The United States is considering intensified naval patrols in the South China Sea in a bid to challenge China’s growing militarization of the waterway, actions that could further raise the stakes in one of the world’s most volatile areas. The Pentagon is weighing a more assertive program of so-called freedom-of-navigation operations close to Chinese installations on disputed reefs, two U.S. officials and Western and Asian diplomats close to discussions said. The officials declined to say how close they were to finalizing a decision. Such moves could involve longer patrols, ones involving larger numbers of ships or operations involving closer surveillance of Chinese facilities in the area, which now include electronic jamming equipment and advanced military radars. U.S. officials are also pushing international allies and partners to increase their own naval deployments through the vital trade route as China strengthens its military capabilities on both the Paracel and … [Read more...] about US weighs more South China Sea patrols to confront ‘new reality’ of China
Vietnam china south china sea dispute
Vietnam should be on guard against China’s possible air-defense zone: major general
With recent landing and taking off drills carried out by Chinese bombers on the Paracel Islands, a Vietnamese major general said Vietnam should be on high alert for a possible establishment of an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) by China in the South China Sea. China’s activities have reflected its attempts to turn a “Chinese dream” of becoming a world power into reality. China is already using its Belt and Road Initiative to influence the region and control the waters, said major general, professor Nguyen Hong Quan, former deputy head of the Military Strategy Institute under the Ministry of Public Security. The Chinese air force announced on May 18 that several of its bombers, including the long-range, nuclear strike capable H-6K, had carried out landing and taking off drills at an island airfield in the Paracel Islands for the first time. The base H-6 aircraft’s combat radius of nearly 1,000 nautical miles means China’s basic bombers taking off … [Read more...] about Vietnam should be on guard against China’s possible air-defense zone: major general
US defense secretary heads to Asia to draw a contrast with assertive China
By AFP  January 22, 2018 | 08:35 am GMT+7 U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis walks from a meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 9, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Joshua Roberts In Vietnam, Jim Mattis and his counterparts are set to discuss freedom of movement in the East Sea. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Sunday began a one-week trip to Asia, hoping to strengthen defense cooperation with Indonesia and Vietnam as regional Chinese military power looms ever larger. "We share the Pacific - it's an ocean named for peace - we would like to see it remain peaceful, so all the nations that use it and live here are prosperous," Mattis told reporters accompanying him on a military plane headed to the region. In Jakarta, where he is to arrive Monday evening, Mattis is to meet on Tuesday with President Joko Widodo and Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu for talks on maritime cooperation. The vast Indonesian archipelago reaches from … [Read more...] about US defense secretary heads to Asia to draw a contrast with assertive China
Philippines to protest to China over apparent airbase on manmade island in the East Sea
The Philippines will make a diplomatic protest to China, which the Southeast Asian nation's defense minister described as having reneged on a promise not to militarize artificial islands in the busy East Sea waterway (known internationally as the South China Sea). The United States has criticized China's build-up of military facilities on the artificial islands and is concerned they could be used to restrict free movement along the key trade route. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana's comment followed a Dec. 30 broadcast of aerial footage by the official China Central Television (CCTV) showing Fiery Cross Reef, which appeared to have been transformed into an airbase. "The Chinese government said some time ago that they were not going to militarize those reclaimed islands," Lorenzana told reporters, adding that the protest would be made through the foreign ministry. "If it is true and we can prove that they have been putting soldiers and even weapons systems, that will be a … [Read more...] about Philippines to protest to China over apparent airbase on manmade island in the East Sea
Vietnam sets up command center for cyberspace defense
Vietnam announced on Monday the creation of a cyberspace operations command to protect its sovereignty on the Internet, with prime minister citing risks related to the disputed East Sea and complex regional and global situations. The new unit would "research and predict online wars", the defense ministry said in a report on the government website, which also reported Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's comments. Vietnam is locked in a long-running territorial dispute with China in the East Sea, known internationally as the South China Sea. While Phuc singled out the East Sea, he made no mention of China. "To protect the country in the new situation, the Communist Party has set a high priority on protection of the State in cyberspace," the website quoted Phuc as saying at the foundation ceremony for the new unit. In December, Vietnam revealed it had a cyber warfare unit of 10,000 staff, named Force 47, to counter what it said were "wrong" views on the Internet, local media reported. The … [Read more...] about Vietnam sets up command center for cyberspace defense
