China turns to UN to set record straight in row with Vietnam over oil rig

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during a meeting to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the enforcement of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 9, 2014. (Xinhua/Niu Xiaolei)

China sends note to UN chief to clarify Xisha situation

China has presented documents to the United Nations, proving its sovereignty over the Xisha Islands ...

Beijing’s efforts to garner support at the United Nations in its territorial row with Hanoi reflect its maturing diplomacy as well as its determination to clarify facts and defend interests, observers said.

In a rare move, Wang Min, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, handed a position paper to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday.

Wang asked Ban to circulate the paper, which includes an article from the Foreign Ministry detailing its stance, among all 193 members of the General Assembly.

“Previously, we seldom take maritime territorial rows to the international arena, but this time, China is determined to make the facts clear,” said Luo Yongkun, a researcher on South-East Asian studies with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

He added that Beijing’s efforts to take the row to the UN are a signal of “its diplomacy getting mature”.

“We have strong proof of sovereignty over the region and have done a lot benefiting countries in the region. However, we seldom talk about that on international sites, as some countries do, so few are aware of that,” he said. “It’s not only about the row with Vietnam, but also about defending China’s national image.”

Vietnam has sent notes to the UN about the dispute, harshly criticising China and hinting at the possibility of seeking international arbitration, which Beijing said it would never accept.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday that she hoped the news media can understand the aim of Hanoi in hyping the row.

The Chinese note handed to the UN accused Vietnam of ramming Chinese vessels more than 1,400 times near a Chinese oil rig in the South China Sea recently.

It said China National Offshore Oil Corp has been conducting seismic operations and well site surveys in the area for the past 10 years, and the drilling operation “is a continuation of the routine process of exploration and falls well within China’s sovereignty and jurisdiction”.

The operation area is 31km from the baseline of the territorial waters of China’s Xisha Islands, and between 246 and 289km from the coast of Vietnam.

“Vietnam also sent frogmen and other underwater agents to the area, and dropped large numbers of obstacles, including fishing nets and floating objects, in the waters,” the paper said.

It said Vietnam’s actions violated China’s sovereignty, posed “grave threats” to Chinese personnel on the rig and violated international laws including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“China sent the note to tell the international community the truth and set straight their understanding on the issue,” Wang said after delivering the position paper.

However, he called for maritime disputes to be settled through negotiation between the parties directly involved.

Chen Xiangyang, another researcher at the China Institute of Contem­porary International Rela­tions, said Beijing’s move is a “justifiable defence” against Hanoi’s provocation at the UN.

He said that on this issue, China also has to fight the biased reports of Western media and some countries taking sides with Vietnam regardless of the history and facts. — China Daily / Asia News Network

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A father’s love for his family

You don’t need words to express how you feel when deeds can clearly get the message across

BEING close to 1,000km away from home by air indirectly means that a lot of times, I will miss out on many celebrations in Kuching.

Earlier this month, the Sarawakians were celebrating Gawai, or the harvest festival in the state.

Although the Dragon Boat Festival is also celebrated here, it is not the same without my mother’s home-made dumplings.

The faster pace of life here coupled with the number of activities I can do keep me occupied and provide me with a sense of fulfilment.

However, when I slow down, I will feel homesick once in a while.

Not long ago, I called my father to tell him that I would like to fly back to Kuching for a break.

He told me to save the flight money and “rest” because he thinks that flying can be a bit of a hassle.

It may sound odd as to why a father would tell his daughter not to go home for those reasons.

Flight tickets are very affordable these days especially during the off peak seasons or when the airlines are running a promotion.

And while it does take some effort to get to the airport, check-in and fly back all that usually takes about four hours (assuming there is no delay with the flight).

For a round trip back to my hometown, it possibly costs me a few hundred ringgit and eight hours of travelling but that, according to my father, is an unnecessary waste of time and money.

“Save your hard-earned money for better use,” he would say.

So, usually, I will fly back twice a year; once during Chinese New Year and another trip will be made as and when I want to.

“There really is no need to come back so often. It is such a chore. All you have to do is call us more often,” he argued.

I did not argue that it would not be the same because my father’s logic is slightly different from others’ and he is a bit stubborn.

“A bit” may be an understatement based on my mother’s standard but that is my father.

A man of few words who sometimes says things that people least expect and to a certain degree, mysterious.

Mysterious in a sense that no one in the family knows what he really thinks and how he really feels.

Sometimes I ask, “Why?”, and he will reply, “Don’t ask so much”.

Surprisingly, asking questions is part and parcel of what I do for a living now.

Compared to my mother, who will show her concern and express her thoughts overtly (and most of the times excessively), my father appears somewhat “emotionally detached”.

My mother is the kind who will impose her values and what she thinks is good on her children but my father appears cool and easy-going with many of the decisions his children make in life.

The difference in their approaches became antecedent to their arguments but my mother will usually have the last word.

When my mother gets angry, we usually know the reason but when my father becomes furious, the cause is mostly unknown.

Hence, that makes me wonder more, “Why?”

I cannot even comprehend the kind of food he loves – duck neck and fish head.

Most people prefer the meaty parts.

