-(Reuters 27/6) Confrontation over the South China Sea 'doomed', China tells claimants: Countries with territorial claims in the South China Sea that look for help from third parties will find their efforts "futile", China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Thursday, adding that the path of confrontation would be "doomed".

-(Reuters 27/6) Manila plans air, naval bases at Subic with access for U.S., officials say: The Philippine military has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic Bay, a former U.S. naval base that American forces could use to counter China's creeping presence in the disputed South China Sea, senior navy officials said. –(Defense News 27/6) Philippines Wants To Give US, Japan Access To Bases

-(PhilStar 27/6) Japan to take Phl's side in South China Sea dispute: Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera on Thursday assured the Philippines that Japan will be on its side in defending disputed territories in the South China Sea.

-(Philippine Daily Inquirer 27/6) US, Philippines forces off Scarborough Shoal: The Philippine Navy’s flagship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, is back in the waters near Scarborough Shoal, this time not for a face-off with Chinese warships over disputed territory in the South China Sea but for five days of joint maneuvers with the United States Navy. –(GMA Network 27/6) Philippines, US hold war games near disputed Scarborough Shoal

-(The Jakarta Post 27/6) Vietnam, Indonesia to upgrade relationship to strategic partnership: Being a country with sovereignty claims in the region, Vietnam wishes to settle the East Sea [Vietnam calls the South China Sea the East Sea] issues through peaceful means, negotiation and dialogue based on international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and DOC. –(Foreign Policy 25/6) Naval Gazing

-(Vietnamplus 26/6) Vietnam, Thailand issue Joint Statement: The two leaders agreed on the need to closely coordinate in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea (the East Sea called by Vietnam); enhancing mutual trust and confidence through maritime cooperation; promoting maritime security including freedom of navigation and over-flight; exercising self-restraint and refraining from the use of force; resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international laws, including the 1982 UNCLOS and the DOC; and working towards early adoption of the COC.

-(Rappler 26/6) South China Sea dispute drifts into international waters: The South China Sea issue will no doubt be on the table later this week when ministers from South-East Asia and their allies meet in Brunei, despite objections from Beijing. –(Xinhua 25/6) Jiaolong departs for seamount operation in South China Sea

-(Nautilus Institute 25/6) The South China Sea: Evolution of or Disregard for International Law? Huy Duong and Tuan Pham analyze statements that Mark Valencia asserts that China could potentially issue in order to ‘clarify its position regarding its maritime claims and actions in the South China Sea.’ –(The Heritage Foundation 24/6) Helping Southeast Asia Come to Grips with the Reality of Taiwan

-(Rappler 25/6) Top maritime judge to hear Philippine case vs China: He led the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) when it was founded in 1996. Now, the seasoned judge from Ghana heads the panel to hear the Philippines' case against China. -(PhilStar 25/6) New judge in Philippines arbitration case vs China is from Ghana

–(The Jakarta Post 25/6) Abe to visit Asean countries to bolster ties: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to visit the Philippines, Malaysia and other countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in late July after the House of Councillors election, according to informed sources.

-(The Cambodia Herald 24/6) Asean-China: New Code-of-conduct: In the next few months, Asean and China must show the world they can find common ground, no matter how thin it may be. –(Jamestown Foundation 21/6) The South China Sea Dispute (Part 2): Friction to Remain the Status Quo

-(Nation multimedia 24/6) Asean-China: new Code-of-conduct tug-of-war: In the next few months, Asean and China must show the world they can find common ground, no matter how thin it may be. -(PhilStar 23/6) US envoy’s stand seen to boost Philippine position

-(Philstar 24/6) DFA chief notes challenges in Phl’s quest for peace: Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario yesterday said the statement of a top US diplomat before the US Congress that there is no place for “coercion and bullying” in settling maritime disputes in the SCS highlights the challenges the Philippines faces in the quest for peace.

-(Intellasia 24/6) China asks Philippines to cease all provocative acts: Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here that China’s determination and will to safeguard its national sovereignty is unswerving

-(Kyodo 23/6) Abe eyes visiting some ASEAN members in late July: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering visiting some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, such as the Philippines and Malaysia, in late July, probably after the upper house election slated for July 21, a government source said Sunday.