-(SCMP 27/09) China might push on with work on South China Sea reefs despite warning from US President Barack Obama: “The construction is continuing and I think that’s just a message to the US that China thinks what it is doing is legal, legitimate and justifiable, and that all the other claimants have undertaken reclamation and construction,” Bonnie Glaser said.

-(Philstar 27/09) Xi to Obama: South China Sea isles ours: “We have the right to uphold our own territorial sovereignty and lawful legitimate maritime rights and interests,” Xi said.
-(Xinhua 27/09) Ten reasons China, US can avoid Thucydides Trap

-(The National Interest 26/09)  What Does China Really Think About the South China Sea (And America's Role)? A unique window into what Beijing really thinks about the tension filled South China Sea. - (Inquirer 27/09) ‘China just defending vs US in South China Sea’.

-(Straitstimes 26/09) Obama, Xi agree on cyber crimes, climate, but clash on South China Sea: Mr Obama reiterated US concerns about "land reclamation, construction and militarisation of disputed areas, which make it harder for countries to resolve disputes peacefully". But Mr Xi did not back down on it.

-(SCMP 26/09) From cybersecurity to South China Sea territorial disputes: 5 big challenges and outcomes in Sino-US relations: Outcomes: Xi promised to respect freedom for navigation in the sea but insisted its claims were legitimate and it had the right to uphold its sovereignty. Obama called for a peaceful resolution to the tensions in the area.

-( People's Daily Online 26/09) Maritime Safety Administration Launches Patrol in South China Sea: Hainan Maritime Safety Administration launched a patrol on Sept. 25 in which seaplanes and cruising vessels both participated.

-(The Diplomat 25/09) South China Sea: Conflict Escalation and ‘Miscalculation’ Myths: “The record suggests that miscalculation concerns over incidents in the maritime realm are exaggerated.”

-(Bricplusnews 25/09) This Is Why the South China Sea Dispute Is Way More Important Than People Realise: Unlike other seas, the South China Sea has three factors that make it one of the most important, if not the most, sea to watch and guaranteeing a major conflict to ensue in the next few decades.

-(Xinhuanet 25/09) China, U.S. share common interests on South China Sea issue: Xi: Both China and the United States support the maintenance of peace and stability in the South China Sea, as well as a peaceful solution to disputes among directly concerned parties through negotiations and consultations, he said.

-(AEI 25/09) Walking the walk in the South China Sea: while the Chinese will continue to intercept and track American planes and ships operating in their near seas, this is not a reason for the United States to avoid contested spaces out of fear of confrontation and allow international waters to be recognized as de facto Chinese.

-(WND 25/09) U.S. general: Obama must 'play hardball' with China prez: retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely said the president should make it clear that the U.S. will not tolerate Chinese aggression.

-(Straitstimes 25/09) Maritime Silk Road plan runs into South China Sea tension: The Nation: China needs to focus on building mutual trust before it can get countries to support the Silk Road initiative.

-(Japantimes 25/09) China tensions may offset personal ties Obama developed with Xi: Obama and Xi’s relationship will be tested anew as their talks delve into China’s flouting of U.S. concerns about cyberattacks and Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

-(China Daily 25/09) China, US seal defense agreements: Beijing confirms the news - China and the United States have signed annexes to two agreements regarding major military operations and naval and air force encounters.

-(IBT 24/09) South China Sea Dispute Will Be Central To Talks With Obama: The available options open to the U.S. include the White House authorizing the Navy and Air Force to conduct flights over the artificial islands to test China's resolve, this is in line with comments by Defense Secretary Ash Carter that the U.S. military “will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows.”

-(WSJ 24/09) U.S. to Press China on Island Expansions: Some experts believe that if Mr. Kerry's diplomatic push - persuading China to halt land reclamation - doesn't work with Mr. Xi this week, the U.S. may more strongly consider that approach.

-(Reuters 24/09) China to host ASEAN defence ministers amid South China Sea tension: The Oct. 15-16 informal summit will take place in Beijing and China has invited the defence ministers of all 10 members, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian told a regular monthly news briefing

-(Nationalinterest 24/09) Why Chinese Nationalism Could Impact the East and South China Seas VERY Differently: Chinese nationalism towards Japan is so pointed that it has an ossifying effect. In the South China Sea, there is somewhat less at stake for Chinese nationalists and the situation is much more dangerous

-(Businessinsider 24/09) China's Xi heads to Washington for likely tough talks with Obama: In Seattle, Xi's speech showed little sign of compromise and more determination to claim an equal superpower role on the world stage with the United States.

