A Code of Conduct for Human and Regional Security Around the South China Sea

In the past decade, there have been calls for a regional code of conduct for the South China Sea to ensure peace and stability in a region replete with conflicting territorial claims over offshore geographical features. This paper will distinguish between the process of codification of rules and principles in one document, on the one hand, and the process of implementing existing rules and principles, on the other hand. It will be argued that rules and principles governing conduct for human and regional security around the South China Sea already exist in many forms and that the South China Sea states are obligated by international law to implement them without waiting for their consolidation in one document.     

China's Nine Dotted Lines in the South China Sea: The 2011 Exchange of Diplomatic Notes Between the Philippines and China

Important events relating to the sovereignty dispute over the Spratly Islands have arisen by fits and starts since 2009, marking the start of a new phase in the legal battle over territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea. While the exchange of legal arguments between the parties has gradually laid bare their maritime claims, much still remains shrouded in uncertainty. Among the obscure claims wanting clarification is China's infamous nine-dotted-line map, which in 2011 elicited a response and counterresponse between the Philippines and China. This article examines the maritime and territorial claims of the Philippines and China as revealed in the recent discord over the nine-dotted-line map.     

南海链霉菌SCSIO 1635中抗霉素类化合物的分离鉴定(英文)

我们从南海海底沉积环境分离了一株放线菌SCSIO1635,经16S rDNA的序列分析将该株菌鉴定为链霉菌属。我们从该菌的发酵液中分离得到了4个化合物,经质谱和核磁共振波谱解析,确定为抗霉素类化合物:异构体antimycin A1a和A1b(1)、deisovalerylblastmycin(2)、kitamycin A(3)和antimycin A9(4)。     

Vietnam and the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea

This article portrays and characterizes the Vietnamese position toward the settlement of the island disputes in the South China Sea. The situation in the South China Sea has become more complicated since 1988 when China made its steps toward the Spratlys. After analyzing the situation in the South China Sea, the author emphasizes the need to have a code of conduct for this disputed area.     

Coastal States in the South China Sea and Submissions on the Outer Limits of the Continental Shelf

The purpose of this article is to examine the outer continental shelf submissions made by the coastal states of the South China Sea and their potential impact on legal and political developments in the South China Sea. In accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982 and the guidelines of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, coastal states are to establish the outer limits of their continental shelf where it extends beyond 200 nautical miles. Meeting this obligation is complicated in enclosed or semienclosed seas where there are maritime disputes such as in the South China Sea.     

China's U-Shaped Line in the South China Sea Revisited

Despite its existence on the Chinese maps for more than six decades, the U-shaped line, as a traditional maritime boundary line of China in the South China Sea, has never received a wide recognition in the world community, much less by the other claimant states in the South China Sea. The U-shaped line is a legal conundrum not only for China but also for the world community, particularly after the map with the U-shaped line, together with China's Notes Verbale with respect to the claims to the outer continental shelves made by Malaysia and Vietnam, were submitted to the UN Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf in May 2009. This article discusses China's recent practice relating to the U-shaped line as well as the external factors that affect the validity of the line and tries to unravel the legal puzzle posed by the line.     

The U-Shaped Line and a Categorization of the Ocean Disputes in the South China Sea

A principal aspect of the territorial and boundary delimitation disputes in the South China Sea is the so-called U-shaped line. This article addresses the genesis and substantiation of the U-shaped line claims as well as the possible change in positions of the governments of the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China with respect to the historical waters claim, which is an integral part of their U-shaped line positions. A legal analysis of the various communications of the South China Sea players with respect to the U-shaped line helps to clarify and identify the nature of four kinds of legal disputes. It is also possible to differentiate the various degrees of difficulty involved in settling each of these disputes.     

Archaeal Diversity and Spatial Distribution in the Surface Sediment of the South China Sea

Archaea represent a significant portion of biomass in the marine sediments and may play an important role in global carbon cycle. However, the identity and composition of deep sea sediment Archaea are unclear. Here, we used the archaeal 16S rRNA gene primers to determine the diversity and community structure of Archaea from shallow water (<100 m) and deep water (>1500 m) sediments in the South China Sea. Phylogenetically the archaeal community is separated between the shallow- and deep sea sediments, with the former being dominated by the Thaumarchaeota and the latter by the Marine Benthic Group B, E and the South African GoldMine Euryarchaeotal Group as well as Thaumarchaeota. Sand content showed significant correlation with Thaumarchaeota, suggesting that the porous media may create an oxic environment that allowed these aerobic organisms to thrive in the surface sediments. The carbon isotope composition of total organic carbon was significantly correlated to the distribution of archaeal groups, suggesting that Archaea overall may be constrained by the availability or sources of organic carbon in the sediments of the South China Sea.     

