Weekly Bulletin (7 January - 13 January)

Activities of the Claimants

China

China urges Philippines not to complicate the South China Sea issue

In response to the question: ”Philippine officials reportedly said the Philippines would build infrastructure on disputed islands that it controls in the South China Sea. What is China's comment?”, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said: “We have noted relevant reports and will follow closely the development of the situation. We urge relevant country to earnestly abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and stop provocative acts that may complicate or amplify the issue.”

Chinese submersible to assume South China Sea missions

China's manned submersible, the Jiaolong, is scheduled to conduct experimental missions in the South China Sea in May and June, according to a national maritime work conference. Chinese authorities are also considering sending the Jiaolong to survey the international seabed for polymetallic nodule ore in the northeast Pacific Ocean, it was revealed at the meeting.

China to continue to patrol in sea

China will continue to carry out regular patrols over its territorial waters off China's Diaoyu Islands (Japan calls it Senkaku Islands) and the South China Sea, the Chinese State Oceanic Administration said. "Faced with a sharper and more complicated situation, we will take more responsibilities to steadfastly maintain the country's maritime rights and interests," Liu Caigui, director with the administration at a national conference on maritime work said.

China to launch survey on territorial islands

A Chinese national survey on the resources of islands will be launched this year, according to a national conference on maritime affairs. The survey, the second of its kind, will determine unspecified base points and baselines of the waters around the islands, a circular issued at the conference said. Information collected via the survey will be used to form a database of the  islands and will provide references for policies regarding the islands' development, protection and administration, the document said.

China publishes new maps; South China Sea islands highlighted

China has inked for the first time South China Sea islands on its new official maps in equal scale to that of the Chinese mainland. The new vertical-format maps of China, published by Sinomaps Press, include more than 130 islands and islets in the South China Sea, most of which have not been featured on previous maps of China, the Chinese National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation (NASMG) announced. The new maps have been published by Sinomaps Press but will not be available to the public until the end of January, according to the NASMG.

Taiwan to expand Ba Binh wharf

The government plans to expand its wharf at Ba Binh Island in the South China Sea to accommodate larger vessels as part of its ongoing military enhancement project in the disputed region, a local newspaper said. The Coast Guard Administration is expected to spend NT$19 million to upgrade Ba Binh's wharf facilities, the Chinese-language United Evening News reported. These improvements will allow 500-ton or larger vessels to dock in the port, the newspaper added.

Vietnam

More maps affirm Vietnam’s Hoang Sa and Truong Sa

The Da Nang Institute for Socio-economic Development (DISD) has unveiled the receiving of more valuable documents affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes. The documents, donated by Chairman of the US-based Institute for Vietnamese Culture and Education Tran Thang, include 43 ancient maps and a book entitled “the Postal Atlas of China” published by China in Nanjing in 1919. To date, Thang has presented to DISD a total of 150 maps, including 110 original and 40 copies, which were published in the UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, the US and Hong Kong (China) in the 1626-1980 period. Among them, 80 maps identify that the southernmost territory of China is Hainan island; 50 maps show that Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to Vietnam’s territory; and ten maritime maps and ten maps featuring Asia and Southeast Asia indicate that Hoang Sa and Truong Sa lie in the territorial sea of Vietnam.

Vietnam assumes post of ASEAN Secretary General

Vietnam’s former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Luong Minh officially assumed his role as the Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the 2013-2017 tenure, in a transfer ceremony at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. The ceremony was attended by the outgoing Secretary General of ASEAN Surin Pitsuwan, Indonesia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Marty Natalegawa, and representatives from the diplomatic corps, international organisations and academies.

Vietnam opposes Taiwan’s oil plan

The planning by the Taiwanese side on oil and gas exploration in the sea around the Ba Binh island seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago, causes tension and complicates the situation in the East Sea. Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi made the statement in Hanoi, in response to reporters’ question on Vietnam ’s reaction to the information that Taiwan has announced it will carry out oil and gas exploration around the island which belongs to Vietnam ’s Truong Sa archipelago. Nghi said Vietnam has complete legal and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes. Vietnam resolutely protests and demands the Taiwanese side to immediately cancel the above-said illegal plan, he added.

