sweetgrape
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Glad for Chinese to see these Monster be stronger, don't just feed them with ammunition, but blood can make them more powerful.
South China Sea Forum
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ashok321
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cirr
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Hainan to build super-sized fish farms
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-12 21:53:32|Editor: Liangyu
HAIKOU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- China's southern-most island province of Hainan is to build three large fish farm cages, each as big as seven standard soccer fields.
The provincial government of Hainan Thursday signed an agreement with China Shipbuilding Industry Corp. on the deep sea fish farm equipment to be installed off the coast of Lingshui Li Autonomous County in southern Hainan.
With a diameter of 110 meters and a depth of 75 meters, the fish farm platform will measure 250,000 cubic meters. Each cage can hold about 6,000 tonnes of fish, 500 to 600 times as much as standard deep water cages.
The deep water fish farming will not be affected by the busy ship traffic. The netted cages can also withstand huge waves triggered by winds with speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour, the two said.
The cages will have the highest level of automation in China as they will automatically provide feed and monitor the fish.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/12/c_137106802.htm
Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-12 21:53:32|Editor: Liangyu
HAIKOU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- China's southern-most island province of Hainan is to build three large fish farm cages, each as big as seven standard soccer fields.
The provincial government of Hainan Thursday signed an agreement with China Shipbuilding Industry Corp. on the deep sea fish farm equipment to be installed off the coast of Lingshui Li Autonomous County in southern Hainan.
With a diameter of 110 meters and a depth of 75 meters, the fish farm platform will measure 250,000 cubic meters. Each cage can hold about 6,000 tonnes of fish, 500 to 600 times as much as standard deep water cages.
The deep water fish farming will not be affected by the busy ship traffic. The netted cages can also withstand huge waves triggered by winds with speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour, the two said.
The cages will have the highest level of automation in China as they will automatically provide feed and monitor the fish.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/12/c_137106802.htm
cochine
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President Duterte approves Navy’s submarine program
“Well, the proposed submarine program at least was given a go by the president. The Philippine Navy has begun studying its doctrines and planning its procurement,” Andolong said as quoted by Manila Bulletin.
He noted that the approval of the President is significant because it shows political will.
“He wants to push our Armed Forces to the forefront, as equal with our neighbors,” he said.
“The President likes the idea of us procuring our own submarines. Sakanya, kapag inaprubahan niya kami nahahanap ng paraan kung paano ito gagawin,” he said. “Ngayon hindi sure, malamang hindi pa siya ma [complete] sa termino ni President Duterte. But at least the Navy has begun studies of it kasi inaprubahan niya ang wish list. Pero pag-uusapan pa kung papaano popondohan, saan kukuha, at anong klase.”
Sources: https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/30/duterte-okays-afps-submarine-program/; http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1043069
- PUBLISHED: July 30, 2018
“Well, the proposed submarine program at least was given a go by the president. The Philippine Navy has begun studying its doctrines and planning its procurement,” Andolong said as quoted by Manila Bulletin.
He noted that the approval of the President is significant because it shows political will.
“He wants to push our Armed Forces to the forefront, as equal with our neighbors,” he said.
“The President likes the idea of us procuring our own submarines. Sakanya, kapag inaprubahan niya kami nahahanap ng paraan kung paano ito gagawin,” he said. “Ngayon hindi sure, malamang hindi pa siya ma [complete] sa termino ni President Duterte. But at least the Navy has begun studies of it kasi inaprubahan niya ang wish list. Pero pag-uusapan pa kung papaano popondohan, saan kukuha, at anong klase.”
Sources: https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/30/duterte-okays-afps-submarine-program/; http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1043069
cochine
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Last update 00:28 | 11/08/2018
Vietnam resolutely opposes China’s recent activities in Hoang Sa
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang on August 10 voiced Vietnam’s resolute objection to China’s recent activities in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago and reiterated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands.
Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang
Hang made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding China’s recent activities in the area, including celebrations marking six years of the so-called “Sansha city” and installing wave monitoring devices on Phu Lam island. Meanwhile, China Central Television’s (CCTV) children’s channel recently organised a reality TV show for kids on the Hoang Sa archipelago. The Sun Yat-sen University of China also conducted a series of scientific surveys on the Hoang Sa islands.
Hang said Vietnam has sufficient legal foundations and historical evidence affirming its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes in line with international law.
