WEEK IN REVIEW: Official Navigation Beacons Placed Close to Contested Spratly Islands in South China Sea

Image from the Philippines Coast Guard on February 13th that purportedly shows a Chinese Coast Guard targeting them with a military grade laser. AFP

China’s Transport Ministry confirmed that three official navigation beacons have been placed close to the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. This follows a similar positioning by the Philippines as the countries pursue competing claims to the island group. Meanwhile, a Chinese naval vessel is on a goodwill visit to Vietnam, amid Hanoi’s own fight with China over the Spratlys. (REUTERS)

Saudi Arabia displaced Russia in April atop the list of China’s largest oil suppliers. Imports from Angola, the only African country in the top ten, plunged 30% last month while Malaysian crude sales surged (Malaysia is often used as a transshipment hub for Iranian oil). (REUTERS)

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by Eric Olander

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