Joint communiqué on sixth UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue
“Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, the Rt Hon Mark Field MP, and Permanent Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son co-chaired the sixth UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue on January 5, 2018 in Hanoi. The Dialogue flowed from the bilateral Strategic Partnership signed in 2010 and was an important moment to assess and steer the Partnership. “Both sides agreed to promote exchange of delegations at various levels, including high-level visits and to enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms. There was a shared understanding of the importance of championing and delivering free trade, including the support for early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and commitment to avoiding any disruption in the growth of bilateral relations following the UK’s exit from the European Union and to ensuring continuity in key areas. Both sides welcomed the further broadening and strengthening of the … [Read more...] about Joint communiqué on sixth UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue
The year in pictures: Vietnam in 2017
2017 has been a year of records for Vietnam in many ways. In November, the country hosted its biggest event, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Da Nang, attended by world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Just a week before APEC, Damrey, one of the biggest typhoons to hit Vietnam in 30 years, wreaked havoc in central Vietnam affecting Da Nang as well. In total, natural disasters have left 389 people dead or missing, causing damage totalling around VND60 trillion ($2.64 billion), according to the General Statistics Office. The economy boomed, hitting a 10-year high growth of 6.81 percent and so did tourism, welcoming a record high 12.9 million visitors. Even the corruption crackdown hit an all-time high, according to Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong, under whose watch scores of high profile officials have been nabbed. Besides headline grabbing events, in 2017 photographers also … [Read more...] about The year in pictures: Vietnam in 2017
World’s largest amphibious aircraft makes maiden flight in China
China’s domestically developed AG600 performed its maiden flight on Sunday from an airport on the shores of the South China Sea, which Vietnam calls the East Sea, the latest step in a military modernization program.China has stepped up research on advanced militaryequipment as it adopts a more muscular approach to territorial disputes in places such as the disputed South China Sea, rattling nerves in the Asia-Pacific region and the United States.State television showed live images of the AG600 lifting off from Zhuhai airport in the southern province of Guangdong, which sits on the South China Sea coast.It returned about an hour later and taxied to its stand accompanied by martial music and greeted by crowds waving Chinese flags.Xinhua news agency said the aircraft was the “protector spirit of the sea, islands and reefs”.It had previously been scheduled to make its first flight earlier this year but it is unclear why it was delayed after ground tests took place in … [Read more...] about World’s largest amphibious aircraft makes maiden flight in China
Vietnam calls for UN’s comprehensive strategy to maintain peace
Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN At the UN Security Council’s opendebate themed “Addressing Complex Contemporary Challenges to InternationalPeace and Security” held on December 20, Ambassador Nga laid stress on the roleof the UN Security Council in ensuring international security and peace. She affirmed support for thecouncil’s reform towards greater representation, democracy, transparency andresponsibility to ensure that the council can effectively carry out itsmission. Regarding Asia-Pacific issue, Ngareiterated Vietnam’s stanceof supporting the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsulavia peaceful solutions and called on related parties to restrain and fullyrespect relevant resolutions issued by the UN Security Council. She asserted Vietnam’s commitmentsin maintaining regional peace and stability and called on relevant sides toaddress East Sea (South China Sea) disputes through peaceful … [Read more...] about Vietnam calls for UN’s comprehensive strategy to maintain peace
While focus is on N.Korea, China continues disputed sea buildup: think tank
While attention in Asia has been distracted by the North Korean nuclear crisis in the past year, China has continued to install high-frequency radar and other facilities that can be used for military purposes on its man-made islands in the disputed East Sea (known internationally as South China Sea), a U.S. think tank said on Thursday. Chinese activity has involved work on facilities covering 72 acres (29 hectares) of the Spratly and Paracel islands, territory contested with several other Asian nations, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies. The report cited satellite images. The United States and its allies oppose China's building of artificial islands in the disputed sea and their militarization, given concerns Beijing plans to use them to deny access to strategic routes. The report said that in the last several months China had constructed what appeared to be a new high-frequency radar array at the … [Read more...] about While focus is on N.Korea, China continues disputed sea buildup: think tank