“The aforementioned actions of China have not only seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos but also run counter to the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People’s Republic of China; not conformed to the important common perceptions of the two countries’ senior leaders on well controlling sea-related disagreements; as well as disobeyed the solid development trend of the bilateral relations.”
She added that these actions are also “contrary to the spirit and content of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and do not benefit the negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), as well as the maintaining of an environment of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the East Sea and the region.”
“Vietnam resolutely opposes these actions and demands China to immediately stop the aforementioned activities; respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes; seriously implement the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People’s Republic of China, along with the DOC; not continue actions that complicate the situation; and practically and actively contribute to developing the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China for the sake of peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Sea and the region,” the spokeswoman said.
A representative of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam to talk about this issue, Hang added.–VNA
Vietnam resolutely opposes China’s recent activities in Hoang Sa
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang on August 10 voiced Vietnam’s resolute objection to China’s recent activities in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago and reiterated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands.
Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang
Hang made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding China’s recent activities in the area, including celebrations marking six years of the so-called “Sansha city” and installing wave monitoring devices on Phu Lam island. Meanwhile, China Central Television’s (CCTV) children’s channel recently organised a reality TV show for kids on the Hoang Sa archipelago. The Sun Yat-sen University of China also conducted a series of scientific surveys on the Hoang Sa islands.
Hang said Vietnam has sufficient legal foundations and historical evidence affirming its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes in line with international law.
“The aforementioned actions of China have not only seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos but also run counter to the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People’s Republic of China; not conformed to the important common perceptions of the two countries’ senior leaders on well controlling sea-related disagreements; as well as disobeyed the solid development trend of the bilateral relations.”
She added that these actions are also “contrary to the spirit and content of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and do not benefit the negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), as well as the maintaining of an environment of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the East Sea and the region.”
“Vietnam resolutely opposes these actions and demands China to immediately stop the aforementioned activities; respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes; seriously implement the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People’s Republic of China, along with the DOC; not continue actions that complicate the situation; and practically and actively contribute to developing the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China for the sake of peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Sea and the region,” the spokeswoman said.
A representative of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with a representative of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam to talk about this issue, Hang added.–VNA
cirr
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Hainan eyes new satellite network
2018-08-16 09:20:15 China Daily Editor : Li Yan
The southernmost island province of Hainan is preparing a satellite network that is expected to enable China to conduct effective and efficient surveillance over the South China Sea.
Design work for the Hainan Earth-Observation Satellite Constellation, a project headed by the Sanya Institute of Remote Sensing in Hainan and sponsored by the provincial government, has begun at the institute and by its contractors.
The first in the constellation, a Hainan 1 optical satellite, is scheduled to be launched in the second half of 2019, according to a statement from the institute.
The statement said the constellation will have 10 satellites that will be launched in four stages by the end of 2021. First, three Hainan 1 optical satellites are scheduled to enter orbit in 2019. The following year, three Hainan 1 satellites and two Sanya 1 multispectral remote-sensing satellites will be launched. In 2021, two Sansha 1 synthetic aperture radar satellites are expected to be sent into space.
At a meeting in Sanya on Tuesday, Chinese space experts reviewed and approved technical plans for the first four Hainan 1 satellites.
According to the institute, each Hainan 1 will weigh 50 kilograms, and will operate in a low-Earth orbit 500 kilometers above Earth and move at 7.9 km per second.
Yang Tianliang, director of the institute and chief designer of the constellation, said in a phone interview on Wednesday that Hainan 1 satellites will carry two types of instruments - cameras and identification technology.
"The combination of cameras and automatic identification systems will allow us not only to monitor ships lawfully sailing in the South China Sea, but also to detect and track illegally operating ones," Yang said.
Automatic identification systems can receive and process signals concerning positioning data, courses of vessels as well as speed readings sent by a moving ship. The technology is often mounted on ships and satellites and assists vessel operators in understanding maritime traffic situations while also helping maritime authorities to track and monitor vessel movements.
Yang said Hainan administers hundreds of islands and reefs in the South China Sea, so it requires the assistance of a space-based platform to monitor these territories and surrounding waters.
He also noted that once the satellite network becomes fully operational by 2021, it will be able to cover the entire South China Sea and will be very helpful in a wide range of sectors, such as marine transportation, fisheries, island management and maritime search and rescue.
