News Story: Vietnam, Australia hold foreign affairs, defence strategic dialogue

Sydney (VNA) – The fifth foreign affairs and defence strategic dialogue at the deputy ministerial level between Vietnam and Australia was organised in Canberra on September 27.

The event was chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Dinh Quy and Australia’s Deputy Secretary Defence People Rebecca Skinner and Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Gary Quinlan.

During the dialogue, the two sides agreed to continue boosting the Vietnam-Australia relations in the fields of politics, economics, trade, defence, security, agriculture, education and training, tourism and people-to-people diplomacy.

They exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, while pledging to maintain close coordination at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and forums led by ASEAN such as the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, in order to promote dialogue and cooperation, and maintain peace, stability and order in the region.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: Philippines plans to ban ASEAN security personnel from using mobile phones

MANILA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines plans to ban security personnel from carrying mobile phones while on duty during the leaders' summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asian Summit (EAS) in November, local media reported on Sunday.

Quoting ASEAN Security Task Force Director Napoleon Taas, the GMA News Online reported that the use of mobile phones while on duty compromises the security plan laid out for the leaders of ASEAN and major dialogue partners including the United States, Japan, India and Russia.

Read the full story at Xinhua

Think Tank: A contested Asia - What comes after US strategic predominance? (Part 2)

Peter Varghese

PacificSentinel: Part 1 can be found HERE

The concept of a balance of power has lost its appeal to many scholars and practitioners of international relations. But in my view it still matters. I take comfort that the late Lee Kwan Yew, a shrewd observer of our strategic environment, understood both the importance of a balance in Asia and the need to view it as more than just a military balance. Lee observed: ‘In the old concept, balance of power meant largely military power. In today’s terms, it is a combination of economic and military, and I think the economic outweighs the military.’

Already such a de facto balance is in the making through the shared desire of the US, India, Japan and others to balance China. Each has its own geopolitical and historical reasons, of which the non-democratic character of China is by no means the primary driver. This is not a classic balance-of-power grouping. It’s an organic, not an orchestrated arrangement.

Where Korea eventually lines up is an open question. The ROK is an ally of the US. But what would be the disposition of a united Korea? Would it lean towards China or the US? Or, more likely, would it seek an independent path with or without nuclear weapons? A united Korea is likely to be a democracy, which suggests it will at least lean towards balancing China. But no one knows which options will eventuate, which is one reason China doesn’t want to push the North Korean regime to the point of collapse.

AUS: Foreign Minister, Defence Minister and Trade Minister - Visit to Singapore

We will visit Singapore on 21 August for meetings with senior government representatives to further enhance Australia’s relationship with our Comprehensive Strategic Partner and advance our economic, security and defence interests in the region.

Singapore is a key partner for Australia in Southeast Asia. It is our largest trade and investment partner in the region and our fifth largest trading partner overall. We hold joint military exercises and cooperate closely on defence intelligence, science and technology.

We will meet Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss ways for our two countries to work even closer together bilaterally and through regional forums including the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum.

Our Singaporean counterpart ministers will host the 10th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC), a biennial high level dialogue held between our countries since 1996. During the SAJMC we will explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and share perspectives on a range of regional economic and strategic issues.

News Story: East Asia Summit commits to counterterror cooperation

By Pia Lee-Brago

MANILA, Philippines - Deeply concerned over the rise of terrorism and radicalization in some countries, members of the East Asia Summit (EAS) reaffirmed their commitment to counter the activities of extremist groups to prevent the flow of foreign terrorist fighters.

Foreign ministers stressed the importance of strengthening EAS cooperation to address security threats in a “comprehensive manner.”

“The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to counter the activities of the terrorist/extremist groups, including the self-declared Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and resolved to step up efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism by strengthening security cooperation, information sharing, suppressing terrorism financing and de-radicalization,” according to a statement issued at the 7th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Japan, China in testy exchange over Tokyo's South China Sea remarks

By Audrey Morallo

MANILA, Philippines — Japan and China had a tension-filled meeting following Tokyo’s critical remarks at the East Asia Summit over Beijing’s island-building and military activities in the West Philippine Sea, an exchange confirmed by a Japanese government spokesperson.

