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Activities of the Claimants

China

China builds military airstrip on disputed island

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Beijing has completed a runway for military aircraft on a South China Sea island also claimed by Vietnam, state-run media reported, as it asserts its territorial claims in the area. The newly built facility stretches across Phu Lam Island (Woody Island), part of the Paracel chain, China's Xinhua news agency said late on October 7th. Xinhua's report gave few details but said the runway was 2,000 metres long, and indicated it would have military uses. "With the completion and continued improvements to the runway on Yongxing (Phu Lam), military aircraft can be based in the Paracels, and greatly improve Chinese defence capabilities in the Xisha and Nansha islands," Xinhua said, using the Chinese names for the Paracels and Spratlys, a separate island chain. Pictures posted with the report showed part of the airstrip surrounded by construction cranes and clear blue water.

China to launch new marine surveillance satellites in 2019

China will launch a new "constellation" of marine surveillance satellites in 2019 to monitor ships, oil rigs, marine disasters and land-based resources. According to Lin Mingsen, deputy director with the National Satellite Ocean Application Service, the HY-3 "constellation" will include a series of satellites that employ synthetic aperture radar technology, "capable of operating day or night... and in all weather conditions." The satellites will be able see meter-long objects from space and generate high-definition imagery of both land and ocean surfaces, Lin said. He said the satellites would be used to monitor ships and drilling platforms, in addition to marine oil spills, sea ice, ocean waves and surface winds among other features. "They will play an important role in reinforcing China's marine rights protection, marine law enforcement and supervision, management of its offshore waters and marine disaster relief and reduction," Lin said.

China unhappy over India-US reference to South China Sea

China on October 8th warned India and the United States against interfering in the South China Sea dispute. Both countries had during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the US, expressed concern about rising maritime tensions in the region. The joint statement issued following talks between Modi and US President Barack Obama said both leaders "expressed concern about rising tensions over maritime territorial disputes. The two leaders also stressed the need to ensure "freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea". However, Beijing on October 8th warned both countries to not interfere in the dispute. "Our position is that the dispute in the South China Sea should be resolved by countries directly concerned through negotiation and consultation, and any third party should not be involved in the dispute," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said at a regular press briefing.

Large Coast Guard ships may patrol Ba Binh Island

The Taiwanese Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has not ruled out posting 3,000-ton patrol ships at Ba Binh Island (Taiping Island), the largest of the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, after a pier is completed there in late 2015, CGA deputy chief Cheng Chang-hsiung said on October 8th. When completed, the pier will be able to accommodate 3,000-ton vessels on its outer side and ships up to 1,000 tons on the inner side, Cheng told lawmakers during a legislative hearing. After tests are conducted to determine the pier's ability to resist large waves, the CGA may dispatch larger vessels including two recently built 3,000-tons patrol and rescue ships, the Yilan and the Kaohsiung, he said. The CGA has discussed with the Navy about posting Naval frigates there, though he said no decision has been made on the matter yet.

Vietnam

China’s run-way construction in Paracel islands is unlawful

China’s efforts to construct a 2,000m airstrip on Phu Lam island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago are unfounded and do not alter the fact that Vietnam holds indisputable sovereign rights over the archipelago, Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh said on October 9th.  “Vietnam has full legal basis and historical evidence that affirms its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos. That actions by China seriously violate Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelagos, infringing the Vietnam–China agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea signed in October 2011,” Binh highlighted. “Vietnam strongly protests China’s illegal actions,” he stated, stressing that “Vietnam demands China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and refrain from repeating similar actions, thus contributing to the growth of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and the maintenance of peace and stability in the East Sea (South China Sea).”

Regional Snapshots

First U.S.-China-Australia Joint Military Drills Begin in Darwin

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Five soldiers from the U.S. Marine Corps, 10 from China’s People’s Liberation Army and 10 from the Australian Army are taking part in the survival training exercise known as KOWARI 14, according to a statement from Australia’s Department of Defence. The exercise concludes on October 25th. “Exercise KOWARI 14 will provide participants with an understanding of the basic principles, procedures, techniques and equipment that can enhance survival prospects in the harsh Australian environment,” said Australian Defense Minister David Johnston. “The exercise demonstrates the willingness of Australia, China and the United States to work together in practical ways.”

China, Malaysia vow to promote bilateral ties

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has voiced his country's readiness to support Chinese President Xi Jinping's initiatives to build the 21 century Maritime Silk Road and establish an Asian infrastructure investment bank. Malaysia will actively involve and coordinate in them and broaden and deepen the two countries' cooperation in all fields, Najib said during a meeting with visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi here October 7th. Najib said that as comprehensive strategic partners, Malaysia and China enjoy broad fields of cooperation and huge potentials, adding that it is of critical importance to Malaysia and Asia that China's economy maintains strong growth. Yang said China is willing to maintain high-level communications and continue cooperation with Malaysia for new achievements.

East Sea (South China Sea) Studies