ARTICLES

16 Jan 2019

US Navy Conducts First South China Sea FONOP of 2019

Ian Storey

A recent freedom of navigation operation conducted by the USS McCampbell in the South China coincided with talks in Beijing between US and China. The relatively restrained response by the People's Liberation Army lessened the risk of a collision - and a serious crisis in China-US relations.

3 Jan 2019

How to Read Hanoi’s Position on the South China Sea COC?

Le Hong Hiep

The ASEAN-China Code of Conduct negotiations took an unexpected turn when Vietnam started calling for a ban on any new Air Defence Identification Zone over the South China Sea. However, China is unlikely to concede due to its maritime ambitions, and may even harden its stance against these pressures.

China South China Sea Vietnam

25 May 2018

Vietnam under Increasing Pressure from China in the South China Sea

Ian Storey

From beefing up its military presence in the islands near Vietnam to overt attempts at curtailing Vietnam's commercial activities in the South China Sea through the threat of force, Beijing has been ramping up the pressure on Hanoi to coerce Vietnam into compromising its maritime claims in favour of China's interests.

China South China Sea Vietnam

11 May 2018

Whither Malaysia’s China Policy Under Prime Minister Mahathir?

Ian Storey

Despite his highly vocal stance that Malaysia has become too dependent on China, the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and China is unlikely to change drastically under Prime Minister Mahathir. China is too important as an economic partner for Malaysia, and Malaysia being is too influential within ASEAN for China to upset.

China-Malaysia Relations Malaysia South China Sea

27 Mar 2018

US Conducts 6th South China Sea FONOP under Trump

Ian Storey

In response to the US' latest Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) exercise, China dispatched two warships to warn off the USS Mustin, and proclaimed the mission to be illegal and provocative. So far, only the US is willing to conduct FONOPs around Chinese-occupied features to challenge Beijing's excessive maritime claims.

FONOPs South China Sea U.S.

22 Jul 2016

Issues and Points to Look out for at the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings

Tang Siew Mun

The 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting will take place against the backdrop of The South China Sea dispute, with the leaders of ASEAN unable to give a unified position on the matter. With six foreign ministers taking part in the AMM for the first time, the collegiality and cohesion of ASEAN will be tested.

ASEAN ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting South China Sea

13 Jul 2016

Arbitral Tribunal Award Represents Legal Victory for Philippines, Massive Defeat for China

Ian Storey

The Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea has ruled in favour of the Philippines. But China may adopt a hardline response. It could increase its naval presence in the South China Sea or commence reclamation work at Scarborough Shoal.

China Philippine South China Sea

13 Jul 2016

Duterte’s Aquino Legacies

Malcolm Cook

The ruling by the Arbitration Tribunal on the South China Sea and the U.S.-Philippine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement are two foreign policy legacies left by the Aquino administration. They will be stumbling blocks to the Duterte administration if it seeks to revise its foreign policy with China and the US.

China Philippine Philippine-U.S. Relations South China Sea U.S.