Japanese media reported that the China Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his newly-appointed counterpart, Taro Kono, in a bilateral meeting: “Frankly speaking, we were disappointed to hear your comments.”

This statement was in reaction to the statement of Kono, Tokyo’s top diplomat, calling on China to respect the rule of international law regarding its military construction in the South China Sea, part of which Manila claims and calls the West Philippine Sea.

Kono said that Beijing should learn how to act as a big power, a statement that was confirmed by Toshihide Ando, a Japanese deputy press secretary.

“Responsible player? Something around that line, yeah,” Ando told Philstar.com after a media conference when asked to confirm this remark from Tokyo’s chief envoy.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Chinese FM calls on security cooperation for East Asian countries

MANILA, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday called on all countries in East Asia to strengthen security cooperation, especially on non-traditional security issues like terrorism, transnational crimes and natural disasters.

He made the remarks while attending a series of meetings of the ministers with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which are being held in the Philippine capital city of Manila, including East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Wang said communication between countries on security issues is very important as it can remove misunderstanding and misjudgment whiling enhancing mutual trust.

He mentioned that China issued a white paper on its policies on Asia-Pacific security cooperation this January, which showed China's determination to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Japan's Kono asks China to learn 'how to behave as big power'

MANILA (Kyodo) -- Japan's new Foreign Minister Taro Kono on Monday brushed aside a provocative remark by his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during their first talks since he assumed his post last week, saying he wants Beijing to "learn how to behave as a big power."

At the bilateral meeting in Manila, Wang told Kono, "Frankly speaking, we were disappointed to hear your comments" over issues surrounding the South China Sea in the East Asia Summit foreign ministers' meeting that was held earlier in the day.

Kono is seen as a pro-China politician. His father Yohei Kono, a former foreign minister, is a regular visitor to China who has not tried to justify Japan's past colonial rule in Asian nations and not sought the amendment of its postwar pacifist Constitution.

The outset of their talks was open to the media.

"We felt that you were forced to fulfill a mission that the United States had given you," Wang said, referring to Kono's earlier remarks regarding China's military buildup in the contested waters of the South China Sea.

The Japanese minister had suggested he would remind Beijing of the importance of the rule of law in dealing with disputes in the waters, one of the world's vital shipping routes, where several Southeast Asia countries have overlapping territorial claims with China.

Kono told reporters Sunday he would call for demilitarization in the South China Sea.

Kono, who is acquainted with Wang, a former ambassador to Japan, said at the meeting, "I became foreign minister in a very difficult era when we are facing North Korean issues and various maritime issues."

"I would like to frankly exchange views" with China, he told Wang.

Read the full story at The Mainichi

News Story: China and ASEAN to maintain stability in South China Sea

BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- China will work with ASEAN countries to uphold stability in the South China Sea, consult on a code of conduct (COC) and maritime cooperation, and guide the East Asian regional cooperation.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the remarks when answering a question on China's expectations for future development of China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) relations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend a series of foreign minister meetings from Aug. 6 to 8 in the Philippines, including meetings between foreign ministers from China, ASEAN, Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as foreign minister meetings of the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Duterte hits 'nutcase' Kim Jong Un - He must be stopped

By Patricia Lourdes Viray

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for "playing with dangerous toys" ahead of the East Asia Summit in the Philippines.

In a speech during the 113th founding anniversary of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Duterte called the North Korean leader a "son of a bitch."

"I do not think he is ready but he's playing with dangerous tays 'yang buang na 'yan. It must be stopped, itong nuclear war," Duterte said. "Buang" translates to "nutcase" or "crazy."

The president noted that a nuclear war would deplete the country's soil and natural resources.

"Let us pray to God na somehow itong gago na ito maano," he said.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Australia's top diplomat to discuss Marawi conflict with Cayetano

Julie Bishop (Image: Wiki Commons)

By Patricia Lourdes Viray

MANILA, Philippines — The peace process, the ongoing conflict in Marawi City and counter-terrorism efforts would be at the center of discussions between Australia and Philippines' top diplomats.

On her second visit to the Philippines this year, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will meet with Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and other senior government officials.

"These meetings will strengthen Australia’s relationships with our South East Asian neighbors and advance our economic and security interests in the region," Bishop said in a video posted on her Twitter account.

