-(WSWS 8/8) No maritime agreement at ASEAN meeting: In another sign of mounting tensions fuelled by the Obama administration’s “pivot to Asia,” China ruled out any immediate commitment to a “Code of Conduct” in the South China Sea at a meeting with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting in Bangkok last week.

-(The Diplomat 7/8) The Promise and Peril of China’s New Coast Guard: The consolidation of China’s coast guard is widely viewed as positive. Is it really? –(Eurasiareview 7/8) Xi Jinping’s Foreign Policy – Expect No End To Assertiveness China

-(PhilStar 7/8) Philippine NBI recommends homicide vs Coast Guard in Taiwanese death: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommended that homicide charges be filed against eight Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel involved in the Balintang Channel shooting. –(Foreign Policy Journal 7/8) Back against the wall no more: How ASEAN can stand up to China in the South China Sea disputes

-(Vietnamplus 5/8) Vietnam works with China to boost partnership: Vietnam will do its utmost with the Chinese side to boost their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in a deeper, more practical and effective manner, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said.

-(Xinhua 5/8) China warns against rush to set code of conduct in South China Sea: The envisaged Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) cannot be set in a rush as it concerns the interests of many countries and lots of work is required, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday. –(SCMP 6/8) Beijing tells Asean to be realistic in hopes for South China Sea code of conduct

-(PhilStar 5/8) China suggests 'win-win' exploration of disputed seas: The most immediate way to resolve the decades-long row in South China Sea is for parties to agree to a joint exploration of the disputed territory, China Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in his visit to Vietnam over the weekend.

-(InterAksyon 5/8) What is the BRP Alcaraz, Philippine second warship, capable of? What is the Philippines’ second warship BRP Ramon Alcaraz capable of in terms of firepower? -(InterAksyon 4/8) Securing the shoals | What must be done?

-(Global Post 5/8) Chinese navy launches new patrol route in the South China Sea: After fortifying its naval outposts in the South China Sea, China has established a maritime surveillance patrol route that covers practically all disputed reefs, shoals and islets in the sea

-(The jakarta post 5/8) ASEAN-China: Connecting two dreams: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s first major task after taking office was to meet with senior ASEAN officials in early April, and he immediately linked the “Chinese Dream” to the “ASEAN Dream”; (Inquirer 5/8) Deal with China? Winner takes all

-(Scmp 5/8) Deep-sea researcher lives the life aquatic: Marine biologist Dr Qiu Jianwen finds a delicate balance between understanding and preserving the country's fragile marine ecosystems; (Business-standard 4/8) Chinese FM says South China Sea disputes could be resolved

-(New states man 4/8) China and Japan: the struggle for supremacy in the East China Sea: History and politics are coming together in a potentially toxic fashion in the East China Sea as China, motivated by memories of Japanese wartime atrocities, agitates for dominance in the region.

-(Brunei times 4/8) Philippines acquiring French vessel for South China Sea: THE Philippines said yesterday it is purchasing a surplus French Navy vessel to boost its forces in the South China Sea where it has an ongoing territorial dispute with China.