A U.S. navy warship sailed close to a disputed reef in the South China Sea (Vietnam's East Sea) on Tuesday, a U.S. Department of Defense official said, days after China warned criticism of its claims in the crucial waterway would rebound like a coiled spring. The freedom of navigation operation by the USS William P. Lawrence, travelling within 12 nautical miles of Chinese-occupied Fiery Cross Reef, was to "challenge excessive maritime claims of some claimants in the South China Sea (Vietnam's East Sea)", Defense Department spokesman Bill Urban said. "These excessive maritime claims are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention in that they purport to restrict the navigation rights that the United States and all states are entitled to exercise," Urban said in an emailed statement. Facilities on Fiery Cross Reef include a 3,000-metre (10,000-foot) runway and Washington is concerned China will use it to press its extensive territorial claims at … [Read more...] about U.S. sails warship near reef in South China Sea (Vietnam’s East Sea)
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South China Sea (Vietnam’s East Sea) set to dominate Singapore security summit
Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in this still image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft provided by the United States Navy May 21, 2015. Phôt by U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters/File Photo Roiling tensions in the South China Sea (Vietnam's East Sea) are set to dominate Asia's biggest security summit starting in Singapore on Friday, exposing a deepening rivalry between the United States and China ahead of a landmark legal ruling in the Hague. The unofficial Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) is the last chance for the two powers to drum up support before a decision from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in a case brought by the Philippines. Manila is contesting Beijing's claim to an area shown on its maps as nine-dash line stretching deep into the maritime heart of Southeast Asia, covering hundreds disputed islands and reefs. Security experts expect the United … [Read more...] about South China Sea (Vietnam’s East Sea) set to dominate Singapore security summit
China could build nuclear plants for South China Sea (Vietnam’s East Sea), paper says
China is getting closer to building maritime nuclear power platforms that could one day be used to support projects in the disputed South China Sea (Vietnam's East Sea), a state-run newspaper said on Friday, but the foreign ministry said it had not heard of the plans. China has rattled nerves with its military and construction activities on the islands it occupies in the South China Sea, including building runways, though Beijing says most of the construction is meant for civilian purposes, like lighthouses. The Global Times, an influential tabloid published by the ruling Party's official People's Daily, said the nuclear power platforms could "sail" to remote areas and provide a stable power supply. China Shipbuilding Industry Corp, the company in charge of designing and building the platforms, is "pushing forward the work", said Liu Zhengguo, the head of its general office. "The development of nuclear power platforms is a burgeoning trend," Liu told the paper. "The exact number of … [Read more...] about China could build nuclear plants for South China Sea (Vietnam’s East Sea), paper says
China plans base station for rescue operations in South China Sea (Vietnam’s East Sea)
A Chinese government bureau is planning a base station for an advanced rescue ship in the disputed Spratly Islands, known as Quần đảo Trường Sa in Vietnam, state media reported on Monday, as China continues its push to develop civilian and military infrastructure in the contentious region. The ship, which would carry drones and underwater robots, is set to be deployed in the second half of the year, said Chen Xingguang, political commissar of the ship, which is under the South China Sea Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, according to the official China Daily. The civilian bureau has 31 ships and four helicopters conducting rescue missions in the South China Sea (Vietnam's East Sea), and officials from the department told the China Daily they work with the military on such efforts. Officials said the rescue ship base station would enable rescue forces to aid fishing boats in trouble, and shorten the distance they need to travel. It is unclear on which island the ship will … [Read more...] about China plans base station for rescue operations in South China Sea (Vietnam’s East Sea)
China to hold drills in South China Sea (Vietnam’s East Sea) ahead of court ruling
Related News China to hold drills in South China Sea (Vietnam's East Sea) ahead of court ruling By Reuters/ Ben Blanchard  July 3, 2016 | 11:14 am GMT+7 China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi (L) attends the 9th meeting of the steering committee of the Vietnam - China bilateral cooperation at the International Convention Center in Hanoi, Vietnam June 27, 2016. Photo by Reuters/Kham China will hold military drills around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea (Vietnam's East Sea), the maritime safety administration said on Sunday, ahead of a decision by an international court in a dispute between China and the Philippines. China routinely carries out exercises in the South China Sea (Vietnam's East Sea), where its territorial claims overlap in parts with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. Tensions have been rising ahead of a July 12 ruling by an arbitration court hearing the dispute between China and the Philippines over the … [Read more...] about China to hold drills in South China Sea (Vietnam’s East Sea) ahead of court ruling