alt

Activities of the Claimants

China

Wang Yi: Sticking to "Four Respect" on the South China Sea Issue

alt

On September 7th, 2014, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, when holding the China-Australia Diplomatic and Strategic Dialogue in Sydney, expressed that the "Four Respect" should be adhered on the South China Sea issue. First, respect the historical facts. The disputes among relevant parties over the sovereignty of some islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands are left over from history. Only by knowing the true historical background and the original rights and wrongs in the first place before properly handling the issue can we be objective and just. Second, respect international laws and regulations. Third, respect direct dialogue and consultation between countries concerned. This is a common practice for dealing with disputes between countries in the international community, not only in accordance with the spirit of the international laws but also explicitly stipulated in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and practice has proven that this is a feasible and most effective method in solving the South China Sea disputes. China stands against "go on ones' own way". Fourth, respect joint efforts by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea. China and the ASEAN are fully capable of safeguarding peace and stability as well as navigation freedom in the South China Sea. We understand the reasonable concerns of the countries outside the region, and at the same time hope that countries outside the region could offer help by playing a constructive role on the South China Sea issue rather than add to the trouble.

China says South China Sea land reclamation 'justified'

At a daily press briefing on September 9th, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeperson Hua Chunying was asked by the BBC why China was reclaiming land. She responded: "We have answered this question many times before, and I suppose you must be fully aware of China's position." Using the Chinese name for the Spratly islands, she added: "China asserts indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and the adjacent waters, and China's activities on relevant islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands fall entirely within China's sovereignty and are totally justifiable." Asked whether the reclamation was for commercial or military use, Ms Hua replied that it was "mainly for the purpose of improving the working and living conditions of people stationed on these islands". When the BBC pointed out that the land masses were new, Ms Hua declined to elaborate further, saying: "I have already answered your question."

China denies attacking Vietnamese ships

China said on September 10th that its forces had boarded a Vietnamese trawler last month in disputed waters in the South China Sea and confiscated explosives used for fishing, rejecting accusations from Vietnam that its ships had been attacked. "We urge the Vietnamese side to use effective measures to strengthen the education and management of their fishermen, and stop illegal fishing activities in the waters around the Xisha islands," Hua said, using the Chinese name for the Paracel Islands. 

CNOOC issues exploration tender, includes South China Sea blocks

State-run CNOOC Ltd, China's top offshore oil producer, has issued a tender inviting foreign firms to bid for oil and gas blocks in offshore areas including the South and East China Sea, the company said. CNOOC will offer 33 offshore blocks for foreign participation this year, the company said on its website.

Taiwan to finish mapping disputed South China Sea islands

Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior said September 9th that it is set to complete a project to map the islands in the disputed South China Sea region and will produce a map of the islands that are claimed by the Republic of China and various other countries. The ministry said that since 2011, it has been carrying out on-site measurements of the islands and has also used high-definition satellite images to obtain spatial information about the islands. So far, the ministry has invested about NT$80 million (US$2.66 million) in the project and has completed the mapping of 198 of the islands in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, it said. It is expected to complete the project by the end of 2015, it added. After that, the ministry will create a map of the South China Sea based on the updated information, it said.

Vietnam

Vietnam demands China investigate beating, robbery against Vietnamese fishermen

alt

Vietnam demands that China conduct investigation and strictly deal with the recent beating and robbery by its forces targeting Vietnamese fishermen, stated Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh on September 9th. According to authorised agencies of Vietnam, on August 1st and 14th, two Vietnamese fishing boats from Quang Ngai , the QNg 96416 TS and QNg 96674 TS, were constrained and robbed by a number of Chinese ships while they were conducting regular fishing at the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago waters of Vietnam. More seriously, on August 15th, while fishing in Hoang Sa waters, another Quang Ngai fishing vessel, the QNg 96697 TS, was stopped by two Chinese speedboats, both coded 207, whose crew illegally confiscated some property, destroyed equipment and beat Vietnamese fishermen on board, reported the agencies. “The acts violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea, running counter to international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (COC),” Binh said i n response to reporters’ question about Vietnam’s reaction to those acts. It also went against the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, and the common perception of both countries’ leaders on humane treatment of fishermen, he stressed. “Vietnam demands that China investigate and seriously deal with the activities, at the same time prevent such acts from recurring and make proper compensation for Vietnamese fishermen,” stated Binh. He also revealed that on September 9th, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry met with Chinese embassy representatives in Hanoi to hand over a diplomatic note of protest.