Gao Enyu, a manager from Hainan MinoSpace Technology Co, was quoted by China News Service as saying on Tuesday that researchers optimized Hainan 1's cameras to make them suitable for monitoring large expanses of waters.
He added that the satellite is capable of detecting and identifying all midsize and large vessels.
Gao's company is in charge of the research and development of some of Hainan 1's equipment.
http://www.ecns.cn/news/politics/2018-08-16/detail-ifyxccrz0965419.shtml
2018-08-16 09:20:15 China Daily Editor : Li Yan
The southernmost island province of Hainan is preparing a satellite network that is expected to enable China to conduct effective and efficient surveillance over the South China Sea.
Design work for the Hainan Earth-Observation Satellite Constellation, a project headed by the Sanya Institute of Remote Sensing in Hainan and sponsored by the provincial government, has begun at the institute and by its contractors.
The first in the constellation, a Hainan 1 optical satellite, is scheduled to be launched in the second half of 2019, according to a statement from the institute.
The statement said the constellation will have 10 satellites that will be launched in four stages by the end of 2021. First, three Hainan 1 optical satellites are scheduled to enter orbit in 2019. The following year, three Hainan 1 satellites and two Sanya 1 multispectral remote-sensing satellites will be launched. In 2021, two Sansha 1 synthetic aperture radar satellites are expected to be sent into space.
At a meeting in Sanya on Tuesday, Chinese space experts reviewed and approved technical plans for the first four Hainan 1 satellites.
According to the institute, each Hainan 1 will weigh 50 kilograms, and will operate in a low-Earth orbit 500 kilometers above Earth and move at 7.9 km per second.
Yang Tianliang, director of the institute and chief designer of the constellation, said in a phone interview on Wednesday that Hainan 1 satellites will carry two types of instruments - cameras and identification technology.
"The combination of cameras and automatic identification systems will allow us not only to monitor ships lawfully sailing in the South China Sea, but also to detect and track illegally operating ones," Yang said.
Automatic identification systems can receive and process signals concerning positioning data, courses of vessels as well as speed readings sent by a moving ship. The technology is often mounted on ships and satellites and assists vessel operators in understanding maritime traffic situations while also helping maritime authorities to track and monitor vessel movements.
Yang said Hainan administers hundreds of islands and reefs in the South China Sea, so it requires the assistance of a space-based platform to monitor these territories and surrounding waters.
He also noted that once the satellite network becomes fully operational by 2021, it will be able to cover the entire South China Sea and will be very helpful in a wide range of sectors, such as marine transportation, fisheries, island management and maritime search and rescue.
Gao Enyu, a manager from Hainan MinoSpace Technology Co, was quoted by China News Service as saying on Tuesday that researchers optimized Hainan 1's cameras to make them suitable for monitoring large expanses of waters.
He added that the satellite is capable of detecting and identifying all midsize and large vessels.
Gao's company is in charge of the research and development of some of Hainan 1's equipment.
http://www.ecns.cn/news/politics/2018-08-16/detail-ifyxccrz0965419.shtml
cochine
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Last update 10:14 | 01/08/2018
Communication project raises awareness on sea, island sovereignty
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has recently approved a project to raise public awareness of safeguarding sovereignty and sustainable development of Vietnam’s seas and islands.
The project will be carried out in centrally-run cities and provinces, countries which are home to large communities of Vietnamese people and those with traditional friendly ties with Vietnam.
It aims to update Party guidelines and State laws on Vietnamese seas and islands via the mass media.
Besides domestic policies and laws, major contents include international laws, bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements with countries and international organisations regarding seas and islands, historical and legal evidence affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagoes.
The project also hopes to popularise economic development in seas and islands, especially construction of coastal economic, industrial and processing zones, among others.-VNA
Communication project raises awareness on sea, island sovereignty
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has recently approved a project to raise public awareness of safeguarding sovereignty and sustainable development of Vietnam’s seas and islands.
The project will be carried out in centrally-run cities and provinces, countries which are home to large communities of Vietnamese people and those with traditional friendly ties with Vietnam.
It aims to update Party guidelines and State laws on Vietnamese seas and islands via the mass media.
Besides domestic policies and laws, major contents include international laws, bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements with countries and international organisations regarding seas and islands, historical and legal evidence affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagoes.
