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Activities of the Claimants

China

China warns US to stay out of island disputes

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Beijing has warned the United States not to support China's neighbours' claims to disputed islands in the East and South China Seas, the government said on September 13th. "These issues should not become a problem between China and the United States, and China hopes that the United States does not become a third party in these issues," Wang Guanzhong, a senior officer of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) told US Under Secretary of Defense James Miller, the defence ministry in Beijing said in a statement on its website. "The United States should maintain a consistent stance and policy, not send wrong signals that support or connive with relevant countries to act on their own initiative," Wang said. China's military was determined to defend the country's territory and maritime interests, although Beijing has exercised restraint while dealing with the disputes, he added.

China urges Philippines "not to stir up new troubles"

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei has reiterated that China holds undisputed sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal and its surrounding waters. Hong’s remarks came after reports said the Philippines was considering trying to remove concrete blocks installed by China on the islands. Hong Lei, Spokesperson, Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "What the Philippine side said is not true. China’s activities on the Huangyan Islands (Scarborough Shoal) and neighboring sea are in accordance with its sovereignty. We urge the Philippines not to stir up new troubles. And we hope the country can make efforts to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and restore bilateral relations."

South China Sea tsunami warning center gets UN go-ahead

China's proposal to build a South China Sea tsunami early-warning center has been approved by a United Nations (UN) agency, the State Oceanic Administration announced on September 12th. The center will monitor an area encompassing the South China, Sulu and Sulawesi seas, bordering nine countries, according to the administration.

The Philippines

Philippines mulls removing "Chinese" blocks at shoal

Philippine officials are considering removing concrete blocks allegedly installed by China on a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the Filipino navy chief said on September 10th. Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano said no further activity had been detected at Scarborough Shoal since the defence department accused China last week of laying 75 concrete blocks on an underwater section of the outcrop. Discussions were under way about how to "address" the issue but the final decision on whether or not to remove the blocks rests with the Philippine government, not the military, he said.

Philippines seeks world diplomats’ support for UN bid in sea row

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Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. has called on his fellow envoys in Washington DC to stand behind Manila in its arbitration bid against Beijing to clarify maritime boundaries in the South China Sea. “To support the Philippines in the path we have chosen to peacefully settle the [South China Sea] dispute is to support a rules-based international order, where disputes are settled not through force or might but through an objective and just application of international law,” Cuisia said in remarks before a forum of think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies in Washington. Cuisia also underscored the importance of the US strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific in maintaining regional stability.

Regional Snapshots

Asean navy meeting to solidify ties, protect common seas

Amid a maritime dispute in the South China Sea, the Philippine Navy hosted the annual Asean Navy Chiefs Meeting on September 9th to September 11th, an activity which aims to further enhance the degree of cooperation and interoperability among the navies in the region. The formal opening ceremony was held at Raffles Fairmont Hotel in Makati City on September 10th with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III as guest of honor and speaker. Aquino said that with this kind of meetings “we can make progress on that front—where we can truly solidify our ties and protect our common seas”. The joint statement after the meetings noted that “The exchange of views highlighted the role of the ASEAN navies in promoting peace in Southeast Asia through dialogue, consultation, and conduct of practical activities that builds confidence, trust, and transparency among them,”. “The discussions also expressed optimism and support in the current efforts of the ASEAN to adopt a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea,” it added.

Singapore, Vietnam elevate ties to strategic partnership

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Singapore and Vietnam on September 11th strengthened bilateral ties with the elevation of relations between the two countries to a strategic partnership. Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung announced this after their hour-long discussion in Hanoi. On ASEAN, both leaders supported a cohesive and integrated ten-member grouping which enjoys good relations with external partners. Singapore and Vietnam share an interest in a stable and peaceful Southeast Asia. The priority is to work with the other member states to ensure freedom of navigation, maritime security and safety in the region, including in the South China Sea.

ASEAN, China officials begin talks on East Sea code of conduct

Officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China on September 14 began talks in China on forging a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) to help ease tensions in the East Sea.  During the two-day talks in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, working-level officials of both sides discussed details of the proposed COC, and forwarded conclusions to their senior officials. They also discussed the implementation of the nonbinding Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the East Sea, adopted by the two sides in 2002.

