South China Sea Forum

[Viet]

US draws allies into South China Sea dispute

YUKIO TAJIMA, Nikkei staff writer
June 4, 2015 12:00 am JST

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter delivers his speech during the Asia Security Summit May 30 in Singapore. © AP

SINGAPORE -- Defense ministers from Japan, the U.S. and Australia expressed grave concerns about China building artificial islands in disputed areas in the South China Sea during an annual international security forum late last month.

In their joint statement, released on May 30, the three Pacific nations' top defense officials urged "all South China Sea claimants to exercise self-restraint, halt reclamation activities, take steps to ease tensions and refrain from provocative actions that could escalate tensions."

This was squarely aimed at China, which is covering reefs and coral atolls to build islets around the Spratly Islands, known as Nansha Qundao in Chinese, and other waters claimed by multiple nations in the South China Sea.

As Beijing builds structures, including a 3,000-meter runway, on the artificial islands, neighboring Philippines and Vietnam are objecting strongly to the construction. With the U.S. increasing patrols of the areas with aircraft and sea vessels, tensions are heating up between Washington and Beijing.

This year's Asia Security Summit was held in Singapore from May 29-31 amid this background. China's reclamation activities were high on everyone's mind.

China's behavior is "out of step with both the international rules and norms," U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said in a speech on May 30. He criticized Beijing and demanded, "There should be an immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation."

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani also spoke, pointing a finger directly at China for heightening tensions in the region. "I hope and expect all the countries, including China, to behave as a responsible power," he said in his speech.

In a meeting on the sidelines of the conference, Nakatani and Carter were united in their opposition to China's attempts at changing the status quo, clearly sniping at its island-building activities, which disregard all other claims on the territory.

The two, along with Australian Defense Minister Kevin Andrews, also expressed their "serious concern over Chinese land reclamation activities in the South China Sea," according to the joint statement.

Pushback

Japan, the U.S. and Australia are exploring the idea of helping the Philippines and Vietnam to deal with China's activities in the South China Sea.

The two countries lack the personnel and military equipment, such as pilots and patrol aircraft, necessary to monitor the territories properly. These staffing and technology shortcomings are some of the reasons China has been able to build the islands mostly unnoticed, until recently.

Japan, the U.S. and Australia intend to help by training military personnel in the two Southeast Asian nations. The trio also plan to help the Philippines and Vietnam improve their soldiers' skills by inviting some of officials to train in Japan, the U.S. and Australia, as well as promoting military exchanges.

Furthermore, Japan may dispatch its Self-Defense Forces to the troubled sea territory for warning and surveillance activities.

Predictably, Beijing reacted swiftly to Carter's criticism of its reclamation activities.

Adm. Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of general staff of the People's Liberation Army, criticized the U.S. and other countries for provoking China with accusations about its reclamation activities, and suggested that China is being unfairly targeted.

"[The] South China Sea issue has become a hot topic during this dialogue ... but in the world and the Asia-Pacific region, there are many more serious security issues other than the South China Sea," Sun said on May 31.

He also confirmed that China's contentious reclamation work in the South China Sea is for "military and defense needs."

"Along with meeting the necessary military and defense needs, [the construction] is to better China's international responsibilities and obligations regarding maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and relief, maritime scientific research ... [and] safety of navigation," said the Chinese admiral. He also restated China's official line that the work improves working and living conditions for personnel stationed on the islands.

 

[fadine]

...
@ahojunk, any update on Eldad reef? Post pics of it if you have any. I still can't find any up to date info on it. Thanks.

 

[cirr]

Newly inducted CCG 3105 sailing downward the mighty Yangtze River for its base in the SCS：

Proud produce of Chuandong Shipbuilding Co., Sichuan Province.

 

[cirr]

Sansha City（the administrative body responsible for the whole SCS south to the Yongxing（Woody） Island）Integrated Law Enforcement Vessel #1

 

[70U63]

Tough talk by the US is escalating tensions in Asia. This is exactly how wars start.