The Philippines

PH seeks P25 B for modernization projects

A total of P24.7 billion is needed next year to fund 12 projects to enhance the military’s capabilities. The STAR obtained data showing that among the projects that the Department of National Defense (DND) wants to include in the 2015 budget are lead-in fighter trainer jets ammunition, long-range patrol aircraft, multi-purpose attack craft, rocket launchers and base upgrades. Four of the 12 projects will go to the Air Force: six units of close air support aircraft (P4.968 billion), two units of long-range patrol aircraft (P5.976 million) and basing support systems in three provinces (P187.43 million). Also in the list is the purchase of munitions for the 12 FA-50 lead-in fighter trainer jets acquired from South Korea for about P4.52 billion. The Navy will have three projects: two units of helicopters capable of anti-submarine warfare (P5.402 billion), three units of multi-purpose attack craft (P1.18 billion) and support and logistics for naval bases (P313.62 million). Four of the projects seek to improve the Army’s capabilities: 4,464 units of night fighting systems (P1.116 billion), 744 units of rocket launchers (P407.41 million), 1,446 units of 2-5W handheld radios (P430.8 million) and 60 units of high frequency 50W radios (P144 million).

PHL map exhibit debunks China’s claim over Scarborough Shoal

alt

The Philippines on September 11th formally opened an exhibit of old South China Sea maps. The cartographic exhibit, launched at the De La Salle University, showed copies of 60 ancient maps that depict the location of Scarborough Shoal, which has been at the center of years-long territorial rift between the Philippines and China. “This well-documented cartographic exhibit, therefore, provides a compelling argument against China’s claim of indisputable sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea as represented by its nine-dash line position – an excessive and expansive claim that is in gross violation of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in his speech. 

Regional Snapshots

Australia to buy Japanese submarines

The next generation of Australian submarines will be made in Japan, local media reported on September 15th. News Corp Australia claims the Australian government will select the Japanese-built Soryu Class submarine to replace locally built Collins Class boats, when they retire in 2030. According to the report, more than 20 billion Australian dollars (18.72 billion U.S. dollars) would be spent buying up to 10 of the Japanese submarines. It is estimated the Japanese vessels would cost half the price of Australia-built submarines. A final decision was due to be included in the Defense White Paper to be released by mid 2015, however the government could announce the new deal before the end of the year.

US and China discuss avoiding military incidents

alt

U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice repeatedly raised concerns about risky Chinese fighter intercepts of U.S. surveillance flights in meetings this week with Chinese leaders in Beijing, senior administration officials said September 9th. The matter appeared to be one of a relatively few contentious issues raised during a visit intended to lay the groundwork for President Barack Obama's trip to Beijing in November. Overall, the talks "helped lay a really great foundation" for Obama's trip, said a senior administration official who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity. 

Philippine, U.S. troops to hold naval exercises

Thousands of troops from the Philippines and the United States will stage naval exercises in western and northern Philippines later this month, a military official said September 9th. Philippine Navy Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Commander Marineth Domingo said some 2,700 Philippine and U.S. troops will participate in the Philippine-U.S. Amphibious Landing Exercise ( PHIBLEX) which will run from September 29th to October 10th. "The exercise is meant to improve the interoperability and combat readiness of Philippine and U.S. troops, improve relations of the two militaries and enhance security cooperation in the region," said Domingo. She said training activities will be held in various areas in the provinces of Palawan and Zambales. Philippine and U.S. troops will also pursue humanitarian activities, including medical missions and the construction of school buildings.

East Sea (South China Sea) Studies