PLA Navy carrier battle group in formation in the South China Sea. The complex disputes over islands, rocks and reefs in the South China Sea involve six countries: China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. They have a long history, with their origins in the interruption of traditional practices by European and Japanese colonialism, […]
At the same time, leaders in Tokyo and Seoul have also expressed strong concerns over recent Chinese provocations. Two days after Chinese fighter aircraft conducted an unsafe intercept of a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft operating in international airspace, on June 9 a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) frigate entered a contiguous zone (CZ) adjacent to the […]
The disputed territory is significant not only for fishing, but for the broader balance of power in the South China Sea, and the circumstances behind China’s apparent softening of its position are not clear. Asked about Philippine fishermen entering the area unimpeded, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said China always had “normal administration” over […]
Malacañang has had to deflate its party balloons. Days ago it was boasting of enticing $15 billion in investments from President Duterte’s China visit. But then a congressman-ally noted that two Chinese state firms with which Manila had inked major deals previously were entangled in sleaze, and a third one in Beijing’s illegal construction of […]
Over the past few days, much ink has been spilled about Indonesia’s rhetoric on the South China Sea disputes as the United States finally conducted a freedom of navigation operation near China’s artificial islands there. While paying attention to what the world’s fourth largest country thinks is important, observers would do well to look beyond […]
Indonesia’s defense minister says both sides could soon make this a reality. Indonesia and Australia could soon move towards joint patrols in the South China Sea, Indonesia’s Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu suggested Friday. On Friday, following a meeting with Australia’s foreign and defense ministers, Ryamizard said he had proposed that the two countries conduct joint […]
Aerial surveillance shows Chinese Coast Guard ships are still guarding the disputed Scarborough Shoal, but Filipinos are seen fishing there “unmolested” for the first time in years, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Lorenzana on Sunday said the return of Filipino fishermen to the shoal was “a most welcome development.” Malacañang last night described as […]
In this Sept. 23, 2015, file photo, Chinese Coast Guard members approach Filipino fishermen as they confront each other off Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, also called the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine defense chief says aerial surveillance shows Chinese coast guard ships are still guarding a disputed shoal but Filipinos were seen […]
An F-35C Lightning II on USS George Washington during F-35C Development Test III. Lockheed Martin WASHINGTON, DC — As tensions mount in the troubled waters of the South China Sea, US might is considered crucial, and a weapon considered well suited for the region is almost ready for deployment: the F-35 Lightning II. “It will […]
Two great challenges loom in the disputed waters and features in the South China Sea: the need for resilient maritime security enforcement mechanisms and protection against further environmental degradation. The maritime space is essential to human development, providing sea lanes and valuable resources to fuel our societies. South-east Asian waters host some of the most […]