Bishop will attend the East Asia Summit, Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum and ASEAN-Australia Ministerial Meeting in Manila this week.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: US Assures ASEAN: North Korea Will Not Overshadow South China Sea Talks

Nike Ching

STATE DEPARTMENT — As U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson embarks on his first official trip to Southeast Asia this week, the United States continues to press for a legally binding mechanism to prevent conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea from erupting into violent confrontations.

After more than 15 years of intermittent talks, foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China are expected to endorse the framework of a code of conduct (COC) that commits to cooperation rather than confrontations in the disputed waters, during talks this week in the Philippines.

"The U.S. has certainly welcomed the agreement on the framework, but we are also continuing to call for the rapid adoption of an effective code of conduct," Susan Thornton, acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said Wednesday in a telephone briefing.

News Story: ASEAN, China seen to endorse SCS code

By Pia Lee-Brago

MANILA, Philippines - China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are expected to endorse a framework for a code of conduct in the South China Sea during a meeting in Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

The framework aims to better manage the region and regulate future behavior of parties claiming stakes in the disputed territory.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi will attend the meeting set on Sunday.

After the framework is endorsed, the ministers are also expected to direct a joint working group to begin discussions on the actual code.

The framework aims to “establish a rules-based framework that contains a set of norms” to guide the conduct of parties in the South China Sea and calls for closer cooperation to avoid disputes.

It also calls for “a favorable environment for the peaceful settlement of disputes, ensures maritime security and safety and freedom of navigation.”

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: ASEAN, China Expected to Endorse Initial Code of Conduct in South China Sea

Sok Khemara

After more than 15 years of intermittent talks, ASEAN member nations and China are expected to endorse the draft framework for a non-binding code of conduct that commits to cooperation rather than confrontations in the contested South China Sea, the Voice of America Khmer service has learned.

The draft framework is expected to be endorsed by ASEAN foreign ministers and China's foreign minister at the weeklong post-ministerial conference hosted by the Philippines, the current holder of ASEAN's revolving chairmanship. The meeting in Manila begins August 2.

A regional official who did not want to be named provided VOA Khmer with the draft framework of the code of conduct (COC), which would "establish rules-based framework containing a set of norms" to guide the conduct of parties and promote maritime cooperation in the South China Sea. The document is the outgrowth of talks called by China and held in May in Guiyang in Guizhou.

And while the draft framework is a move forward in a process that began in 2002, Tang Siew Mun, head of the ASEAN Studies Center at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said "this does not mean that the strategic trust gaps would narrow overnight."

Although the draft framework suggests that ASEAN and China can work together on a "sensitive issue," the draft framework is the first of many steps, Tang said, adding that the COC itself will take time to finalize, if it ever reaches that stage.

"The COC would only have meaning if it were legally binding, but it is unsure if the negotiating parties would be agreeable to a fair and just structure of managing relations in the South China Sea," Tang said.

The draft framework for the code of conduct calls for ASEAN members "to promote mutual trust, cooperation and confidence, prevent incidents, manage incidents should they occur, and create a favorable environment for the peaceful settlement of the disputes; to ensure maritime security and safety and freedom of navigation and overflight."

News Story: Regional security challenges discussed at conference in Philippines

Manila (VNA) – Defence officials from member countries of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) discussed outstanding regional security issues at the first debate of the ASEAN Security Policy Conference (ASPC) that opened in Manila, the Philippines, on June 29. 

The Vietnamese delegation to the event is led by Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army. 

Presenting Vietnam’s views, Minh said the overall regional situation remains peaceful and stable, but there have been rapid, complex developments along with potential threats. He cited as example the situation in Northeast Asia, natural disaster, piracy, terrorism and disputes in the East (South China) Sea. 

The Vietnamese head delegate said the East Sea issue is a complicated matter that caused grave concern for ASEAN and the international community. 

He reiterated Vietnam’s stance that the East Sea disputes should be addressed by peaceful measures on the basis of international law and respect for diplomatic and legal processes, along with the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and efforts to soon reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). 

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Report: Russia-Philippines Cooperation Agreement Includes Intel Sharing on Terrorists

One of eight cooperation agreement signed between Russia and the Philippines in May envisions intelligence sharing on terrorism, Ambassador of the Philippines in Moscow Carlos Sorreta told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — During his visit to Russia in May to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte expressed Manila's interest in advanced Russian weapons, including helicopters, planes, as well as precision-guided weapons to help combat the terror threat.

