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The Philippines and Vietnam need to counter Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea and protect their territories, an Australian analyst on political and security issues in Southeast Asia said.
Philippines joins Japan, Australia on Spratly Islands; approves hotline with Vietnam
![Vietnamese sailors on the Spratly Islands wave to visitors in April 2010. [Reuters]](/shared/images/2012/01/05/vietnam-australia-philippines.jpg)
Vietnamese sailors on the Spratly Islands wave to visitors in April 2010. [Reuters]
Japan, Australia and the Philippines are seeking a peaceful resolution to the Spratlys issue -- a move in line with the policy of promoting cooperation and seeking a rules-based settlement of the territorial dispute.
At the same time, the Philippines Navy and Vietnam Navy agreed to share information and set up a hotline between its coast guards.
The Spratly Islands are claimed wholly or in part by Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. The group of islands, islets, atolls, shoals, reefs, banks and cays in the South China Sea are believed to be rich in oil and gas.
In September, Japan hosted Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during a three-day working visit. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda assured the visiting leader of support for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
In a joint statement, Noda and Aquino “confirmed that the South China Sea is vital, as it connects the world and the Asia Pacific region, and that peace and stability therein is of common interest to the international community.”
Noda and Aquino also “confirmed that freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce, and compliance with established international law including the United Nation Convention of the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS] and the peaceful settlement of disputes serve the interests of the two countries and the whole region.
“They shared the recognition that these same interests should also be advanced and protected in the South China Sea,” the statement said.
Sea lanes are vital for trade
Like other countries, Japan has interests in the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea as it uses the vital sea-lanes for its trade. The United States earlier declared it has a national interest in the freedom of navigation in the area and that parties should resolve disputes peacefully based on customary international law.
Tensions heightened recently after Vietnamese and Philippine officials said China had become increasingly aggressive in staking its claims to the area.
During Aquino’s visit, the two governments agreed to enhance cooperation between their maritime safety authorities. Japan has agreed to send its Coast Guard to train its Philippine counterpart so it could better patrol the country’s vast coast line. Both countries also agreed to “promote exchanges and cooperation between their defense authorities.”
On Oct. 21, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd visited with Aquino. After their meeting, the Philippine leader said he will ask Australia’s assistance in relation to the country’s claim over some areas in the Spratlys.
Rudd was on his first official visit to the Philippines to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries. Aquino said Rudd is an expert in Chinese affairs and even speaks the language and his inputs will be invaluable in finding solutions to the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
While attending the East Asian Summit in November, U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met and discussed issues related to the South China Sea. While the leaders did not release details of their discussions, U.S. National Security Adviser Tom Donilon did speak to reporters after their meeting.
Donilon said U.S. officials want South China Sea disputes to be resolved peacefully, according to published reports. “The U.S. has an interest in the freedom of navigation, the free flow of commerce, the peaceful resolution of disputes. We don’t have a claim, we don’t take sides in the claims, but we do as a global maritime power have an interest in seeing these principles applied broadly.”
Multilateral approach sought
University of the Philippines political science professor Clarita Carlos said the actions of the Philippine side are consistent with the policy of pursuing a multilateral route on the issue.
“We have said before that South China Sea is where the world’s commerce is passing. Eighty percent of fuel needs of Japan pass through that sea, even South Korea. It is in the interests of everybody to keep these waterways free from any interdiction,” she said.
“We are on the right track to get as many people to support our view that it is in fact in the interest of everybody,” Carlos said.
Australia, U.S. maintain alliance
On the meeting between the Australians and Filipinos, Carlos explained that Australia is aligned with the United States in the region.
Australia and the United States military bases will be co-located in 2012. “Australia is part of the security structure in the area. We are also riding on that,” she said.
Australia has maintained that the Spratlys issue must be resolved based on rules-based cooperative approaches and respect for international law particularly UNCLOS.
Meanwhile, the Vietnamese and Philippine governments have agreed to step up cooperation in several areas, including maritime areas. The agreements were reached during the Oct. 26 to 28 state visit by Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang. The state visit is in line with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Aquino and Sang witnessed the signing of several agreements, two of which were a Memorandum of Understanding for the Enhancement of Mutual Cooperation and Information Sharing between the Philippine Navy and the Vietnamese People’s Navy and a Memorandum of Agreement on the Establishment of a Hotline Communication between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Vietnam Marine Police.