JSCh
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PH Navy warship runs aground in Palawan
One of the Philippine Navy's most capable warships, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, runs aground in the vicinity of Hasa-Hasa Shoal
Carmela Fonbuena
@carmelafonbuena
Published 11:09 PM, August 30, 2018
Updated 11:11 PM, August 30, 2018
BRP GREGORIO DEL PILAR. Photo of the BRP Gregorio del Pilar from Wikipedia, as taken from the Philippine Navy Official Facebook page.
MANILA, Philippines – One of the Philippine Navy's most capable warships ran aground in Palawan Wednesday night, August 29, according to the military.
The Western Command is conducting operations to retrieve the cutter that the navy acquired from the US Coast Guard in 2011.
"Reports have reached the General Headquarters that the BRP Del Pilar (FF15) has ran aground in the vicinity of Hasa-hasa Shoal, West Philippine Sea late in the evening of August 29, 2018," said Colonel Noel Detoyato of the military's Public Affairs Office.
"All afloat vessels in the Western Command area have already been mobilized to conduct assessment, retrieve the aground vessel, and return her to safe harbor, and assist all personnel aboard BRP Del Pilar," Detoyato said. – Rappler.com
One of the Philippine Navy's most capable warships, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, runs aground in the vicinity of Hasa-Hasa Shoal
Carmela Fonbuena
@carmelafonbuena
Published 11:09 PM, August 30, 2018
Updated 11:11 PM, August 30, 2018
MANILA, Philippines – One of the Philippine Navy's most capable warships ran aground in Palawan Wednesday night, August 29, according to the military.
The Western Command is conducting operations to retrieve the cutter that the navy acquired from the US Coast Guard in 2011.
"Reports have reached the General Headquarters that the BRP Del Pilar (FF15) has ran aground in the vicinity of Hasa-hasa Shoal, West Philippine Sea late in the evening of August 29, 2018," said Colonel Noel Detoyato of the military's Public Affairs Office.
"All afloat vessels in the Western Command area have already been mobilized to conduct assessment, retrieve the aground vessel, and return her to safe harbor, and assist all personnel aboard BRP Del Pilar," Detoyato said. – Rappler.com
cochine
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Last update 16:26 | 13/07/2018
Arbitral ruling on East Sea will have long-term impacts in dispute resolution: expert
VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Anh Tuan, Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis under the Institute for Bien Dong Maritime Studies, writes to Viet Nam News on the legal implications of the arbitral tribunal’s ruling and its impacts two years on.
Dr Ha Anh Tuan, Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis under the Institute for Bien Dong Maritime Studies at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam.
On July 12, 2016, the Tribunal established under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) delivered a historical verdict in the arbitration instituted by the Philippines against China. The ruling has had long-term implications to the management and settlement of disputes in the East Sea (internationally called the South China Sea).
Among the five conclusions of the arbitral tribunal, the two decisions most relevant to Vietnam’s national security concerns are about the legality of China’s nine-dash line claim and the legal status of features in the Spratlys. With regards to the nine-dash line claim, the Award concludes that “there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’”. Concerning the legal status of the features in the East Sea, the Tribunal holds that none of the Spratly Islands are capable of generating extended maritime zones and “the Spratly Islands cannot generate maritime zones collectively as a unit.” Apart from these two points, the Tribunal also concludes that China’s actions in the East Sea have caused irreparable harm to the marine environment and aggravated the dispute between the parties.
The ruling provides strong means to settle maritime disputes in the region. By concluding that no features in the Spratlys is capable of generating extended maritime zone, the Award significantly narrows down the geographical scope of disputes between parties in the Spratlys area. It also states clearly that China’s excessive claim in the East Sea does not have legal foundation and China’s activities in the region, including the construction of artificial islands in the features it occupied in the Spratlys is against the international law.
China rejected the legitimacy of the court and officially stated it will neither recognise the Award nor comply with it. However, according to international law, the Award is “final and without appeal” and it will become a source of international law. The Award, therefore, has long-term implications to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea.
Unlawful occupation
Much has been said about China’s attempts to change the status quo by civilising and militarising artificially developed islands in the East Sea.
On another note, recently, the Hainan Province’s government – which is China’s administration over the islands it claims – has invited individuals to develop uninhabited islands under contracts lasting as long as 50 years.
What Hainan has recently published does not involve any features in the Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratlys), however, we need to keep a close watch on this move as the scope of it may be expanded in the future.