After countless “whys” on the subject, I finally realised that, all these are just the ways my father expresses his love.

He leaves the best for his family.

He swallows his pain, conceals his emotions because he does not want others to worry.

It is also because “by default” based on most societies’ standards, a man has to put a strong front to provide for and to protect his family.

His love is in his actions but not words, subtle yet powerful, silent yet beautiful. That, is a father’s love for his family.

> Ng Bei Shan, a business journalist with The Star, salutes all the fathers for being a warrior of their families. She hopes those who are able to celebrate the coming Father’s Day to treasure the moments with their heroes and gently reminds those who cannot make it back home to give their fathers a warm greeting.

 Contributed by  # BAH! Ng Bei Shan
Ng Bei Shan, a business journalist with the Star, salutes all the fathers for being a warrior of their families. She hopes those who are able to celebrate the coming Father's Day to treasure the moments with their heroes and gently reminds those who cannot make it back home to give their fathers a warm greeting.

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European anti-crisis strategy: Sex, drugs, alcohol could boost economic growth

The euro sculpture is seen outside the headquarters of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany. European governments are slowly turning to drugs, sex and contraband as a way to boost their respective economies. — Reuters pic

European governments are turning their attention to prostitution, drugs and contraband as possible ways of boosting their economic growth profiles, as they struggle away from their debt crises, AFP reports. 

Sex and drugs to add to Europe's murky GDP figures

Italy caused a stir when it announced last month that it would begin including revenues from drug trafficking and the sex trade, as well as contraband tobacco and alcohol, to calculate gross domestic product (GDP) from next year.

One effect would be to reduce the public deficit as a ratio of output, if EU authorities were to accept the idea. That would be a big help to countries trying to get their public deficits below the EU ceiling of 3.0 percent of output.

In 2012, Italy's central bank estimated the value of the criminal economy at 10.9 percent of GDP. Including these figures could therefore boost the country's growth to above the government's 1.3 percent estimate.

Last month, Britain said including illegal activities such as prostitution and drugs into national accounts would add about 10 billion pounds (12.3 billion euros, $16.8 billion) to GDP, equivalent to about one percent of national output.

Using the undeclared or so-called black economy to calculate national statistics is part of a range of changes recommended by the European Union's statistical institute, Eurostat, to be implemented in September.

Eurostat said including such data would allow a better comparison between countries with different laws.

"GDP is not an indicator of morality," said a spokesman, adding that only transactions carried out consensually would be included.

But others are less convinced.

Eric Vernier, researcher at the Institute of International Relations, said including "gross criminal product" in growth figures is a cynical attempt to combat the Eurozone's debt crisis.

"The problem is to put this new statistical method on the table at the moment when everyone has budget problems," he said.

"There has been a general acceptance of this accounting approach since the crisis: what matters most is what goes into the state coffers."

"Denial of basic morality"

Many of Europe's struggling governments will welcome any boost to growth figures that will reassure both disillusioned voters and markets.

But the decision has sparked outrage among politicians and rights groups.

The French minister for women's rights Najat Vallaud-Belkacem and Belgium's Interior Minister Joelle Milquet, have both written to the European Commission to express their "astonishment" over the proposals.

"Prostitution is not a voluntary commercial activity. To believe that it can have an ideological bias is a mirage and an insult to the millions of victims of sexual exploitation worldwide", they said.

"Prostitution cannot be assumed to be a transaction freely agreed between parties. The question also arises concerning drugs, especially hard drugs, considering the issue of addiction," added Ronan Mahieu, head of INSEE, which calculates France's GDP.

A spokeswoman for the Association for the Protection of Women's Rights in Britain said the group was "surprised and saddened" by the decision.

While in France, Marine Le Pen, the leader of the extreme-right National Front party which came top in recent European Parliament elections, described it as a "denial of basic morality."

'Shadow market'

Europe's black market is already huge, according to experts.

Friedrich Schneider, professor at the Johannes Kepler University of Linz in Austria, estimates that the European Union's "shadow market" is equal to 18.6 percent of the bloc's 2014 GDP.

But calculating the value of illegal activities is no easy task.

An EU document from 2012, littered with acronyms and complex mathematical formulas, gives guidelines on how to calculate the "inputs" of the prostitution industry, such as the cost of renting an apartment, or "transport and storage" for drug traffickers.

It even includes how to interpret the "ratio of purity" in narcotics.

Schneider argues that undeclared illegal activities and "value creating" services such as prostitution should be included in the calculations, but not totally criminal activities.

On this basis, Germany, Italy and France account for about half of Europe's black-market activities.

In recession-hit Greece, he estimates that black market transactions account for an estimated 23 percent of GDP, lower than the estimated 40 percent of the less-developed economies of Eastern Europe, but far higher than the roughly eight percent in Luxembourg. - AFP

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WW2 D-Day remembered in Normandy France; China praises Germany, slams Japan for denial of its brutal history

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WW2 D-Day remembered in Normandy France; China praises Germany, slams Japan for denial of its brutal history

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China praises Germany, slams Japan

(Reuters) - China used the 70th anniversary of World War Two's D-Day landings on Friday to praise Germany for its contrition over its wartime past and slam Japan for what Beijing views as Tokyo's continued denial of its brutal history.

