Lawyers

• China says not aware of plan to discuss South China Sea at APEC

  China is not aware of any plan to discuss the disputed South China Sea at an Asia Pacific leaders' summit next week in Manila, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Tuesday, amid tensions between China and the Philippines over the waters.

• Pentagon chief to visit U.S. aircraft carrier in South China Sea

  U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter will visit a U.S. aircraft carrier transiting the South China Sea on Thursday, a move sure to raise the ire of China as tensions between Washington and Beijing simmer over the disputed waterway.

• FCC, Justice Department investigate covert Chinese radio network

  The Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department are investigating a California firm whose U.S. radio broadcasts are backed by a subsidiary of the Chinese government, officials said.

• China says Japan defense review misleading, Japan releases photos

  China reserves the right to a "necessary reaction" after Japan issued a defense review that called on Beijing to stop building oil and gas exploration platforms close to disputed waters in the East China Sea, the Defense Ministry has said.

• China urges end to 'microphone diplomacy' over U.S. differences

  Differences between the United States and China over the South China Sea and cyber security should not be addressed by "microphone diplomacy" but in "a proper way" to allow for a successful U.S. visit by President Xi Jinping this year, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Wednesday.

• Vietnam, U.S. discuss land reclamation in South China Sea

  U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter discussed his call for an end to island-building in the South China Sea in talks on Monday with his Vietnamese counterpart, who said Vietnam had not expanded its islands but had done work to prevent wave erosion.

• Pentagon chief urges end to island-building in South China Sea

  U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Wednesday called for an immediate end to island-building by China and other countries near the South China Sea, urging the participants to stop militarizing the dispute and find a peaceful solution.

• Japan considering joint U.S. air patrols in South China Sea - sources

  Japan's military is considering joining the United States in maritime air patrols in the South China Sea in response to China's increasingly assertive pursuit of territorial claims, a Japanese and a U.S. source familiar with the discussions said.

• Russia rejects U.S. concerns over Vietnam base role in bomber flights

  Russia on Friday rejected U.S. concerns about its use of a former American base in Vietnam for the refueling of Russian bomber flights around U.S. territory in the Pacific, dismissing recent U.S. statements as "puzzling" and "strange".

• Manila says China's 'massive' reclamation work a serious concern

  The Philippines on Wednesday accused China of undertaking massive reclamation work on several reefs in the disputed South China Sea, expressing concern the activities could fuel tensions.

• In veiled message to China, Obama renews commitment to Asia-Pacific pivot

  President Barack Obama sought on Saturday to reassure Asia-Pacific allies about Washington’s strategic shift toward the region as he sent a veiled message to a rising China with a vow to "deepen our engagement using every element of our power".

• Wotif.com says NZ regulator clears takeover by Expedia

  New Zealand's competition regulator has cleared online travel giant Expedia Inc to buy Wotif.com Holdings Ltd, leaving just one final regulatory hurdle for the A$699 million ($610 million) deal.