South China Sea Forum

[Zero_wing]

Man so far away from the truth i think your the people that afraid of all the nations you angered
Made in China: A US-Japan-Philippines Axis? | Flashpoints | The Diplomat
Philippines Seeks Air Defense Systems From Israel | Flashpoints | The Diplomat

 

[Malaya]

Wait a second, is Aquino saying he want to lease PH military bases (pimp PH sovereignty) to other country?

nah we will just let our allies (Japan and US) come in and use our military facilities. It is a preventive measure to maintain peace and security for the Filipino people against the greed of other nation. It is in the best interest of our country to have the presence of strong allies to deter any threat from the biggest bully in the world while at the same time we are modernizing and enhancing our Armed Forces.

 

[Malaya]

Look at those Pinoys cowering in fear.... they know they are helpless in the face of a PLAN attack.

PREMATURE REJOICING | Chinese Navy ship, fishing boats still in Ayungin - InterAksyon.com

Your greed is definitely bringing it nowhere but to consternation of other nations. Your head has swollen due to your economic growth but this is only temporary and you will surely find yourself back to the quagmire you have been before.

 

[Malaya]

Man so far away from the truth i think your the people that afraid of all the nations you angered
Made in China: A US-Japan-Philippines Axis? | Flashpoints | The Diplomat
Philippines Seeks Air Defense Systems From Israel | Flashpoints | The Diplomat

That's what they get for being so disrespectful to the rights and sovereignty of other countries. Nowadays countries whom they bullied will do whatever it takes even if it is a desperate one to bring them down...While it is true that they are growing fast militarily and economically, their enemies are also growing fast in economic and military partnership for a sole purpose...to contain their rising power. This is the biggest mistake they make. They grow plants in a very large garden and yet they grow also weeds with them...Weeds that eventually take all the nourishment from the precious plants they grow.

 

[Malaya]

PH: China turning sea into its lake
By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Thursday, July 11th, 2013

MANILA, Philippines—China is turning the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) into “one country’s lake,” Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Tuesday, pressing Manila’s effort to roll back Beijing’s expansive claims in the strategic waterway.

Speaking before an experts’ roundtable on maritime security in Brussels, Belgium, Del Rosario said China’s assertion of ownership over almost all of the sea could restrict freedom of navigation in sea-lanes critical to global trade.

Del Rosario also reiterated the Philippines’ bid for a peaceful resolution to its territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea by bringing it to the United Nations for arbitration.

Citing China’s “overwhelming naval and maritime presence far beyond its mainland shores,” Del Rosario accused Beijing of “raising regional tensions” in the sea, a clear reference to incursions of Chinese vessels into shoals and islets well within the Philippines’ 360-kilometer exclusive economic zone.

China’s “unilateral coercive actions,” Del Rosario said, also seemed to be an assertion of sovereignty over the territories within Beijing’s self-proclaimed “nine-dash line,” which encompasses most of the sea, including waters within the economic exclusion zones of Southeast Asian nations.

Del Rosario again criticized China for its nine-dash claim in the sea, saying the delineation is “extremely close to the coasts of other littoral states.”

Arbitrary claims

“Arbitrary claims to maritime territory could also be arbitrarily invoked to regulate passage of ships through the large swath of maritime areas the nine-dash line encloses. On its face, this expansive claim could turn an international body of water into a lake of one nation,” Del Rosario warned his audience, which included members of the European Parliament, the diplomatic corps, Belgian government and European Union (EU) officials and European think tanks.

Besides the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan claim territories in the West Philippine Sea, where islets, atolls and reefs are believed to be sitting on vast deposits of oil and gas.

Del Rosario’s remarks in Brussels echoed statements he made on June 30 before foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and dialogue partners in Brunei, where he blasted China for its “massive military buildup” in the West Philippine Sea.

After disappearing for a few days last week, Chinese ships have returned to Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal), a rich fishing ground west of Zambales within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Three Chinese vessels have also converged on Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) in the Philippines’ part of the Spratly archipelago in the middle of the West Philippine Sea.

More complex

Del Rosario touched on other regional security concerns such as the dispute between China and Japan over a group of islands in the East China Sea and tensions on the Korean Peninsula, but he described the West Philippine Sea rivalry as “more complex.”

“We must manage the maritime territorial disputes that have come to recent prominence in the East and South China Seas.

These constitute the major security issues in the region’s seas. The overlapping multiple disputes in the South China Sea are the more complex, involving the legal rights of several littoral states over territories, maritime zones, fishing grounds, natural resource areas, transport and other uses of the sea,” Del Rosario said.

