-(Mb 12/12) PH: We’ll Take A Stand, With Or Without US: This fact was made clear by the Philippine government when its military officials met with their United States counterparts during their last Mutual Defense Board (MDB) meeting held in Honolulu, Hawaii.

-(Reuters 12/12) U.S. military to boost Philippines presence; China tells army to be prepared: U.S. and Philippine officials are expected to agree on an increase in the number of U.S. military ships, aircraft and troops rotating through the Philippines

-(Eurasia review 12/12) Beijing’s Primary Foreign Policy Agenda: The Taiwan Strait Or The China Seas?: Outgoing President Hu Jintao, in his just concluded report to the 18th Party Communist Party of China Congress, clearly identified where Beijing’s foreign policy priority still resides – notably in the peaceful reunification with Taiwan. 

-(Eastasia forum 11/12) Japan and China’s stand-off in the East China Sea: The dispute over the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands between Japan and China is severely affecting their bilateral relationship.

-(Scmp 11/12) India's claim in South China Sea further polarises rows: Indian Navy Chief Admiral D.K. Joshi announced his force's preparedness to deploy vessels to the area to protect his nation's oil interests.

-(Idsa 11/12) Murky Waters: Politics in the South China Sea: The last two years have witnessed a heady interplay of inter-state disputes and constant strategic manoeuvring, if not intrigue, in the South China Sea

-(Gmanetwork 11/12) PHL eyes greater US military presence: US and Philippine officials will meet this week to discuss expanding American presence in the Asian nation, a senior diplomat said, amid tensions with China over its claims to vast waters in the region.

-(The australian 11/12) Old foe The Philippines backs a rearmed Japan to balance China: THE Philippines would support Japan dropping its pacifist constitution to become a fully fledged military force and act as a balance against China, a government spokesman said yesterday.

-(Inquirer 11/12) Philippines supports rearming of Japan: The Philippines would support Japan dropping its pacifist constitution to become a fully fledged military force and act as a balance against a rising China

-(Eurasia review 11/12) South China Sea: Cost Of Island Dispute Climbs For China And Japan: China and Japan will suffer economic damage from their border dispute for many more months, even if the two sides try to ease tensions soon

-(WSJ 10/12) Indonesia Cautions Against South China Sea 'Tit-for-Tat': "These issues will be carried over to next year, no doubt,'' said Mr. Natalegawa

-(Xinhua 10/12) China calls for trust, cooperation on South China Sea issue: China called on Monday for concerned parties on the South China Sea issue to make more of an effort to increase mutual trust and cooperation.

-(Nation multimedia 10/12) We are on the brink of gunboat diplomacy: The past four weeks saw the swiftest escalation in recent years of tensions over the territorial disputes between China and its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific

-(Gmanetwork 10/12) DFA chief: Japan can be counterbalance to China: "We would welcome that very much," Albert del Rosario told the Financial Times an interview published early on Monday.

-(Thediplomat 9/12) The “Long Pole in the Tent”: China’s Military Jet Engines: Much has been made of Beijing’s growing military might. Developing and producing high-performance jet engines could be the toughest -- but most rewarding -- advance.

-(Reuters 9/12) As China's clout grows, sea policy proves unfathomable: Imagine if the U.S. state of Hawaii passed a law allowing harbor police to board and seize foreign boats operating up to 1,000 km (600 miles) from Honolulu