Second, it is far from clear that Asian countries are as willing to side with Washington against Beijing as US policymakers assume. As we have said, everyone wants the US to help balance China's power, but no one wants a bad relationship with China, and no one wants to see escalating US-China rivalry, let alone conflict. So everyone in Asia wants Washington to tread carefully in its dealings with Beijing. And none of them would join the US against China if it came to a fight.

South China Sea not the place to get all bolshie

 

[Viet]

We will continue to fish around Paracels. No chinese clown can stop us.


Hoang Sa is Vietnam’s traditional fishing grounds: FM spokesman
Last update 09:20 | 22/05/2015
Vietnam Net

Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago is an integral territory of Vietnam and its waters have long been the traditional fishing grounds of Vietnamese fishermen, affirmed Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman Le Hai Binh.

Answering reporters’ queries on Vietnam’s response to China’s unilateral ban on fishing in the East Sea at a regular press conference on May 21, Binh said that Vietnam will intensify management and closely monitor Vietnamese fishermen’s fishing activities in the waters of Vietnam in order to timely address arising incidents.

Mentioning to China’s large-scale construction on reef islands altering the status quo and violating Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, the spokesman confirmed that Vietnam has full legal foundations and historical evidence proving its sovereignty on Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes.

All actions of parties at the area without Vietnam’s agreement are illegal and void, he added.

Vietnamese functional agencies are keeping an eye on operations in the East Sea, including the operation and position of China’s drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981.

Regarding CNN’s launch of a video capturing Chinese naval ships chasing US aircraft flying above the international waters of the East Sea, Binh said that maintaining peace, stability, aviation and maritime security and safety in the East Sea, which forms an important international maritime route and aviation corridor, is the common interest and aspiration of nations inside and outside the region.

Vietnam calls on countries concerned to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, aviation and maritime security and safety in the East Sea in a responsible and active manner, while respecting the sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction of coastal nations on the basis of international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and avoiding complicating the situation, he stated.

Indonesia called to follow int’l law treating caught vessels

The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s spokesman called on Indonesia to address appropriately the issue of foreign fishing ships and fishermen supposedly operating in its waters in line with international law.

At a regular press conference on May 21, spokesman Le Hai Binh said Indonesia should pay attention to the worries of countries concerned when answering a question about Indonesia destroying foreign vessels allegedly caught to fish in its waters.

Indonesia should take in the spirit of treating the vessels and fisherman kindly, Binh said.
Indonesia destroyed 41 caught foreign vessels at several sites on May 20 in a move said to stop illegal fishing in its waters.
VNA

 

[cirr]

Meiji Island，a view from the ISS：

 

[cirr]

CCG 3106 is readying herself to join sister ship CCG 3105 that was spotted sailing downward the Yangtze River several days back for homebase in the SCS

 

[bobsm]

China rebukes Japan's meddling in South China Sea issue

English.news.cn 2015-06-12 19:56:41

BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A Foreign Ministry spokesperson has urged Japan not to weigh into territorial disputes in the South China Sea, labelling Japan a "non-party" in the matter.

Hong Lei made the comments at a media briefing on Friday responding to reporter's question on Japan's recent hyping up the South China Sea issue and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe more recently expressing "serious concern" over China's construction activities on islands and reefs of Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

"China has voiced strong concern and indignation over Japan's negative moves, and has lodged solemn representations," Hong said.

"As a non-party to the South China Sea issue, Japan has been behaving very abnormally recently by deliberately interfering in the issue, stirring up dispute among regional countries and creating tension at sea."

He said China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and its surrounding waters. He said China's construction activities on some garrisoned islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea is totally within its sovereignty. "They are lawful, reasonable and justified, which does not affect or target any other countries and beyond reproach".

"Japan's move neither contributes to resolving the South China Sea disputes nor protecting peace and stability in the South China Sea. It severely undermines security and political mutual trust between China and Japan and runs counter to improving bilateral ties," according to the spokesman.