“We cannot afford to ignore these issues. Sweeping them under the rug may not work indefinitely. At some point, we must focus on their resolution, or at the very least, on their management in order to preempt the escalation of tensions,” Del Rosario said.

He underscored the West Philippine Sea’s importance to Europe, pointing out that the sea is a gateway to Asia.

“The importance of the South China Sea in European trade cannot be overemphasized. In fact, the opening of maritime trade routes spanning Europe, Asia and the Americas ushered in the modern world. The first great era of globalization was driven by trade in the age of sail,” he said.

“Ensuring the unfettered access of ships and maritime commerce through the region is therefore of interest not only to Asia and Europe, but to the international community as well,” he said.

Last resort

Del Rosario explained the Philippines’ decision to seek UN arbitration to resolve its territorial dispute with China, saying China’s “unilateral claim … must pass the bar of international law and conform in particular to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).”

The Philippines invoked Unclos in seeking UN arbitration to invalidate China’s nine-dash-line claim and halt its incursions into the country’s established maritime boundaries in the disputed waters.

China has refused to take part in the proceedings, but the process is continuing under Unclos provisions.

“The Philippines had exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful negotiated settlement of its maritime dispute with China. Our last resort therefore when confronted with increasing incursions into our territory was to utilize the legal track, which also covered the management of disputes,” Del Rosario said.

In March, the European Parliament expressed support for the Philippines’ peaceful approach to solving its territorial dispute with China, a position its members reiterated to Del Rosario during their meeting on Tuesday.

During his three-day visit to Belgium, Del Rosario also secured the support of European Council President Herman Van Rompuy in their first meeting on July 8.

The council is the EU’s policy-making body.

Right path

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Van Rompuy called the Philippines’ arbitration bid “the right path to take” in seeking a legal remedy against China.

Amid the pending arbitration, the Philippines continues to seek a dialogue with China in hopes of settling the maritime dispute.

On the sidelines of the Asean ministerial meeting in Brunei, Del Rosario invited Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for “consultations” in Manila after “testy exchanges” between them during a closed session.

He said Wang told him that he would consider his invitation.

Toward the close of the meeting, China agreed to open “formal consultations” with Asean on a proposed code of conduct in the West Philippine Sea.

The consultations will be held in Beijing in September.

 

[Malaya]

UN arbitral tribunal on PH case vs China meets in Hamburg on jurisdiction
By: Veronica C. Uy, InterAksyon.com
July 10, 2013

MANILA - The five-member United Nations tribunal that will hear the arbitration case the Philippines sought over its territorial dispute with China is now meeting in Hamburg, where it will decide whether it has jurisdiction over the case, University of the Philippines law professor Atty. Harry Roque said.

Roque, of UP’s Institute of International Legal Studies, said the tribunal would have to “examine its own jurisdiction” over the case that the Philippines filed January this year over China’s objections.

He said the panel “would have to convince itself that number one, the case is covered by the compulsory and binding dispute settlement procedures of UNCLOS. That is, that the dispute involves only interpretation and application of UNCLOS,” he said.

UNCLOS stands for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

If the tribunal answers yes to the first question, then it would have to decide whether its jurisdiction is not covered by reservations made by China, he said. Among China’s expressed reservations are on maritime delimitation and operation of law enforcement for purposes of sovereign rights.

If the court decides that it has jurisdiction, then it “will ask the Philippines to make its submissions, including factual evidence,” Roque explained.

The meeting would be the first for the arbitral tribunal since the membership to that body was completed in April, he added.

The meeting was delayed after one of the arbitrators, Prof. Chris Pinto “voluntarily recused himself from the tribunal because he is married to a Filipina.” Pinto is Sri Lankan.

Roque said “Prof. Pinto is a very close friend of the Institute of International Legal Studies, that’s why we consider it a big loss.”

Another member from a third world country, Thomas Mensah of Ghana, was named Pinto’s replacement.

Hamburg likely seat of arbitration

Roque said Hamburg will likely be established as the seat of arbitration.

The Philippines is questioning China’s “nine-dash line” as basis for its sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

The Philippines claims parts of the South China Sea and refers to them as the West Philippine Sea.

China, which insists on a bilateral solution to the conflict, rejected the arbitration in February, saying the Philippines’ case was legally infirm.

Along with 161 other countries, both the Philippines and China are signatories to the 1982 accord allowing them to seek legal remedy on territorial disputes.

Aside from the Philippines and China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping claims over the resource-rich waters.

UN arbitral tribunal on PH case vs China meets in Hamburg on jurisdiction - InterAksyon.com

 

[Malaya]

Del Rosario at EU: 'Peaceful' efforts to end sea row 'unsuccessful'
By Camille Diola (philstar.com)

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Tuesday reported to officials of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium that the Philippines' "peaceful" approach to settle disputes with China have failed.