Commentaries & Analyses

More US boots on Philippine soil

By Richard Javad Heydarian

The Philippines has provisionally agreed to allow for a stronger US military presence on its soil, as tensions mount with China over contested territories in the South China Sea. The agreement could mark a game-changer in the ongoing regional competition over disputed features in the South China Sea by boosting the Philippines' ability to more decisively defend its claims and hedge against further Chinese territorial assertiveness. The proposed agreement will likely send an even stronger message to China about the US's commitment to maintaining stability in the maritime area. Irked by Philippine-US moves to deepen their military alliance, China abruptly rescinded its invitation to Aquino to visit the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-China Economic Expo held in Nanning, raising new concerns over already deteriorating Philippine-China bilateral relations. While the Philippines and US deepen their military ties, it is not initially clear if the move will lead to more calm or discord in the South China Sea.

What should Washington be asking for from Southeast Asia?

By Walter Lohman

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Firstly, steady and persistent pressure on China’s maritime adventurism and extra-legal claims to “blue soil.” The high point of the administration’s policy was Secretary Clinton’s statements in Hanoi in July 2010. The United States has been overly sensitive to ASEAN’s comfort level ever since. Secondly, unequivocal public support of the Philippines’ legal challenge to China’s nine-dash map encompassing the vast majority of the South China Sea. Given ASEAN’s strong support for UNCLOS and its rhetorical commitment to international law, the parties to the conflict ought to utilize it. Thirdly, a revision of their positions on customary international maritime law. Washington has differences with several of the countries in Southeast Asia over where and what kind of military activities can be carried out in international waters, including Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). These countries’ rhetorical support of a U.S. Navy presence does not currently extend to endorsing naval surveillance and other activities necessary to carrying out its mission. This ought to be an active area of negotiation among the United States and its allies, partners, and friends. Finally, the administration should make all the photo ops, press conferences and joint statements that occasion cabinet-level visits to Asian capitals count for more. If there is, in fact, shared concern over China’s adventurism and excessive claims, that concern should be made explicit. A code of conduct for the South China Sea is a laudable goal; the United States is right to support it. 

Coast Guard competition in East Asia

By Christian Le Miere

In late August 2013, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) submitted a budget request that would represent a 13% funding increase over the previous year (to JPY196.3 billion/US$2bn). However, while Japan is seeking to expand the JCG, China has reformed its maritime constabulary agencies.  The ships recently seen deployed to the disputed islands sport a new red-and-blue design that differs from the three blue stripes of China Marine Surveillance (CMS) vessels and the all-white livery of the Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC). Until recently, ships from both CMS and FLEC had operated in the region. Since 24 July, however, the rebranded ‘China Coast Guard’ (CCG) has been responsible for these deployments. The newly reformed CCG would create a simpler administrative structure and afford Beijing greater direct control. While this offers greater opportunity to observe China’s maritime security organisation and motivations, for China’s neighbours the vessels will continue to be an unwelcome sight of Beijing’s assertiveness in the region. If anything, it is possible it will only further encourage the build-up of maritime constabulary capabilities in the region.

Abe’s ASEAN tour

By Dennis D. Trinidad

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Abe’s recent trips to Southeast Asia show that Japan is turning once again to the region. Abe travelled to Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam in January — his first foreign tour since his re-election as prime minister. He visited Myanmar in May, and then Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines in July. Abe is also set to visit Brunei, Cambodia and Laos in October. By further strengthening ties with ASEAN members, Japan could help mitigate China’s charm offensive by resorting to a strategy of soft containment. This subtle version of containment is different from the policy used by the United States against the spread of communism during the Cold War. Japan knows that it has nothing to gain by containing China, now its largest trading partner. Instead, this flexible strategy allows both engagement and curtailment of China’s expanding influence. There are two ways by which Japan could achieve this: value diplomacy and institution building. During his dialogue with Southeast Asian leaders, Abe constantly referred to a set of shared values, such as democracy, human rights and rule of law. Abe declared that he ‘wants to emphasise the importance of strengthening ties with [Southeast Asian] countries that share such values’. China could not seek to realise these values, and nor does it have the credibility to pursue them — although if ‘value’ diplomacy works, it may put pressure on China to eventually embrace those values. Meanwhile, the proposal for strengthened maritime cooperation represents Japan’s desire for long-term regional stability through institution building. During his Philippines visit, Abe reiterated the importance of cooperation on maritime and oceanic affairs. Abe can use this opportunity to take the lead in building institutions for a maritime code of conduct (including a fisheries code). Building maritime institutions in order to reduce tension complements Japan’s strategy, since participation in any form of collective security or military deterrence is constrained by constitutional and other domestic factors.