According to international law, regardless of what a state does in an island, the island will not be seen as their territory if it is unlawfully occupied and other parties protest it. With regards to artificial islands, they will not be entitled to 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).
However, for power politics, major powers often try to gain de facto advantages on the ground. After the tribunal’s ruling, China has carried out lot of measures on both the legal front and on the ground to undermine the ruling.
Legally speaking, China in the first place has been adamant in its ‘three-nos’ policy (non-recognition of the tribunal’s jurisdiction, non-acceptance and non-compliance of the award). Second, China has been advancing a new ‘lawfare tactic’, the ‘Four Sha’ claim is an example. By grouping four groups of islands in the East Sea namely Spratly, Paracels, Pratas, and Macclesfield Bank, China wants to claim extended maritime rights surrounding this chain of archipelagos. By doing so, China wants to bypass the ruling because it doesn’t mention directly the Spratly archipelago. Third, earlier in the year, Chinese legal experts have recently published an extensive 500-page “A Critical Study” on the arbitration award by the Chinese Society of International Law, which basically attempts to discredit the ruling and proposes their own new concepts.
On the ground, China continues to advance its economic activities, including tourism and fisheries development. Beijing is also increasing patrols and installing various surveillance systems to monitor the region.
East Sea: an international and multilateral issue
Vietnam has strong legal basis for its claims in the Spratlys and Paracels. Vietnamese high ranking officials have several times stated that Hanoi will use every peaceful means to protect Vietnam sovereignty in the East Sea, including the use of international law. In principle, Vietnam had said it respects the law and the foreign ministry announced that Vietnam welcomed the arbitral tribunal’s award.
Internationalisation of the East Sea issue was not Vietnam’s prime intention. The nature of the issue itself is international and hence, needs multilateral efforts – aside from the six claimant countries, we cannot discount the influence and involvement of other outside major players such as the US, EU or Japan, India in this issue.
The tension in the East Sea is not because of the implementation of international law but because international law has not been fully respected.
A view of the Tien Nu (Pigeon) Reef of Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, Vietnam. — VNA/VNS Photo Quang Quyet
Central role of ASEAN
Recently, the Philippines set aside the Award in an attempt to foster bilateral relations with China, especially in terms of economic co-operation, and the Award will have long term impacts on the management and settlement of disputes in the East Sea. What has currently happened in the reality does not reflect the international law. As I mentioned earlier, it reflects the lack of full implementation of international law. That’s why we need to adhere to the principles of international law in managing and solving disputes in the South China Sea. I have a strong belief that the Award will continue to be referred to in the coming years as a source of dispute settlement in the region.
ASEAN functions on the basis of consensus principle and some ASEAN members do not have direct interest in the South China Sea, so they may not want ASEAN to raise the East Sea issue in ASEAN documents. Noting that ASEAN is not a suitable mechanism to settle sovereignty disputes between states, we should not over-expect what it can do with East Sea disputes. However, to maintain its centrality in handling regional affairs, this organisation should take its role in the East Sea disputes seriously. This will be an important test case in the future.
Vietnam-initiated lawsuit not ruled out
Vietnam stress on the importance of peaceful means in dealing with maritime disputes in the East Sea on the principle of mutual respect and in accordance with international law. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh has several times said the country would protect its sovereignty “by all peaceful means in line with international law, including the UNCLOS 1982.” Going in to a court is a peaceful way, so it should not be ruled out as one choice in the future.
However, going to court is not the only peaceful option. In fact, countries often prioritise diplomatic solutions as diplomacy allows agreement between concerned parties. So, in the East Sea disputes, Vietnam sees negotiations as the first priority in handling maritime disputes.
Hanoi has managed to reach some agreements with regional countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand in settling maritime disputes. Vietnam also signed comprehensive agreements with China in delimiting the Gulf of Tonkin and fostering fishery co-operation in this region. That agreement is the first of this kind China has entered into with another country when dealing with maritime disputes.
Although maritime disputes in the East Sea is much more complicated than those in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Gulf of Tonkin agreement between China and Vietnam will be a clear example of how political determination allows maritime dispute settlement and co-operation between states.
Source: VNS
Arbitral ruling on East Sea will have long-term impacts in dispute resolution: expert
VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Anh Tuan, Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis under the Institute for Bien Dong Maritime Studies, writes to Viet Nam News on the legal implications of the arbitral tribunal’s ruling and its impacts two years on.