The Impact of the Law of the Sea Convention on Conflict and Conflict Management in the South China Sea

This article examines the impact of the UN Law of the Sea Convention on conflict behavior and management in the South China Sea during four periods: during its negotiation (1973–1982); from its signing to the entry into force (1982–1994); from then until the China-ASEAN Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (1995–2002); and from the setting of a timeline for outer limits of continental shelf submissions to the events following the 2009 submissions (2003–2013). Ambiguous effects were found. On the one hand, the Convention has generated or exacerbated conflict by raising the stakes, failing to resolve key legal issues, and encouraging overlapping zone claims. On the other hand, it has provided obligations, language, and techniques for conflict management and resolution. The conflict-enhancing impact was found to have been more substantial than the peace-promoting effects. Nevertheless, the balance has shifted toward more emphasis on conflict management and also some utilization of the Convention's peacemaking potential. If this long-term trend continues and the Convention is more rigorously respected and applied, the Convention may in the end be found to have contributed to regional peace.     

2008年夏季南海北部浮游植物群落结构特征分析

根据2008年8月15日—2008年9月7日南海北部调查期间所获得的网采浮游植物资料,对该海域的4个断面共计13个站位的浮游植物群落结构特征进行了研究,包括种类组成、丰度、分布、多样性以及浮游植物群落结构与环境因子之间相关关系等基本状况。本次调查共鉴定出浮游植物4门53属169种(含变种和变型),主要以暖水性、广温性和广布性种为主,其中硅藻门(Bacillariophyceae)37属114种,占总种数的67.4%,甲藻门(Pyrrophyta)12属50种,占总种数的29.6%,蓝藻门(Cyanophyta)2属3种及金藻门(Chrysophyta)2属2种等。浮游植物丰度平均值为18.06×104cells/m3,其中硅藻丰度平均值为55.72×106cells/m3,甲藻丰度平均值为0.81×106cells/m3。调查区域内的优势种包括铁氏束毛藻(Trichodesmium thiebautii),洛氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus),柔弱菱形藻(Nitzschia delicatissima),红海束毛藻(Trichodesmium erythraeum)和菱形海线藻(Thalassionema nitzschioides)。藻类为聚类分析(UPMGA)将站点大致上分为4个生态区(珠江口生态区,吕宋海峡区,琼东上升流区和18°N断面区),结果表明,在地理位置上分布比较相近的站点具有较高的群落结构组成相似性。     

The Potential Marine Pollution Threat from Oil and Gas Development Activities in the Disputed South China Sea/Spratly Area: A Role that Taiwan Can Play

This article examines the potential threat of marine pollution caused by offshore oil and gas development activities in the disputed areas of the South China Sea (SCS) and the Spratly Islands. After addressing the potential threat of marine pollution, it discusses the legal obligations and political commitment of the SCS littoral states regarding the protection of the marine environment in the area. The role that Taiwan can play in these matters is also examined.     

南海永兴岛的壁虎,兼记二新记录种

2017年12月对南海永兴岛的爬行动物进行了短期调查,发现3种壁虎科Gekkonidae动物,分别是截趾虎Gehyra mutilata、原尾蜥虎Hemidactylus bowringii和疣尾蜥虎H.frenatus。其中,截趾虎和原尾蜥虎为中国南海岛屿的新记录。     

Distribution and biology of marine cladocerans in the coastal waters of southern China

Geographical and seasonal distributions of marine cladocerans in the coastal waters of southern China were studied. Penilia avirostris was the most common species, followed by Evadne tergestina and Podon schmackeri. P. avirostris and E. tergestina were most common during summer. P. schmackeri, found only in a small bay northeast of Hong Kong, showed no clear seasonal pattern of occurrence. P. avirostris and E. tergestina were found at temperatures ranging from 16–32°C and salinity ranging from 7.3–37.2. P. schmackeri was restricted to a temperature range of 17–29°C and a salinity range of 31.0–37.2. No significant relationships between marine cladoceran abundance and chlorophyll a concentration were found in samples taken from Tolo Harbour. Parthenogenetic brood size of P. avirostris and E. tergestina ranged from 1 to 14, while P. schmackeri was found to carry up to 19 embryos per brood. No geographical trend in fecundity patterns was observed. No correlation was found between body length and brood size. The occurrence of females with resting eggs was rare.     

