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Activities of the Claimants

China

China accelerates its reclamation activities at Mischief Reef (Vanh Khan Reef)

Newly published satellite images show that China is quickly reclaiming land around Mischief Reef with several dredgers in operation and seawalls built. A March 16th image published by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows what it said were a chain of small artificial land formations as well as new structures, fortified seawalls and construction equipment along Mischief Reef. Several dredgers are also present while the entrance to the reef had been expanded, the CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative said on its website.

Taiwan will not give up territory in South China Sea

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said on April 8th that his administration will not give up the Republic of China's territory in the South China Sea, but will continue to seek peaceful means to address the territorial disputes in the region. "We should try to resolve the disputes through peaceful means, rather than give up the territory to deal with the problem," Ma said. Even if Taiwan abandons its claims, the territorial disputes would still remain among the various claimants, he added. "Our basic stance is that sovereignty cannot be compromised, but natural resources can be shared," he said.

China mounts detailed defense of South China Sea reclamation

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on April 9th told a news briefing that the reclamation and building work in the Spratly archipelago of the South China Sea was needed partly because of the risk of typhoons in an area with a lot of shipping that is far from land. "We are building shelters, aids for navigation, search and rescue as well as marine meteorological forecasting services, fishery services and other administrative services" for China and neighboring countries, Hua said. The islands and reefs would also meet the demands for China's military defense, Hua said without elaborating. 

China blasts Obama over military 'muscle' in South China Sea

Beijing hit back April 10th at US President Barack Obama's criticism of Chinese construction in the disputed South China Sea, arguing that it is Washington that has greater military "muscle". "The US leader talked about China's 'sheer size and muscle', but one can also see clearly who has the biggest size and muscle in the world," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular briefing. She called on Washington to "genuinely make efforts to safeguard peace and stability" in the region.

Vietnam

China, Vietnam pledge peaceful resolution for sea dispute

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China and Vietnam have pledged to look for a peaceful resolution to their dispute in the South China Sea via talks, following a meeting between China's president and the head of Vietnam's Communist Party, state news agency Xinhua said on April 8th. A joint communique carried by Xinhua said that both countries had a "candid" exchange of views on their maritime spat. But the two countries agreed to "use well the Sino-Vietnam government border negotiation mechanism, uphold friendly consultations and negotiations to look for a basic and lasting resolution both countries can accept", the statement said. China and Vietnam should also "proactively look for transitional resolution methods which do not affect either side's position, including looking at and discussing joint development". Neither country should do anything to "complicate or expand" the dispute in order to ensure peace and stability in the sea, the statement added.

The Philippines

PLP welcomes US’ readiness to help secure Asia-Pacific

The Philippines welcomes the statement of US Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Harry Harris that the US is ready to respond to threats in the Asia Pacific region, an official said April 5th. Speaking over state-run dzRB radio, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the US is one of the allies providing concrete aid to the Philippines. “We have seen this when we faced the challenges posed by Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda and other previous disasters,” he said in Filipino. 

PH blasts China reclamation on Mischief Reef

On April 10th said the Philippine government strongly opposes the reclamation work being done by China around the Mischief Reef. "The government is strongly opposed to any reclamation work being done in disputed areas of the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea). In fact, [the Department of] Foreign Affairs immediately filed a diplomatic protest when it learned of the work at the first instance," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a text message. Valte said the government is committed to pursue legal and diplomatic options in resolving its territorial dispute with China.

Singapore

Singaporean PM warns over the rise of nationalism in countries

Speaking at the inaugural Singapore Forum on April 10th, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted that the rise of nationalism in countries could affect the region's growth in the future. "There is the force of nationalism which we have to contend with, or we need to think about, in many countries,” he said. “It's a positive force - it gives you pride, it gives people the motivation to go and do well and outdo the other fellow - but it's also a possible cause for people to turn inwards. It's also a possible reason for conflict between nations. And you're not arguing over resources, but over historical issues, which are very difficult to resolve and to come to a single consensus upon.” In addition, he said that the region's growth and prosperity can also be affected by territorial disputes such as those in the South China Sea, therefore, ASEAN has a role to play in ensuring that tensions are managed and territorial claims are dealt with in accordance with international law.

Cambodia

ASEAN cannot act on behalf of claimant states in South China Sea dispute: Cambodian PM

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said April 8th that ASEAN cannot act on behalf of the countries concerned in the South China Sea dispute and urged all parties involved to continue negotiations. "ASEAN cannot play its role on behalf of the countries concerned in the dispute," the prime minister said during the annual conference of the Agriculture Ministry, adding, "Countries involved in the dispute themselves are the real negotiators." He said Cambodia did not take any side in the South China Sea dispute and encouraged countries concerned to continue negotiations. He also urged uninvolved countries not to try to douse petrol on fire.

