China South China Sea

Aside from the exceedingly volatile issue of Taiwan, the next most dangerous issue in China-U.S. relations involves the maritime realm.

In the night intercept, the Shenyang J-11 twin-engine fighter closed on the U.S. Air Force plane at an "uncontrolled excessive speed… putting both aircraft in danger of a collision.”

In 2018, Manila and Beijing began talks on the joint exploration of offshore oil and gas resources in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

The call forms a neat bookend to Duterte's six years of controversial rapprochement with China.

Jay L. Batongbacal, a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, on the South China Sea disputes and international law.

The international community must respond to China’s maritime coercion.

The mass incursion of Chinese vessels into the Philippines' EEZ is a dramatic demonstration of the limits of the president's policy toward China.

Beijing’s behavior, while unsurprising, is only likely to further antagonize its neighbors.

Though recent allegations raise more questions than they provide answers, they should reinforce the need for greater transparency in the South China Sea.

The new tensions reinforce existing worries about Chinese conduct in the South China Sea.

While joint activities between regional states are no doubt significant, they need to be kept in perspective relative to broader trends.

The muted Philippine response has exacerbated existing concerns about the regional response to Beijing's maritime claims.

A closer look at the broader significance behind a much-anticipated development.

Advances at a recent meeting are much more modest than suggested and conceal the significant challenges that remain.

The fact that an old idea is finally set to become a reality reflects broader changes underway in the region.

Beijing’s displeasure is all too predictable and far from convincing.

The Duterte administration continues to tout opportunities of a pact despite the significant risks it would involve.

As we hear an agreement being talked up, it’s worth being clear about what it means.

Reports indicate Beijing’s coercive efforts continue even as it plays up a cooling down period in the South China Sea.

The cooling down some are playing up masks underlying tensions and broader strategic realities.

An interaction by Hanoi and Manila this week is an important reminder about the significance of intra-ASEAN collaboration even as disputes continue to summer.

Manila and Hanoi resumed naval personnel interaction on a feature in the disputed waters.

Incident is a warning that despite attempts to downplay the flashpoint, tensions could quickly escalate.

China's move toward an undersea observation network appears to be progressing.