China has increasingly contrasted Germany and its public remorse for the Nazi regime to Japan, where repeated official apologies for wartime suffering are sometimes undercut by contradictory comments by conservative politicians.

Ties between the two Asian rivals worsened on Dec. 26 when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which China sees as a symbol of Tokyo's past militarism because it honors war criminals along with millions of war dead.

"Germany's sincere remorse has won the confidence of the world," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily news briefing, when asked about the D-Day anniversary.

"But in Asia on the Asian battlefield, the leaders of Japan, which caused harm and which lost the war, are to this day still trying to reverse the course of history and deny their history of invasion," Hong added.

"What Japanese leaders are doing has been widely condemned in the international community. We again urge Japan's leaders to face up to and deeply reflect on the history of invasion and take real steps to correct their mistakes to win the trust of its neighbors in Asia and in the international community."

Japan's government and Abe himself have repeatedly said that Japan has faced up to its past sincerely.

-  (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Nick Macfie)

Japan urged to correct mistakes as D-Day remembered

BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday urged Japan to reflect on its aggression past and correct mistakes with practical actions, as international D-Day commemorations were held.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing, "We again urge Japanese leaders to face up to and remember its aggression past, correct mistakes with tangible actions and win the trust of Asian neighbors and the international community."

Among international commemorations of the 70th anniversary of D-Day being held, one was in Normandy, France.

Hong said as far as the Second World War is concerned, Europe has turned over a new page. Quoting an old Chinese saying, he said, "Past experience, if not forgotten, is a guide for the future."

Hong said, "Germany has won world respect by sincerely apologizing for its wrong-doing.

"Yet leaders of Japan, a defeated country in World War II, are still attempting to deny its past and challenge the post-war international order, thus their acts are widely condemned by the international community."

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HMS Bulwark will be part of a flotilla heading to France from Portsmouth

Friday marks 70 years since the allied troops in the Second World War landed in Normandy. Ceremonies large and small have been taking place on both sides of the English Channel.

WWII veterons attend a Drumhead Service on Southsea Common in commemoration of the D-Day landings on June 5, 2014 in Portsmouth, England.

In the southern English naval base of Portsmouth, which was the departure point for troops heading to Sword Beach, one of the main landing points, British Royal Marines acted out military exercises for thousands of veterans who gathered on Thursday to make the crossing for the commemorations.

While over in northern France, 300 soldiers from the US, UK, Canada and France parachuted in tandem over the village of Ranville, and World War II planes flew over Utah Beach. Thousands of Allied troops flew or parachuted onto the German-occupied French soil during the early hours of June 6th, in 1944, catching the German army by surprise. But the price was high, nearly 4,500 were dead by the end of the day.

With many D-Day veterans now in their 90s, this year could be the last time that many of those who took part in the battle, will be able to make the long journey back to Normandy and tell their stories. The main D-Day ceremony will be held in Ouistreham, a small port that was the site of a strategic battle on D-Day. Some 18 heads of state are expected to attend the commemorations.

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American hegemony cannot bring security to Asia

American defense secretary Chuck Hagel delivered a speech at the Shangri-La Defense Dialogue in Singapore on May 31st. In response to this irresponsible speech, the deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Wang Guanzhong pointed out that Hagel's speech was filled with terms that will incite unrest in Asia.  Images for American hegemony cannot bring security ...

American defense secretary Chuck Hagel delivered a speech at the Shangri-La Defense Dialogue in Singapore on May 31st. In addition to defending America's pivot to the Asia-Pacific region, he also declared that the Diaoyu islands fall under the mutual defense treaty with Japan and voiced support for Japan's right to collective self-defense. Moreover, he placed emphasis on his criticism of China and made use of many threatening words.

In response to this irresponsible speech, the deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Wang Guanzhong pointed out that Hagel's speech was filled with terms that will incite unrest in Asia. China had not foreseen that Hagel would deliver such an offensive speech. His accusations against China were unreasonable.

In order to maintain its hegemony and enjoy an economic dividend from the rapid development of Asia, America has devised a series of new Asia-Pacific strategies such as “Back to Asia”, “Pivot to Asia” and “U.S. Asia-Pacific Re-balance Strategy” to expand its military presence in Asia. America's so called “U.S. Asia-Pacific Re-balance Strategy” has increasingly aroused concern and anger among many of the countries affected on the one hand, and become the butt of criticism of influential strategists at home. We find ourselves in total disagreement with Hagel's groundless accusations - he would do well to subject himself to similar critical analysis.

As is widely accepted, the Diaoyu Islands, Xisha, Zhongsha and the Nansha islands have formed an integral part of China's territory since ancient times - there is no shortage of historical and legal evidence to support China's claims. China has nevertheless shown great restraint and patience in its calls for regional peace and stability, even when confronted with unreasonable demands and provocation on the part of other countries. China has exercised military restraint over the issues concerning the Diaoyu Islands, Huangyan Island and even the Xisha islands. Meanwhile, Japan's 'Self-Defense Force' jets have incessantly intruded into the East China Sea, far from the Diaoyu Islands to harass and threaten unarmed Chinese patrol aircraft.