The Philippines

Philippines cautious on China oil offer

The Philippines is taking with caution Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing’s declaration of Beijing’s openness to a joint exploration for oil and gas in the South China Sea, a position more recently reiterated by China’s foreign ministry to show its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the maritime dispute embroiling both countries. Philoppine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said any joint development in disputed territories in the South China Sea should abide by Philippine laws and any business talks should be led by the private sector. “We take a guarded position on China’s statement on joint development,” said Del Rosario.

Philippines plans to purchase coast guard vessels from Japan

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said that the plan to acquire 10 coast guard vessels from Japan would be among topics of his meeting with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. Del Rosario said these projects will be implemented through soft loans or loans that have low interest rates with flexible payment terms under Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Philippines asks China to explain ship deployment in disputed waters

The Philippines has asked China to explain its deployment of a patrol ship to guard potentially oil-rich islands and waters it claims in the South China Sea, saying the move has sparked new tensions over the disputed waters. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario says Chinese diplomats have told their Philippine counterparts that Beijing will only assert its claims, including by possibly intercepting foreign ships, in territorial waters off China's southernmost province of Hainan. Mr Del Rosario said in a news conference that the Philippines has asked China to specify the limits of the territory it will guard.

Philippines asserts rights over Thi Tu island

The Philippines has asserted the country’s exclusive right to develop those parts of the disputed Spratlys archipelago within its exclusive economic zone in the wake of China’s objections to the government’s reported plan to rehabilitate and build new infrastructures on Pag-asa island (Thi Tu) in the South China Sea. “The development of Pag-asa island in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is an exercise of [Philippine] sovereignty, which all countries should respect,” Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, the spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Philippines to push upgrade of structures in Spratlys

In a press briefing, Del Rosario said Philippine infrastructure in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), the Pag-asa Island in particular, was due for rehabilitation, backing earlier statements on military plans to enhance the runway on the territory.

Regional Snapshots

Vietnam-France defence cooperation committee convenes

The third meeting of the Vietnam-France Joint Committee on National Defence Cooperation was held in Hanoi. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Senior Lieutenant General Gratien Maire, Deputy Chief of Staff of the French Army, co-chaired the meeting. At the event, the two sides highly valued the effective cooperation between Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence and its French counterpart in past years, in particular the all-level delegation exchanges, personnel training, and defence technology and science collaboration. The two sides proposed measures to strengthen cooperation in maritime security, sea patrols, personnel training and the national defence industry.

Chinese naval ships visit Ho Chi Minh City

A Chinese naval formation, including two destroyers and one logistics vessel, is paying a friendly visit to Ho Chi Minh City from January 7^th-11^th. During their stay in the city, commanders and sailors of the Chinese naval ships paid a floral tribute at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh, visited the leaders of the municipal People’s Committee and the High Command of Military Zone 7 and met with representatives of the Vietnam Naval High Command.

Philippines, Japan agree to enhance maritime cooperation

Philippine and Japanese foreign ministers agreed to enhance maritime security cooperation. Speaking after a bilateral meeting, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said he and his Philippine counterpart Albert del Rosario agreed on "strengthening policy dialogue, enhancing maritime cooperation and other measures." "As the strategic environment in the region is changing, it is necessary for us as Foreign Ministers to share recognition of the situation, enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries, and cooperate towards shaping peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific region," he said.

Indonesia-China hold defense consultation meeting

Indonesia and China have again staged a consultation meeting to improve the two countries` relations and cooperation in the field of security and defense. The Indonesia-China Defense Consultation Forum at the People`s Liberation Army (PLA) Headquarters was the fifth since 2007.

Vietnam, US strengthen defence cooperation

Vietnam and the US have held their third Defence Policy Dialogue at deputy ministerial level to discuss issues related to their defence cooperation as well as common security matters in Asia -the Pacific and the world. Deputy Defence Minister, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh led the Vietnamese delegation to the event on January 11, while the US delegation was headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and Southeast Asia Vikram J Singh. During the dialogue, the two sides reviewed the results of their cooperation in five main areas as stated in the memorandum of understanding signed in September 2011.