Setting Up International (Adversary) Regimes in the South China Sea: Analyzing the Obstacles from a Chinese Perspective

If the sovereignty issue can be shelved, solved, or resolved, the six claimant states of the South China Sea will have to establish a series of international regimes. The following questions need to be answered: Do all the claimants understand the concept of international regimes? Would the regimes be imposed? Would there be hegemon(s) in the South China Sea? If so, which country or multiple entities will be involved? What would be the outcome of having international regimes in the South China Sea? Can the experience elsewhere be applied to the South China Sea?     

Temporal and spatial variability of the oxygen isotopic composition of massive corals from the South China Sea: Influence of the Asian monsoon

Coral colonies of Porites lutea and P. lobata were collected from areas to the east and south offshore of Hainan Island, South China Sea. Oxygen isotope ratios, ¹⁸O/¹⁶O, were analyzed along the major axis of growth at a resolution of 25–28 samples within an annual band from three colonies, giving data series lengths of 15, 20 and 30 years. Coral δ¹⁸O correlates well with sea surface temperature (SST) throughout most years, particularly when the Asian winter monsoon prevails over the region. Due to the same seasonal phases of SST and sea surface salinity (SSS), it is estimated that most of the seasonal features of coral δ¹⁸O are controlled by changes in SST with a significant contribution of SSS. This indicates the importance of temperature, as determined by the Asian winter monsoon, as a control on seasonal coral δ¹⁸O variations in the South China Sea. Given the fact that annual SSS maxima show minor inter-annual changes, the inter-annual change of annual coral δ¹⁸O maximum mainly reflects the SST induced by the winter monsoon. While the coral δ¹⁸O is mainly controlled by SST, deviations of the δ¹⁸O from SST correlate statistically with sea surface salinity, particularly for summer extreme events when SST reaches its annual maximum with minor inter-annual change. Therefore, we suggest that the inter-annual variation of the annual coral δ¹⁸O minima is mainly controlled by seawater composition. Seawater composition analysis indicates that its δ¹⁸O and salinity are simultaneously affected by freshwater inputs primarily from precipitation, which is mainly supplied by the Asian summer monsoon. Thus seasonal alternations of the winter and summer monsoon mainly control the coral δ¹⁸O, thereby allowing reconstruction of these monsoonal variables. The three coral records consistently reveal clear inter-decadal trends in δ¹⁸O — a gradual increase from 1968 to 1987, and a subsequent decrease from 1987 to 2003. These inter-decadal trends are roughly consistent with salinity changes — but not with temperature and precipitation, suggesting that seawater composition controlled by freshwater inputs from distant source areas, rather than from local precipitation, is responsible for the trends in seawater composition and coral δ¹⁸O over the last 30 years. Comparison of the three coral records indicates that spatial variations in coral δ¹⁸O coincide with variations in seawater salinity and local precipitation, but not with temperature. This confirms the dominant role of seawater composition, mainly controlled by monsoonal precipitation, on the spatial variability of coral δ¹⁸O in the South China Sea.     

Storm cycles in the last millennium recorded in Yongshu Reef, southern South China Sea

Large storm-relocated Porites coral blocks are widespread on the reef flats of Nansha area, southern South China Sea. Detailed investigations of coral reef ecology, geomorphology and sedimentation on Yongshu Reef indicate that such storm-relocated blocks originated from large Porites lutea corals growing on the spurs within the reef-front living coral zone. Because the coral reef has experienced sustained subsidence and reef development during the Holocene, dead corals were continuously covered by newly growing coral colonies. For this reason, the coral blocks must have been relocated by storms from the living sites and therefore the ages of these storm-relocated corals should approximate the times when the storms occurred. Rapid emplacement of these blocks is also evidenced by the lack of coral overgrowth, encrustation or subtidal alteration.U-series dating of the storm-relocated blocks as well as of in situ reef flat corals suggests that, during the last 1000 years, at least six strong storms occurred in 1064±30, 1210±5-1201±4, 1336±9, 1443±9, 1685±8-1680±6, 1872±15 AD, respectively, with an average 160-year cycle (110-240 years). The last storm, which occurred in 1872±15 AD, also led to mortality of the reef flat corals dated at ∼130 years ago. Thus, the storm had significant impacts on coral reef ecology and morphology.     