Ships of the Philippine navy have harassed and threatened defenseless Chinese fishermen. Armed Vietnamese vessels have deliberately collided with Chinese government ships and fishing boats. China has never yet drilled a single oil well in the South China Sea, while countries such as Vietnam and Philippines have long been producing oil and gas in the area. We are curious about Hagel's motives in directing his accusations against China, while ignoring the efforts and sacrifices made by China in the interests of regional peace and stability.

Hagel's criticism of China as a 'rule-breaker' is a typical example of the hypocrisy of American politicians. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has met with approval from more than 150 countries since it was passed some thirty years ago. In pursuit of its own interests America, the self-styled “world policeman” and “supreme power” did not join the convention. With its own history of double standards, America has no business agitating for international laws and rules and attacking other countries for not abiding by these international rules.

China is no longer the downtrodden victim that it may have been one hundred years ago. China has no intention of stirring up trouble, but it will not sacrifice core national interests. Even in the face of provocation from Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, China remains tolerant and insists on peaceful settlement of disputes through bilateral negotiations. However, China is still forced to take counter-measures. We hope the nations involved do not interpret our tolerance as a sign of weakness. We hope they will turn back to the path of solving disputes through negotiation. Moreover, we also wish that America would abide by its promise of not taking sides in sovereignty disputes in Asia. In this way regional peace and stability and the long-term interests of nations in the region can be secured.

The countries mentioned above would be considerably less presumptuous without the support of America. In this sense, America is the chief instigator of unrest in Asia. America's insistence on its policy of hegemony offers nothing to Asian security and serves only to fuel disorder.<

Source: (People's Daily Online)    10:11, June 06, 2014
The article is edited and translated from《美国霸权带不来亚洲安全》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, author: Zhang Junshe, a researcher with the Navy Military Academic Research Institute.

China vows firm stance on maritime rights

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China rejects arbitration tribunal South China Sea ruling ; History backs China in sea disputes

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China rejects arbitration tribunal South China Sea ruling ; History backs China in sea disputes

China on Wednesday rejected a Hague-based arbitration tribunal's ruling giving it six months to respond to a legal claim by the Philippines over disputed waters in the South China Sea.

China's stance of not accepting or participating in the arbitration proceedings filed by the Philippines has not changed, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said at a regular briefing on Wednesday.

The response came after the tribunal of The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Netherlands, issued a statement on Tuesday, which requires China to submit evidence to defend its territorial claims in the South China Sea before December 15.

The tribunal cited an obligation to assure "each party a full opportunity to be heard and to present its case," according to a Tuesday statement.

The Philippines in March filed a memorandum to the international arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), questioning the validity of China's "nine-dash" territorial claim.

However, experts said that without a bilateral agreement, the UNCLOS has no jurisdiction to interfere in sovereignty issues, which made China's stance reasonable and lawful.

"The international arbitration procedure must be agreed by both parties. If China rejects participating, the arbitration will not work," Ji Qiufeng, a professor of international relations with Nanjing University, told the Global Times.

Ji noted that the international tribunal is most likely to withdraw the Philippines' case.

"It will be a wise decision for the international tribunal as it lacks power to enforce. Even if the tribunal makes a judgment by default, China will not accept its verdict," Ji said. "The tribunal may lose its credibility."

The United States has said it supports the Philippines' arbitration case, which is closely watched by other claimant countries including Vietnam, which said last month it was considering legal action against China after a Chinese oil rig started to operate in waters near the Xisha Islands that Hanoi claims as it territory.

Ji pointed out that Vietnam's legal threat is very likely to depend on the result of the Philippines' case. "As China stands firm against the Manila plea, Hanoi should be aware that the threats would prove in vain."

- By Hu Qingyun Source:Global Times Published: 2014-6-5 0:43:01

History backs China in sea disputes

China has been criticized by some countries for making "ambiguous" claims on the islands, islets, reefs and waters in the South China Sea. For example, it has been criticized for "failing to honor" the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea despite being a signatory to it, as well as for "violating" other international laws on the sea.

A few international observers also accuse China of deliberately obscuring its territorial claims in the South China Sea by using terms not found in the UNCLOS, such as "adjacent waters" and "relevant waters". And some countries keep demanding that China "clarify" its nine-dash line map.

The fact is that, if these countries do not change their mindset and attitude, the nine-dash line will continue to be vague for them irrespective of how clearly China defines it.

China has an unequivocal and consistent territorial claim on the islands and other land features in the South China Sea. As a matter of fact, it has unequivocally stated its claim in three official documents: the 1947 Location Map of the South China Sea Islands released by the Kuomingtang government in Nanjing, the 1958 Declaration of the Government of New China on the Territorial Sea and the 1992 Law on Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone. These documents state that the Dongsha Islands, Xisha Islands, Zhongsha Islands, Nansha Islands and other islands are part of the sovereign territory of China.

Some countries view China's maritime claim in the South China Sea as ambiguous because of certain historical reasons. The first reason is that the UNCLOS does not properly address the issue of historic rights. Despite the reference to historic title in Articles 15 and 298(1)(a), the provision on historic bays in Article 15(6), and the recognition of traditional fishing rights in Article 51, it does not have any provision for the definition of historic rights or their specific connotation and denotation.