In a joint communiqué, the two leaders exchanged information and views on issues relating to the South China Sea or the Sea of Japan and reaffirmed the importance of the maintenance of peace, stability, maritime safety and security in the region.
“The two leaders stressed that a rules-based approach, adhering to international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, is essential to address those issues through multilateral dialogue and consultations and to resolve territorial disputes by peaceful means among the parties concerned,” the joint statement said.
“They also emphasized the ASEAN centrality and the importance of the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed in 2002,” it added.
China recently has become increasingly aggressive in staking its claims to the area, cutting the cables on Vietnamese ships and harassing a Philippine boat at Reed Bank, which the Philippines claims is not part of the Spratlys.
Carlos said the tact being followed by Vietnam and the Philippines should be the norm.
“That should be the case for all claimants. We call that the functional route. That means we are going through non-political aspects. We are cooperating between our coast guards, our scientists. These are the people who really should be talking. The politicians want to divide the sea. Scientists want to preserve the ecological unity of the sea. They treat the sea as one ecological system.
“We should follow the functional route with everybody, including the non-claimants because they also have a stake on these waters,” Carlos said.
Reader Comments
jeff on 26/04/2012 at 12:06PM
i wouldn't be surprise if china will claim the entire philippine archipelago. they always think that they are the oldest & the first people who walked on earth. during ancient time they even called themselves as the middle kingdom or the center of civilization on earth.
何乐而不为 on 18/03/2012 at 05:29AM
The South China Sea is the territory of China. This is an indisputable fact. No argument is needed on our sovereignty over the territories of our country. This is the basic principle of the Chinese people. When our sovereignty is infringed, it must be taken back unconditionally. This is the bounden duty of the Chinese soldiers and the job of the Chinese government. Whatever we do to achieve our goal, doesn't matter if it’s political, diplomatic or military, all are acceptable.
黑夜 on 16/03/2012 at 09:55AM
China is a great country. How would we be afraid of the small shrimps like Vietnam or the Philippines? We can raze you guys to the ground in the time burning a stick of incense. The United States, do you think China would be afraid of you? These eight countries failed to defeat China. If a war started, can you stand for it? We Chinese are daredevil people. You Americans do not have the guts.
放飞自由 on 16/03/2012 at 12:25AM
The sovereignty over the islands which belong to China in the South China Sea, belongs to the Chinese people. No concession for the interests of other countries and so-called political stability is acceptable. As for the islands occupied by the other countries, if diplomatic negotiations won’t work, they shall be taken back by force. Currently, although the situation in the South China Sea is complicated, it is historically well known that these islands are within the border line of China. Moreover, the area is rich in oil and gas resources. We have to consider our future generations and our national long-term interests. The U.S. and Japan invaded other countries for resources. We can’t give away our existing land to the other countries, such as the Diaoyu Islands, which are for no reason occupied by Japan (and they are persisting unreasonably). We don’t occupy the land of the other countries. But for our land, not even one inch shall be given away. We should take our land back with forces. We should not follow the example of the Qing Government to sign any unequal treaties. We can explore it together with Russia. In addition, the rare earth should not be sold, but should be kept for our own use.
老玉米 on 14/03/2012 at 10:16PM
South China Sea has always been China’s territory, and the PLA should turn its biggest island into an unsinkable aircraft carrier.
中国平民 on 12/03/2012 at 10:48PM
Does China have marine administrative institution? Yes. Does China have land administrative institution? Yes. Does China have money? Yes. Does China have manpower? 1.3 billion. Does China have leadership? Yes. Does China have diplomatic institution? Yes. But why do we always protest after our territory being occupied by foreigners? Why should we negotiate with other countries regarding our territory integrity? Why can’t we be prepared in advance? Why? Why?