The U.S.

US naval vessels on friendship visit to Da Nang city

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Two US Navy vessels arrived at Tien Sa port in central Da Nang city on April 6th, commencing a five-day visit to the coastal locality. The vessels, USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and USS Fort Worth, were welcomed by representatives of the municipal authorities, the Ministry of National Defence, High Command of the Vietnam People’s Navy, the US Embassy, and the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. The visit, the 6 th Naval Exchange Activity (NEA) held between the two navies, will focus on sharing experience in military medicine, search and rescue and maritime security along with workshops on maritime laws, concerts, community activities, and sports.

U.S. defense chief warns against militarization of territorial rows in Asia

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter kicked off his first Asian tour on April 8th with a stern warning against the militarization of territorial rows in a region. "We take a strong stance against the militarization of these disputes," Carter told a news conference after talks with his Japanese counterpart, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. In a written interview with Japan's Yomiuri newspaper, Carter also expressed concern about China's land reclamation in the South China Sea. "We are especially concerned at the prospect of militarization of these outposts. These activities seriously increase tensions and reduce prospects for diplomatic solutions," the newspaper quoted him as saying. "We urge China to limit its activities and exercise restraint to improve regional trust."

Obama says concerned China bullying others in South China Sea

U.S. President Barack Obama said Washington is concerned China is using its "sheer size and muscle" to push around smaller nations in the South China Sea. "Where we get concerned with China is where it is not necessarily abiding by international norms and rules and is using its sheer size and muscle to force countries into subordinate positions," Obama told a town-hall event in Jamaica on Thursday ahead of a Caribbean summit in Panama. "We think this can be solved diplomatically, but just because the Philippines or Vietnam are not as large as China doesn't mean that they can just be elbowed aside," he said.

US says Chinese activity in South China Sea causes regional 'anxiety'

Speaking at a daily press on April 9th, U.S. Acting Deputy Spokesperson Jeff Rathke said that “China’s land reclamation and construction activities are fueling greater anxiety within the region about China’s intentions amid concerns that they might militarize outposts on disputed land features in the South China Sea. So we’re watching these developments closely and we continue to raise our concerns with China, as well as with others in the region, to urge all parties to avoid destabilizing activities. And we encourage all claimants, as we have for a long time, to pursue peaceful and diplomatic approaches to maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.”

Regional Snapshots

11,000 Filipino, American soldiers to join Balikatan 2015

Balikatan 2015, the 31st iteration of the bilateral exercise, will be held from April 20th to 30th and will feature traditional military trainings and community development projects. A total of 6,656 American servicemen will participate in the drills, more than double the 2,500-strong contingent that joined last year and outnumbering its Filipino counterpart, which will consist of 5,023 soldiers.The United States will be sending 76 air assets and three ships for the exercise while the Philippines will deploy 15 planes and one vessel. The Australian Defense Force will also take part in the activity and will be sending 61 personnel and one aircraft.

Vietnam, Russia to intensify the comprehensive strategic partnership

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At the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev paid an official visit to Vietnam from April 5th – 7th. During meetings with high-ranking Vietnamese leaders, both sides agreed to intensify the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, increase delegation exchange and cooperation activities at all levels, and support each other at international forums. The leaders also discussed and agreed that any South China Sea disputes should be addressed through peaceful means with respect to international law, including the 1982 United Nations on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and work towards the formation of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

India, Japan to deepen defence ties

India and Japan April 7th decided to deepen their defence cooperation and enhance strategic maritime ties. The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral defence ties as top officials met here for the 4th Defence Policy Dialogue. "All issues of mutual concern and interest were discussed today," defence sources said. The meeting was chaired by Defence Secretary R K Mathur and Japanese Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs Hideshi Tokuchi.

Indonesia, US hold joint sea survey exercise

Indonesian and US navies are conducting an annual sea surveillance manoeuvre in Batam waters from April 6th-10th to enhance the capacity of the Indonesian Task Force. Task Force Commander Major General Freddy Ardianzah said that Indonesia’s CN-212 and CN235-MPA aircrafts and Bolco helicopter as well as the US Orion aircraft have been involved in the manoeuvre. CN235-MPA is a high-performance aircraft used to support the Indonesian Navy in maritime patrol activities. Its US counterpart, the Orion, is a marine patrol aircraft used for sea patrols, observations and anti-submarine warfare. Indonesia and the US are also holding another military exercise in East Java province.