-(Washingtonpost 24/09)  China’s Xi to get a pomp-heavy U.S. welcome Friday, but maybe not a warm one: Observers said there is little personal warmth, and even less trust, between Xi and Obama as the White House prepares to roll out the red carpet with a pomp-filled arrival ceremony Friday.

-(Nationalinterest 24/09) This Is How to Compete With China: Maintain a strong military presence in Asia; Stand by—and increase military cooperation with—U.S. allies; Challenge China’s outlandish territorial claims; Impose harsh economic penalties; Retaliate against China; most importantly, grow the U.S. economy. 

-(Nikkei 24/09) Search and rescue cooperation could soothe South China Sea tensions: There are at least six reasons to pursue a framework for cooperative search and rescue arrangements that go beyond the vexed regional security environment.

-(Ceylontoday 24/09) China must tread softly on South China Sea: China aspires to be one of the world's superpowers but behaves more like an insular, insecure regime which is not sure of its power and position.

-(Nationmultimedia 24/09) Maritime Silk Road runs into South China Sea tension: There was no doubt what the hoopla at the 11th China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) last week in this southwestern city was all about: Beijing was officially launching the "One Belt, One Road" initiative with a big bang.

-(Financial Times 23/09) Philippines debates return of US forces: Increased co-operation and joint patrols from Subic would send a strong message to China, said Zachary Abuzza of Southeast Asia Analytics

-(Inquirer 23/09) 16 PH fishermen sue China at UN over sea dispute: In a 26-page petition e-mailed to the UNHC for Human Rights and to the UN special rapporters, saying that China must respect their right to livelihood, adequate food and life.

-(Theguardian 23/09) China admonishes Malcolm Turnbull on South China Sea comments: “We hope that Australia will stay committed to not taking sides on issues concerning disputes over sovereignty,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

-(Nationalinterest 23/09) American Strategy in the South China Sea: The SCS disputes will be with us for years to come, and if the United States is to lead from within, it will need to help regional partners demarcate this evolving challenge so that they may respond cohesively.

-(Gmanetwork 23/09) PNoy pokes fun at Beijing's South China Sea claims, praises Japan: "The joke then was that China was saying 'what is ours is ours, what is yours, we share,'" President Benigno Aquino said.

-(Atimes 22/09) The China Challenge: Island-building — a military threat in the South China Sea: The use of maritime law enforcement vessels throughout the sea in recent years was clearly designed by China’s leader to mask their longer-term goal of building military bases that will cement control in a vital zone of commerce.

-(Radioaustralia 22/09) Malcolm Turnbull says China 'pushing the envelope' in South China Sea: The pushing the envelope in the South China Sea has had the consequence of exactly the reverse consequence of what China would seek to achieve.

-(Foreign Policy 22/09) U.S. Gears Up to Challenge Beijing’s ‘Great Wall of Sand’: Washington has quietly avoided sending U.S. ships near China’s artificial islands. The Obama administration is now mulling a more muscular approach.

-(Sputniknews 21/09) US Calls to Halt Land Reclamation, Building Facilities in South China Sea: US National Security Advisor Susan Rice urged China and the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to create a code of conduct in the South China Sea.

-(The Diplomat 22/09) The Truth About US Freedom of Navigation Patrols in the South China Sea: US patrols within 12 nautical miles of China’s artificial islands have a complicated legal basis.

-(Antaranews 22/09) House approves Rp450 billion allocated for South China sea anticipatory measures: the chairman of the commission, Mahfudz Siddiq, said after a meeting between the commission and the Ministry of Defense.

-(Sputniknews 21/09) Hot Air? US Military Has Steered Clear of S. China Sea Islands Since 2012: As Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over its artificial islands in the South China Sea, US officials have pushed for new plans to flout China’s territorial claims.

-(Bloomberg 21/09) China's Top Diplomat Stresses Cooperation Before Xi's U.S. Visit: State Councilor Yang Jiechi said that Xi’s trip would bolster a relationship that has weathered various disagreements in the four decades since Richard Nixon traveled to Beijing.

-(BBC 21/09) China seeks 'new model' for relations with US: China is intent on building military force and diplomatic clout to match its economic might. The swiftest, surest and cheapest way to all three is through US co-operation.