Second Thomas Shoal

The Philippines, China, and the U.S. are upping a war of words over Beijing’s blocking of Filipino civilian vessels.

After a tense 2013, don’t expect the Asia-Pacific to be any less fraught next year.

After pursuing a cabbage strategy in the South China Sea for years, could Beijing adopt this against Japan?

Plus, the Chinese government turns its focus on developing Xi’an as a global business hub. Friday China links.

Aquino vowed that the air force will be able to defend the country by 2016.