Category: South China Sea
South China Sea Ruling Anniversary Adds Pressure to ASEAN Gatherings
Protests in Manila this week marked the seventh anniversary of a Permanent Court of Arbitration tribunal’s finding in favor of a Philippine claim over a stretch of the South China Sea also claimed by China. This comes as a week of ...
A Primer on the Escalating Tensions in the South China Sea
The South China Sea is one of the world's most strategically vital maritime zones where more than $5 trillion of trade passes through each year -- a whopping 60% of the globe's total maritime commerce. It's also the epicenter of an ...
Vietnam Takes Delivery of Two New Warships From India While U.S. and Japanese Carriers Make Ports of Call
India announced that it will provide two domestically-made warships to Vietnam that will help bolster the Southeast Asian country's coastal defense capabilities, presumably against incursions by Chinese maritime forces. The donation was the highlight of a visit this week by Vietnamese Defense ...
China, U.S. Compete in Military Cooperation With South China Sea Countries As Tension Simmers
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.
Chinese Ships Ignore Vietnam Demand To Leave Area Close to Russian-Run Gas Fields
A Chinese research ship and five escort vessels were in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Friday, close to gas blocks operated by Russian firms in the South China Sea, a day after Vietnam urged the ships to leave. The Chinese ...
WEEK IN REVIEW: Official Navigation Beacons Placed Close to Contested Spratly Islands in South China Sea
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 ...
Taiwan, South China Sea and Other China-related Issues Loom Large at ASEAN Leaders Summit in Indonesia
Mounting concerns over Taiwan and maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea figured prominently on the opening day of a Southeast Asian leaders summit in Indonesia. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said on Tuesday that he plans to raise the ...
Rival South China Sea Monitoring Agencies Debate Whether Chinese Vessels Are Targeting ASEAN-Indian Maritime Exercise
A debate broke out on Twitter on Monday over whether Chinese maritime militia vessels operating in the South China Sea had intentionally changed course in order to shadow the ongoing India-ASEAN joint naval exercises that are now underway there. Ray ...
Chinese Scholars Say Closer Philippines-U.S. Ties Mark a “Dangerous Signal”
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos, met U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris for brunch on Tuesday at her official residence in northwest Washington. D.C. During their talks at the residence, the two reaffirmed the strength of their ...
The Philippines Walks a Tricky Line Between the Superpowers
China has rejected a joint call by the Philippines and the United States to scale back its presence in the South China Sea. This follows Tuesday’s 2+2 talks between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Philippine Secretary of ...