Hong urged Japan to honor its commitment of not taking sides and respect the efforts of China and ASEAN countries to maintain peace in the South China Sea.

 

[Zero_wing]

Well you piss of a lot of people thanks for the alliance china

 

[ahojunk]

View of Philippines controlled Thitu (Zhongye) Island from a fly by.
The size of the island is 0.372 sq km with a 1.3 km airstrip.

 

[dichoi]

Last update 08:00 | 10/06/2015

China is a threat: US scholar
VietNamNet Bridge - This is the second article in a series written Hoang Huong during her trip to Hawaii (USA), Beijing and Hainan (China), Masinloc and Manila (the Philippines) and Singapore with journalists from 14 countries in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss the East Sea (South China Sea) conflict, held by the Jefferson Fellowships program of the East-West Center (USA).

The three scholars mentioned in the article are Dr. Mr. Denny Roy, a senior expert on governance and security from the East-West Center (USA), Prof. Sherry P. Broder, a lecturer at the William S. Richardson Law School, University of Hawaii (USA) and Dr. Li Guoqiang, a researcher in the field of philosophy and social sciences from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Sharing the same view that China has been developing very strongly and this country now has great influence on global trade, the Chinese and American scholars’ perspective is different on the orientation and the way of development, as well as the attitude of China to the world in the process of economic development.

Referring to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which was signed by China and ASEAN countries in 2002, Mr. Li Guoqiang said that during the process of discussion and implementation, the concerned parties should try to reach common awareness and should not impose their will on others. However, two American scholars pointed out the actions that go against the good words of China.

Prof. Sherry P. Broder said that in the past few years, China has been involved in serious standoffs with its neighbors. She listed various events such as China’s dispute with the Philippine Coast Guard at the Scarborough Shoal began in 2012. In November 2013, China unexpectedly declared an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over a large portion of the East China Sea that overlaps portions of the South Korean and Japanese ADIZs. In 2014, China sent the HD-981 oil rig in waters disputed with Vietnam near the Paracel Islands.

“China has also used its economic power to influence developments and to punish its opponents in the East Sea and West Sea disputes. For instance, in 2012, China restricted Philippine fruit imports. In 2010, China restricted exports of rare earth minerals to Japan. China claimed that the action was for environmental protection purposes, but in 2014 the World Trade Organization concluded that China’s restrictions were discriminatory and violated its rules,” said Prof. Broder.

Dr. Denny Roy frankly pointed out: “China sends dual, perhaps contradictory, messages. The first is ‘Don’t worry, we want peace and stability and trade that will be good for you.’ The second message is ‘We are increasingly powerful, so if you are wise you will treat China with deference and respect or you will suffer’.”

A reporter from New Zealand questioned why did China repeatedly state it observed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) but refused the arbitration case of the Philippines? Mr. Li Guoqiang explained quite confusingly: "The UNCLOS does not solve the territorial, dispute and military issues, just deal with the basic problems of the sea…"

Citing China’s respect of diplomatic measures among the three ways of settlement - military struggle, judicial arbitration and diplomacy – Mr. Li Guoqiang justified China’s attitude in the Philippines’ lawsuit as "justifiable and appropriate."

Prof. Broder said: “If the arbitration panel rules in favor of the Philippines, it will strengthen the position of the Philippines and probably encourage other countries in the region to bring claims to push back China’s claims. If China refuses to abide by the decision, it will erode China’s international standing and position as a global leader.”

"China is a threat"

Referring to the role of the US in the East Sea, particularly when the US recently sent the warship USS Fort Worth to patrol the East Sea, which was protested fiercely by China, Mr. Li Guoqiang said the US’s statement on the policy on the South China Sea was "unconstructive".

"The US is not the country concerned, but it has made a lot of actions to intervene in the South China Sea issue," he said.

From American view, Prof. Broder clearlysaid: “China has repeatedly promised that it means only peace. The Charter of the United Nations prohibits using force to settle territorial disputes. The escalating conflicts in the region could trigger a severe crisis, which would ultimately affect the entire world.”