"The Philippines undertook many efforts to peacefully engage China and settle these disputes. However, these were unsuccessful," Del Rosario said, explaining the overlapping disputes at sea with China as the major claimant.

Del Rosario said in a roundtable discussion that the country has "exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues" in peacefully negotiating a settlement with China, which he said has "projected an overwhelming naval and maritime presence far beyond its mainland shores."

"Our last resort, therefore, when confronted with increasing incursions into our territory, was to utilize the legal track which also covered the management of disputes," Del Rosario said.

He emphasized that the country seeks a "rules-based" resolution on the conflict through third-party arbitration and the crafting of the Code of Conduct with its Southeast Asian neighbors.

"The five-member panel of the arbitration tribunal has already been completed ... I have no doubt that they will look at the merits of the case on the basis of law," Del Rosario said.

The diplomatic official also took time in convincing the European dignitaries of the importance of the South China Sea in European trade, saying that the shipping lanes must remain free of military perils.

"Ensuring the unfettered access of ships and maritime commerce through the region is ... of interest not only to Asia and Europe, but to the international community as well," Del Rosario said.

According to a statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, European Parliament members have expressed their support for the country's approaches to the sea row, particularly its respect for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS in the meeting with Del Rosario.

Del Rosario is in Belgium and Luxembourg for a three-day diplomatic visit when he also met Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Asselborn seeking to renew the two countries' bilateral ties.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2...-eu-peaceful-efforts-end-sea-row-unsuccessful

 

[Malaya]

The China challenge
BREAKTHROUGH By Elfren S. Cruz (The Philippine Star) | July 11, 2013

There are reports that there was a heated verbal exchange between the Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China during the recently concluded ASEAN China forum. Chinese ships have also returned to the Panatag shoals.

Once again we are forced to ask whether there is any way we can ever normalize relations with China or will tensions continue to be the defining framework for future Philippines — China relations.

Chito Sta, Romana, former executive producer of the American Broadcasting Corporation in Beijing and an acknowledged China expert, describes how China’s global strategy and posture has dramatically changed in the past two and a half decades.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the United States was seen as the sole superpower in the world. After the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, the Chinese leaders were very concerned with the issue of the survival of the Communist regime. During the period 1989-1991 China’s primary predicament was how to avoid a collapse similar to what happened to the Soviet Union and other Eastern European communist regimes.

In the early 1990s, under the leadership of Deng, China’s strategy on how to deal with a world dominated by a single superpower was: “ keep a low profile, bide our time, build our capabilities.” The simpler translation was a “hide and bide” strategy.

Today, China is prepared to prepare to oppose any US-led resolution to end the Assad rule in Syria. However, in 1991 when the United States and its allies proposed a UN resolution for an invasion of Iraq, China abstained on the vote instead of casting a veto.. This was also the period when China improved relations with South Korea, Japan and its Asian neighbors.

In 2003, Chinese leaders introduced a new strategy to define the rise in Chinese power. This was the “peaceful rise” term which was replaced by “peaceful development” in 2004. The primary motive was to address increasing international concern about the increasing “China threat.”

With the global financial crisis and recession in the West in 2008, Chinese analysts begun to point to a shift in the strategic balance of power. They pointed to a declining dominance of the United States and the rise of emerging powers like Brazil, Russia, India, and China or BRICs. It was perceived, in China, that there was now a shift from a unipolar world, dominated by the USA, to a multi-polar global trend of “declining West and rising East.”

There was an internal debate on whether China should continue Deng’s “hide and bide” strategy or consider that it was now a major power that needed to play a bigger role in international affairs. The continuing financial crisis in the West and its weakening economic position emboldened China to modify Deng’s “hide and “bide” strategy and initiate a more assertive policy. While it was still willing to cooperate with the United States, it now takes tougher position on issues it considers as “core interests.”

The term “core interests” was first used by a Chinese leader in 2003 in relation to the issue of sovereignty over Taiwan. Since 2004, the term has become more frequently used by Chinese leaders and diplomats. It was used in the issue of Tibet. Then in May 2009, China wrote an official letter to the UN Secretary General from the China UN Mission which said:

“China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and the adjacent waters, and enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters as well as the seabed and subsoil thereof.”

China now has the military and naval power to back up its territorial assertions. This has led to recent confrontations with its neighbors Japan, India, Philippines and Vietnam. In trying to predict possible scenarios, the major unknown at this point is the response of the United States in the event of any major incident between the Philippines and China. There is clearly an increasing intensity in the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.

