-(SCMP 4/7) China on charm offensive at Asean security forum: Beijing signals a more conciliatory approach with Asean in contrast to an aggressive push on sovereignty in the South China Sea in recent years. –(The Jakarta Post 3/7) Who cares about ASEAN?

-(GMA Network 4/7) Philippines govt welcomes China's decision to hold talks on sea code: The Philippine government on Thursday described as a "forward step" China's decision to discuss a code of conduct on the South China Sea with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries.

-(Philippine Daily Inquirer 3/7) Philippines to buy two Maestrale frigates from Italy: The Philippines is set to buy two Maestrale-class frigates from Italy, a defense official said Wednesday, as the Asian nation races to upgrade its military amid mounting territorial disputes with China. -(Rappler 3/7) Philippines DFA chief breaks 'niceties' to defend Philippines

-(Reuters 3/7) Rivals play down China's overture in South China Sea, no breakthrough: Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario walked into a regional security forum this week to hear his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi reel off a list of complaints against Manila for stirring tensions over the South China Sea. -(PhilStar 2/7) Philippines presses China, neighbors to draft code of conduct in South China Sea

-(GMA Network 3/7) ASEAN forum takes up maritime disputes with China, South China Sea 'code of conduct': ASEAN Regional Forum foreign ministers met in Brunei on Tuesday, where meetings will focus on maritime disputes in the South China Sea and North Korea. –(Nationmultimedia 3/7) Thailand's role in solving the South China Sea impasse

-(Vietnamplus 2/7) Vietnamese FM active at regional meetings: Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on July 2 attended the 20 th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF–20) and the third . East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (EAS–3) in Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan. Vietnamese FM hails outcomes of AMM-46

-(The Brunei Times 2/7) US, Japan vow support for COC on South China Sea dispute: The United States and Japan have pledged their support for a code of conduct to prevent conflict in the South China Sea, saying a swift conclusion would be crucial to ensure regional security. –(Reuters 1/7) Kerry presses China, Southeast Asia to ease sea tensions

-(InterAksyon 2/7) Amid South China Sea tension, PH calls for more ASEAN-US ties on maritime security: Amid the Philippines’ unresolved territorial dispute with China, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has called for an expanded ASEAN-United States cooperation on maritime security. –(Xinhua 1/7) China refutes Philippines' accusations of militarizing South China Sea

-(Vietnamnet 1/7) Vietnam buys six submarines: In a meeting with voters of Phu Cu district in Hung Yen province last week, Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh said that to modernize the army, Vietnam has ordered six submarines.

-(CNN 1/7) Tensions easing in the South China Sea? China has agreed to hold formal talks with its southeast Asian neighbors about establishing a "code of conduct" to ease maritime tensions in the South China Sea, a major step forward in the long-running dispute. -(The Bangkok Post 2/7) China threats unacceptable

-(Nation multimedia 1/7) Asean, Beijing to discuss code for South China sea: Asean and China yesterday agreed to hold consultations on a "code of conduct" for the South China Sea at the senior official level in order to promote good governance for peace, stability and cooperation in the disputed waters.

-(Straits times 1/7) Four Chinese ships in disputed waters: Four Chinese government ships were on Monday sailing in waters around islands controlled by Tokyo and claimed by Beijing, the Japanese coastguard said.

-(Smh 30/6) ASEAN hope to reduce China fears: South-east Asia's top diplomats began a major regional forum with a focus on trying to ease tensions with China over a territorial row.

-(Scmp 30/6) Philippines accuses China of 'massive military build-up' in disputed waters: The Philippines accused China on Sunday of a “massive” military buildup in the disputed South China Sea, warning at a regional security forum that the Asian giant’s tactics were a threat to peace;

-(Channel news asia 30/6) ASEAN welcomes start of South China Sea code of conduct talk: On the South China Sea (SCS) dispute, the foreign ministers also welcomed the commencement of official consultations on a code of conduct (COC).

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-(Bangkok post 30/6)  South China Sea row in focus at Asia forum: Southeast Asia's top diplomats were set to kick off a major regional forum on Sunday with a firm focus on trying to ease tensions with China over a territorial row, amid warnings that failure could lead to conflict.