-(Bernama 20/3) Malaysia Wants Peace Settlement On Territorial Disputes In South China Sea: Malaysia has once again reiterated its stand that the territorial disputes, involving claimant countries in the South China Sea will be resolved through a peaceful settlement. -(CogitAsia 20/3) U.S.-Vietnam: From Comprehensive to Strategic Partners?

-(Fair Observer 20/3) MH370 and Maritime Security: A Fresh Start for Cooperation? Since the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines MH370 on March 8, several countries have been participating in extensive Search and Rescue (SAR) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the South China Sea and beyond. –(Atimes 20/3) The devil and the deep South China Sea 

-(Focus Taiwan 20/3) Taipei, Manila poised to ink maritime cooperation pact: Taiwan and the Philippines are expected to soon sign an agreement on maritime law enforcement cooperation aimed at addressing fishing disputes in the two countries' overlapping waters, officials said Thursday.

-(The Jakarta Post 20/3) Jakarta dialogue stresses maritime peace: The fourth Jakarta International Defense Dialogue (JIDD) opened on Wednesday, aiming to bolster trust and collaboration between nations in the Indo-Pacific region. –(Vietnamplus 19/3) International defence dialogue opens in Indonesia

-(Xinhua 20/3) CNOOC makes exploration breakthrough in South China Sea: China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) announced Wednesday it recently made a new mid-sized gas discovery called Lingshui17-2.

-(The Interpreter 19/3) From tragedy to diplomatic mess: MH370 and the South China Sea: As the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 drags deep into its second week, we should be mindful of the growing diplomatic fallout from the incident.

-(Manila Bulletin 19/3) UN court urged to decide on South China Sea sea issue: Lawmakers on Wednesday said the Aquino government should not be cowed by China’s latest act of bullying, as they urged the United Nations arbitration court to finally decide on the West Philippine Sea issue.

-(Philippine Daily Inquirer 18/3) Flagship of US 7th Fleet back in PH amid heightened tension over sea dispute: The goodwill visit came amid territorial disputes with China over the South China Sea although the military officials of both countries made no mention of China. –(Business 19/3) ‘US help to Philippines Unclos-based’

-(Sun Star 18/3) PH won’t remove ship in Second Thomas Shoal despite China’s threats: Malacanang maintained Tuesday that the government will not remove a Philippine naval ship in the Second Thomas Shoal despite China's threats.

 -(Foreign Policy in Focus 18/3) A Budding Alliance: Vietnam and the Philippines Confront China: The Philippines and Vietnam are natural allies in their common territorial struggles against China. But they should leave Washington out of it.

-(ABS-CBN News 19/3) Second Thomas Shoal supply drops to continue: The Philippines will continue to send supplies to its troops on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal despite fresh warnings from China, which has set up a naval blockade in the area.

-(Channel NewsAsia 18/3) Vietnam leader warns against use of force in territorial rows: Vietnam's president on Tuesday warned against the use of force in territorial disputes as the nation and its neighbours lock horns with an increasingly assertive China over competing claims in the South China Sea.

-(Vietnamplus 18/3) Vietnam, Japan upgrade ties to extensive strategic partnership: Vietnam and Japan have elevated their ties to a new level of Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia. Vietnam, Japan lift bilateral relations to new height

-(National Interest 18/3) Countering China in the South China Sea: While the specific decisions eventually made will depend on each individual country, in general ASEAN claimants and other willing Southeast Asian and external states should prioritize increasing coordination, cooperation and crisis management at the domestic, regional and international levels in three specific ways. 

-(Philippine Daily Inquire 18/3) US commander emphasizes PH alliance, amid China row: The US Pacific commander Tuesday emphasized the Philippines’ importance as a military ally, as Filipino forces were involved in an increasingly tense standoff with Chinese ships in the South China Sea.

-(Reuters 17/3) China warns Philippine against 'occupation' of disputed shoal: China warned the Philippines on Monday to abandon a disputed shoal in the South China Sea after Manila said it planned to challenge a Chinese naval blockade of the area by sending supplies to its troops stationed there. –(17/3 Xinhua) China cannot tolerate Philippines' occupation of reef

-(Atimes 17/3) Eyes on Crimea, China makes its move: While much of the world was busy watching Russia swallow Crimea, few realized that an also dangerous territorial tit-for-tat had begun to unfold earlier this month more than 5,000 miles away in the South China Sea. -(The Jakarta Post 17/3) China’s SCS claim threatens Indonesia sovereignty

-(GMA Network 17/3) New pact with US to boost PHL's maritime security: The United States is hoping that the framework agreement that will legalize the rotational presence of its troops in the Philippines will be signed soon. –(GMA Network 17/3) US, PHL sending message to China with new defense pact

-(Foreign Policy 17/3) The Guns of August in the East China Sea: The parallels of history have obsessed the foreign policy elite for years, and are building towards a fever pitch: Is the Asia of 2014 the new Europe of 1914? -(Eastasiaforum 18/3) Why 2014 in Asia will not be a repeat of 1914 in Europe

-(PhilStar 17/3) Philippines, South Korea to sign P18.9-B jet deal this week: The Philippines and South Korea are expected to sign this week a multibillion-peso deal that would allow the military to acquire 18 lead-in fighter trainer jets.

-(The Washington Post 16/3) Conflict over search for missing Malaysia Airlines plane reflects regional tensions: The international hunt for the vanished Malaysia Airlines jet has been marked by mounting criticism about the pace of the investigation, whether information is being shared and whether Malaysian officials are reaching out to enough experts.

-(New Strait Times 16/3) Japan, Russia hold first diplomatic-defence talks: The foreign and defence ministers of Japan and Russia agreed Saturday to cooperate in fighting terrorism and piracy as the neighbours, still at odds over territorial woes, held an unprecedented security dialogue. -(Global Post 14/3) Vietnam to cooperate with Japan over maritime security

-(InterAksyon 16/3) 'Language' of pact allowing more US troops on PH being threshed out - Palace: Malacanang said on Saturday the Philippines and the United States are currently threshing out the language on the framework agreement that would allow greater US military presence in the country.

-(Alijazeera 15/3) Amid Malaysian flight mystery, reminders of regional rough seas: China on Saturday demanded that Malaysia provide better information about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared while on its way to Beijing a week ago.