The second is that no consistent understanding has been reached in international law on historic rights. For example, Yehuda Z. Blum, an Israeli professor of law and diplomat, has observed: The term "historic rights" denotes the possession by a state, over certain land or maritime areas, of rights that would not normally accrue to it under the general rules of international law, such rights having been acquired by that state through a process of historical consolidation ... Historic rights are a product of a lengthy process comprising a long series of acts, omissions and patterns of behavior which, in their entirety, and through their cumulative effect, bring such rights into being and consolidate them into rights valid in international law.

Besides, a state acquires historic rights through effective exercise of these rights (long series of acts, omissions and patterns of behavior) by one or more states, a practice followed by relevant states. The concept of historic rights is almost equivalent to that of historic water.

In this vein, Leo Bouchez, a renowned international law professor, says the concept of "historic rights" has evolved from the concept of "historic water" and "historic bays". The development from "historic bays" to "historic water" and from "historic title" to "historic rights" indicates the evolution of legal concepts with the development of state practice, and that such concepts have not been finalized.

From the point of view of China, one of the world's oldest civilizations, the South China Sea is part of the traditional Asian order and, hence, it would be inappropriate to comprehend the nine-dash line by relying solely on the Westphalian nation-state system.

As Keyuan Zou, Harris professor of International Law at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK, has observed, the South China Sea nine-dash line map was officially released by the Chinese Kuomingtang government half a century before the UNCLOS, and one decade before the 1958 Four Geneva Conventions on the Law of the Sea. Thus, China's historic rights within the nine-dash line cannot be ignored. The nine-dash line drawn by the Chinese government in 1947, at approximately the median position between China's South China Sea islands and reefs and the coastlines of bordering states, reflects the scope of China's claims. The consistency of the claims has been maintained by China after 1949, and the claims have been recognized or acquiesced to by bordering states over a long period of time. Therefore, the nine-dash line has probative force and weight under international law.

The so-called ambiguity in China's nine-dash line map and its claim on the waters within that line mainly stems from the imperfection of the UNCLOS. To some extent, international law on historic rights is defective in theory and doctrine and lacks a unified standard.

China has been striving to clarify its claim in the South China Sea. But the joint efforts of the international community are also needed to complement and improve the UNCLOS by agreeing to a new international convention or protocol in order to clarify the understanding of historic rights.

The author is deputy director of Maritime Security Institute at East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai. The views expressed are personal. His most recent book is Legal Interpretation of China's South China Sea Map: An Inclusive Approach to Ocean Public Order.

- By Zheng Zhihua (China Daily)

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• China reiterates to resolve territorial disputes via bilateral negotiations

• consequently, has a solid basis in international law,“ she added. Related stories China rejects int'l arbitration on South China Sea dispute 2013-04-26 ASEAN leaders stress peace in South China Sea 2013-04-25 Territorial disputes in the South China Sea 2013-03-09 China maritime territorial disputes 2013-03-09...
• Published : 2013-04-26 22:14:11

• China rejects int'l arbitration on South China Sea dispute

• China rejects int'l arbitration on South China Sea dispute. Watch VideoPlay Video China has rejected an application for international arbitration in the dispute with the Philippines over the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. The Philippines has applied for arbitration by the international tribunal...
• Published : 2013-04-26 16:55:30

• The Philippines' violation of international laws to end in vain

• The Philippines' violation of international laws to end in vain. BEIJING, April. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippines took the dispute with China over the South China Sea to the international arbitration in January of 2013. On March 30, 2014, it submitted a so-called memorial to the arbitral tribunal. This...
• Published : 2014-04-03 17:49:03

• The Philippines' violation of international laws to end in vain

• The Philippines' violation of international laws to end in vain. BEIJING, April. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippines took the dispute with China over the South China Sea to the international arbitration in January of 2013. On March 30, 2014, it submitted a so-called memorial to the arbitral tribunal. This...
• Published : 2014-04-03 18:06:19

• Commentary gives China's reasons for refusing arbitration on South China Sea issue

• Commentary gives China's reasons for refusing arbitration on South China Sea issue. BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- China will neither accept nor participate in international arbitration unilaterally pushed forward by the Philippines on the South China Sea disputes, said a commentary published on Tuesday's...
• Published : 2014-04-01 08:43:30

• China rejects Philippines' arbitral request: FM

• China rejects Philippines' arbitral request: FM. BEIJING, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has rejected a Philippine move to take their dispute regarding sovereignty issues in the South China Sea to the United Nations for arbitration, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday. “Chinese Ambassador...
• Published : 2013-02-19 20:30:14

• China reiterates opposition to Philippines' arbitration bid

• China reiterates opposition to Philippines' arbitration bid. BEIJING, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday reiterated its opposition to the Philippines' taking the South China Sea dispute to an Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). At a daily press briefing,...
• Published : 2013-02-20 19:41:59

