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Activities of the Claimants

China

China air force completes drill in west Pacific

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force completed a military drill for the first time in the airspace above the west Pacific Ocean on March 30th, a military spokesperson said. According to Shen Jinke, spokesperson with the air force, PLA aircraft flew over the west Pacific via the Bashi Channel south of Taiwan. They returned to base later the same day, having successfully completed the drill which aims to "level up the PLA Air Force's mobility and combativeness" over the high seas. The spokesperson stressed that the drill is a routine exercise included in the air force's annual training plans and is "in line with international laws and practices."

China responses to the possibility of U.S. – Japan expanding maritime patrol

In a regular press conference on March 31st, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that: “The US-Japan alliance is a special arrangement formed in the Cold War. It should not extend beyond bilateral relations, nor should it undermine the security and interests of regional countries. We hope that parties concerned can make more positive and constructive contributions to regional peace, stability and development.”

Vietnam

Vietnam opposes the use of force in resolving disputes

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Speaking at the March 30th General Debate of the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) took place at Hanoi, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh affirmed that nations should respect international law, avoid the use of force in international relations and promote resolving disputes through peaceful means. “Vietnam is consistent on the principle of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, against actions of use of force or threats of use of force while advocating dispute settlement, particularly in the South China Sea, through peaceful means in accordance with international laws, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and regional conduct principles,” Minh said.

The U.S.

US Admiral says China 'creating a great wall of sand' in sea

US Admiral Harry Harris Jr. on March 31st told a naval conference in Australia that competing territorial claims by several nations in the South China Sea are "increasing regional tensions and the potential for miscalculation." "But what's really drawing a lot of concern in the here and now is the unprecedented land reclamation currently being conducted by China," he said. "China is building artificial land by pumping sand on to live coral reefs - some of them submerged - and paving over them with concrete. China has now created over 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles) of artificial landmass," he said. Harris said the pace of China's construction of artificial islands "raises serious questions about Chinese intentions." "How China proceeds will be a key indicator of whether the region is heading toward confrontation or cooperation," he added.

Japan and U.S. look to extend naval missions after law change

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to allow Tokyo to come to the aid of an ally under attack will pave the way for closer cooperation between U.S. and Japanese forces across Asia, a top U.S. commander said on March 31st. "Collective self-defense makes it easier for the Seventh Fleet and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to exercise and operate across the Indo Asia Pacific," Admiral Robert Thomas, commander of the force said aboard his command ship, the USS Blue Ridge, in Yokohama. The Japanese "have the capacity and capability for operations in international waters and international airspace anywhere on the globe," he told a media briefing with Admiral Eiichi Funada, commander of the JMSDF. Expanded training and joint missions could extend from Japan through the disputed South China Sea into the Indian Ocean.

Regional Snapshots

India, Japan vow to build strong defence ties

India and Japan on March 30th agreed to build a strong relationship in defence and security as Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. Highlighting that Japan is the first country he is visiting since assumption of office, the Indian Minister said this clearly conveys the importance India attaches to strengthening bilateral defence and security cooperation. He said that he would like to see a strong partnership with Japan in defence equipment and technology. Abe said that he wants to build a strong relationship with India not only in economic field but also in defence and security field. He said that a strong India-Japan partnership is not only in the national interest of the two countries but is also important for peace and security in the region, an official statement by the Ministry said.

Indonesia keen on stronger Vietnam ties

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Indonesia attaches special importance to developing its ties with Vietnam, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Ha Noi on April 3rd. Marsudi, who began a two-day visit to Vietnam on April 2nd, said she believed that bilateral relations would grow stronger in the coming years. Regarding the South China Sea issue, Minh and Marsudi stressed the importance of peace, stability, maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the South China Sea as well as the settlement of disputes through peaceful means in conformity with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They called on all parties to practice restraint and refrain from actions that can escalate tension, including the use and threat to use force or unilaterally changing the status quo in the region.

Vietnam seeks deepened security cooperation with India

At his meeting on April 3rd with India’s national security adviser Ajit Kumar Doval, who has been on a visit to Vietnam, the PM said Vietnam and India has a special friendship relationship that has been built up through many generations of leaders. The PM made it clear that Vietnam supports India’s “Act East” policy as well as its strengthening of strategic partnership with the ASEAN. On his part, Ajit Kumar Doval said India will be always a companion with Vietnam in any circumstance and a stable, developed and prosperous Vietnam is of India’s interest. Regarding South China Sea issues, the adviser reiterated India’s stance that ensuring navigation freedom in the South China Sea is of great importance and that India would not accept any unilateral action to change the status quo. All disagreements and disputes must be solved through peaceful measures in conformity with international law, he said, adding that this point of view has been affirmed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at all international forums.

Vietnam-Russia military cooperation not a threat to regional security: ambassador

In an interview with VnExpress on April 3rd, new Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin V. Vnukov said the two countries' cooperation in military and military technology “does not pose any threat to the security of the region as well as the world as a whole” and “we (Russia and Vietname) will maintain this mutually beneficial relationship”. Regarding tensions in the South China Sea, Vnukov reasserted Russia’s support of solving disputes with peaceful measures basing on negotiation and international laws.

THE EAST SEA STUDIES