alt

Activities of the Claimants

China

China "dissatisfied" with Hagel's remarks

China is "dissatisfied" with remarks made by U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel in an ASEAN defence ministers meeting and in Japan, a Chinese military leader said here April 8th. The straightforward comment came when Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission, met with Hagel. "I can tell you frankly, your remarks made in the ASEAN defence ministers meeting and to Japanese politicians were tough, and with a clear attitude. The Chinese people, including myself, are dissatisfied with such remarks," he told Hagel at the presence of the press. In an interview with Japan's Nikkei newspaper on Saturday, Hagel criticized China's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea as provocative and unilateral. Last week, Hagel hosted talks with defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Hawaii, where he also brought up topics of growing U.S. concern about territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

New Chinese envoy presents credentials to P-Noy, hopes for better relations

New Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua on April 8th presented his diplomatic credentials to President Benigno Aquino III. Briefing reporters later, Mr. Aquino's deputy spokesperson said both he and the new ambassador affirmed their countries' position that the maritime dispute does not constitute the sum total of their bilateral ties, and that both sides will try to further grow the rest of that long-standing relationship. "...The dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is just a part or a segment of that relationship, and we see no reason why other segments of that relationship cannot move," Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a Palace media briefing.

Chinese Premier Li Warns Southeast Asia Nations Against 'Provocations'

alt

Premier Li Keqiang delivered a warning to Southeast Asian countries with whom China is embroiled in territorial disputes, saying that China will "respond firmly to provocations." In a speech at the Boao Forum for Asia, Mr. Li combined a strong message regarding China's sovereignty claims with soothing words aimed at reassuring a region that is growing nervous about China's military intentions. "I wish to emphasize that China is committed to peaceful development," he told delegates to the forum on Hainan, a southern island province through which China asserts sweeping administrative control over large tracts of the South China Sea. "We will give full support to initiatives that help strengthen maritime cooperation," he said. "On the other hand, we will respond firmly to provocations that undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea." He added: "We Chinese believe in repaying kindness with kindness and meeting wrongdoing with justice."

Vietnam

VN stresses peaceful, stable environment for future Asia

A Vietnamese representative to the 2014 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference has said that the future of Asia and its growth drivers are only significant when the environment in the region is peaceful, stable and cooperative. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam was addressing the opening session of the conference in China’s southern province of Hainan on April 10th. The event brought together 1,500 delegates, including leaders from more than 10 countries and renowned scholars.  He said nations, big or small, rich or poor, need a stable environment for development. Every dispute and conflict needs to be solved by peaceful measures in compliance with international law and with sincerity and trust.  Win-win cooperation, mutual respect and trust, and responsibility-sharing in common issues are indispensable for the region and the whole world to secure sustainable growth, Dam stressed.

The Philippines

PH 'neglected' territorial defense, admits AFP chief

Philippine Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista on April 7th admitted that the country has neglected its external defense because it has been "so focused on internal security issues." "So, to a certain extent, we have neglected addressing our other mandates, specifically territorial defense," Bautista told ANC's Prime Time. According to Bautista, the AFP’s modernization program aims to catch up on building the country's capability to defend its territory. "We’re just filling in the void, what we have not filled up for a long time," he said.

PH will defend territory 'up to the last blood' 

"We are ready to die up to the last blood." Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay issued this feisty message on April 11th when asked about the Philippines' ongoing territorial dispute with China. Binay told reporters that China's latest actions in the South China Sea were "enough for being pushed too far." "I suppose, they [Chinese forces] will avoid, by all means, a confrontation. We never wanted to be baited, to resort to force.” 

Philippines using "moral suasion" vs China

alt

The Philippines is using "moral suasion" in its conflict with Asian giant China over their claims to parts of the South China Sea, a government spokesman said April 10th. This was why the Philippines filed a case to a UN tribunal, asking it to declare Beijing's claims of undisputed sovereignty over most of the sea as illegal, said Foreign Department spokesman Charles Jose. "Through moral suasion, we hope the international community will help make China realise that it is also in their best interest to respect and comply with the decision of the tribunal," he said on ABS-CBN television. "If China wants to be seen as a responsible member of the international community, then it is better for them to work, to operate within the established international order rather than outside of it."

