Philippines Approaches Neighbors About South China Sea Code of Conduct
Since regional efforts to establish a code of conduct that includes China have stalled, the Philippines has reached out to Malaysia, Vietnam, and others about moving forward without China (Reuters)
President Marcos: China Showing Interest in Atolls Closer to the Philippines
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the situation is becoming more dire as China expands its maritime presence to an atoll just 111 kilometers off the coast of the Philippines (AP)
Defense Officials From U.S., China, Russia, Southeast Asia Gather at Indonesia Talks
Today’s dialogue, organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), covers military challenges within and beyond the region; yesterday, Indonesia’s defense minister named Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, and the South China Sea as “hot spots that can destabilize the region” (Reuters)
Philippines Participates in Japan-Led Naval Drills
The Philippines joined annual exercises with Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States in an observer role for the first time amid heightened tensions with China over disputed shoals and maritime territory (AP)
China to Host Anti-Terror Drills with Five Southeast Asian Nations
Malaysia and Vietnam, which remain in maritime disputes with China, will join Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand in the exercises, which are set to be held in Chinese waters (SCMP)
Dozens of Chinese Ships Chase Philippine Vessels in South China Sea
The Philippines said it observed at least thirty-eight Chinese vessels around the Second Thomas Shoal, many of which “recklessly harassed, blocked and executed dangerous maneuvers in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission;” a U.S. naval surveillance plane kept watch from above (AP)
Philippines Says China Fired Water Cannon on Supply Ship in South China Sea
Authorities said the ship was resupplying Philippine forces at a remote military outpost at the Second Thomas Shoal when the Chinese Coast Guard harassed it and engaged in “dangerous maneuvers” (AP)
Vietnam Rapidly Building Up Reef in the South China Sea
Vietnam has been reclaiming land on an atoll it controls in the Spratly Islands; some observers suspect it is building its second airfield in the sea, which would boost its ability to project power in the area (RFA)
The two countries agreed to discuss a deal to authorize the deployment of military troops on each other’s soil, the Philippine defense secretary said today; both countries have maritime territorial disputes with China (Reuters)
China Says Philippine Military Boat “Illegally” Approached Disputed Shoal
China warned and blocked the ship from entering waters near Scarborough Shoal, which both countries claim (Reuters)
Chinese Fighter Jet and U.S. Bomber Nearly Collide Over the South China Sea
The U.S. military said the Chinese jet flew within three meters of the bomber at an “uncontrolled excessive speed,” while Beijing blamed Washington for the incident (Al Jazeera)
Philippines Summons China’s Ambassador Over South China Sea Collision
Manila publicly blamed China for a maritime collision in disputed waters of the South China Sea yesterday and called on Beijing to stop aggressive maritime acts in the area, while a Chinese foreign ministry official said that a Philippine boat had intruded into Chinese waters (Nikkei)
Following the collision near a disputed shoal, the United States reiterated that it would defend any attack on the Philippines in line with a 1951 treaty (AP)
U.S. Accuses China of “Coercive and Risky” Behavior in South China Sea
U.S. officials said China aims to restrict the ability of the United States and its allies to fly in international airspace over the South China Sea (Bloomberg)
Near Collision of Chinese and Philippine Vessels in South China Sea
The Chinese Coast Guard cut off the Philippine Coast Guard, coming within one meter of a collision about one hundred miles off the Philippine coast; the Philippine Coast Guard was escorting smaller boats to resupply troops on a makeshift garrison aboard a grounded ship on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal (Reuters)
United States and Philippines Begin Joint Maritime Drills With Allies
The exercises are a “show of force” and will last two weeks in Philippine waters, with a U.S. Navy commander saying, “it is important that all nations have a right to sail and operate in the West Philippine Sea,” referring to the area of the South China Sea that is disputed between China and the Philippines (Reuters)
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the country was defending the country’s maritime territory and the right to fish within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); the United States backed Manila’s “bold step,” while China disputed Manila’s version of the event and claimed to have cut the barrier itself voluntarily (Reuters;SCMP)
China Installs Satellite Ground Stations in South China Sea
China built two ground stations for its BeiDou satellite system on reefs in the disputed Paracel Islands to better monitor ships in the area, according to state television (South China Morning Post)
ASEAN Holds First Joint Naval Exercises Near South China Sea
The non-combat drills are being conducted in Indonesia’s Natuna waters to advance military ties among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members in response to China’s increasing assertiveness; this is the first time such drills have been conducted by ASEAN countries alone (AP)
Australia Upgrades Maritime Surveillance Capabilities
Minister for Defense Industry Pat Convoy announced that Australia will spend about $966 million to buy more long range drone aircrafts and upgrade its Poseidon maritime patrol aircrafts to improve its maritime surveillance of its northern approaches (Reuters)
U.S. Military Seeks Access to More Philippine Bases
U.S. Admiral John Aquilino, the chief of the U.S. Indo-Pacific command, said the United States could be given access to additional bases in the Philippines under the U.S.-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which is likely to provoke a negative reaction from China (Reuters)
Taiwan Defense Ministry: China Is Increasing Operations in South China Sea
According to a new report released today by Taiwan’s defense ministry, Taipei said the moves “escalate regional tensions” and challenge Taiwanese sovereignty (Nikkei)
U.S., Vietnam Deepen Relations
U.S. President Joe Biden met with Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and upgraded bilateral relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” during a visit to Hanoi yesterday; Biden said the agreement is not intended to “hurt China” (Nikkei)
The two countries also announced new military and technology deals (Forbes)
At ASEAN Summit, China Warns of ‘New Cold War’
Chinese Premier Li Qiang said countries should avoid “taking sides, bloc confrontation and a new Cold War” at this year’s gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia; the comment comes as some ASEAN states grow increasingly frustrated over China’s activities in the South China Sea (Reuters)
China Appears to Be Building Airstrip on Disputed Island
Satellite images show an apparent airstrip being built on an island in the South China Sea that is also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in recent years, Chinese efforts to build up and construct military facilities on such islands have caused disputes with its neighbors (SCMP)
China Revives Dispute with Philippines Over Shoal in South China Sea
China has repeated its demand that the Philippines tow away a grounded WWII-era ship now used as a military outpost; Manila previously refused to vacate the shoal, which lies within its Exclusive Economic Zone (Reuters)