贾智全 on 11/03/2012 at 05:50AM
Right now what China need the most is to stick together. Some problems may not be solved at the moment, but they are not difficult problems in the long run. What matters here is our national strength. The US will be delighted to see deterioration of the dispute, so it can reap benefits. Our leaders have come to the right conclusion. Now the US has totally exposed its intentions. The point is, China should step up its strategic policies to maintain regional peace and stability, refraining from getting too close with the US. Today the sovereignty of the South China Sea shouldn't be the problem, but the long term strategic vision of our country should change. Now we should collaborate with our neighbors (especially Russia) to change it, and we can be their strategic partner even though we are not their formal alliance. Personally, I think it's time to expand into northeast Asia and exploit South China Sea, we can do both simultaneously and proactively. If our relations with Russia and North Korea improve, the South China Sea dispute will eventually turn to our advantage. We can set up a Special Economic Zone there, focusing on both military deployment and economic growth. We should also collaborate with Taiwan, and using force is not the only option, now it’s the best opportunity to strengthen military cooperation. We can supply Taiwan with necessary weapons, facilities and big warships free of charge, so that they can better manage the South China Sea.
老年人 on 09/03/2012 at 03:36AM
It would be better if the problem is solved peacefully.
wangmin78 on 08/03/2012 at 06:38AM
No matter how the disputes over the South China Sea are going on between China and other countries, general navigation has never been impacted. Japan has an ulterior motive. They intend to besiege China from the east to the south. The Philippines is just a rascal, with only immediate interests in mind but no strategic vision. Australia is asking for trouble. You guys are far away from the South China Sea and your ships don’t even travel there. It is none of your business.
春雨无痕 on 05/03/2012 at 02:50AM
The South China Sea is the territory of China. This is an indisputable fact. The sovereignty of the nation’s territories doesn’t need any discussion. This is the basic principle of Chinese people. When the sovereignty is infringed upon, it shall be retrieved unconditionally. This is the vocation of Chinese soldiers, and also the basic responsibility of Chinese government. All measures including political, diplomatic and military methods, no matter what, count in achieving the objective.
黄祥元 on 02/03/2012 at 02:48AM
The South China Sea is the ancestral property of Chinese people and shall never be occupied by others. As a great country, we have to have the South China Sea; we have to have blood; we have to have resources. I agree with China’s current slogan, which is “the sovereignty over the South China Sea belongs to China”. As the reunification of China has not been realized yet, Taiwan is again making more trouble for us. The strategy of putting the disputes aside and exploring together proposed by China is correct. It awakes Chinese people! Chinese people love peace. This is our “nature of sheep”. At the same time, Chinese people shall carry forward our “nature of wolf”. Especially our People’s Liberation Army, we shall tear the robbers who occupied our South China Sea into pieces for our mother, our country, and the land that nurtured us for five thousand years, when the interests of the nation and the country is challenged and when we are needed. We shall let them know how strong we Chinese are; let them know what a lesson is!
幸福人 on 01/03/2012 at 06:35PM
Shame on Japan and the Philippines! They talk big about protecting the stability in the South China Sea while they are actually grabing China’s territories. What makes them believe they can talk like that.
锁成 on 01/03/2012 at 04:47AM
South China Sea has nothing to do with your Japanese, isn’t that so? The Chinese leaders are not at all aggressive, so we get bullied. Chinese people will support the protection of our national sovereignty.
肥仔2010 on 29/02/2012 at 06:48AM
To the prosperity and revitalization of our country.
郭伟华 on 23/02/2012 at 10:53AM
The Chinese oil platform moves forward, forward and forward, you dare come, we’ll kill you.
王建民 on 19/02/2012 at 03:38AM
The South China Sea countries should pause for a reflection. China's patience is limited; don't force us to do it the hard way. As the old Chinese saying goes: provoke a distant relative rather than your own neighbor. The Chinese don't want what's rightfully yours, but for what isn't you must let go. Offending your neighbor will not be good for you.
刘彦宏 on 17/02/2012 at 11:35PM
We won't tolerate any more. The world doesn't want peace it isn't our fault. As a matter of fact China is like a defeated rooster.