Microbial Diversity in the Deep Marine Sediments from the Qiongdongnan Basin in South China Sea

The continental shelf and slope in the northern South China Sea is well known for its prospect of oil/gas/gas-hydrate resources. To study microbial communities and their roles in carbon cycling, a 4.9-m sediment core was collected from the Qiongdongnan Basin on the continental slope of the South China Sea during our cruise HY4-2005-5 in 2005. Geochemical, mineralogical, and molecular phylogenetic analyses were carried out. Sulfate concentration in pore water decreased with depth. Abundant authigenic carbonates and pyrite were observed in the sediments. The bacterial community was dominated by aerobic and facultative organisms. Bacterial clone sequences belonged to the Gamma-, Alpha-, Deltaproteobacteria and Firmicutes group, and they were related to Fe(III) and/or Mn(IV) reducers, sulfate reducers, aromatic hydrocarbon degraders, thiosulfate/sulfite oxidizers, and denitrifiers. Archaeal clone sequences exhibited greater overall diversity than the bacterial clones with most sequences related to Deep-Sea Archaeal Group (DSAG), Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotic Group (MCG), and Uncultured Euryarchaeotic Clusters (UECs). Archaeal sequences related to Methanosarcinales, South African Gold Mine Euryarchaeotic Group (SAGMEG), Marine Benthic Group-D (MBG-D) were also present. Most of these groups are commonly present in deep-sea sediments, particularly in methane/organic-rich or putative methane hydrate-bearing sediments.     

A new goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the South China Sea and its significance for gobioid classification

A new genus and species of gobiid fish, Egglestonichthys Patriciae , is described from the South China Sea. Certain features of the modified head lateral-line system resemble those seen in eleotrine genera with 'transverse' suborbital sensory papillae, but the skeleton of the new goby is essentially gobiine. Aspects of the lateral-line system indicate closest relationship with genera from both the IndoPacific area ( Callogobius complex, Psilogobius, Stonogobiops ) and the New World ( Microgobius ). Wider affinities with other gobiine and gobionelline genera are discussed. Discrepancies between arrangements based predominantly on lateral-line characters and on osteology are noted and their implications considered for future classification of the gobioid fishes.     

从营养扰动实验看原绿球藻在近海分布的制约因素

地球上细胞最小、丰度最大的放氧光合自养原核生物原绿球藻 (Prochlorococcus)发现于热带大洋 ,并被证实可在某些近海甚至近岸水域大量分布。但除温度之外 ,原绿球藻自然分布的控制因子尚不明了。从近海和大洋生态条件的主要差别考虑 ,在南海进行了主要营养盐———氮、磷和微量元素———铁、钴扰动的现场培养实验 ,并应用流式细胞技术监测原绿球藻及聚球藻 (Synechococcus)、超微型真核浮游植物 (pico_eukaryotes)的细胞丰度和单细胞色素含量的响应以及细菌的影响。结果表明 ,磷和钴的添加有利于原绿球藻 ,而氮和铁的添加更有利于聚球藻和超微型真核浮游植物。同时 ,由环境条件引起的生物响应又间接地导致超微型生物之间的相互作用。因而 ,原绿球藻在近海的分布 ,可能受到营养盐组成等环境因子以及生物之间的相互作用等多方面的限制和影响     

Natural community structure of cyanobacteria in the South China Sea as revealed by rpoC1 gene sequence analysis

AIMS: To examine the community structure of cyanobacterial populations of the South China Sea on the surface and at depth of 80 m. METHODS AND RESULTS: Direct PCR amplification of RNA polymerase (rpoC1) genes from environmental DNAs extracted from seawater, and cloning of the fragments and sequence analysis were used. A great diversity of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus were detected at the investigation site. Genetically related Prochlorococcus were found in both layers while Synechococcus were found only on the surface. Prochlorococcus were clustered with the known high-light adapted II genotypes, and further divided into seven groups. Synechococcus could be divided into two groups, and the second group could be further subdivided into several clades. CONCLUSION: The dominant genotype of Prochlorococcus was high-light adapted II genotype, and Synechococcus were distributed basically on the surface. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report about the cyanobacterial community structure in the South China Sea, and an important supplement to the current understanding of the relationship between genetic and ecological diversity and environments.