East Sea News from 01/9 to 30/9/2012

-(Time 30/9)Big U.S. Fleet Nears Disputed Islands, But What For? Two Navy aircraft carrier battle groups and a Marine Corps air-ground task force have begun operating in the Western Pacific, within easy reach of the Senkaku Islands.

-(Inquirer 30/9)Philippines sends more troops to guard disputed islands: Lieutenant General Juancho Sabban, appearing to want to assuage Beijing, in particular, said the deployment was only meant as a defensive measure and should not be seen as an aggressive move.

-(Atimes 28/9)US 'pivots' on the Philippines: True to its historical role as an American colony, the Philippines is emerging as a crucial node in America's "pivot".-(East west center 27/9)Chinese Strategic Miscalculations in the South China Sea: Regrettably, China does not yet recognize the extent to which its aggressive course in the South China Sea is damaging its diplomacy with neighboring countries

-(Channel news asia 27/9)Asia can help troubled global economy, but must resolve disputes: Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra warned against allowing conflict in the seas around China from derailing development.

-(Japantimes 27/9)Senkaku row reverberates across Southeast Asia: China's recent conduct in its bitter dispute with Japan over the ownership of islands, fisheries and seabed resources in the East China Sea raises some geopolitical storm warnings for Southeast Asia

-(The australian 27/9)Beijing worrying many neighbours: SOMETHING very strange is happening at the moment in the East China Sea and in the South China Sea, and Australia should be taking serious notice of these developments.

-(Channel news asia 26/9)Taiwan eyes marine park in East China Sea: The planned national park will cover three Taiwan-held islets -- Pengjia, Mianhua and Huaping and surrounding waters, measuring some 750 square kilometres

-(The jakarta globe 26/9) Indonesia Seeks Rules of Road for South China Sea: Indonesia is circulating among Southeast Asian nations a draft code of conduct for the South China Sea, hoping for progress before a regional summit in November

-(Washington post 26/9)100 Philippine marines shift from anti-terrorism role to island disputes: Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin says the shift is part of a plan for the military to gradually shift from an anti-insurgency role to territorial defense.

-(National interest 26/9)Cooler Heads in the South China Sea: The United States is realizing that the escalating tensions in the Far East, especially between China and Japan, should no longer be viewed as an opportunity to contain China.

-(Atimes 26/9) US pivots toward trouble in West Pacific: Whether Washington's return-to-Asia strategy will make the US a troublemaker or a responsible actor in Asia is to a great extent dependent on its approach to China - to respect China's achievement or see it with jealousy.

-(The diplomat 25/9)Can Taiwan Bring Peace to the South and East China Seas?: As tensions have mounted in the East and South China Seas, Taiwan expressed its position in some unhelpful ways, including live-fire drills on the largest of the disputed Spratly Islands.

-(The New York Times 25/9) China Shows Off Carrier, but Experts Are Skeptical: “The fact is the aircraft carrier is useless for the Chinese Navy,” You Ji, a visiting senior research said. “If it is used against America, it has no survivability. If it is used against China’s neighbors, it’s a sign of bullying.”

-(Japan today 25/9)Japan sends foreign ministry emissary to China: Vice Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai will meet his Chinese counterpart “to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues based on the current situation”

-(Kyodo news 25/9)Dozens of Taiwan boats enter Japan's territorial waters near Senkakus: Around 40 to 50 Taiwanese fishing boats were sailing in the contiguous zone near the Senkaku Islands, together with around 10 Taiwanese surveillance ships.

-(The diplomat 24/9)The Nightmare Scenario: A U.S.-China War: Part IV

-(Csmonitor 24/9)Complex web of interests drives US bid for calm on South China Sea: The US has increasingly urged China, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines to keep calm in a region where maritime clashes have become a near daily threat since April.

-(Heritage 24/9)Getting the Philippines Air Force Flying Again: The Role of the U.S.–Philippines Alliance: It is imperative for the U.S.— Philippines’ alliance—to assist the PAF in developing the air power and skills to spread its wings and protect the country’s territory.

-(The australian 24/9) Between a rock and a reef: The dispute over five uninhabited rocks in the East China Sea has flared again, setting the region on edge as it contemplates the increasing prospect of a conflict between Asia's two main powers that would ultimately also involve the US.