• China committed to settling disputes bilaterally

• China committed to settling disputes bilaterally. Watch VideoPlay Video Beijing says it wants to address the island disputes with the Philippines via bilateral talks. The announcement came after the Philippine government brought disputes in the South China Sea to an Arbitral Tribunal under the United...
• Published : 2013-01-23 10:13:28

• Chinese FM: confrontation not conducive to solving South China Sea issues

• disputes to the UN arbitral tribunal, which further complicated the situation. “To deal with such provocations, which go against principles endorsed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), China has every reason...
• Published : 2013-06-27 22:45:00

• China Voice: Vietnam's key choice: to trust China or not

• China Voice: Vietnam's key choice: to trust China or not. BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Shutting out third parties, which mostly meddle for their own gains, ending the oil rig tension in the South China Sea will come down to how China and Vietnam perceive each other. Like a personal relationship, the closer...
• Published : 2014-06-04 19:37:50

• Full Text: The United States' Global Surveillance Record

• Iraq are key intelligence targets of U.S. eavesdroppers for their “economic stability and impact“ mission. For the “emerging strategic technologies“ mission, Russia is a focus, along with India, Germany, France, South Korea, Israel, Singapore, Sweden and Japan. China, Germany, France, Russia, Iran, North...
• Published : 2014-05-27 08:09:49

• Chinese veteran diplomat debunks Japan's “proactive“ approach to peace

• the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which was concluded in 2002 among China and the ASEAN countries, are also an important part of the international rules, she said.China will continue to work with the countries involved to keep on communication, enhance mutual...
• Published : 2014-06-02 07:15:52

• China, Malaysia celebrate 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties

• vowed joint efforts with other ASEAN member states to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and ensure progress of consultations for the conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) based on consensus. Invited by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang,...
• Published : 2014-06-01 07:26:19

• China rejects Philippine submission on South China Sea disputes

• China rejects Philippine submission on South China Sea disputes. Watch VideoPlay Video China has rejected a submission by the Philippines to the UN Arbitral Tribunal regarding the South China Sea issue. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei said that China’s position on issues over the South...
• Published : 2013-02-19 19:41:19

• China rejects Philippine submission on South Chian Sea disputes

• China rejects Philippine submission on South Chian Sea disputes. Watch VideoPlay Video China has rejected a submission by the Philippines to the UN Arbitral Tribunal regarding the South China Sea issue. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei said that China’s position on issues over the South...
• Published : 2013-02-20 09:07:39

• Violation of international laws

• a statement that, on the same day, Philippines officially filed a case against China at an international arbitration tribunal on the Sino-Philippines dispute over the South China Sea, following the Arbitration Procedural Rules. Full story ...
• Published : 2014-04-04 10:52:45

• China, Malaysia pledge South China Sea stability

• China, Malaysia pledge South China Sea stability. BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Friday agreed to strengthen dialogue to maintain stability on the South China Sea. “The current situation in the South China Sea is stable in general but...
• Published : 2014-05-30 22:46:11

• China determined on peace, stability in South China Sea: vice FM

• the South China Sea, Liu emphasized that no country should doubt China's determination and will to safeguard the peace and stability of the South China Sea.China will work with neighboring countries to ensure the stability and the navigation freedom of the South China Sea, making the South China Sea a...
• Published : 2014-05-27 17:57:50

• Manila's resort to foreign intervention in South China Sea set to end in vain

• China's sovereignty is inviolable over South China Sea issue 2012-04-16 China urges the Philippines to jointly address South China Sea confrontation 2012-04-14 Mainland, Taiwan share South China Sea responsibility: spokeswoman 2012-04-11 China hopes irrelevant parties will stay out of South China Sea...
• Published : 2012-04-26 14:21:20

• China lodges solemn representation to Philippines over South China Sea dispute

• tribunal on South China Sea dispute on Sunday. China expressed strong dissatisfaction at and firm opposition to the Philippine side over the international arbitration it pushed forward unilaterally disregarding China's stern stance, said Liu. “China's stance of neither accepting nor participating in the...
• Published : 2014-04-01 08:41:52

• China refuses int'l arbitration on disputed islands in S. China Sea

• later this year. Related stories China rejects int'l arbitration on disputed islands in S. China Sea 2013-04-26 China rejects int'l arbitration on South China Sea dispute 2013-04-26 ...
• Published : 2013-04-27 11:00:57

• Chinese ambassador: China has indisputable sovereignty over South China Sea islands

• Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea, “ she added. Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario announced at a press briefing on Tuesday that the Philippine government had brought the South China Sea disputes to an Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea...
• Published : 2013-01-22 20:50:55

• China's Efforts and Achievements in Promoting the Rule of Law

• in Promoting the Rule of Law Information Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China February 2008, Beijing Contents: Foreword I. Historical Course of Building a Socialist Country under the Rule of Law II. Legislation and Legal System with Chinese Characteristics III. Legal Systems of...
• Published : 2008-02-28 19:39:39

• China opposes taking sea disputes to UN: FM

• China opposes taking sea disputes to UN: FM. BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- China has reiterated its opposition to the Philippines' request to take South China Sea disputes to a UN tribunal, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday. Responding to a question at a daily news briefing, spokesman Hong Lei...
• Published : 2013-01-31 21:05:33

