-(Defense news 27/12) Philippines To Buy Three Naval Helicopters: The Philippines said Dec. 27 it would buy three naval helicopters from an Anglo-Italian manufacturer as part of its military modernization program amid a territorial dispute with China.

-(Inquirer 27/12) Philippines hits China plan to fortify Sansha: The Philippines on Wednesday denounced China’s decision to strengthen islands at the center of territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) as a violation of international law.

-(Channel news asia 27/12) China boom savaging coral reefs: study: China's economic boom has seen its coral reefs shrink by at least 80 percent over the past 30 years, a joint Australian study found Thursday, with researchers describing "grim" levels of damage and loss.

-(Antaranews 27/12) Indonesia supports security in South China Sea: Indonesia keeps condcuting diplomacy with various countries especially in Southeast Asia to assure security in the South China Sea, Commander of Indonesian Armed Forces, Admiral Agus Suhartono, said on Thursday.

 -(Eurasia review 25/12) New Thrust To India-Japan Relations: For India, Mr. Abe’s new inning is likely to create a more favourable environment not only for economic and scientific cooperation but also for the crucial civilian nuclear and defence cooperation as regards energy and national security; From China’s ‘Peaceful Rise’ To ‘Peaceful Development’: The Rhetoric And More

-(Indian defence review 25/12) Disputes in the South China Sea: 33 per cent of the world’s trade and 50 per cent of world’s traffic in oil and gas pass through the South China Sea.

-(Asianage 24/12) Can India lead Asean in South China Sea storm?: Many members of Asean are looking for leadership from India, not to confront China but ensure that China rises in conformity with accepted principles of international law and equity

-(China daily 24/12) Sino-US ties need new approach: If Beijing and Washington, despite their many complementarities, fail to manage their realdifferences, the potential costs would be unimaginable.

-(The diplomat 23/12) China’s Other Territorial Dispute: Baekdu Mountain: With disputes brewing in the East and South China Seas, there is another piece of territory in Asia that could pose some serious problems...

-(Smh 23/12) Claims over remote South China Sea rocks certain to be a flashpoint: Fragile democracies, ailing leaders and political tensions will be other concerns in the year ahead.