Scene at the event (Photo: VOV) Lao Cai (VNA) – A Government-level negotiation on territorial and border issues between Vietnam and China took place in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on January 14. The event was co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, who is General Secretary of the Steering Committee for Vietnam-China Cooperation, and China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou, who is General Secretary of the Steering Committee for China-Vietnam Cooperation. Both sides exchanged views on territory and border-related issues as well as the two countries’ relations over the past times comprehensively, while discussing cooperation orientations to speed up the resolution of existing issues and boost the ties in 2019, thus contributing to enhancing the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The sides stressed the importance of territorial and border issues and related outcomes they have achieved within the framework … [Read more...] about Vietnam, China hold gov’t-level negotiation on territory, border
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Chinese bombers make debut landing on disputed South China Sea runway
China has for the first time landed several bombers on an island in the disputed South China Sea, a move that could provoke renewed tensions between countries bordering the strategically vital maritime region. Several bombers of various types - including the long-range, nuclear strike capable H-6K - carried out landing and take off drills at an unidentified island airfield after carrying out simulated strike training on targets at sea, the Chinese airforce said in a statement on Friday. Wang Mingliang, a defense expert cited in the statement, said the takeoff and landing exercises on islands in the South China Sea will help the air force "strengthen its combat capability to deal with martime security threats." The move comes weeks after U.S. network CNBC reported that China had installed anti-ship and air-to-air defenses on outposts in the Spratly Islands that are also claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines, citing sources close to U.S. intelligence. Washington warned that Beijing … [Read more...] about Chinese bombers make debut landing on disputed South China Sea runway
Vietnam facing China’s renewed assertiveness in South China Sea
U.S. news network CNBC reported on May 2, 2018 that China had installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three of its outposts in the Spratlys, namely Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef. The report substantiates the concern among regional observers that China may soon start a new round of escalation in the South China Sea after a relatively calm period. Since the release of the arbitral tribunal ruling on the Philippines vs. China case in July 2016 until early this year, China kept a low profile on the South China Sea issue by quietly completing its seven artificial islands in the Spratlys and refraining from major assertive actions. Beijing even showed good will and made efforts to accelerate discussions with ASEAN on a Code of Conduct for the sea. China’s wish to counter adverse ramifications generated by the 2016 ruling as well as its emphasis on the successful organization of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 19th congress … [Read more...] about Vietnam facing China’s renewed assertiveness in South China Sea
China completing militarization in South China Sea by deploying missiles to Spratlys: experts
China's reportedly deploying missiles in the Spratly Islands outposts could mean an act closer to declaring an Air Defense Identification Zone in the disputed waters and Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam should raise voices to protect their rights, experts said. U.S. news network CNBC reported on Wednesday that China has installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three of its outposts in the South China Sea. The report quoted unnamed sources as saying that according to U.S. intelligence assessments, the missiles were moved to Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef within the past 30 days. "If the story is correct, this is a significant step of China toward militarization of Spratly Islands," Euan Graham, Director of International Security Program at Lowy Institute, told VnExpress. He said the missiles would be a stage before China launching combat aircraft later this year, and declaring an excercise restriction area. The approach is … [Read more...] about China completing militarization in South China Sea by deploying missiles to Spratlys: experts
Philippine defense chief says China sea dispute still a challenge
The territorial dispute with Beijing over the East Sea, known internationally as the South China Sea, remained a security challenge despite an improvement in bilateral ties, the Philippine defense chief said on Monday as he accepted three maritime surveillance planes from Japan. Delfin Lorenzana, in a speech at a naval base south of the capital Manila, said the three Japanese donated second-hand TC90 planes will definitely boost the navy’s capability to gather intelligence in the disputed sea. “We must admit that much still has to be done to boost our military capability equipment in order to meet a number of persistent maritime security challenges,” Lorenzana said, identifying territorial disputes with China, and other countries, over resource-rich areas in the disputed waters. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, where about $5 trillion worth of sea-borne goods pass every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have … [Read more...] about Philippine defense chief says China sea dispute still a challenge