Commentaries & Analyses

The South China Sea: “Lake Beijing”

By James R. Holmes

What is a “lake” in maritime strategy? Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe published an op-ed in Project Syndicate recently maintaining that Chinese power is increasingly transfiguring the South China Sea into “Lake Beijing.” That sounds ominous. That seems to be Prime Minister Abe’s message vis-à-vis China. Abe frets that Beijing will misuse its naval might within Lake Beijing, to the detriment of Japan and other seagoing nations. It cannot be trusted to use its power responsibly. Chinese leaders have done little to allay such concerns. Just the opposite. The concept of a lake isn’t a bad yardstick for measuring Chinese sea power. Is Beijing indeed intent on primacy in the South China Sea and other expanses, to the extent of seeing them as Chinese lakes? Does it possess sufficient naval and military power to make itself the master of the waters within? How large a margin of superiority can the PLA amass in the face of regional competitors? And to what uses would Beijing put its marine primacy once achieved?

Food for thought.

A sea of tensions

By Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt

China heads into 2013 with a new set of leaders under Xi Jinping and much talk about domestic reform, but no plan to alter its foreign policy. Little wonder then that poor relations between China and its neighbours, fuelled by disputes in the East and South China Seas, look set to continue. Most in Beijing seem blind to the danger that China’s behaviour is undermining regional stability and harming its own strategic interests. Rather, the Chinese foreign policy elite largely blame rival claimants for starting the troubles. To those expressing surprise about the tough response in moments of tension, they say the world has underestimated China’s resolve to safeguard its interests. With little sign of critical self-reflection in Beijing on the handling of territorial disputes, and with formidable domestic challenges looming, the new leadership is unlikely to alter course on foreign policy. On top of that, nationalism is spiralling, ASEAN is weak and divided, and emboldened rivals stand more ready than ever to challenge China on border issues. Expect heightened tensions over territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas to continue to rattle the region in 2013.

The U.S. strategy on China

Amongst one of the US strategies is to find a comparable power to China so as to keep a balance of power in the region. In this context, two states are particularly in the forefront, namely India and Indonesia. Not only Obama has stressed the importance of these two nations, but also his former opponent Republican leader Mitt Romney did. However, although certainly India and China come face to face at certain points, according to RAND, a US think tank, India lacks far behind China with its economical, scientific, technological as well as military innovations. Indonesia on the other hand, the fourth largest country and with a developing economy seems to play a significant role for the US. The second plan of the US strategy is to isolate China if it does not choose to play by the rules. Signing agreements with Pacific states is a method employed to keep a balance in the region. Despite this, and as Hilary Clinton has already affirmed, the structure of the Atlantic and the dynamics in the Pacific are quite different. And disputes between many states do not seem to facilitate cooperation. As an alternative policy, Clinton has pointed out that its policy is to focus on bilateral relations, which then of course, although not all states may be encompassed, could give the US a platform to engage in a much broader cooperation in the region. Reminding all parties that it will play an active role in the future of Asia – Pacific, it keeps an eye on China and seeks to integrate it in its own policies. By not trying to increase the tensions but solving issues, it leaves the door open for China to switch to its side. However, this of course would require that China is obeying to the US policies and does not act unilaterally as it actually does.

Time for Asean to stand up to China

By Umesh Pandey

The weakness of the chair, headed by Cambodia, was one reason the collective voice of the region against the moves by China was not heard last year. This year Brunei, one of the countries that actively disputes China’s claims in the potentially oil-rich waters, is in the chair and that could help push things in positive direction. Having Le Luong Minh as secretary-general, also from another claimant country, is likely to make things a lot better as well, as the secretary-general could help garner enough support to push for some action against the aggressive actions displayed by China. What Asean needs to do is to get off its high horse and look at the issues that matter to a majority of the member countries and take collective action that can send a signal to the world that we are acting in concert. Being united only when it comes to economic issues has proved highly beneficial, but is Asean is divided when it comes to political or territorial issues, then divided we fall. Growth and integration of any region in the world is never dependent only on economic factors, which form only a small part of the overall picture. Having a collective voice also gives the bullies of the region a reason to stop and think before they open their mouths. Therefore it may just be about time that the new blood in Asean starts to push things so that the smaller countries affected by dubious maritime and island claims are not taken advantage of. Because if China gets its way today, it certainly will come back for more in the near future. If and when that happens, it may come back to haunt the countries that today are standing on the fence and watching the show.

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