Dr Ha Anh Tuan, Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis under the Institute for Bien Dong Maritime Studies at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam.
On July 12, 2016, the Tribunal established under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) delivered a historical verdict in the arbitration instituted by the Philippines against China. The ruling has had long-term implications to the management and settlement of disputes in the East Sea (internationally called the South China Sea).
Among the five conclusions of the arbitral tribunal, the two decisions most relevant to Vietnam’s national security concerns are about the legality of China’s nine-dash line claim and the legal status of features in the Spratlys. With regards to the nine-dash line claim, the Award concludes that “there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’”. Concerning the legal status of the features in the East Sea, the Tribunal holds that none of the Spratly Islands are capable of generating extended maritime zones and “the Spratly Islands cannot generate maritime zones collectively as a unit.” Apart from these two points, the Tribunal also concludes that China’s actions in the East Sea have caused irreparable harm to the marine environment and aggravated the dispute between the parties.
The ruling provides strong means to settle maritime disputes in the region. By concluding that no features in the Spratlys is capable of generating extended maritime zone, the Award significantly narrows down the geographical scope of disputes between parties in the Spratlys area. It also states clearly that China’s excessive claim in the East Sea does not have legal foundation and China’s activities in the region, including the construction of artificial islands in the features it occupied in the Spratlys is against the international law.
China rejected the legitimacy of the court and officially stated it will neither recognise the Award nor comply with it. However, according to international law, the Award is “final and without appeal” and it will become a source of international law. The Award, therefore, has long-term implications to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea.
Unlawful occupation
Much has been said about China’s attempts to change the status quo by civilising and militarising artificially developed islands in the East Sea.
On another note, recently, the Hainan Province’s government – which is China’s administration over the islands it claims – has invited individuals to develop uninhabited islands under contracts lasting as long as 50 years.
What Hainan has recently published does not involve any features in the Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratlys), however, we need to keep a close watch on this move as the scope of it may be expanded in the future.
According to international law, regardless of what a state does in an island, the island will not be seen as their territory if it is unlawfully occupied and other parties protest it. With regards to artificial islands, they will not be entitled to 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).
However, for power politics, major powers often try to gain de facto advantages on the ground. After the tribunal’s ruling, China has carried out lot of measures on both the legal front and on the ground to undermine the ruling.
Legally speaking, China in the first place has been adamant in its ‘three-nos’ policy (non-recognition of the tribunal’s jurisdiction, non-acceptance and non-compliance of the award). Second, China has been advancing a new ‘lawfare tactic’, the ‘Four Sha’ claim is an example. By grouping four groups of islands in the East Sea namely Spratly, Paracels, Pratas, and Macclesfield Bank, China wants to claim extended maritime rights surrounding this chain of archipelagos. By doing so, China wants to bypass the ruling because it doesn’t mention directly the Spratly archipelago. Third, earlier in the year, Chinese legal experts have recently published an extensive 500-page “A Critical Study” on the arbitration award by the Chinese Society of International Law, which basically attempts to discredit the ruling and proposes their own new concepts.
On the ground, China continues to advance its economic activities, including tourism and fisheries development. Beijing is also increasing patrols and installing various surveillance systems to monitor the region.
East Sea: an international and multilateral issue
Vietnam has strong legal basis for its claims in the Spratlys and Paracels. Vietnamese high ranking officials have several times stated that Hanoi will use every peaceful means to protect Vietnam sovereignty in the East Sea, including the use of international law. In principle, Vietnam had said it respects the law and the foreign ministry announced that Vietnam welcomed the arbitral tribunal’s award.
Internationalisation of the East Sea issue was not Vietnam’s prime intention. The nature of the issue itself is international and hence, needs multilateral efforts – aside from the six claimant countries, we cannot discount the influence and involvement of other outside major players such as the US, EU or Japan, India in this issue.
The tension in the East Sea is not because of the implementation of international law but because international law has not been fully respected.
A view of the Tien Nu (Pigeon) Reef of Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, Vietnam. — VNA/VNS Photo Quang Quyet
Central role of ASEAN
Recently, the Philippines set aside the Award in an attempt to foster bilateral relations with China, especially in terms of economic co-operation, and the Award will have long term impacts on the management and settlement of disputes in the East Sea. What has currently happened in the reality does not reflect the international law. As I mentioned earlier, it reflects the lack of full implementation of international law. That’s why we need to adhere to the principles of international law in managing and solving disputes in the South China Sea. I have a strong belief that the Award will continue to be referred to in the coming years as a source of dispute settlement in the region.
