The waters of the South China Sea could soon be heating up once more. This week, the South China Morning Post reported that the United States and the Philippines discussed the placement of an upgraded High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in the contested body of water to defend against China’s militarization of its artificial […]

  The Navy and the Marines loaded up an amphibious assault ship with a heavy configuration of F-35s, and experts believe it’s an experiment for a new type of light carrier known as a “Lightning Carrier.” Lightning carriers armed with F-35s could theoretically take over operations in low-end conflicts, freeing up the “supercarriers” to focus […]

  Despite a warning coming from China not to start any trouble at the South China Sea (SCS), the United States yesterday maintained it would continue its operations there under international laws. “The United States will fly, sail and operate everywhere international law allows. That’s it. I wish we had a longer statement for you, […]

Despite a warning coming from China not to start any trouble at the South China Sea (SCS), the United States yesterday maintained it would continue its operations there under international laws. “The United States will fly, sail and operate everywhere international law allows. That’s it. I wish we had a longer statement for you, that’s […]

  MANILA, Philippines — The United States “will fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows,” a ranking US Marine official said yesterday as he shrugged off China’s protest that American forces were stirring trouble in the South China Sea. Lt. Gen. Eric Smith, commander of the Japan-based 3rd US Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), pointed […]

  TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – In the South China Sea, political tensions between the Philippines and China have escalated quickly with provocative behavior from the Chinese and a series of defensive exercises held by U.S., Philippines, and Australian forces. Earlier this week it was reported that hundreds of Chinese fishing vessels, possibly as many as […]

  Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, Jr. again expressed dismay over the presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, calling it an embarrassment to the Philippine government. “What is disappointing is that despite our friendliness and uninterrupted friendship China continually embarrasses our govt (government) […]

  In early December, a flotilla of two dozen Chinese fishing boats and escort warships sailed to the disputed Filipino-occupied reef of Thitu. By the end of the month, Beijing had almost 100 vessels in and around the archipelago, sparking an initially largely hidden confrontation that could yet spark outright war. When China’s People’s Liberation […]

  It is China’s “principled position” that non-regional actors like the United States will refrain from stirring up troubles in the South China Sea. This was the statement made by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang in reaction to reports that USS Wasp sailed near the Scarborough Shoal early this week. “I may need to […]

  There is a growing consensus among experts that freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) are necessary but insufficient to safeguard U.S. interests in the South China Sea. In recent years, China has built artificial islands and military installations in the region and has pursued its maritime claims with more voracity. In response, the United States […]