-(Japan times 24/9)China has too much lose if it imposes sanctions: Weakening Japan economically ultimately goes against the economic interests of China itself

-(Straits times 23/9)China postpones ceremony marking diplomatic ties with Japan: China on Sunday postponed a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Japan, due to an ongoing territorial dispute

-(Channel news asia 23/9)China navy takes delivery of first aircraft carrier: The handover ceremony of the 300-metre (990-foot) ship, a former Soviet carrier called the Varyag, took place in northeast China's port of Dalian after a lengthy refitting by a Chinese shipbuilder

-(The jakarta post 21/9)Experts paint gloomy picture on South China Sea conflict: As China’s military power grows, the potential for conflicts between members of the Association of South East Asian Nations may increase, and finding solutions within the grouping could become more difficult

-(Eurasia review 21/9)South China Sea Disputes: Reflecting China’s Evolving Political System? At the national level, the way China’s leadership handles its territorial South China Sea initiatives will depend on the jostling for power between military hardliners and political moderates.

-(Reuters 21/9)China's Xi seeks to reassure Southeast Asia on sea dispute: Speaking at the opening of a trade fair in southern China for Association of Southeast Asian Nations members, Vice President Xi said China's own prosperity could only be guaranteed by having good relations with its neighbours.

-(The diplomat 21/9)The Interview: Robert Kaplan: In new book, Robert Kaplan contends that current global conflicts, including wars, political instability, and clashes over religion, can be better understood and even forecasted through close examination of the maps that chart our world

-(State 20/9)Maritime Territorial Disputes and Sovereignty Issues in Asia: Testimony Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs

-(Gmanetwork 20/9)In wake of Senate blow-up, PNoy to name Roxas as presidential envoy to China: Aside from being the newly-confirmed Interior and Local Government Secretary, Manuel Roxas II has another assignment from the President—to deliver a message to China

-(Japan times 20/9) Territorial row is a ticking time bomb for Asia: The uninhabited islands remain a time bomb that could explode with devastating consequences for Asia if China, Japan or the U.S. miscalculate.

-(Abs-cbnnews 20/9)Philippines says coup plotter in secret China talks: The Philippines said Wednesday a politician who was once jailed for coup plotting had been in secret talks with China over a territorial row, as the tactic appeared to backfire amid bitter infighting.

-(Asia sentinel 19/9)China's "U-shaped Line" in the South China Sea: The basis and extent of any subsequent claim to rights over maritime space should then be derived from the islands using UNCLOS and the international courts’ past rulings on maritime delimitation, and not from the U-shaped line.

-(The diplomat 19/9)Mounting Tensions in the East China Sea: Tensions in the East China Sea are worsening by the day, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to discern a path towards renewed calm.

-(Bangkok post 19/9)Troubled waters in need of diplomacy: Diplomacy is the art of the possible, and in this regard, dealing with China on sensitive issues of sovereignty demands pragmatic, often discreet and low-level but constant engagement.

-(Atimes 19/9)US 'pivot' as bankrupt diplomacy: Although US officials like Clinton have spoken to the need to put more economic largesse behind its "pivot" policy, fiscal belt-tightening will likely constrain Washington's ability to offer any time soon richer economic aid packages to its regional partners and allies.

-(Gmanetwork 18/9)ASEAN maritime summit in Manila to include China, Japan: The third ASEAN Maritime Forum and the first Expanded Maritime Forum will be held in Manila from October 3 to 5.

-(The jakarta globe 18/9)Marty Keeps Pushing for South China Sea Accord: Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa called on fellow Asean members to work harder and to leave “negative assumptions” behind in order to come up with a common position regarding the South China Sea dispute.

-(Asahi 18/9)China's activity in South China Sea angers Philippines, others: According to Manila, Beijing is aiming to demonstrate its effective control of the area.

-(Foreign policy 17/9)Trouble in the South China Sea: With China and Japan at odds over disputed islands to the east, the potential for conflict in the south may seem muted for now. But not for long.

-(The diplomat 17/9)Small-Stick Diplomacy in the East China Sea: As in the South China Sea, unarmed or lightly armed law-enforcement vessels constitute the chief bearers of Beijing’s maritime territorial claims.

-(Ibtimes 17/9)Tensions in South China Sea: Philippines Renames Disputed Area as 'West Philippine Sea': On Thursday, the Philippines' president Benigno Aquino announced that he had approved the name change so as "to clarify which of the areas we are claiming."

-(The australian 17/9)China, Japan heading towards war, says US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta: CHINA and other Asian countries could end up at war over territorial disputes if governments keep up their "provocative behaviour", US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has said.  

-(Washington post 16/9)Panetta to urge China and Japan to tone down dispute over islands: Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived in Tokyo on Sunday for a week-long visit to the region and said he would urge Chinese and Japanese leaders to tone down a brewing political crisis over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.

-(Channel news asia 16/9)Anti-Japan protests erupt again across China: Thousands of anti-Japanese demonstrators mounted protests in cities across China on Sunday over disputed islands in the East China Sea, a day after an attempt to storm Tokyo's embassy in the capital.