However, the USA is apparently pursuing a policy of competition and cooperation. In its “pivot to Asia” the United States intends to enlarge its military and naval presence in Asia. However, while there is increasing competition in the political and military spheres, China’s trade with the USA (estimated $446 billion annually} continues to be a major economic reality. Also China remains as the top foreign holder of US government debt estimated at $1.16 trillion.

The United States has never officially acknowledged our territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea. At this point, we need to accept the reality that we cannot expect the United States to help us defend any of territories presently under dispute with China.

It is clear that without a really major provocation, such as invasion of Taiwan or Luzon, there will be no American “cavalry” coming to our rescue.

We must continue to engage China without fear since we are protecting territorial sovereignty. However, at the same time there is a need to continue bilateral talks at the highest level. Fortunately, there will be some opportunities for these quiet talks.

In August there will be a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers with China in Beijing. In September the talks on the Code of Conduct in the disputed areas will be held in Beijing. In September 20 to 24, the Philippines will host the ASEAN Expo in Nanning and both presidents of China and the Philippines are expected to attend.

The two pronged approach of “conflict and cooperation” with China, similar to that of the USA and Vietnam ,will continue to be the Philippines’ best strategy because war is not an option.

The China challenge | Opinion, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com

 

[Viet]

India should abondon their fear before China and resumes drilling oil with us in the SC Sea. Our EEZ waters are undisputed.


Welcome India's stand on South China Sea, says Vietnam


IANS | New Delhi July 12, 2013 Last Updated at 18:35 IST
Business Standard

VN Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on July 12

VN Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh who is paying an official visit to India from July 10-12 and his Indian counterpart Salman Khurshid.


Observing that maritime disputes in the South China Sea had arisen due to one nation's claim to "80 percent" of the waters, which was "too much", Vietnam Friday said it welcomes the stand by India on maintaining peace and stability and securing maritime lanes in the sea over which China has shown increasing assertiveness.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, at a talk here Friday, said the situation in the South China Sea was complicated due to the claim over the Paracel and Spratly islands by countries in the region, including China.

"The claim of one country is too much, covering 80 percent of South China Sea... so the dispute arose," he said at a talk at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).

He said the 10-member ASEAN grouping favoured freedom of navigation and rights over their economic zones. He said ASEAN and China are holding official negotiations on a Code of Conduct for maritime rights in the South China Sea.

"We must respect international law and the UN law of the sea," he said.

"In this we regard we appreciate the stand of India in maintaining peace and securing maritime lanes," the Vietnamese minister said, referring to the speech by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid in Brunei earlier this month at the 20th ASEAN Regional Forum meeting.

Khurshid had stressed the need to "reaffirm the importance of unimpeded right of passage and other maritime rights in accordance with accepted principles of international law... these principles should be respected by all".

"Khurshid rejected the use of force and we welcome the stand by India," said Pham Binh Minh.

On Thursday, Pham Binh Minh had said India was welcome to explore for oil and gas in its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. China has not been happy about India's ONGC Videsh exploring for oil and gas in the sea.

The Vietnamese minister also said Friday that with greater connectivity and economic linkages, "Asia and Pacific and South Asia could be inter-linked into what is the called Indo-Pacific".

The greater linkages of South Asia with East Asia and the Pacific "reflect the idea that we all share a common prosperity, our destinies are intertwined and ASEAN plays a crucial role as a bridge linking the regions".

Asserting that ASEAN, especially Vietnam, "holds India is great value", the Vietnamese minister described India as an economic powerhouse and appreciated India's role as a key player in the region.

Direct flights between Vietnam and India would take place in November, which would boost tourism and people-to-people contact between their two countries, he said.

Welcome India's stand on South China Sea, says Vietnam | Business Standard

 

[Viet]

East Sea and Vietnam´s EEZ

 

[Shardul.....the lion]

Vietnam is blessed with huge coastline and oil rich zones and cursed to have big bully neighbor

 

[SirHatesALot]

Only way to stand up to china is by improving economy and military.
I hope India-Vietnam relations improve.

 

[Hellraiser007]

Long live India - Vietnam good Relations.

 

[Psyops]

If the PLAN decides to sink Indian ships, India is powerless to do anything about it. Type 056 corvettes and type 022 FAC is good enough to sink the entire Indian navy. We hold all the cards, if we decide to play hardball with India like we did in April, India will back down and give us concessions.

 

[Hellraiser007]

If the PLAN decides to sink Indian ships, India is powerless to do anything about it. Type 056 corvettes and type 022 FAC is good enough to sink the entire Indian navy. We hold all the cards, if we decide to play hardball with India like we did in April, India will back down and give us concessions.

It is boring to hear the warnings from Chinese, The drilling is going on and is about to be expanded to other blocks,do what ever you want. ......