South China Sea, ASEAN, China, Philippines and Vietnam China, ASEAN officials discuss code of conduct. Officials from China and the 10 ASEAN countries discussed a potential binding code of conduct in the South China Sea during a meeting in Suzhou, China, on September 14–15. China’s vice foreign minister, Liu Zhenmin, said the officials agreed to pursue a code of conduct using a “gradual approach based on consensus.” The outcome was seen by many observers as a means to stall completion of a binding agreement. The officials were meeting to discuss implementation of the nonbinding 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Philippines accuses China of construction at Scarborough Shoal. Philippine defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin on September 3 accused China of preparing to build structures at Scarborough Shoal, which Chinese vessels seized in 2012. Gazmin revealed aerial photos taken by the Philippine Navy that show 75 objects, which the secretary identified as concrete blocks, scattered around the shoal. Gazmin called them a “prelude to construction” and drew parallels to the 1995 Chinese seizure and subsequent construction at Mischief Reef. Beijing has denied Gazmin’s claim. Vietnam revamps maritime police agency, boosts defense capabilities. Vietnam’s General Department for Defensive Industry, in an effort to boost defense capabilities in the South China Sea, on August 26 handed over three patrol boats to the marine police department and renamed the agency the Vietnam Coast Guard. The patrol boats are equipped with advanced technological systems, such as data transfer and satellite imagery, and are designed to withstand rough weather conditions at sea, including severe waves. The government has also boosted funding and training for the agency. csis.org/publication/southeast-asia-corner-18th-and-k-streets-indonesia-vietnam-should-join-expanded-informat?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SoutheastAsiaFromTheCornerOf18andKRelatedPublication+%28Southeast+Asia+from+the+Corner+of+18th+and+K%29
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 00:33:28 +0000
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