- Hearing at Foreign Relations Committee - US's House of Representatives:  Beijing as an Emerging Power in the South China Sea.

-(Gmanetwork 13/9)Taiwan rejects PHL renaming of South China Sea:

-(Philstar 13/9)US lawmakers blame China over maritime disputes: U.S. lawmakers Wednesday accused China of bullying its neighbors to press territorial claims in the South China Sea but also raised questions about America's capacity to police the region.

 -(Washington post 12/9)President orders offshore area claimed by China, others renamed West Philippine Sea: President Benigno Aquino III has renamed western offshore waters the West Philippine Sea to define his country’s territory while disputing overlapping claims made by Beijing and others.

 -(Mb 12/9)US Urges 'Cooler Heads' Between Japan, China: The United States called Tuesday for calm between Japan and China after Beijing sent ships to disputed islands in the East China Sea in response to Tokyo's purchase of them.

-(Channel news asia 11/9)S'pore reiterates ASEAN's role over South China Sea dispute: Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said ASEAN will not deal with the specific delineation and settlement among claimant states.

-(Nytimes 11/9)The Rise of the Middle Powers: Indonesia is a classic middle power; it is a newly democratic and rapidly developing country with significant military and diplomatic capacities.

-(Eurasia review 11/9)South China Sea: Not Just About ‘Free Navigation’: The South China Sea territorial dispute increasingly looks like a point of strategic friction between the United States and China after a recent nasty exchange between the two governments; US Rebalancing Strategy And South China Sea Disputes

-(National interest 10/9)Escalating Tensions in the South China Sea: Two sets of disputes make the South China Sea more dangerous and unpredictable than the standoffs over Taiwan or the Korean peninsula.

-(Gmanetwork 10/9)Australia, Singapore urge calm in South China Sea: Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr and his Singaporean counterpart K. Shanmugam called for a peaceful and lawful resolution to rows over disputed islands.

-(Channel news asia 10/9)No change in Singapore's policy on South China Sea: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore does not take sides on the merits, or otherwise, of the various specific disputes in the South China Sea.

-(House.gov 10/9)Chinese Aggression in the South China Sea Cannot Be Tolerated, Ros-Lehtinen Says: U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, will hold a hearing on Wednesday, September 12titled “Beijing as an Emerging Power in the South China Sea.” 

-(Xinhua 10/9) First China-Malaysia defense and security consultation held in Kuala Lumpur: China and Malaysia held the first ever defense and security consultation between the two defense ministries on Monday in a bid to strengthen the military cooperation between the two countries; China, U.S. launch annual security meeting mechanism

-(China.org 10/9)China to name its first aircraft carrier 'Liaoning': China will name its first aircraft carrier "Liaoning" in honor of the province where it was retrofitted

-(Canberra times 10/9)China's interest is guarding its subs: China's nuclear weapons program suggest there is another important dimension to China's increasing assertiveness in enforcing its claimed jurisdiction in the semi-enclosed sea: protecting a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines

-(Philstar 10/9)Hu urges Asia-Pacific nations to help ensure peace in region: Chinese President Hu Jintao yesterday urged all Asia-Pacific nations to help ensure peace in the region, amid a series of territorial rows that have inflamed nationalist tensions.

-(Nationmulti media 10/9)Asean and China: bickering threatens traditional consensus: A series of meetings in Phnom Penh this week among senior officials from Asean and East Asia will determine if they can establish common ground; Mixed signals from a distracted Beijing on maritime disputes

-(Japantoday 9/9)Clinton urges Japan, S Korea to 'lower temperature' over dispute: Clinton said she discussed the dispute during separate talks at the two-day Asia-Pacific summit in the Russian Far East port of Vladivostok with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak.

-(ABC 9/9) Interview with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa: Mr Natalegawa discusses rising tensions in the South China Sea, palm oil trade and economic growth.

-(Focus Taiwan 9/9)APEC members support Taiwan's role in South China Sea Code of Conduct: Taiwan's envoy to the annual APEC leadership meeting said Sunday.

-(Philstar 7/9) China should not test US resolve in South China Sea: Chinese officials would be prudent not to test the US commitment to a peaceful settlement of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, said analysts of the Washington-based Center for a New American Security; Phl to China: Match words with action

-(The diplomat 7/9) The Neverending Story: Drama in the South China Sea: While many have put their faith in a Code of Conduct some wonder if China is stalling for time. A real solution may take years, if ever.