游客 on 12/02/2012 at 01:10AM
I think a war is definite... Think about before when Japan come to insult us Chinese, we fought… The land that belonged to us should never been given to Japanese. After all, as people living in the world, the most important thing is dignity. Although Japanese are better in term of military, we were not afraid. If we are fighting Japanese, I will also join… The territories in the South China Sea are ours and must be ours,,
上官伯 on 10/02/2012 at 04:09AM
Just like Hong Kong, Macao and the three provinces in Northeast China, the South China Sea is the inherent territory of China. Why shall we discuss with them? This discussion is based on an unequal nature. Please don’t forget those previous unequal treaties. USA, China treats you as a friend. Being a friend, please don’t come to mess up here. If you act as an enemy, China would destroy an enemy like you. Talking about the past, China should have cleaned up in the South China Sea long time ago. Isn’t it, General Yang Guanglei? A modernized Chinese army still has to put up with this, what do you think? The U.S. said that it won’t support any party’s claim of sovereignty. The thief wants to enter the house, so he calls himself the host. Please don’t forget, this is the territory of China, the sovereignty of China. You don't need to pretend to be insane and act like a yenta everywhere. China is using its kind gentleman’s heart to despise your disgusting acting skills.
心劲 on 08/02/2012 at 12:35PM
a lot of Chinese have been brainwashed to believe that the Spratly's was part of China since ancient times, when the ancient maps actually refer to Hainan and the Paracels.
珠鲁 on 08/02/2012 at 07:56AM
Territory means national dignity. When the territory is occupied, a nation is insulted…Chinese people count for one fifth of the world’s population. Let's stick together to defeat the small U.S. and their aircraft carriers. If they come to China again, they shall not go back. Let them make Machetes and spears, I would like to fight against them
刘石增 on 06/02/2012 at 07:29AM
To peacefully promote the rights over the territories in the South China Sea complies with the interest of Chinese people. It is the inevitable result of China’s strengthening of the deterrent force reflected by the defense preparations and the military force of cold war. China should keep on strengthening the defense preparations and the deterrent force, so as to make effective progress toward peace.
冯凯强 on 05/02/2012 at 01:23AM
I personally believe that those who lose territories shall be beheaded. I’m willing to give every penny and even my life to my country. As we all know, 150 years ago, our country was the most powerful country in the world. What promised by Mr. Sun Yat-sen has been achieved. But why China is even not as good as some of the second-class countries in the world? The reason is: even we are powerful now, we are just acting like the U.S. before the World War II——lack of courage and a nation's backbone. We are now just a mollusk, with a strong brain but without a backbone and the limbs. The nation lacks warrior spirit!
乡政府杂左 on 04/02/2012 at 09:46PM
China has been humble for hundreds of years. We shall not tolerate any more. People around the world are watching; the bandits are watching. No cowardice is allowed. Wake up, China
赵继斌 on 03/02/2012 at 02:03AM
Concerning all the islands in the South China Sea that belong to China, the sovereign rights of these islands belong to the Chinese people. The rights shall not be compromised by excuses such as the interest of other countries or so-called political stability. That’s not acceptable. Concerning the islands that are occupied by others, they shall be retrieved by force, if diplomatic negotiation does not work. Currently, the situation in the South China Sea is complicated. However, the islands situated inside our boarder is historically well-known. Taking the Diaoyu Island as an example, why should it be occupied by the Japanese? And why should they be so bully? We don’t invade and occupy other countries’ territories. But as for our own territories, every inch shall be defended and shall be taken back with strong arms.
王跃 on 02/02/2012 at 05:05AM
South China Sea has always been China’s territory. Anyone who wants to benefit here is an invasion to both the country and its people. Chairman Mao taught us: We will not attack unless we are attacked, if we are attacked, we will certainly counterattack! Long live the People’s Republic of China.
kabir ihan(india) on 31/01/2012 at 03:39AM
is the japan is more powerful then America.
小密州 on 31/01/2012 at 12:31AM
The Spratly Islands have been islands of China since the ancient times. We will certainly attack if we are attacked. Fight! Get back our islands.
龙醒 on 27/01/2012 at 08:46AM
Since the Spratly Islands are inseparable territories of China, why should we negotiate on it? If it was Russia or the U.S., they would have already started a war against them. If the leader of a country is a male lion, the people under his leadership will be a group of lions too. Kind people are more likely to be bullied; nice horses are more likely to be ridden. China needs a wise leader like Putin to lead its way out of the current plight. Advanced weapon won’t work. This has been proven by the fact that the bitch Tz'u Hsi had put the strong Beiyang Fleet to an end in those old days. China has been laying low for hundreds of years. It should not practice forbearance any more. People from all over the world are watching and the bandits are watching. There is no space for any cowardice. Wake up, China! 32767