 17th special-level meeting on carrying out the DOC and consultation on a code of conduct in the East Sea (COC).  The routine meetings aim to foster the implementation of the DOC and the building of a COC, he noted. 

Vietnam strongly supports peaceful solutions to disputes in East Sea

In his speech at IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2016 Fourth Plenary Session on June 5, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of National Defense said, "On the issue of the South China Sea, today Vietnam and a number of ASEAN countries have declared their ongoing sovereignty in disputes and differences with China. The problem does not just stop there, but brings with it actions of unilateral imposition, changes to the status quo along with the threat of militarisation to create a deterrent strength; negative impacts on aerial, maritime and submarine security and safety; environmental destruction; and obstruction of peaceful maritime labour activities." He added, "Vietnam policy: a resolute, persevering endeavour to protect the integrity of territorial sovereignty, to protect shipping and airline security and safety by peaceful means on the basis of international law (including the 1982 International Convention on the Law of the Sea, declarations of the parties of ASEAN and China on conduct on the South China Sea) and sincere discussions so that a Code of Conduct between South China Sea parties can soon be signed."

The Philippines

The Philippines will not distance itself from its long-time security ally, the United States

Speaking to Reuters on Jun 1, incoming Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay also said it will not it be a lackey to any foreign power. Regarding to its relationship with China, Yasay said relations with China should improve. "For as long as it (China) adheres to the rule of law, respects our territorial integrity and sovereignty...we should continue to make sure that our friendship and relationship would be stronger," he said. Yasay also said Manila would respect whatever decision is handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

Philippines' Duterte says he won't surrender rights in South China Sea

Philippines President-elect Rodrigo Duterte told a news conference after holding talks with China's ambassador Zhang Jianhua on June 2 that "There will never be an instance that we will surrender our right over Scarborough Shoal. That is not a territorial issue. It is an issue about being obstructed or impeded because of the constructions there and we cannot exercise freely the rights under UNCLOS of the 200-mile economic zone that is exclusive to us." He said he did not discuss the South China Sea dispute with the ambassador because the Philippines was anticipating a decision from a tribunal in The Hague.

Thailand

Thailand supports peaceful resolution to the maritime disputes

In his keynote speech at IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2016 on June 3, Prime Minister of Thailand, General (Retd) Prayut Chan-o-cha stressed, "Thailand believes that ASEAN should be united on this issue, as the peace and stability of the seas in the region is of mutual benefit to all countries. All parties must consider the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea, the stability of airspace, shipping and supporting the resolution of regional maritime-territory issues peacefully on the basis of international law and maritime law. Thailand believes that complying with every article of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) fully and effectively will create an environment that is able to facilitate negotiations to directly resolve related international issues and expedite the completion of DOC. Countries that lay territorial claims must display the political will to alleviate conflict at every opportunity and on every stage, in order to cooperate in considering the possibility of alleviating the problem.

Cambodia

U.S. Defense Secretary's claims about China's military modernization are correct.

In a meeting with Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission on the sidelines of the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh said U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's China "self-isolation" claims are incorrect. Earlier, Tea Banh, on June 2, said “Cambodia has a clear stance; we want to encourage the conflicting parties to sit down and solve the issue among themselves,” he said. “Outsiders should not come in and mess things up.”

Malaysia

Najib calls on Asean to resolve South China Sea dispute

In his keynote address at the opening of the 30th Asia- Pacific roundtable on May 30, Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said, "I urge all of us to recommit to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Moving forward, we will continue to rely on diplomacy and dialogue to peacefully resolve difference and disputes. We will do so in accordance with and in adherence to the norms, customs and principles of international law." Najib noted that as China continues to grow its military presence in the region, tensions continue among Malaysia and neighbouring countries over the hotly disputed waters.

Singapore

South China Sea disputes cannot be settled by might

Speaking in a keynote address to the 22nd International Conference on The Future of Asia on May 5, Goh Chok Tong, Singapore's Emeritus Senior Minister states,  "The South China Sea territorial disputes, which are being fueled by heightened nationalism in the claimant states, cannot be solved by the notion of "might is right". Goh touched on the extensive reclamation work that China has been undertaking in the South China Sea. He warned, "The net result could be a more militarized South China Sea." He reiterated the importance of settling disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law, including the UNCLOS.