Following Duterte’s official visit to Moscow, Russia and the Philippines signed a package of agreements, highlighted by the agreement on military cooperation. Media reports suggested that Russia may be offering the Philippines some form of soft loans in the initial stage of military equipment procurement.

News Report: US, India Pitch for Freedom of Navigation in South China Sea Irks China

US Defense Secretary James Mattis advocated freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore over the weekend. In response, Chinese experts contended that it should be maintained across the world and not just the South China Sea.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — General Mattis' stand is similar to what Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said in the past, describing sea lanes passing through the strategic South China Sea as the "main arteries" of global trade, where freedom of navigation and utmost respect for international law must be maintained.

During his address at the 11th East Asia Summit in September 2016, Modi said "the threat or use of force" to resolve dispute in the region would complicate matters affecting peace and stability.

On Saturday, Mattis said, "Respecting freedom of navigation and adhering to international norms [are] essential for peace and economic growth in the inter-linked geography of the Indo-Pacific."

News Story: Vietnam proposes ASEAN, China operate hotline solving problem at sea

Singapore (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Bui Van Nam has emphasised the need for ASEAN and China to implement the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) and operate a diplomatic hotline to settle problems at sea in an effective manner as part of measures to avoid collision at sea.

Addressing the fourth special discussion on practical measures to prevent encounters at sea in Singapore on June 3 as part of the 16th Shangri-La Dialogue, Deputy Minister Nam said that a state must not find excuses such as internal law to ignore requests to settle incidents at sea sent through the hotline.

At the same time, the CUES must be applied for all government vessels operating in the East (South China) Sea, including military and semi-military ships, he said.

He added that the ASEAN and China should work together for the early formation of a Code of Conduct in the East (South China) Sea (COC) which is binding, comprehensive, practical and acts as an effective tool to prevent disputes and maintain peace, stability, navigation and overflight security and safety in the East (South China) Sea.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: Abe, Trump agree N. Korea warrants pressure, not dialogue

Japanese Prime Minister Abe and U.S. President Trump (File Photo)

TAORMINA, Italy (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump affirmed Friday in Italy that pressure, not dialogue, is needed now in tackling the threat from North Korea.

The leaders agreed in their talks in Taormina just ahead of the Group of Seven industrialized nations' summit, to work with all countries in persuading North Korea to denuclearize, and that China, Pyongyang's primary diplomatic and economic benefactor, has an important role to play.

The agreement to prioritize pressure over dialogue was reached despite Trump saying earlier this month that he would be "honored" to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "under the right circumstances."

Abe has stressed that direct dialogue with North Korea should not be resumed while Pyongyang continues provocative actions including testing ballistic missiles, the latest just last Sunday.

Trump told Abe that the issues presented by North Korea, which continues to develop nuclear weapons as well, are "a world problem and it will be solved at some point."

"It will be solved, you can bet on that," Trump said at the outset of the talks, the portion open to the press.

Read the full story at The Mainichi

News Story: Philippines, Russia vow to help maintain regional peace, development

By Alexis Romero

MOSCOW – The Philippines and Russia have vowed to contribute to efforts to maintain peace and development in Asia Pacific as Moscow seeks closer ties with countries in the region.

President Rodrigo Duterte and Russia President Vladimir Putin have agreed to work together to promote cooperation in the region and to create an environment conducive for growth.

“The Parties reiterated their readiness to further enhance cooperation in the Asia Pacific region and on the international arena on the whole aimed at the creation of favorable conditions for economic growth of both States and contributing to maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region,” the two leaders said in a joint statement on Duterte’s visit here.

Duterte was forced to cut short his four-day official trip here after terrorists from the Maute group attacked parts of Marawi and held hostage several civilians. 

He was supposed to stay here until May 26 but left for the Philippines two days earlier. 

Despite Duterte’s decision, the signing of several cooperation agreements, including those on security and trade, pushed through to strengthen the ties between the two countries.

Duterte and Putin cited the importance of sustaining efforts to shape a security architecture in the Asia Pacific region that is “open, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based in accordance with international law, including the principle of equality.”

Read the full story at PhilStar