PROGRAMME

 

Booklet of Conference (Click here) (including Programme, List of international and local participants, Bio of Role Players and Executive summaries of papers)

Photos of Conference (Click here)

DAY 1

Sunday - November 27, 2017

OPENING SESSION

Moderator: Mr. Nguyen Van Quyen, President of the Vietnamese Lawyers’ Association (VLA)

 

(Click to see VIDEO)

 


Opening Remarks by Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Vu Tung, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam

Keynote Address by H.E. Judge Vladimir Vladimirovich Golitsyn, President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) (2014-2017)

 

SESSION 1: Current State of Affairs in The South China Sea

Moderator: Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Vu Tung, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam

 

(Click to see VIDEO)

 

  


This session updates recent development in the South China Sea and explores different perspectives within the region in a search for causes of such development and identify alterations in key stakeholders’ approaches. Speakers are required to review the past, explore the major policy shifts and assess how they have shaped the current state of affairs in the South China Sea.

Speakers:

Prof. Brahma Chellaney, Professor of Strategic Studies, Centre for Policy Research, India

“South China Sea’s centrality to the Indo-Pacific region”

Prof. You Ji, Head of Department of Government and Public Administration, University of Macau, China

“De-escalating Tension in the South China Sea for Regional Stability and Cooperation”

Dr. Euan Graham, Director, International Security Program, the Lowy Institute, Australia

“The South China Sea Conundrum”

Dr. Aries A. Arugay, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines in Diliman, Philippines

“When Populists Perform Foreign Policy: The South China Sea Dispute and the Philippines under Duterte” (Click for Presentation)

Prof. Pham Quang Minh, Dean of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

“Vietnam’s Strategic Options in the South China Sea in the Age of Trump” (Click for Presentation)

SESSION 2: Powers' Interactions and Rule-based Order in the South China Sea

Moderator: H.E. Le Cong Phung, Vice Chairman, The Foundation for East Sea Studies (FESS)

 

(Click to see VIDEO)

 

 

 


As tensions are simmering, the South China Sea has become a theatre for rivalry among major and great powers, which prefer different set of rules and games. There has been no consensus on how the South China Sea issue should be managed and arising issues handled. This session explores major powers' visions for the South China Sea order and interactions among them. It is an urgent task for major users of the strategic waterway to understand each other's interests and preferences and discuss with coastal states rules and norms for conducts in South China Sea in support of peace and stability.

Speakers:

Ms. Colin Willett, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, State Department, United States

“US’ perspective of the South China Sea Order: Strategy Under the Trump Administration”

Prof. Shi Yinhong, Director of the Center on American Studies, Renmin University, China

Presented by Mr. Wang Qu, Researcher, Faculty of Social Science, University of Macau, China

“An Effect of Trump and More: The Emerging Retrenchment of China’s Strategic Posture”

Mr. Hideshi Tokuchi, Senior Fellow, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Japan

“A Japanese Perspective of the South China Sea Order”

Ms. Theresa Fallon, Member of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP-EU)

“Challenges to Maritime Security in Asia and Implications for Europe” (Click for Presentation)

SESSION 3:  The Military and Paramilitary Balance in The South China Sea

Moderator: Prof. Brahma Chellaney, Professor of Strategic Studies, Centre for Policy Research, India

 

(Click to see VIDEO)

 

 

 


Over the last decade, the South China Sea has been more packed with a larger number of ships and aircraft. The greater concentration of force would increase the likelihood of encounters and clashes. This session takes stock of build-up, deployment, and other activities involving the military and paramilitary forces in the South China Sea region. The panelists are required to address the balance of naval and paramilitary forces, assess threats and risks to maritime navigation, security and stability of the entire South China Sea. They are also encouraged to work out proposed measures aimed at reducing “grey zones” and prompting de-militarization.

Speakers:

Dr. Fu-Kuo Liu, Senior Fellow, Institute of International Relations, Taiwan Chengchi University

“Naval build-up and deployment in the South China Sea” (Click for Presentation)

Prof. Carlyle A. Thayer, University of New South Wales at the Australian Defense Force Academy, Australia

“Law Enforcement in the South China Sea: The Role of Regional Coast Guards”(Click for Presentation)

Mr. Lyle J. Morris, Senior Policy Analyst, RAND Corporation, United States

“Grey zones between Navy, Law Enforcement and Maritime Militia” (Click for Presentation)

Dr. Do Thanh Hai, Director, Center for Information and Analysis, Bien Dong Institute for Maritime Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam

“An Assessment of Strategic Threats and Risks in the South China Sea” (Click for Presentation)

SESSION 4: Activities at Sea: Sources of Conflict or Areas for Cooperation

Moderator Prof. Carlyle A. Thayer, University of New South Wales at the Australian Defense Force Academy, Australia

 

(Click to see VIDEO)


 


This session reviews a range of undertakings pursued by parties in the South China Sea. Speakers are requested to address key controversies over exploration and exploitation of natural resources, fishing activities, maritime navigation, anti-piracy and anti-terrorism training and operations. By exploring the stakeholders, perspectives, and motivations, the discussion is aimed to assess the likelihood of conflicts and escalations, and at the same time to map out the areas for potential cooperation, or further cooperation.

