-(SCMP 5/4) US keeps close watch as Chinese navy puts on show of force in live-fire South China Sea drills: The Pentagon has also sent threeaircraft carrier battle groups to the Asia Pacific region.

-(War on the Rocks 5/4) China welcomes its newest armed force: The coast guard: the move will reinforce perceptions in the region that China’s charm offensive is increasingly backed up by potent hard power instruments to coerce countries who choose to test Beijing’s resolve.

-(Reuters 4/4) In rare comment, PetroVietnam says SCS tension to hurt offshore operations: “The East Sea is forecast to continue to have uncertainty this year ... affecting the company’s efforts to attract foreign investors to invest in its open offshore fields”, PetroVietnam said on its website.

-(The Economic Times 4/4) India-US-China discuss SCS tensions; Indo-Pacific region: The three sides led by their Joint Secretaries also discussed how to involve ASEAN countries to safeguard security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. 

-(Channel NewsAsia 2/4) China, Vietnam promise to keep peace in South China Sea: Both sides should abide by the basic governing principles on resolving maritime issues.

-(ARF 2/4) Top EU diplomat weighs in on South China Sea dispute: The possibility of European navies conducting freedom of navigation patrols in the SCS could not be ruled out in the future.

 20121221150026_Truong-Sa-6.jpg-(SCMP 1/4) Could a China-Philippine joint development deal be the way forward in the South China Sea? An agreement on offshore oil and gas exploration could pave the way for greater cooperation across the disputed waterway, Richard Heydarian writes