• China urges U.S. not to send wrong signals

• China urges U.S. not to send wrong signals. BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday urged the United States to refrain from sending the wrong signals that will embolden risky and and provocative moves by certain countries in Asia. “The East China Sea and the South China Sea had been generally peaceful...
• Published : 2014-05-29 20:17:19

• China: UN request by Philippines complicates S. China Sea issues

• indisputable sovereignty over South China Sea islands 2013-01-22 Philippines sends China to UN arbitral tribunal 2013-01-22 Chinese ships patrol South China Sea 2013-01-19 Haixun 21 arrives in Sanya after three-day patrol in South China Sea 2013-01-18 ...
• Published : 2013-01-23 19:14:01

• Chinese general reiterates principle for solving island disputes

• traced back to over 2,000 years ago, or the Han Dynasty, when China started discovering and gradually maturing its administration over the South China Sea, especially the Nansha Islands and related sea area, Wang said. The Xisha Islands and the Nansha Islands, both in the South China Sea, were occupied...
• Published : 2014-06-03 07:22:31

• Military makes solemn vow on territory

• of the Asia-Pacific region. Related stories Chinese, Philippine vessels still remain in Huangyan island 2012-04-26 South China Sea tension runs up after US-Philippines drill 2012-04-26 Beijing urges restraint in S China Sea 2012-04-26 Huangyan Island confrontation can be solved through diplomacy: China...
• Published : 2012-04-27 08:09:32

• Commentary: Recklessness on Vietnamese side in South China Sea must stop

• Commentary: Recklessness on Vietnamese side in South China Sea must stop. BEIJING, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The increasingly aggressive and dangerous acts of Vietnamese vessels against Chinese oil drilling in the South China Sea resulted in an unfortunate accident on Monday, which bode ill for the already tense...
• Published : 2014-05-28 15:29:08

• Chinese fleet returns after South China Sea patrols

• rejects int'l arbitration on South China Sea dispute 2013-04-26 South China Sea Fleet back from exercises 2013-04-03 China sends fleet to patrol South China Sea 2013-03-04 ...
• Published : 2013-04-29 18:45:26

• Philippine says to solve dispute through International Tribunal on Law of the Sea

• stories Manila's resort to foreign intervention in South China Sea set to end in vain 2012-04-26 Beijing urges restraint in S China Sea 2012-04-26 Chinese top political adviser's visit promotes friendship, cooperation 2012-04-26 China asks Philippines to respect its sovereignty 2012-04-25 Beijing rejects...
• Published : 2012-04-26 20:13:45

• Commentary: Manila's wrong calculation

• enclosed within the nine-dash lines in South China Sea are upheld by history. From the perspective of procedure, China has already made a statement in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 2006, pointing out that relevant disputes do not apply to arbitration procedure. Beijing...
• Published : 2014-03-31 13:27:29

• China urges Philippines to avoid complicating disputes

• Philippines government has taken the South China Sea disputes to an Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Related stories FM: China urges Japan to solve disputes through talks 2013-01-19 China urges Philippines to avoid complicating South China Sea issue...
• Published : 2013-01-23 20:04:32

• Think tank examines South China Sea

• FM expounds South China Sea policies 2014-02-15 China says U.S. “irresponsible“ over South China Sea ADIZ 2014-02-07 South China Sea Fleet in force-on-force training 2014-02-07 China dismisses ADIZ reports, optimistic about South China Sea situation 2014-02-02 S. China Sea rules no threat to peace, experts...
• Published : 2014-02-24 14:22:28

• Manila's attempt to internationalize dispute rejected

• Manila's attempt to internationalize dispute rejected. China sends patrol ship to protect interests in territorial waters China rejected a request by the Philippines on Wednesday to take a maritime dispute to an international court, as Beijing sent a major ship to beef up patrols in the South China Sea....
• Published : 2012-04-19 08:50:21

• Full Text: Assessment Report on the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010)

• Full Text: Assessment Report on the National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2009-2010). BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Information Office of the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Thursday published an assessment report on the country's National Human Rights Action Plan. Following is the full text:...
• Published : 2011-07-14 13:54:18

• Chinese arbitration authority hears American Superconductor's contractual dispute

• report for the 2011 fiscal year, released on Feb. 10, AMSC had spent 6.5 million U.S. dollars to cover litigation costs for its legal action against Sinovel. In September 2011, Sinovel filed a counterclaim with the Beijing Arbitration Commission, asking the arbitration tribunal to reject all arbitration...
• Published : 2012-02-29 12:58:08

• China stresses negotiations to settle disputes

• The announcement came after the Philippine government brought disputes in the South China Sea to an Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea. The Philippine Foreign Secretary said on Tuesday that the initiation of Arbitral Proceedings against China on the nine-dash line...
• Published : 2013-01-23 00:53:30

• Philippines' Huangyan Island sovereignty claim “illegal“: spokesman

• once clearly stated that Huangyan Island in the South China Sea is not part of its territory, but now it swallowed its words and raised illegal territory claim over an island which belongs to China,“ Liu said at a regular press briefing. “Such a claim runs against the basic principles of international...
• Published : 2012-04-28 08:10:52