“The US has continued to urge all claimants to follow the provisions of the 2002 DOC, in which the parties committed to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. It is fair for other nations to evaluate the validity of what China says against its actions,” she said.

Dr. Denny Roy stressed that the rise of China is a threat. “A stronger China will more strongly demand Chinese security and prosperity. Inevitably, this will reduce the freedom of action and in some cases the security of China’s neighbors. In that sense the rise of China is a threat,” he said.

* Dr. Denny Roy taught Chinese studies, the history of Asia, and Southeast Asian politics at the Navy School of Monterey, California, in 1998 - 2000; researched on security - defense at the University of Canberra, Australia; taught political science at schools in Singapore and England before becoming a senior researcher of the East - West Research Centre in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. He is the author of many research works such as The Pacific War and Its Political Legacies; Taiwan: A Political Policy and China's Foreign Relations, and many articles in scientific - politics journals.

* Prof. Sherry P. Broder is a lecturer at the William S. Richardson Law School, University of Hawaiil, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Her major teaching and research fields are is international law, ocean law, environmental law and human rights. Also, she is a media advisor and arbitrator for Hawaii’s government. She is the founder and executive director of the Jon Van Dyke Institute for International Law and Justice, which regularly organizes seminars and events related to the UNCLOS, the International Environmental Law and the International law on human rights.

* Dr. Li Guoqiang is a researcher in the field of philosophy and social sciences. He is working at the border research center of the CASS, China.

Hoang Huong

 

[ahojunk]

View from China.
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G7 accused of ignoring the facts over South China Sea
2015-06-10 08:31 | China Daily | Editor: Wang Fan

Beijing accused G7 members of bias, ignoring the facts and irresponsibility on Tuesday as it rejected a statement made by the group targeting, but not naming, China over maritime tensions.

The accusations were leveled by Hong Lei, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at a news conference.

"What the G7 members have said and done are too far from the facts," Hong said.

"China strongly urges the G7 members to respect the facts, discard bias, stop making irresponsible remarks and focus on things that can really help to properly handle and resolve the disputes and contribute to regional peace and stability."

On Monday, leaders of the Group of Seven countries expressed concerns over tensions in the East and South China seas and called for nations to abide by international law. Their comments marked the end of a two-day summit in southern Germany.

"We strongly oppose the use of intimidation, coercion or force, as well as any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo, such as large-scale land reclamation," the G7 leaders said, without naming countries. Many observers interpreted the statement as targeting China.

In his reply, Hong stressed that construction work by China on the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea is an act within its sovereignty with which no other countries have the right to interfere.

He also said the facilities are mostly for civilian use to better fulfill international obligations such as maritime navigation and rescue work.

Zhou Yongsheng, a professor of Japanese studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said the fact that the statement did not name China proves "inner conflict and struggle" within G7 is continuing. It was also a disappointment for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, he said.

"Some G7 members, such as Germany and France, obviously do not want to be 'kidnapped' by Japan to sacrifice their friendship with China over something that really does not affect their interests," Zhou said. "As hard as Abe has tried to make this a big issue on the international stage, he has failed."

Abe had been widely reported as making lobbying efforts to put the maritime issues on the G7 summit agenda.

Jia Xiudong, a senior international affairs researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, said none of the G7 members have the right to meddle in the situation in the South China Sea, as they are not directly involved.

"Making statements like this and ignoring facts and justice will not enhance the voice of the G7 on the global political stage. Rather, it will diminish its image and weaken the group's influence," Jia said.

"No one within the group really cares about the South China Sea－not even Japan. This purely political move will not help the G7 to regain the reputation and influence it has lost to emerging organizations like the G20."

Jia said the G7 statement could make the South China Sea situation more complicated, as some parties that are directly involved may take it as a sign of an endorsement of their activities within Chinese territory.

 

[XiaoYaoZi]

what a beautiful island,enjoy it

 

[XiaoYaoZi]

thanks some viet media for the beautiful photos.