-(Vietnamplus 21/6) Seminar talks ASEAN unity in tackling challenges in East Sea: The seminar, which saw the participation of scholars from ASEAN countries, China , India and Japan , aimed to seek peaceful and legal solutions to deal with maritime challenges facing ASEAN nations. –(Vietnamplus 20/6) ASEAN, China agree on strengthened sea search, rescue

-(PhilStar 20/6) Phl-US exercises near Scarborough to include live fire, seizure drills: The Philippines and United States navies are deploying six warships and 1,000 sailors and servicemen in next week’s joint naval drill close to the Scarborough Shoal, a rock formation off the coast of Zambales now being occupied by China.

-(Vietnamplus 20/6) Vietnamese, Chinese Presidents hold talks in Beijing: They agreed on settling disputes by peaceful measures based on international law, seeking basic and long-term solutions acceptable to both sides and solving arising issues satisfactorily, not letting them affect the healthy development of the two countries’ relations as well as peace and stability in the East Sea. –(Vietnamplus 19/6) ASEAN, China work on search, rescue in East Sea

-(PhilStar 20/6) Philippines, US to hold naval exercises near Scarborough Shoal: The United States and the Philippines are to hold joint naval maneuvers in the South China Sea next week between Luzon and a reef claimed by both China and Manila, the Philippine Navy said Thursday.

-(The Nation 20/6) The South China Sea: A new area in Chinese-Indian rivalry: While the world focuses on rising tension between China and the Philippines and other claimants in the South China Sea, Beijing and Delhi are also engaged in a quiet struggle in the contested waters. -(Eurasiareview 19/6) South China Sea Conflicts Ignited United States Pivot To Asia Pacific 

-(Reuters 19/6) China's Xi tells Vietnam wants peace in South China Sea: Chinese President Xi Jinping told his visiting Vietnamese counterpart of Wednesday that maintaining peace and stability in the contested South China Sea was vital for both countries, who should remember their traditional friendship. -(The Washington Post 19/6) China, Vietnam agree to set up hotline to resolve fishing incidents in South China Sea

-(Vietnamplus 19/6) Vietnamese President leaves for first State visit to China: President Truong Tan Sang left Hanoi on June 19, starting a State level visit to China at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping. –(Vietnamplus 18/6) Vietnam attaches importance to developing ties with China

-(PhilStar 19/6) Philippine, US troops to hold drills near Scarborough Shoal: Naval forces of the Philippines and the United States are set to conduct joint exercises next week in the waters of Zambales near Scarborough Shoal, an area claimed by the Philippines which Chinese ships have occupied. -(Huffington Post 18/6) Time for a South China Sea Council

-(PhilStar 19/6) ASEAN, China eye more cooperation in search, rescue in South China Sea: Some 40 representatives from ASEAN and China Wednesday attended a workshop on strengthening ASEAN-China cooperation in search and rescue of persons and vessels in distress in the South China Sea. -(The U.S. Marine Corps 17/6) Asia-Pacific nations welcome official start to ASEAN exercise

-(The Diplomat 18/6) Philippines Seeks Air Defense Systems From Israel: Notorious for dragging its feet on defense modernization, the Philippine government may finally be putting its money where its mouth is thanks to a territorial dispute with China and the belief that the U.S. is unwilling to come to its defense. -(Manila Bulletin 18//6) China sees self as ‘victim’ in territorial dispute

-(China Daily 18/6) Jiaolong completes dive in South China Sea: Chinese scientists completed a dive in the Jiaolong manned submersible in the South China Sea on Monday.

-(Philippine Daily Inquirer 17/6) Philippines, Taiwan on way to mending relations: The Philippines and Taiwan are on the way to restoring their good relations after Friday’s breakthrough fishery meeting aimed at preventing the recurrence of violent confrontations in overlapping waters, Manila’s representative to Taipei said Monday. -(America’s Navy 16/6) 19th CARAT Malaysia Begins, Brings New Capabilities to Build Maritime Partnerships

-(Bernama 17/6) M'sian Leaders Handling South China Sea Conflict Wisely: A prominent Chinese academic has praised Malaysian leaders for adopting pragmatic approach over the South China Sea conflict and views it as a 'wise move'.

-(Inter Aksyon 17/6) US Navy Secretary Mabus says alliance with Philippines vital amid US defense rebalance: U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is on a three-day visit to the Philippines, in a trip deemed crucial to America’s defense pivot and ranged against a backdrop of rising maritime tensions between China and Southeast Asian countries.

-(China daily mail 17/6) Former US cutter to help Philippine claims in South China Sea: The former U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas is en route to Manila as the newest ship in thePhilippine Navy, according to Philippine sources; (East asia forum 17/6) Asia’s territorial disputes and the law

-(Dnaindia 17/6) Is China adopting a new maritime security policy?: Its growing assertiveness is a source of worry for the neighbours; (Brunei times 17/6) Manila mulls buying missiles

-(Rappler 17/6) Rebalancing the US pivot to Asia: From US Marines in the northern Australian city of Darwin to the repositioning of US naval forces across the Pacific region, the so-called US pivot to Asia continues, and Southeast Asia is increasingly part of the mix; (The jakarta post 17/6) Indonesia to avoid reliance on maritime security regime