• Commentary: Abe's wishful anti-China thinking exposed at G7 summit

• Commentary: Abe's wishful anti-China thinking exposed at G7 summit. by Xinhua writer Chen ShileiBEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe must feel disappointed now.The Group of Seven (G7) summit on Wednesday wisely stopped short of taking a pro-Japan stand over the East China Sea...
• Published : 2014-06-05 14:15:17

• China hopes for no more Huangyan Islands conflicts: FM

• agreed upon. Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Tuesday that the Philippine government has taken the South China Sea disputes to an Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Related stories Historical proof of China's sovereignty over Huangyan...
• Published : 2013-01-28 21:23:02

• China requests Philippines' reassurance on detained fishermen

• he added. Related stories Philippines, China to hold business forum 2013-04-08 Philippines hopes to enhance cooperation with China 2013-03-14 China reiterates opposition to Philippines' arbitration bid 2013-02-20 China rejects Philippine submission on South Chian Sea disputes 2013-02-20 ...
• Published : 2013-04-11 19:38:46

• China hopes Philippine can receive China's Embassy in a courteous fashion

• Chinese, Philippine vessels still remain in Huangyan island 2012-04-26 South China Sea tension runs up after US-Philippines drill 2012-04-26 Beijing urges restraint in S China Sea 2012-04-26 Huangyan Island confrontation can be solved through diplomacy: China 2012-04-26 ...
• Published : 2012-04-27 08:57:58

• China urges Vietnam to punish riot perpetrators

• Protests broke out about two weeks ago in some Vietnamese cities and escalated into looting and violence targeting Chinese enterprises and nationals following Vietnam's disruptions to China Oilfield Services Limited's normal drilling in waters off China's Xisha Islands in the South China Sea. The violence...
• Published : 2014-05-26 22:06:10

• Chinese lawyers vow to carry on despite French court rule on looted bronzes

• to the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris last Thursday, seeking an injunction to stop the auction at Christie's, by the plaintiff, the Association for the Protection of Chinese Art in Europe (APACE). The court ruling said the APACE was not entitled to file the motion because it did not have direct...
• Published : 2009-02-25 08:01:43

• Provocative remarks from U.S., Japan not helpful for regional security: Chinese general

• and colluding and using the opportunities to speak first at the Shangri-La Dialogue to take the initiative to provoke and challenge China,“ he told military generals, defense chiefs and scholars.Hagel criticized China as being the one taking unilateral actions on the South China Sea and said that the...
• Published : 2014-06-01 15:10:42

• Provocative remarks from U.S., Japan not helpful for regional security: Chinese general

• and colluding and using the opportunities to speak first at the Shangri-La Dialogue to take the initiative to provoke and challenge China,“ he told military generals, defense chiefs and scholars.Hagel criticized China as being the one taking unilateral actions on the South China Sea and said that the...
• Published : 2014-06-01 14:54:40

• Island belongs to China

• the government announced a new list of South China Sea islands, in which Scarborough Shoal was also included and renamed as Democratic Reef, and in 1983, China released a list of some South China Sea islands and began to use Huangyan Island as the island's standard name. While China has legal foundations...
• Published : 2012-05-08 10:58:40

• Beijing rejects island dispute comments

• Beijing rejects island dispute comments. Manila's claims over territory make no sense, FM says Beijing on Tuesday criticized Manila's attempt to expand the Huangyan Island dispute over the entire South China Sea and rejected Manila's accusation over the freedom of navigation. Huangyan Island has been...
• Published : 2012-04-25 08:08:38

• Full Text of Human Rights Record of the United States in 2011

• percent of middle-aged adults, aged between 35 and 54, reported to own guns, and the adults' gun ownership in the south region was 54 percent (The China Press, October 28, 2011). The New York Times reported on November 14, 2011, that since 1995, more than 3,300 felons and people convicted of domestic...
• Published : 2012-05-25 21:07:40

• China Voice: No compromise on Diaoyu Islands

• China Voice: No compromise on Diaoyu Islands. BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- State sovereignty and territorial integrity are among China's core interests. Hopes of any compromise, however small, on the Diaoyu Islands issue are delusional.“We will not compromise on, concede or trade on territory and sovereignty,...
• Published : 2014-06-05 11:45:29

• China urges Japan to stop provocation

• China urges Japan to stop provocation. BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday urged Japan to stop provocation after Japanese leader Shinzo Abe said China's “unilateral drilling“ created tensions in the South China Sea. “We urge Japan to stop all provocative comments and acts and take practical action...
• Published : 2014-05-23 21:50:43

• China opposes Philippine UN request

• resort to UN tribunal complicates South China Sea issues 2013-01-24 China: UN request by Philippines complicates S. China Sea issues 2013-01-23 Philippines sends China to UN arbitral tribunal 2013-01-22 ...
• Published : 2013-02-01 14:32:49

• China, UN to hold cyber security meeting

• China, UN to hold cyber security meeting. BEIJING, June 3 (Xinhua) -- China and the United Nations (UN) will hold an international symposium on information and network security in Beijing on Thursday and Friday, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Tuesday. It will be the first international conference...
• Published : 2014-06-03 22:48:49  

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