China should be more careful about statements on military use

China should be "more circumspect" about its statements on the territorial dispute with the Philippines, particularly those concerning military forces, a Philippine Department of National Defense official said on April 10th. At a press briefing, DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said it is "important" for both China and the Philippines to "approach all things peacefully." "The soonest that we approach this peacefully, the sooner the region can expect all the development and growth, which is the target and aimed for hindi lang ng mga Pilipino, pati lahat ng mga tao sa buong Asia-Pacific," Galvez told reporters.

PH soft-pedals China's warning

After Chinese Premier Li Keqiang warned Southeast Asian nations against “provocations,” Malacañang said on April 12th the Philippines has always taken a position of non-provocation in resolving its territorial disputes. Li is so far the highest Chinese official to reiterate Beijing’s position that any disagreement to its supposed “nine-dash line” territory is a provocation. But Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippines has always adopted a non-provocative approach to its territorial row with China. “I think it’s clear to everyone that the Philippines has always taken a position of non-provocation,” Valte said in an interview on government radio dzRB. “We’ve always subscribed to having a peaceful resolution to this dispute.” Valte said all the Philippines actions in the past deliberately avoided situations that can increase the tension in the South China Sea, which the Philippines calls West Philippine Sea, and its move to have the territorial dispute settled by an international arbitration tribunal is in line with that policy. Asked to comment on Li’s pronouncement, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose reiterated the Philippine position that it is not the county that provoking any other country.

Indonesia

Indonesia Seeks China Clarity on South China Sea Intentions

alt

Indonesia is seeking clarity on China’s intent behind its maritime claims in the South China Sea to avoid the risk of miscalculations in a zone rich in natural gas, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said. “What needs to be better communicated is the intent behind these steps so that they don’t become inadvertently a new source of problem and challenge,” Natalegawa said. The potential for misunderstanding meant there was a risk of minor incidents leading to a bigger crisis in the region, he said in an interview in Jakarta today.

The U.S.

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Maritime Security Resolution for the Asia-Pacific Region

A bipartisan group of Senators introduced a resolution on April 7th reaffirming support of the U.S. government for freedom of navigation in the Asia-Pacific region and for the peaceful diplomatic resolution of outstanding territorial and maritime disputes. Senate Resolution 412 was introduced by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), James Risch (R-ID), and John McCain (R-AZ) – all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “As an Asia-Pacific nation we have an abiding national security interest in the maintenance of regional stability,” said Menendez. “We also have an interest in the security of our allies and partners, in the freedom of navigation, free and unimpeded commerce, respect for international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.”

US navy commander warns of naval standoff over Chinese aggression

alt

The top US Navy commander in the Pacific has launched a stinging attack on China's "aggressive" military growth, warning that Beijing's assertiveness is a "witches' brew" for a naval standoff. In unusually strong language, Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, branded China's establishment of a controlled flight zone around islands disputed with Japan dangerous and unilateral. "I'm concerned by the aggressive growth of the Chinese military, the lack of transparency and a pattern of increasingly assertive behaviour in the region," Admiral Harris told a conference in Canberra on April 9th.

India

ONGC looks for equity partner in Vietnam project

Having extended its stay in South China Sea to promote India’s strategic interest, state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp is looking for an equity partner to continue exploration for oil and gas offshore Vietnam. “We are looking for a partner for Block 128 where we currently hold 100 per cent interest. We are talking to (Vietnam’s national oil company) PetroVietnam and some others,” OVL Managing Director S P Garg said here. OVL, he said, wants to retain a majority 51 per cent stake in Block 128 and the remaining it wants to offer to PetroVietnam to de-risk exploration in the block over which China had claimed territorial rights.