ASEAN functions on the basis of consensus principle and some ASEAN members do not have direct interest in the South China Sea, so they may not want ASEAN to raise the East Sea issue in ASEAN documents. Noting that ASEAN is not a suitable mechanism to settle sovereignty disputes between states, we should not over-expect what it can do with East Sea disputes. However, to maintain its centrality in handling regional affairs, this organisation should take its role in the East Sea disputes seriously. This will be an important test case in the future.
Vietnam-initiated lawsuit not ruled out
Vietnam stress on the importance of peaceful means in dealing with maritime disputes in the East Sea on the principle of mutual respect and in accordance with international law. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh has several times said the country would protect its sovereignty “by all peaceful means in line with international law, including the UNCLOS 1982.” Going in to a court is a peaceful way, so it should not be ruled out as one choice in the future.
However, going to court is not the only peaceful option. In fact, countries often prioritise diplomatic solutions as diplomacy allows agreement between concerned parties. So, in the East Sea disputes, Vietnam sees negotiations as the first priority in handling maritime disputes.
Hanoi has managed to reach some agreements with regional countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand in settling maritime disputes. Vietnam also signed comprehensive agreements with China in delimiting the Gulf of Tonkin and fostering fishery co-operation in this region. That agreement is the first of this kind China has entered into with another country when dealing with maritime disputes.
Although maritime disputes in the East Sea is much more complicated than those in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Gulf of Tonkin agreement between China and Vietnam will be a clear example of how political determination allows maritime dispute settlement and co-operation between states.
Source: VNS
cochine
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Adam WANG SHANGHAI MEGA
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South China Sea Conflit
Date 14 March 1988
Chigua Reef
Territorial changes:
Chinese retook Chigua Reef
Belligerents
China
Vietnam
Casualties and losses
China 0 killed =VS= Vietnam 64 killed
China 1 wounded =VS= Vietnam 11 wounded
China 0 captured =VS= Vietnam 9 captured
China 0 armed transporters sunk =VS= Vietnam 2 armed transporters sunk
China 0 landing craft destroyed =VS= Vietnam 1 landing craft destroyed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
2)
No matter what kind of tank the VN army buys, it is not a threat to China(The strength of the VN army and the strength of the Chinese PLA army are not at the same level).
Little Vietnam, first to build an atomic bomb, and then to say equality with China!
Ohhhh,Wait, your new owner, the United States, will never allow you to possess nuclear weapons. Then what else can you do,little Vietnamese?
Ho Chi Min, please don't kiss too much. I am straight.
Date 14 March 1988
Chigua Reef
Territorial changes:
Chinese retook Chigua Reef
Belligerents
China
Vietnam
Casualties and losses
China 0 killed =VS= Vietnam 64 killed
China 1 wounded =VS= Vietnam 11 wounded
China 0 captured =VS= Vietnam 9 captured
China 0 armed transporters sunk =VS= Vietnam 2 armed transporters sunk
China 0 landing craft destroyed =VS= Vietnam 1 landing craft destroyed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
2)
No matter what kind of tank the VN army buys, it is not a threat to China(The strength of the VN army and the strength of the Chinese PLA army are not at the same level).
Little Vietnam, first to build an atomic bomb, and then to say equality with China!
Ohhhh,Wait, your new owner, the United States, will never allow you to possess nuclear weapons. Then what else can you do,little Vietnamese?
Ho Chi Min, please don't kiss too much. I am straight.
Date 14 March 1988
Chigua Reef
Territorial changes:
Chinese retook Chigua Reef
Belligerents
Casualties and losses
China 0 killed =VS= Vietnam 64 killed
China 1 wounded =VS= Vietnam 11 wounded
China 0 captured =VS= Vietnam 9 captured
China 0 armed transporters sunk =VS= Vietnam 2 armed transporters sunk
China 0 landing craft destroyed =VS= Vietnam 1 landing craft destroyed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
2)
No matter what kind of tank the VN army buys, it is not a threat to China(The strength of the VN army and the strength of the Chinese PLA army are not at the same level).
Little Vietnam, first to build an atomic bomb, and then to say equality with China!
Ohhhh,Wait, your new owner, the United States, will never allow you to possess nuclear weapons. Then what else can you do,little Vietnamese?