Speakers:

Prof.  Renping Zhang,  Director,  Center  for  International Maritime Convention Studies, Dalian Maritime University, China

“Maritime Cooperation for Regional Security in the South China Sea” (Click for Presentation)

Ms. Shafiah F. Muhibat, Senior Fellow, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Indonesia; Maritime Security Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore

“Law Enforcement and Illegal Fishing: Incidents in the Indonesian Waters” 

Captain Martin A. Sebastian RMN (R), Senior Fellow/Centre Head, Centre for Maritime Security and Diplomacy, Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), Malaysia

“Fighting Piracy and Terrorism: The Need to Reform Approaches to Maritime Security” (Click for Presentation)

End of day one

DAY 2

Tuesday - November 28, 2017

SESSION 5: Legal Dimensions in The South China Sea

Moderator: Prof. Robert Beckman, Head of Ocean Law and Policy Programme, Centre for International Law (CIL), the National University of Singapore (NUS)

 

(Click to see VIDEO)

 

 


The session examines legal dimension in the South China Sea and newly arisen legal issues, which are critical to the international order in the South China Sea. Speakers are addressing some of the most critical aspects of legal dimension of the South China Sea issues, which including, but not limited to, marine environment protection, prevention of incidents at sea, the use of force or threat to use force, as well as revisiting the South China Sea arbitral award.

Speakers:

Prof. Geneviève Bastid Burdeau, Professor of International Law, Sorbonne Law School (Univ. of Paris I); Member of the Institute of International Law, France

“The Use of Force and Threat to Use Force in International Law and Practices in the South China Sea” (Click for Presentation)

Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Bien Dong Institute for Maritime Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)

“International Law and Prevention of Incidents at Sea”(Click for Presentation)

Dr. Kim Wonhee, Senior Researcher, Korea Maritime Institute, Korea

“International Law and Protection of Marine Environment in the South China Sea” (Click for Presentation)

Prof. Jay Batongbacal, Director, Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, University of the Philippines, Philippines

“Philippines v. China Revisited: Options and Opportunities” (Click for Presentation)

SESSION 6: Sustainable Development and Cooperation Initiatives

Moderator: Prof. Geneviève Bastid Burdeau, Professor of International Law, Sorbonne Law School (Univ. of Paris I); Member of the Institute of International Law, France

 

(Click to see VIDEO)


This session focuses on the political economy of the South China Sea problem. As disputes and tensions drag on, the state of commercial development, economic cooperation, and their effects on the management and resolution of existing disputes are among the key concerns. Also, the issue of sustainable development both at the national and regional levels is of great interest to the public. Therefore, panelists are proposed to discuss key economic initiatives and activities, which have potential of exerting substantial impacts on the state of affairs in the South China Sea region and beyond.

Speakers:

Ms. Chen Chenchen, Deputy Director of the Macro Research Department at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China

“China’s new South China Sea approach following Belt and Road Initiative”

Ms. Joanna Mossop, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

“The Future of Sustainable fisheries in the South China Sea” (Click for Presentation)

Prof. David M. Ong, Research Professor of International & Environmental Law, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University, UK

“Prospects for Joint Development in the South China Sea: Implications of Recent International Decisions & Regional State Practice” (Click for Presentation)

Commander Nguyen Khac Vuot, Director, International Cooperation Department, Vietnam Coast Guard

“Cooperate for Safe and Security at Sea” (Click for Presentation)

 

SESSION 7: Code of Conduct (COC): Substance and Process

Moderator: Prof. Leszek Buszynski, Visiting Fellow, Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, Australia

 

(Click to see VIDEO)


This special session is dedicated to the discussion on progress and obstacles to the formation of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. As China and ASEAN finalized the framework for the COC, the next phrase of substantive discussions on the set of rules and regulations as well as mechanisms for monitoring, investigation, and enforcement would be very important.

Presentation, by Prof. Robert Beckman, Head of Ocean Law and Policy Programme, Centre for International Law (CIL), the National University of Singapore (NUS)

“Can the COC establish a Framework for a Cooperative Mechanism?” (Click for Presentation)

Panelists:

Prof. Renping Zhang, Director, Center for International Maritime Convention Studies, Dalian Maritime University, China

Prof. Jay Batongbacal, Director, Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, University of the Philippines

Captain Martin A. Sebastian RMN (R), Senior Fellow/Centre Head, Centre for Maritime Security and Diplomacy, Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), Malaysia

Ms. Shafiah F. Muhibat, Senior Fellow, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Indonesia; Maritime Security Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore

Dr. Tran Truong Thuy, Senior Fellow, Foundation for East Sea Studies (FESS), Viet Nam

 


 

Closing Remarks