-(Washingtontimes 17/12) The Chinese enigma: American policymakers have to deal with an ever more mystifying China.

-(SBS 17/12) Aust planes fine in South China Sea: Australia will continue to carry out surveillance in the South China Sea despite concerns over a recent incursion, Defence Minister Marise Payne says.-(The Diplomat 17/12) China's South Sea Fleet Gets Another Guided Missile Destroyer: The latest of China’s most advanced guided missile destroyers will likely show up in the South China Sea.

-(The Diplomat 17/12) China’s Unilateral Assertiveness ‘Unacceptable’ in Asia: Scott Swift voices alarm about Beijing’s South China Sea behavior.

-(News 17/12) Chinese paper’s threat to RAAF: ‘It would be a shame if one day a plane fell from the sky’

-(Ibtimes 16/12) Amid US-China Tensions, Defense Sales To Taiwan Angers Chinese Government; China summons US envoy over $1.8bn Taiwan arms deal, (Telegraph 17/12)

-(The Hill 16/12) Pentagon silence on South China Sea patrol 'puzzling': Sen. John McCain is slamming the Pentagon for not yet providing more details on a Navy patrol more than a month ago in the disputed South China Sea.

-(BBC  16/12) Why are Chinese fishermen destroying coral reefs in the South China Sea? What were revealed are shocked and confused. What was thriving reefs system now literally turns to desert under sea.

-(Japantimes 16/12) Indonesia looks to boost defenses around Natuna Islands in South China Sea: A move to strengthen military capability of the island that its EEZ overlap with China’s “nine-dash line” maritime claim.

-(The Diplomat 16/12) Did Australia Secretly Conduct Its Own Freedom of Navigation Operation in the South China Sea?: An accidental scoop by a BBC reporter suggests so.

-(SMH 15/12) Australia steps up air patrols in defiance of Beijing: This amounts to a calculated signal to Beijing that Australia does not accept the sea territory claims generated by China's building of artificial islands in the area.

-(Nytimes 15/12) U.S. Navy Commander Implies China Has Eroded Safety of South China Sea: Routine commercial and military operations in the SCS had become subject to warnings, interrupting the freedom of navigation, as well as air rights due to the “so-called military zones” close to China’s artificial island.

-(Telegraph 15/12) America sounds 'arms race' alert over South China Sea amid fears of military conflict: The top US commander in the Pacific criticises ‘might is right’ approach as China scorns international tribunal on disputed waters

-(Timesofindia 15/12) China upset over India-Japan agreement on South China Sea: The India-Japan agreement calls on all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that could endanger peace.

-(Gmanetwork  15/12) US Navy commander warns of possible South China Sea arms race, as nations become increasingly tempted to use military force to settle territorial spats instead of international law.

-(SCMP 15/12) China’s Sinopec to build service station on Woody Island in disputed South China Sea: The service station and storage tank would satisfy fuel needs in Chinese-controlled islands and reefs in the South China Sea over the next few years.

-(Japantimes  15/12) Japanese official warns that South China Sea activities may be precursor to ADIZ: What China will do next is “beyond our imagination” as it continues to test boundaries

-(Stripes 15/12) Undeterred by China, Navy ops continue in South China Sea: “We’ll continue to operate in accordance with international law in the South China Sea or any place else, just as we would globally,” Adm. Scott Swift said.

-(BBC 15/12) Flying close to Beijing's new South China Sea islands: evidences shows China has succeeded in creating new "facts on the ground". It is building new runways, high-powered radar stations and deep-water port facilities.

-(ABC 15/12) Audio reveals RAAF plane issuing warning to Chinese Navy during 'freedom of navigation' flight: According to the BBC, the message was repeated several times by the RAAF pilot, but no response was heard from the Chinese.

-(Stripes 14/12)  China warns BBC plane away from artificial South China Sea island: Video footage showed roughly 20 ships near the reef. Most of the ships appeared to be cargo craft, although two were warships

-(Financial Review 14/12) Defence claims RAAF South China Sea flight is "routine": Under Operation Gateway, the ADF conducts routine maritime surveillance patrols in South China Sea as a part of Australia's enduring contribution to the preservation of regional security and stability in South East Asia.

-(Reuters 13/12) China navy carries out more drills in disputed South China Sea: Pictures on social media accounts of Chinese state media have in recent days shown pictures of Chinese navy ships engaged in live-fire exercises in the South China Sea, without saying where exactly they took place.

-(Indianexpress 13/12) First time in a Joint statement: India, Japan unite on South China Sea: A year after PM Narendra Modi visited Japan, for the first time, the two countries have come up with an unequivocal statement on SCS and called on countries to “avoid unilateral actions” that could lead to tension in the region.

-(TimeofIndia 13/12) Modi, Abe send message to Beijing on South China Sea: the two leaders emphasize the significance of freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters.

-(Defensenews 13/12) Commentary: Japan, Allies Must Remain Vigilant in South China Sea: It is important that Tokyo, Washington and our allies coordinate and adjust day-to-day, as what China will do next is beyond our imagination. China is continually testing boundaries.

-(Jakartaglobe 13/12) Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Calls for Code of Conduct in South China Sea: We need to fully and consistently implement these rules to avoid tension