Ho Chi Min, please don't kiss too much. I am straight.
South China Sea ConflitCN economy is so bad now, so they dont have enough money to keep playing water cannon game wt VN anymore.
CN ships got sprayed by VN guard ship in this month Apr
Date 14 March 1988
Chigua Reef
Territorial changes:
Chinese retook Chigua Reef
Belligerents
Casualties and losses
China 0 killed =VS= Vietnam 64 killed
China 1 wounded =VS= Vietnam 11 wounded
China 0 captured =VS= Vietnam 9 captured
China 0 armed transporters sunk =VS= Vietnam 2 armed transporters sunk
China 0 landing craft destroyed =VS= Vietnam 1 landing craft destroyed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
2)
No matter what kind of tank the VN army buys, it is not a threat to China(The strength of the VN army and the strength of the Chinese PLA army are not at the same level).
Little Vietnam, first to build an atomic bomb, and then to say equality with China!
Ohhhh,Wait, your new owner, the United States, will never allow you to possess nuclear weapons. Then what else can you do,little Vietnamese?
Ho Chi Min, please don't kiss too much. I am straight.
Viva_Viet
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@waz that @Adam WANG SHANGHAI MEGA trolling here again , pls send warning to him. he really wants to ruin the Far east section.
Adam WANG SHANGHAI MEGA
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1)I am merely sending wikipedia source infos,
2)not like you little Viva_Viet, call me barking dog!!When the Vietnamese have nothing to say, they can only carry out personal attacks on others!
Who is ruining the Far east section really?!
Are you denying that you called me Chinese barking dog multiple times?
@waz please ban
Viva_Viet
this guy called and is still calling me barking dogs multiple times!
Proof
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/viet...e-run-crazily-to-chinese-border.595051/page-3
Viva_VietSENIOR MEMBER
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Ho Chi Minh made a mistake, this is human affair. He did not know that, Mao is enemy of Socialist Communist parties in Cold War.
Adam is just a barking dog, only sit behind the computer and bark, and will knee down, begging for mercy like his dad in 2014 conflitc
insulting words will be in ignore list <3<3<3
cochine
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2015
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- 2,052
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South China Sea Conflit
Date 14 March 1988
Chigua Reef
Territorial changes:
Chinese retook Chigua Reef
Belligerents
ChinaVietnam
Casualties and losses
China 0 killed =VS= Vietnam 64 killed
China 1 wounded =VS= Vietnam 11 wounded
China 0 captured =VS= Vietnam 9 captured
China 0 armed transporters sunk =VS= Vietnam 2 armed transporters sunk
China 0 landing craft destroyed =VS= Vietnam 1 landing craft destroyed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
2)
No matter what kind of tank the VN army buys, it is not a threat to China(The strength of the VN army and the strength of the Chinese PLA army are not at the same level).
Little Vietnam, first to build an atomic bomb, and then to say equality with China!
Ohhhh,Wait, your new owner, the United States, will never allow you to possess nuclear weapons. Then what else can you do,little Vietnamese?
Ho Chi Min, please don't kiss too much. I am straight.
South China Sea Conflit
Date 14 March 1988
Chigua Reef
Territorial changes:
Chinese retook Chigua Reef
Belligerents
ChinaVietnam
Casualties and losses
China 0 killed =VS= Vietnam 64 killed
China 1 wounded =VS= Vietnam 11 wounded
China 0 captured =VS= Vietnam 9 captured
China 0 armed transporters sunk =VS= Vietnam 2 armed transporters sunk
China 0 landing craft destroyed =VS= Vietnam 1 landing craft destroyed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Chinese_domination_of_Vietnam
2)
No matter what kind of tank the VN army buys, it is not a threat to China(The strength of the VN army and the strength of the Chinese PLA army are not at the same level).
Little Vietnam, first to build an atomic bomb, and then to say equality with China!
Ohhhh,Wait, your new owner, the United States, will never allow you to possess nuclear weapons. Then what else can you do,little Vietnamese?
Ho Chi Min, please don't kiss too much. I am straight.
China changed her friend to American from 1972 in time of Vietnam - America War. China is bad boy.
China in 1979.
and 1984 China invaded into Island of Vietnam in East Vietnam Sea, Chinese had killed logistic people were working in Gac Ma rocks belong to Vietnam. China is the dirty aggressor !
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