South China Sea disputes

President Joko Widodo's state visit came in the middle of a Southeast Asian tour that also involved stops in the Philippines and Brunei.

A look back at the strategic dynamics of the maritime disputes in 2023, and what we might expect in the new year.

The dueling patrols, which were scheduled to take place on January 3-4, encapsulate the intensifying frictions in the waterway.

The diplomats' statement came after a year of growing Chinese aggression in contested parts of the vital waterway.

The comments from Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that bilateral relations are "at a crossroads."

The two sides agreed to complement long-standing economic ties by promoting “a rules-based Indo-Pacific region."

Tokyo announced a grant of $2.8 million to to boost Malaysia's maritime security under its new Overseas Security Assistance initiative.

After a tumultuous 2023, the Philippines is set for another year of confrontation in contested waters.

Calls for ASEAN member states to extend minilateral cooperation into the security realm could entail hefty costs.

In two separate incidents over the weekend, Chinese vessels collided with and used water cannons against Philippine ships in contested parts of the South China Sea.

The communist-ruled nation takes the helm at a time of growing tumult in the the world and the region.

The incident is the latest in a string of assertive Chinese actions in waters claimed by Beijing and Manila.