-(Indian express 6/9) Clinton visit fails to narrow US-China differences over SCS: The US and China Thursday failed to reach a consensus on how to resolve Beijing's territorial disputes with smaller nations in South China Sea

-(Channel new sasia 6/9)South China Sea territorial disputes a major issue for ASEAN: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong aid the credibility of the regional grouping would be severely damaged, if ASEAN does not address the problem.

-(Washington post 6/9)From North Pacific to South China Sea, nationalism stoking bitter Asian island disputes: Nationalism has often been used by China’s communist leaders to cover up domestic problems — such as the economic slowdown the country is now facing, not to mention problems with a growing rich-poor divide and official corruption.

-(Channel news asia 5/9)China, US soften tone on sea dispute: China and the United States stepped back on Wednesday from sparring over the tense South China Sea as the Asian power told Secretary of State Hillary Clinton it would work on a code to manage disputes.

-(Reuters 5/9)China, U.S. divided over Syria, sea dispute, but vow goodwil: China and the United States were divided on Wednesday over how to end the bloodshed in Syria and defuse tension in the South China Sea and other global troublespots

-(State 5/9)Remarks With Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi

-(Xinhua 5/9)Commentary: Japan's buying Diaoyu Islands is flagrant move: The Japanese government has agreed to buy China's Diaoyu Islands from their so-called private owners, Japanese media confirmed Wednesday.

-(The globe andmail 5/9)A war over desolate Asian islets: It’s time for all countries in East Asia to remember Winston Churchill’s famous advice: “To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war.”

-(Washington Post 5/9)Clinton, in Beijing, seeks Chinese accord on resolving South China Sea disputes: Clinton met late Tuesday with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi after arriving in China from Indonesia

-(Gmanetwork 5/9)China urges USA: Keep commitment to peace in West PHL Sea: China on Tuesday urged the United States to make “greater efforts” to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea area.

-(Reuters 4/9)China warns U.S. not to take sides in sea disputes: China warned the United States not to get involved in South China Sea territorial disputes on Tuesday as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Beijing pledging to pass on a strong message on the need to calm regional tension.

-(Abs-cbnnews 4/9)Philippines hails Clinton remarks on South China Sea: Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Clinton's backing for a peaceful resolution of the disputes and the passage of a "code of conduct" were objectives the Philippines had also been seeking.

-(The Australian 4/9) Hillary Clinton's robust plan for South China Sea: Hillary Clinton has called upon China and the ASEAN nations to agree on a "robust code of conduct" for managing South China Sea territorial disputes in time for the East Asia Summit in November.

-(Manila Times 4/9)China warns vs. intervention as Clinton calls for Asean unity: China on Monday warned the United States against taking sides in territorial disputes as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Indonesia

-(Philstar 3/9)Chinese leader thanks Cambodia for role in sea row: China’s premier has thanked Cambodia for its support in a Southeast Asian regional bloc amid tensions between Beijing and several nations over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

-(Washington Times 3/9)Clinton urges ASEAN unity over South China Sea disputes: She also urged all involved to make “meaningful progress” on a process for ending conflicts by November.

-(AFP 3/9)Clinton warns against 'coercion' in South China Sea: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Monday against coercion in the conflict-riven South China Sea and voiced hope that Beijing would find a peaceful resolution with Southeast Asian nations.

-(Gmanetwork 3/9)DFA verifying reports of new Chinese structures in Panganiban Reef: “We will verify the information and the photo with the Department of National Defense,” DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez told reporters Monday.

-(Xinhua 3/9)Cambodian PM's visit aims to enhance ties with China: The two-day visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to China had brought closer relations and cooperation in politics, economics, trade, investment and health between the two countries

-(Financial Times 3/9)US treads fine line over South China Sea: As part of its renewed strategic focus on Asia, the Obama administration has been trying to find a difficult balance between putting pressure on China to use diplomacy to resolve regional maritime disputes while remaining neutral on specific claims.

-(VOV 3/9)Vietnam, China hold strategic defence dialogue: The third Vietnam-China strategic defence dialogue took place in Hanoi on September 3, under the chairmanship of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense, Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, and Chinese Senior Lieutenant General Ma Xiaotian.

-(Reuters 2/9)Asian giants seek better ties; China's defense minister in India: A rare visit to India by China's defense minister should help avoid flare-ups along the border between the nuclear-armed Asian giants at a time when Beijing is grappling with a change of leadership and friction in the South China Sea.

-(The Diplomat 2/9)China’s Greatest Challenge: Not America, But Itself: China faces tough economic, demographic and social issues it must deal with. Foreign affairs may take a back seat.

-(Wall Street Journal 2/9) Isle Spats Backdrop for Clinton's Asia Trip: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to tour parts of Asia over the coming week in what could be one of the Obama administration's last chances to address escalating territorial disputes across the region ahead of November elections.