Regional Snapshots

U.S. Defense Secretary visits China

alt

United State Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel arrived in China on April 7th for a 4-day visit. He was invited by Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan. Hagel paid a visit to China's Liaoning aircraft carrier April 7th afternoon and arrived in Beijing later in the evening. Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan on April 8th morning began talks with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on bilateral ties and issues of common concern. Chang, also a state councilor, told Hagel that China attaches great importance to his visit and believes it will deepen Hagel's understanding of China and the Chinese armed forces. After bilateral talks, Chang and visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel jointly met with the media. Chang told journalists that he and Hagel discussed the regional situation during their talks. After the reporter behind the question cited Japan and the Philippines, Chang said that a series of words and deeds by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his government had not only seriously damaged China-Japan relations but also posed a threat to regional peace and tranquility. He also said “China's stance on the East Sea (East China Sea) and the South Sea (South China Sea) is consistent and clear. We will neither compromise on, concede or trade on territory and sovereignty, nor tolerate them being infringed on even a little bit.” On his part, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel stated “The United States has been very clear on this issue and that is that first, every nation has a right to establish air defense zones, but not a right to do it unilaterally with no collaboration, no consultation. That adds to tensions, misunderstandings, and could eventually add to and eventually get to dangerous conflict.” He reiterated that the United States takes no position on individual claims and it has been very clear, direct and firm on how these disputes should be resolved. On April 9th, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel in, calling on the two countries to build a new model of military relationship. Restating the principles of no conflict and no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, Xi called on the two sides to promote practical cooperation in various areas, managing effectively the differences and sensitive issues so that the new type of major-country relations between China and the U.S.could move forward in the right direction. Hagel thanked Xi for meeting with him and conveyed the greetings of President Obama. Hagel said his visit aimed to promote the new model of military relations that President Obama and President Xi have supported. Both sides have had positive, candid and constructive talks. U.S.-China relationship is essential to the development of the world in the 21st century, Hagel said, expressing the willingness to increase dialogue and mutual trust to further the bilateral ties and military-to-military relations.

U.S.-Philippine pact to highlight Obama's Asia rebalance

An agreement on U.S.-Philippine defense cooperation, expected to be signed this month during a visit by President Barack Obama, will be a clear sign of a U.S. "rebalance" to Asia despite U.S. preoccupations elsewhere, the Philippines' top diplomat said. The deal will enable the sharing of Philippine bases, an increase in the rotation through the Philippines of U.S. ships, aircraft and troops, and will reassure U.S. allies of support against a rising China. "There is full resolve on the part of the U.S. to fulfill their commitments on this Asia rebalancing, not only in terms of defensive security but also in terms of enhancing economic cooperation," Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario told Reuters in an interview late on April 7th. On April 11th, The United States and Philippine panels concluded the eighth round of negotiations in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), and have agreed on key points such as access and use of military facilities and non-permanence of US troops. In a joint statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of National Defense (DND), they said that the draft agreement gives US military’s access and use of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) facilities only “at the invitation of the Philippines and with full respect for the Philippine Constitution and Philippine laws.”

ASEAN-EU defence officials’ dialogue took place

alt

The Defence Officials’ Dialogue between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union took place in Brussels, Belgium on April 8th-9th.  Participants, including defence and diplomatic officials from ASEAN member countries, the EU, and ASEAN’s dialogue partners, focused on discussing maritime security and the role of the armed forces in disaster relief. They also exchanged measures to boost mutual understanding and trust through the ASEAN Regional Forum on defence and to intensify cooperation in the defence industry with the EU.

Japan, Philippines agree to boost cooperation in maritime security
Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario on April 11th agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in maritime security, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, a reference to the two countries' territorial disputes with China. Meeting in Hiroshima on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting on nuclear disarmament, Kishida expressed Japan's support for the Philippines' recent filing with a U.N. tribunal of a maritime case against China. Kishida told reporters, "The Philippines' pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the dispute...by filing the case is grounded in the rule of law."