The United Kingdoms

The UK urges all parties to implement the UNCLOS tribunal’s ruling

Delivering his address at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 4, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said, regarding to the South China Sea issue, "We’re concerned about the tensions in the South China Sea. As G7 heads of government made clear last weekend, we are committed to maintaining a Rules Based Maritime order in accordance with the principles of international law, as reflected in UNCLOS. We expect all parties to avoid actions that could further raise tensions, and to implement the UNCLOS tribunal’s ruling. We urge the resumption of peaceful negotiations, including on a binding code of conduct in the South China Sea."

France

France calls for European patrols in South China Sea

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, speaking at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue June 5, explained why the South China Sea dispute in Asia should also concern Europe and the rest of the world. If the laws of the sea are not respected in this region, they could also be challenged in the Arctic Ocean or Mediterranean Sea, he said. Hence, France will urge European navies to ensure a "regular and visible" presence in the South China Sea. "If we want to contain the risk of conflict, we must defend this right, and defend it ourselves," Mr Le Drian said. The French navy has been deployed three times in the South China Sea so far this year.

India

India expresses its concerns on South China Sea issue

In his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 4, India's Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar stated, "We have traditional links with the countries in the South China Sea. More than half our trade passes through its waters. While we do not take a position on territorial disputes, which should be resolved peacefully without the threat or use of force, we firmly uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. All countries in the region need to recognise that our shared prosperity and the enviable rates of growth that we enjoyed over the past decades will be put at risk by aggressive behaviour or actions by any one of us."

Japan

Japan concerned about unilateral behaviours in the South China Sea

Japan's Minister of Defense, Gen Nakatani, speaking at IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2016 Second Plenary Session on June 4, stressed that "no country can be an outsider to this issue." He said, "For the past few years in the South China Sea, we have been witnessing large-scale and rapid land reclamation, the building of outposts and their use for military purposes. I am deeply concerned that such unilateral attempts to alter the status quo and consolidate such changes as faits accomplis considerably flouts the rules of the international community which are based on maritime order. As the security environment in this region grows increasingly challenging, it becomes more important for all countries to strictly observe established international laws." Mr. Gen also supported the freedom-of-navigation operations implemented by the US Armed Forces in the South China Sea.

The United States

The United States ensures core principles in South China Sea

Speaking in the Shangri-La Dialogue, Singapore on June 4, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said, "China’s actions in the South China Sea are isolating it, at a time when the entire region is coming together and networking." He said, "China has taken some expansive and unprecedented actions in the South China Sea." "If these actions continue, China could end up erecting a Great Wall of self-isolation," he added. "The United States is not a claimant in the current disputes in the South China Sea. But, the United States will stand with regional partners to uphold core principles, like freedom of navigation and overflight, and the peaceful resolution of disputes through legal means and in accordance with international law," he stressed. On this occasion, Mr. Carter also urged China to respect the upcoming ruling by the UN Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea.

President Barack Obama urges the Senate to ratify UNCLOS

In his speech to graduating cadets of the U.S. Air Force Academy during a commencement ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on June 2, President Obama said,  “So, if we’re truly concerned about China's actions in the South China Sea, the Senate should help strengthen our case by approving the Law of the Sea Convention, as our military leaders have urged, it’s time for the Senate to do its job and help us advance American leadership, rather than undermine it.”

Regional Snapshots

Australian naval warship visits Vietnam

The Royal Australian Navy warship, HMAS Anzac, with a crew of 215 officers and sailors on board, arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on May 30, beginning its visit to Vietnam. The ship and its crew were welcomed by representatives from the municipal People’s Committee, the Military Region 7, and the Navy High Command, along with those from the Australian Consulate General in HCM City. Officers and soldiers from HMAS Anzac are scheduled to pay courtesy visits to leaders of the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Military Region 7. They will meet their counterparts from the Vietnamese People’s Navy to participate in sharing professional knowledge of communications and joint exercise at sea.

Indian naval ships make port call at Cam Ranh International port

The Indian warships INS Satpura and INS Kirch, with 80 officers and 580 sailors onboard, docked at Cam Ranh International Port, in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on May 30. This is the fourth visited by foreign naval ships to Cam Ranh International Port after it became operational at the beginning of March, 2016. After leaving Cam Ranh International Port on June 3, the Indian ships will hold a joint exercise with the Vietnamese navy force.

AU official calls for resolving South China Sea disputes via dialogue

Speaking in a meeting with Chen Xufeng, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Mission to the AU on May 31 in Addis Ababa, African Union (AU) Commission Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha said, "It is important to seek peaceful means to settle the territorial and maritime jurisdictional disputes through friendly consultations and negotiations, in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as well as to enhance the mutual trust for peace and stability."

THE EAST SEA STUDIES