China, U.S. Compete in Military Cooperation With South China Sea Countries As Tension Simmers

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

This week it was confirmed that the U.S. and Japan will conduct joint exercises in the South China Sea with the Philippines. This comes as duels between Chinese vessels and counterparts from around the South China Sea are becoming an almost daily occurrence.

The announcement in late May that China has positioned buoys on disputed reefs in reaction to a similar move by the Philippines earlier this month has further inflamed nationalist tensions on both sides.

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by Cobus van Staden

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